Pixelated glory

Foregone is the definition of being in the right place at the right time. I had not heard a peep about this game until I saw a Tweet about it. I immediately called it out, and within seconds the dev reached out and asked if we would like to take a look. After installing it I quickly fell in love with its crisp pixel style and sublime combat. This game simply blew me away in the first impressions department.

The first thing that jumped out at me was its visual style. It reminded me of a mix between Dead Cells and Out of this World. The pixels are chonky at times, but the sheer amount of animation in every frame is just breathtaking. I loved the subtle nuances of the main character, as well as the bevy of diverse enemy movement. The game just looks outstanding in motion. Videos do it justice, but seeing it on my 4K screen simply blew me away. There are so many pixel-style games these days it takes a lot to impress, but Foregone simply nails it.

MSRP: $29.99
Platforms: XB1 (reviewed), PS4, Switch, PC
Price I’d Pay: $29.99

One description that might scare off some players is Forgone’s comparisons to the Souls games. While there are elements of that series here, I never once got overly frustrated at Foregone. That is not to say that it isn’t challenging. The game ramps up its difficulty perfectly.

Foregone is a side-scrolling action game with a hint of Souls and a touch of loot gathering. There is also a sprinkle of Metroidvania in there, but the focus is truly on obtaining better gear and combat. As players progress through the game they unlock portals back to the main hub. The world is interesting, and each new area poses a few new challenges that amp up as time goes on. Death is where the Souls comparisons come in. Upon death players are tossed back to the hub, while losing their collected experience. I could go back and grab it, or I could take a penalty with the Reaper and give him half as a sort of offering. It is a nice middle ground to the typical formula.

Combat feels good here. It is a mix of melee and ranged that allows a host of weapon types that can be upgraded over time. As I mentioned it is a loot game;players will constantly be finding new and different weapons. There are quick attacks as well as slow, heavier weapons that deal more damage. The variety of ranged weapons is also great. Everything from standard pistols to bow and arrows are available. Upgrades are all performed at the hub, and each weapon has its own set of perks. I enjoyed the combat, but I enjoyed being able to tailor it to my liking even more.

In addition to upgrading armor and weapons, there are skills in the game that attribute to the Metroid-style feel. Things like a dash and healing skills are extremely imperative to the flow of the game. Sadly, this is one area where I feel like Foregone falls short. While the initial skills are well done, the later ones feel like afterthoughts in comparison. I maxed out all the initial skills pretty quickly and used them for the majority of the game. This hinders progression in a way making things not feel as dynamic as the game plays out.

Foregone is a wonderful surprise in a crowded genre of gaming. There are a ton of other titles exactly like it, but this one just stands head and shoulders above the rest. I cannot recommend this game enough. It might tick all the usual boxes, but it ticks them extremely well. I haven’t had this much reverence for a game of this type in a long time. Do not sleep on Foregone.

Review copy of game provided by publisher.