Minute of Islands
Minute of Islands
Game
Game2020
Before I Forget
Developer 3-Fold Games
Before I Forget is an exploration game developed and published by 3-Fold Games. It was originally released in 2020 as a Humble Original on personal computers and was ported to consoles a year later. It depicts the effects of Alzheimer's disease on a woman who is trying to recall her life. From Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
149 reactions from 3 sources (Steam reviews, Bluesky, Mastodon) · newest Sep 23, 2026 · last updated Oct 13, 2026 · How this works
Audience score
90
LovedLoved
121 positive · 14 negative
95% range 83–94%
| Source | + | − | = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam reviews | 121 | 14 | 0 |
| Bluesky * | 2 | 0 | 11 |
| Mastodon * | 0 | 0 | 1 |
* shown, not counted in the score (label accuracy below our 85% bar or not yet audited).
Steam's own rating
Very Positive
125 of 140 reviews positive (all languages, per Valve)
What players are saying
90% recommend · 122 yes, 14 no
Counted from the reviewers’ own thumbs up/down on the 136 English Steam reviews we collected, not by the AI. Valve’s all-language rating: Very Positive (190 of 215 positive).
Players find the game a deeply moving and cathartic exploration of dementia. [1][2][3] Many praise the narrative, voice acting, and art style for creating an immersive experience. [4][5][6] Some reviewers criticize the game as too short, melodramatic, or lacking gameplay depth. [7][8][9]
Liked
Representative posts
- [7]
I hate to be that guy and the people who worked at this game have all my respect and esteem. Still, I can't leave a positive review because I've found the game to be too melodramatic and shallow, in dealing with the topic. I'm sure that the authors have done everything in good faith and with all their best intentions but the truth is that the characters and plot development on this game are on par with the …
- [1]
This game is a reminder of why I love videogames. Yes, I could watch a movie, or read a book about a persons journey with dementia, but the interactivity of this medium really puts you in Sunita's shoes, in moments of joy and frustration alike. Having had my mother suffer dementia, I found this game very cathartic. Thankyou to the developers for such a beautiful piece of art.
- [4]
Short, but worthwhile experience. Sad with moments of joy. A very deeply touching game for me, having watched several family members over the decades affected by Alzheimers or Dementia, wondering what they were seeing, feeling, remembering, forgetting. The voice acting was so good. The narrative was so good. The way the game threw you from one location and memory to another was a bit jarring and confusing, but that …
- [15]
Trigger warning: Ending has implications of suicide. A short, but tragically poignant story of a woman who lost her husband and then herself (and thus her career) Pros: * Beautiful music. * Really love the Indian voice actress' voice - it's rare, in games. * Clever way how you "fill in" details in rooms. * Excellent room design. Cons: * Short. One playthrough is ~45 min, unless you're searching carefully. * Some …
- [2]
Having a grandma that went through this, this game was special. It hurt. I bawled my eyes out at the end knowing the confusion and frustration she went through in her last days. This is why video games are such an important medium. You truly feel this game. Thank you for this creation.
Summarised from 34 of the 150 public posts collected about this game; every point cites the posts behind it ([n] opens the post) and the split is counted from the posts’ own ratings. Updated Oct 13, 2026. How summaries are made
RottenBot@rottenbot · automated account
Players who liked Before I Forget talk about emotionally impactful and cathartic for those with family experience; those who didn't talk about very short, around 45 minutes to an hour. Which matters more to you?
Critics, per Wikipedia
Before I Forget received generally favorable reviews from critics, according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. Fellow review aggregator OpenCritic assessed that the game received strong approval, being recommended by 100% of critics. Hope Bellingham wrote in her review for GamesRadar that it "sent me on an existential spiral" where she considered the nature of memory and how we perceive reality. Christian Donlan of Eurogamer wrote that it is "filled with insight and generosity" and puts Appleby's life at the forefront without letting Alzheimer's disease define her. In The Guardian's review, Simon Parkin called it "a memorable, affecting journey" that is both compassionate and…
From the “Reception” section of Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Critic context only — not part of the audience score.
Reactions
60 of 149 · most liked firstThis game is a reminder of why I love videogames. Yes, I could watch a movie, or read a book about a persons journey with dementia, but the interactivity of this medium really puts you in Sunita's shoes, in moments of joy and frustration alike. Having had my mother suffer dementia, I found this game very cathartic. Thankyou to the developers for such a beautiful piece of art.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I hate to be that guy and the people who worked at this game have all my respect and esteem. Still, I can't leave a positive review because I've found the game to be too melodramatic and shallow, in dealing with the topic. I'm sure that the authors have done everything in good faith and with all their best intentions but the truth is that the characters and plot development on this game are on par with the tear-jerkers movies of the seventies. I find it difficult to feel empathy for these…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Doing my #gamedev intro post: I'm Chella. #Indiedev behind 3-Fold Games (Before I Forget (BAFTA nom), Windrush Tales (wip)). I'm also a AAA narrative designer at Massive Entertainment, currently on Avatar. Former games journo with bits for The Guardian, BBC, BAFTA. I watch a lot of films and read.
neutral · AI labelView post →Before I Forget, our narrative game about a woman with dementia, is in the #advx2024 Steam sale. Adventure X is the only expo dedicated to #narrativegames #indiegames. The Steam sale is chock full of amazing narrative games. Check it out 👇🏽 store.steampowered.com/sale/adventu...
neutral · AI labelView post →The longer I spent wandering through the house of Sunita, who the player embodies during the game, the more the attention to detail throughout became apparent. The memories of Sunita and the objects associated with them link together in ways that made me want to return again and again to the house to understand more fully the life she lived and the lives of the people around her. I imagine that when I come to play the game again in the future I will notice new details and connections that…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The game is quite short and plays more like a walking simulator, with most of the gameplay consisting of exploring the house, interacting with objects, and listening to the narration and memories connected to them. You play as a woman living with dementia, alone in her house and searching for her husband, while slowly piecing together what happened through the memories she still has left. The visuals are very soft and have a muted color palette that I really like. I also really like the idea…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →We got another game for your Wishlist this Wednesday! Windrush Tales, from the creators of the BAFTA-nominated Before I Forget @3foldgames.bsky.social, is an illustrated narrative adventure set in a branching photo album in the 1950s. Wishlist it below!⤵️ store.steampowered.com/app/1758770/...
neutral · AI labelView post →#WritingCommunity #WritingQ #Prompt BEFORE I FORGET (I maybe already forgot once) - authors! GMs! Game devs! Anyone! Post a map from your creation here - or a list of places if you have no map - and I'll ask you a question about one! Take an opportunity to chat about your stuff! <3
neutral · AI labelView post →Before I Forget is a powerful narrative, with @chellaramanan.bsky.social as co-lead of the team store.steampowered.com/app/1126600/...
neutral · AI labelView post →Short, but worthwhile experience. Sad with moments of joy. A very deeply touching game for me, having watched several family members over the decades affected by Alzheimers or Dementia, wondering what they were seeing, feeling, remembering, forgetting. The voice acting was so good. The narrative was so good. The way the game threw you from one location and memory to another was a bit jarring and confusing, but that was the point. The way the rooms became colorized and revealed details was…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Just played 'Before I Forget' - what a beautiful game! Simple and effective. @donnietownstudio.bsky.social I think you'd quite like this. It's on sale as well for £1.49! store.steampowered.com/app/1126600/... #gamedev #indiegame #beforeiforget
positive · AI labelView post →Claire of @3foldgames.bsky.social and Before I Forget game fame has a solo project out now!! It's a handcrafted, hand animated game. She even did the music. In space with singing and stop motion animation. 🚀🧶🎮 #indiegames Check it out 👇🏽
neutral · AI labelView post →A Profound and Emotional Experience Before I Forget is a deeply moving narrative-driven game that offers a poignant exploration of memory, love, and loss. This short yet impactful experience puts you in the shoes of Sunita , a woman living with early-onset dementia. As you explore her world, you piece together fragments of her past, uncovering a heartfelt love story and moments of both joy and sorrow. The developers have handled the subject matter with great sensitivity, creating an…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →If you enjoy reading this review, please consider following [url=https://steamcommunity.com/groups/VeesCozyCorner]Vee's Cozy Corner for more. You wake up and look around. Was this picture there before? It all feels so… unfamiliar. 3-Fold Games is a new British studio composed of two women, and Before I Forget is their first game. It’s a first person narrative exploration game. Yet it’s much more than just a game. It’s a social commentary on love, loss and exploring how to deal with getting…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The story is nice, though entirely predictable. There's really no surprise about what happens at any point, but as an emotional journey with the main character, it's alright. The art / sound / music is pretty good. But I really wish the subtitles could be turned off. I found them constantly distracting, to the point where it really kinda ruined my ability to immerse myself in the scene and in the main character's experience. Probably even worse is the constant changes to walking speed and…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A really interesting exploration game. The art particularly in the flash back sequences is really beautiful. I was really pleased that Sunita's memories were not just about her relationship with Dyaln but also her Indian heritage, her career and other life experiences. She was not a one dimensional character she was whole and complex. A touching story.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →An engaging mystery that showcases what dementia can do to a person filled love, hopes, and dreams. The art style of this game really captures the concept of faded memories as well. Anddddddd achievements <3
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A beautifully crafted game allowing the player to both explore the experience of dementia and Sunita's story. The visuals are used incredibly effectively to allow the user to experience something unlike any other game I've played, especially in sections towards the end of the story. I thoroughly recommend anyone who is even slightly tempted, to download Before I Forget.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →My Experience An interesting thread runs throughout Before I Forget. Just as Sunita and her family members tell stories based on their cultural interpretations of the constellations, she must re-create the stories of her life through the constellations of items she encounters in her home. I found this to be a clever way of exploring memory, and of connecting Sunita's life and career to her condition. Our main character's memories can be triggered by an object's appearance, a piece of music,…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Ever wonder how does it feel to have a dementia? This short but deeply meaningful game nailed it. Being empathetic with someone living with dementia means shifting your focus from factual accuracy to their emotional reality. Because dementia damages the parts of the brain responsible for logic and memory, a person may experience a world very different from yours. Empathy involves "entering their reality" to build trust and reduce their anxiety. If they say something factually incorrect,…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Having a grandma that went through this, this game was special. It hurt. I bawled my eyes out at the end knowing the confusion and frustration she went through in her last days. This is why video games are such an important medium. You truly feel this game. Thank you for this creation.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Trigger warning: Ending has implications of suicide. A short, but tragically poignant story of a woman who lost her husband and then herself (and thus her career) Pros: * Beautiful music. * Really love the Indian voice actress' voice - it's rare, in games. * Clever way how you "fill in" details in rooms. * Excellent room design. Cons: * Short. One playthrough is ~45 min, unless you're searching carefully. * Some brief "what should I do?" moments. Meh: * Pace is... well, just a tiny bit…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →An expertly crafted walking sim. The exploration of the house, where we get to know its inhabitants and their connections item by item, listen to their music, and get a glimpse of their memories, reminded me of Gone Home. The music is more refined and beautiful than rough and punky, though, the narrative more melancholic; this game is overall more mature. There are no puzzles of the usual kind, but in a way the entire game is a puzzle where we piece together our character's identity and…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Beautifully voiced and scored, a lovely, moving piece. I really enjoyed it.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →4. Before I Forget (2020) ooh this was a sad game 🥲 i liked the storytelling in finding memories and watching it unfold. a nice single session game for sure
positive · AI labelView post →I have a mixed feeling about this game. beautiful game, but other than the great voice acting, they could've done more with gameplay or the story. it was just too simple and predictable from the start to finish.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I did not plan on crying today, what the hell 3-fold games? (╥﹏╥)
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A Story To Remember In many games you may play as a hero, a god or a soldier,but in this game you aren't a hero. You play as a frail 70 year old woman named Sunita and while you do have your own struggle, this struggle is unlike most common struggles you play from your average Triple A title. "Before I Forget" is a captivating and thought-provoking indie game that takes players on an emotional journey through the mind of a woman named Sunita, who is dealing with early-onset Alzheimer's…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →🧚♀️ ✍🏻 Positives: 🌟Very Short and simple game. 🌟The story is lovely and promising while progressing over time. 🌟The graphics & the arts are simple &pretty. 🌟The developer took advantage of some of the wall spaces to add paintings and murals, adding a nice touch during the movement. 🌟The music and sound effects are great. ☁️☁️⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆ ·:*¨༺ ★ ༻¨*:·. ⋆｡˚ ☁︎ ˚｡⋆｡˚☽˚｡⋆☁️☁️ ✍🏻 Negatives: ❌The price of the game is a little high, $3 or $4 is fine. I have played indie games with rich…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →!!MINOR SPOILERS!! A truly beautiful and interactive game! I love the graphics and the concept of the atmosphere changing after you achieve flashbacks is great symbolism for what Sunita is going through. The idea of voice acting and subtitles being available makes the game more accessible and immersive as you hear the characters in a voice level as if they are with you. Not going to lie I did bawl like a baby at the ending but that shows how well written the story is especially when considering…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →(SPOILERS) - - - - - - - I intentionally browsed for a game about Dementia and it brought me to this game; I don't regret it whatsoever. This is very accurate in accordance to what my grandmother has been experiencing for decades with Alzheimer's disease after the demise of her own husband (unfortunately due to cancer). I immensely appreciate that somebody took the time to understand what people with this condition go through on a daily basis. It can be very scary and disorienting for patients,…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The story is extremely predictable and boring. Gameplay is very slow and the game implements very unorthodox ways to control the player by placing illogical obstacles in the world and by changing mouse sensitivity and movement speed constantly. The environment is very colorless and shoddy with repeating patterns and duplicate items. There is nothing to solve here, just go to the next place and click on an object to get a voice line and a picture that moves the story forward. There are lots…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Before I Forget tells a beautiful story with fantastic voice acting, sound design, music, visuals, and that nebulous "feel." It takes cues from other walking sims in its atmosphere; but presents something entirely new, unique, and moving. It tackles mental health in a realistic way which left me feeling as though I could at least understand the feeling of discovery / rediscovery / undiscovery which someone with dementia may go through in their everyday life. It's not an easy feeling to…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Beautiful, sad, moving and tragic in equal measures. It offers a unique perspective on this terrible disease, i.e. from the viewpoint of the person who is actually losing their memories. It really captures the loneliness, confusion and sometimes frightening aspects of dementia - things that anyone who has had to watch as their loved one slowly slips away from them will recognise. It's a really well made game in all respects, but especially the narrative.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A beautiful, thought-provoking hour with a great narrative and some clever and dramatic level design.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →18. As Long As You're Here (2025) an emotional game about memory loss, a lot like Before I Forget. i really enjoyed it though and also cried lol
neutral · AI labelView post →Yes! FINALLY! A fellow Guitar Hero enjoyer! 🤝 Never thought I'd see the day! As far as favorites go, the songs that stood out to me the most are Before I Forget by Slipknot, and Monsters by Matchbook Romance. The latter ESPECIALLY was a banger to me growing up when it was playing on the game menu.
neutral · AI labelView post →"Before I Forget" is a story-rich, first-person exploration game from 3-Fold Game, it is moving, and atmospheric, it examines the emotional impact of dementia. You play as Sunita - a woman living with early onset dementia. As you wander from room to room, you discover mysterious objects, each holding a fleeting, fragmented memory. You examine faded postcards, scribbled notes, photographs, and more to uncover Sunita’s past, piece together her life-story, and understand her present. The Artstyle…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I found you here because my spouse (not a gamedev) sent me this article! "Before I Forget" looks amazing (it is burning in my backlog) and so does Asterism!!! Soon as I have game money again, it shall be mine <3
neutral · AI labelView post →It's not a bad game. It's an above average, but predictable story based walking simulator. The story made sense and I was able to pick up on the ending easily. Docking points for the random sensitivity and movement speed changes that were unnecessary and annoying. There's about an hour of playtime and I wouldn't say it's worth the $8 full price, but it's not awful if you get it on sale. It's also extremely easy to 100% if that's what you're looking for. 4.7/10
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Classic short indie (only an hour long) that leaves you feeling slightly emotionally broken. Key points: - beautiful soundtrack -aesthetically pleasing -gives perspective on real life issues Bought on sale so the game felt very worth the money spent!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Before I forget is a short walking simulator with a bittersweet story, shame it was predictable from the beginning. It's nice to discover parts of sunita's memories through constellations, photos, cards. It will take around 40 mins to complete.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It's an important title, using a simple, albeit interesting, gameplay style and visuals in order to explain to the player what it may feel like when struggling with Alzheimer's disease. I definitely recommend it, especially because it's not expensive, and it feels like especially today it's important to support fresh ideas like this one. Even more so when they bring a mission with them. Having said that, the game suffers from poor voice acting and a predictable story. I know it may seem like…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Whatever else may be commendable, the execution as an interactive experience, regrettably, falls short.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Beautiful and heart-warming. This one will pull on your heart strings. I would recommend this game to anyone who needs a good cry.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This may be one of my favourite short games ever. Dementia not only affects the person but everyone around them too, this game conveyed those tragic fragmented memories perfectly; amazing how thought provoking and emotionally pulling a game can be in just under one hour. You can understand why the game had a BAFTA nomination.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Man...what a powerful game. Its a narrative driven game about this women who has dementia. You experience this powerful story with great visuals, visuals that go to the beat of the music, great music, and overall just great storytelling. 10/10 would cry again. Though one frustrating thing, somehow i missed one thing to read, and that one thing lead me to not get the achievement, and then lead to not getting all the achievements. It doesn't take away anything from the overall game play, I…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →So to start the game is only an hour's worth of content (This is even mentioned in the opening), and these are one of the games where it's more about the story and the simulation of the protagonist then wonderful gameplay. The ending is pretty much predictable but it's nice if you like games like Gone Home or What remains of Edith Filch, but a very very simplified version of that. So I only recommend this game if you like an interesting narrative on how a story unfolds.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A beautifully written, different and short game that effectively uses games interactivity to help the player better empathise with people suffering from dementia. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a different and short experience. It also worked well on a laptop with integrated graphics.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →tl;dr -> Dylan. Disclosure: I received a review key for this game from the developers. I enjoy most walking simulators and have more than 7 combined years of supporting individuals diagnosed with developmental disabilities and/or conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia. I have also been a member of a Psychology research lab that focused on cognition across the lifespan. [This game was played through Steam] If you like short walking simulators, piecing together narratives, and are interested…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I love games like this. Made me think about what it might be like to experience memory loss, and helps me empathize with people who go through this kind of thing. Game is short, but to me is exactly what it needs to be. Graphics get the job done and the music is excellent. Honestly I've paid more for albums that I enjoyed less than the music contained here. Worth the price.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I am a Chinese player and I was recommended by Dody Chen, one of the Chinese translators. This is a really good story and I am really moved. Ps: Don't hurry and find all the materials!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →BEFORE I FORGET, HAPPY 16TH ANNIVERSARY TO MY FAV RGG GAME OF ALL TIME 🔥🔥 thank you Kurohyou for introducing me to Jesse Mcfaddin and having such BALLER cutscene art
neutral · AI labelView post →This is a powerful piece for empathising for those with dementia.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I would not recommend this game. Spoilers ahead, but my main gripe is with the ending, which strangely seems to romanticize suicide. I also find it a little sad that the story seems to frame the fact that the main narrator didn't want children in a weirdly negative light.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I should continue to write this review before I forget to finish it...
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A beautifully crafted, short but powerful narrative about memories of love and loss seen through the eyes of a woman with dementia. It's not a long game but it's very impactful and an enjoyable play.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →GH3 was the game I was thinking of when I wrote this post lmao. Dogshit is an exaggeration for most of the game of course but some charts really grind my gears (Before I Forget, In the Belly of a Shark etc) and that’s before the awful DLC
neutral · AI labelView post →Fantastic game. Loved the story, the game mechanics, the audio, and all the music. Wonderful way to bring a heart touching story to people. Would recommned. 10/10.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Love and LossExperiencing this game in a one sitting, within an hour, worked fairly well. Though short, the narrative is crafted to touch your emotions. The story may be a bit confusing, but that’s part of the game's. Explore the woman’s house, uncover her past, and piece together her life story to see the full picture. Recommended if you have some free time or enjoy story games like this. https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3362724355
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
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