The king is returning from war, and the kingdom expects a celebration. His sister expects trouble. Strange letters and disturbing dreams make her question the victory before everyone else stops cheering. The Forgotten Well has a useful opening tension: the official version of events and the person who knows the king best do not agree.

Big Fish introduces the concern around Raphael and the enchanted enemy he has fought. Steam places his alchemist sister at the center of the investigation and links the conflict to old wrongs between peoples. That makes alchemy part of a family and political mystery rather than a detached collection of recipes. The game belongs to a familiar fantasy-adventure format, but its opening question is easy to understand.

Official descriptions: Big Fish · Steam.

Steam advertises 26 locations and a combined set of 26 mini-games and hidden-object scenes. It also mentions travel by horse and raft. Those describe the adventure's range, not an open world or a transport simulation. The work remains following the story through prepared scenes and applying the tools or mixtures needed to continue.

When ingredients slow the story

A detailed Steam customer review praises some characters and twists but complains that ingredient gathering interrupts the pace. The same review finds the alchemy mini-game too forgiving and the ending unsatisfying. That is one player's account, not a verdict shared by every owner. It identifies the right question for returning fans: does gathering another recipe still feel rewarding by the third installment?

Player accounts: Steam customer 1. These are individual opinions.

For our shortlist, the premise is stronger than a promise of greater difficulty. Suspicion about a returning ruler creates a reason to investigate, while the family relationship gives the suspicion a personal cost. If you mainly enjoy the story and illustrated settings, accessible puzzles may be welcome. If you wanted a deeper crafting game, the available descriptions do not establish that change.

Consider The Forgotten Well after deciding how much you enjoyed the earlier games' alchemy. A sequel cannot solve boredom with a repeated activity merely by moving it to another kingdom. Compare package details and prices without assuming a trilogy bundle is automatically the best purchase. The trial is most useful as a test of the recurring ingredient hunt, not just a preview of the opening story.

Research note: this editorial review compares the official Big Fish and Steam listings with the linked customer accounts. It is not a hands-on review. Sources checked September 26, 2026; prices, ratings and package contents can change.