Lapse: A Forgotten Future is a puzzle-adventure game centered around time manipulation, combining a post-apocalyptic sci-fi storyline with mind-bending puzzles. Players use "Chrono" technology to rewind time, change choices, and unlock multiple endings. The beautifully hand-drawn art style and immersive sound effects create a wasteland world, balancing strategy and artistic experience, making it ideal for players who enjoy deep narratives and intellectual challenges.
Features of Lapse: A Forgotten Future
- Dynamic Time System: Reverse or freeze time to solve complex puzzles. Every action impacts the branching storyline.
- Multiple Endings: Over 10 endings, each leading to a distinctly different world fate based on your choices.
- Immersive Scenes: Hand-drawn artwork paired with ambient sound effects intensifies the post-apocalyptic atmosphere and emotional tension of the characters.
- Adaptive Difficulty: AI adjusts puzzle complexity based on player performance, catering to both beginners and hardcore gamers.
- Hidden Clue Collection: Diaries and items scattered throughout reveal world-building details, satisfying exploration-focused players.
Advantages of Lapse: A Forgotten Future
- Narrative Depth: The sci-fi setting delves into ethics and human nature, with thought-provoking conclusions.
- Innovative Mechanics: Integrates time manipulation into environmental interactions, breaking free from traditional point-and-click puzzle frameworks.
- Artistic Expression: Unique visual style and dynamic music have earned the game nominations for indie game awards.
- Low Device Requirements: Optimized for mid-range phones with no lag or overheating issues.
Disadvantages of Lapse: A Forgotten Future
- Steep Learning Curve: Time mechanics require significant adaptation, with early stages potentially leading to frustration.
- Platform Limitations: Available only on iOS and Android, with no plans for PC or console versions.
- Text-Heavy: Some story dialogues are lengthy, lacking a fast-forward or skip option.
Development Team
Developed by the Italian indie studio ChronoWare, the team is led by creator Stefano Cornago (formerly the narrative designer for This War of Mine) and two engineers. The studio specializes in narrative-driven games and is adept at integrating philosophical themes into gameplay. Their previous work, Timeless Echoes, won the 2021 IndieCade Best Creative Award.
Competitive Products
- The Room series: Strengths: Intricate puzzle design, smooth touch interactions. Weaknesses: Weaker narrative depth, linear progression.
- Life is Strange: Strengths: Rich character development, significant player choice impact. Weaknesses: Simplified time mechanics, low puzzle difficulty.
- Oxenfree: Strengths: Flexible dialogue system, unique supernatural theme. Weaknesses: Lacks replay value for multiple playthroughs.
Market Performance
- Ratings: Google Play: 4.7/5 (150k+ ratings), App Store: 4.8/5 (90k+ ratings).
- Downloads: Over 3 million worldwide, with 70% of downloads from Europe and North America.
- User Feedback: Positive reviews focus on the depth of the story and the art style, while negative reviews highlight insufficient new-player guidance and crash issues on some Android models.
