Foregone’s theme? It’s all about the weight of legacy. The protagonist isn’t just fighting enemies; they’re wrestling with the ghosts of their own past actions, and the game frames this through fragmented lore tablets and environmental storytelling. Each biome represents a different era of their life, crumbling under the same mistakes. The boss fights aren’t just skill checks—they’re manifestations of regrets, literal battles against the things they couldn’t let go of. Even the weapon designs reflect this; my favorite was a sword that degraded as you used it, mirroring the idea that clinging to the past wears you down.
The ending twist recontextualizes everything as a self-inflicted purgatory, which gutted me. It’s rare for a game to make me feel complicit in its tragedy, but Foregone nails it. Now I just want to replay it to spot all the foreshadowing I missed.
Foregone is this gorgeous action-platformer with a hauntingly melancholic vibe, and its main theme is this relentless cycle of loss and rebirth—both literally in the gameplay loops and metaphorically in the protagonist’s journey. You play as this warrior, right? Stuck in this endless conflict, and every time you die, the world shifts slightly, echoing the idea that history repeats itself but never exactly the same way. The narrative layers in this subtle commentary on how war consumes everything, leaving no room for resolution, just an eternal grind. The pixel art is stunning, but it’s the way the story mirrors the mechanics that stuck with me—how every respawn feels like another chance doomed to the same fate.
What’s wild is how the game plays with memory, too. Fragments of the past bleed into the present, and you’re never sure if you’re uncovering truth or just another layer of deception. It’s like 'Dark Souls' meets 'Hollow Knight,' but with its own flavor of existential dread. Even the soundtrack leans into this—looping melodies that feel nostalgic yet unnerving. I finished it weeks ago, and I still catch myself thinking about that final reveal, how it reframes everything you’ve done. Masterclass in thematic cohesion.
If I had to pin down Foregone’s core theme, it’s the illusion of choice in a predetermined world. The protagonist, this badass arbiter, keeps fighting the same battle over and over, and the game tricks you into thinking your actions matter—until they don’t. It’s a brilliant subversion of player agency. The environments are littered with echoes of past failures, and the more you explore, the clearer it becomes that freedom was never an option. The loot system even ties into this; you’re constantly upgrading, but no matter how powerful you get, the outcome’s the same.
There’s also this undercurrent of sacrifice. Characters you meet are stuck in their own loops, and their dialogue hints at a larger cosmic joke—like they’re aware of the cycle but powerless to stop it. It’s darker than I expected from a game with such fluid combat. The way it blends metroidvania progression with roguelite elements makes the theme hit harder; every backtracking moment feels like revisiting a grave. Makes you question whether progress is even real or just another part of the trap.
The Forgotten - Book One of the Chronicles of Faynon
Sarah Groot
10
6.9K
The Forgotten.
Massacre and regicide under the orders of an unspeakably evil priesthood decimate the ranks of the honourable Galadon Knights, and destroy the Royal family who the Knights are sworn to protect.
Now outlawed and despised, the Knights are forced, for four generations, 120 years, to hide in secret as they regain their strength for their final confrontation with the religious order. But their biggest secret is that they also hide the last surviving member of the Royal family.
Finally strong enough, the last surviving Royal is brought out of hiding and told of her heritage and true identity. Unfortunately a key part of her heritage, a mysterious and magical amethyst pendant, is lost and without it her legitimacy to the throne can not be proven.
So starts a desperate quest to search for the pendant to prove the claim of Princess Astrid who must be crowned before the first full moon after her 21st birthday.
As more of her heritage is discovered so is passionate romance, bloody battles, betrayal, magic and alliances with the mysterious Elves, Dwarves, Dryads and Mrawlers of the planet.
With her 21st birthday quickly approaching, the amethyst lost and the armies are moving into position for a final confrontation, this is their last chance, and time is running out.
The city had always belonged to the rich and cruel. They knew this.
But Elio had been naive, thinking he could do things by the book, believing in the power of the law. Until he was locked away for a crime he didn't commit and forsaken to rot.
While Morrin, taken as a child, never had the luxury of naivety. And now, having fled from those who forged him into a weapon, he wants nothing to do with it all.
When these two collide, both damaged, baring teeth, it doesn't go well. But they are forced together by plans of their revenge and escape respectively when it turns out that the same man stands in both their way.
In the merciless wake of their shared enemy, they are confronted with harsh truths. They realise that Morrin may lose his freedom, and Elio’s pain-filled years may have truly been wasted.
At a crossroads, they each realise that getting their goal comes with a devastating sacrifice and a heart-wrenching choice to give up the other.
Who will do it? Will the destruction be mutual?
Or will one be left loyal, damned, with a gaping hole in his chest?
Daniel was forsaken by God and force to collect souls for Lucifer. He was one of the best AODs that is until he got assigned Abigial Davidson a former drug addict turned humanitarian, opening up her own non-profit rehab clinic for people addicted to drugs. Daniel is force to "play nice" with his worst enemies for the sake of his love Elizabeth and their son. But in doing so he is also forced to come to terms with a long-forgotten prophecy.
For years, myths and legends about the Underworld revolved around the earth. The darkest, most horrible place you could ever think of. But they were just myths and legends, carvings of ancient stories.
No, Hades -God of the Underworld- did not exist.
No, there wasn't anyone who could rule a place like that.
No, a mere person could not radiate fear and darkness.
No, millions of souls certainly would never kneel down before just one person.
That's what every single one of them believed in.
Unless, he was an immortal of course.
Like Hayden Stone.
Ava Bensen, like every other sane human, did not believe in such stuff. Yes, she had a perfect life -or at least, that's what her parents wanted her to believe in.
Rich parents. Beautiful looks. Caring best friends.
Everything was perfect.
But sometimes, people forget how perfection is just a fancy form of fear. Fear, that kills hundreds of people each day. Fear, that everyone despised and stayed away from. Fear, that could take form of the Furies, the deadliest creatures of the Underworld.
Ava didn't know that. She didn't know what was coming her way.
Not until she died. For real.
Dreams, visions, going insane. What does it all mean? As Nikkias world flips upside, she tries desperately to gain her footing. With everything pushing her farther way from her true destiny, she has to learn to fight harder for what she really wants. Will she be able to do it? Or will she give up and let everybody else decide what she wants.
Disavowed' really struck me as a story about the cost of loyalty and the blurred lines between duty and morality. The protagonist, a former elite operative, grapples with being abandoned by the very organization they bled for. It’s not just an action-packed ride—though the combat scenes are visceral—but a deep dive into what happens when the system you trusted betrays you. The narrative forces you to question who the real villains are: the shadowy figures pulling strings or the people who blindly follow orders?
What I love is how the game doesn’t spoon-feed answers. Your choices matter, and the endings reflect that. Do you seek revenge, or rebuild something new? The theme of identity is huge, too. When your past is erased, do you become someone else, or was that person always inside you? The soundtrack’s melancholic tones amplify this existential weight. It’s one of those stories that lingers, making you reevaluate your own principles long after the credits roll.
I stumbled upon 'Foregone' a few months ago, and it quickly became one of those books I couldn’t put down. The pacing is fantastic—it doesn’t drag, but it also doesn’t rush past the emotional beats. The protagonist’s journey feels incredibly personal, like you’re uncovering their secrets alongside them. The way the author weaves past and present together is masterful, making every revelation hit harder. If you’re into stories that balance introspection with suspense, this is a great pick.
What really stood out to me was the prose. It’s lyrical without being pretentious, and there’s a raw honesty to the character’s voice that makes their struggles feel real. I’d especially recommend it if you enjoy books that linger in your mind long after you’ve finished. It’s not just a 2024 read—it’s a timeless one.
The world of 'Foregone' is packed with intriguing characters, but the central figure is definitely the Arbiter, a fierce warrior resurrected to save the city of Calagan from an otherworldly invasion. She's got this tragic backstory—once a guardian, now bound by duty even in death. Then there's the Harbinger, the main antagonist who's basically the embodiment of chaos, spreading corruption everywhere. The game also introduces a bunch of side characters like the enigmatic Archon and the sorrowful Wraith King, who add layers to the lore.
What I love about 'Foregone' is how it blends action with deep storytelling. The Arbiter’s journey isn’t just about slashing enemies; it’s about redemption and confronting the past. The Harbinger’s design is super creepy, with this eerie voice that sticks with you. And the way the Wraith King’s tragic fate ties into the Arbiter’s mission? Chills. It’s one of those games where the characters feel as impactful as the gameplay.