The mobile demo of Short Memory 2D has given us an early glimpse into a small but intriguing investigative video game
Short Memory 2D: Fading Echoes emerges from Efoo Games, the brainchild of Elia Orlando, an aerospace engineer and lifelong gamer. He draws inspiration from his personal experience with Alzheimer’s, a journey shared with his grandmother. This experience ignited his desire to explore the theme of memory loss through a video game, blending role-playing mechanics with investigative elements in an emotional and reflective narrative.
A Gloomy Atmosphere and a Lone Detective
The game unfolds in the gray, rainy city of Kard City, featuring Liam Roland, a seasoned detective who devoted 40 years to the local police department. A widower with a daughter he lost touch with after his wife’s death, Roland faces not only the mysteries of his job but also those of his personal life.
The story kicks off with yet another body found in the rain: a homeless man discovered three hours earlier by a woman. Dubbed the “Legend,” Roland receives the call to investigate and quickly finds himself immersed in a hostile environment, where other homeless individuals share tales of how the “jerk” supermarket owner despises them.
Players accompany him on an investigation into mysterious disappearances, gathering clues and piecing together the puzzle. With each choice, players steer Roland through his investigations and moments of introspection, confronting his torments and memories, including a strained relationship with his father and a fractured connection with his daughter.
Gameplay that Invites Reflection
The game doesn’t claim to be revolutionary but aims to provoke thought. Through multiple-choice dialogues and a gradual descent into mental turmoil, Short Memory 2D offers players insight into how decisions—especially the wrong ones—can impact the protagonist’s psychological state. Each mistake becomes a small crack in his mental sanity, intensifying the personal experience.
A recurring theme in Roland’s reflections centers on his relationship with his father: although he wasn’t violent, his father viewed him as a burden. This torment also surfaces in interactions with other characters in the game, such as the supermarket owner, who mentions local “thugs,” privileged kids causing trouble for fun.
Simplicity as a Strength
The graphics in Short Memory 2D maintain a simple yet functional aesthetic, showcasing intelligent design choices that pay homage to classic 2D games. The controls remain intentionally intuitive, designed not to distract players from the narrative and Roland’s mental journey.
However, some aspects of the interface could use improvement, such as the risk of accidentally pressing the “power off” button when accessing the menu or the occasional misclick on multiple-choice options. Still, the game flows well, capturing players’ attention throughout.
A Voice in the Indie Game Scene
Short Memory 2D stands as a testament to how the indie game landscape can tackle complex themes in an accessible way. Efoo Games, despite being an emerging developer, chose to confront a challenging subject like memory loss, a condition that affects many families and can resonate with a wider audience through video games. Even without substantial budgets or cutting-edge graphics, the goal remains to touch players with a story that speaks of human fragility, emotional challenges, and memories.
Efoo Games and Its Mission
Active in video game development since 2021, Efoo Games presents Short Memory 2D as its debut project. With a release set for December 20, Efoo Games aims to reach those seeking a unique experience that addresses themes of memory and family relationships with simplicity and depth. Though the game may be small in scale, it marks a significant first step toward creating works that convey emotions and provoke reflection.
If you want to know more, follow Efoo Games on X.
