Info about When The Past Was Around:

Official game description:
  
From Brigitta Rena, the creator of _A Raven Monologue_ and _She & The Light Bearer_.  
_**When the Past was Around**_ is an adventure point-and-click puzzle game about love, moving on, letting go, and the joy and pain of everything in between.  
This is the story of Eda, a girl in her early 20s.  
Like anyone in her age, she’s lost.  
She lost her way in the journey to achieve her dreams.  
She lost her way in the journey to find love.  
_That until she met The Owl._  
The man that would help her burn her passion,  
the man that would help her find the spark in a relationship,  
and also the man that would teach her about heartbreak.  
The game tells a bittersweet tale between a girl and her lover in a surreal world consisting of disjointed rooms from memories and time. With each gathered clue, solved puzzles, and unlocked door, the girl will find her way, unraveling the secrets between her and her lover, the secrets which she used to know.  
Features:
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*   **A picture speaks a thousand words.**  
    Experience the game’s story not through words nor dialogues but beautifully hand-drawn art created by famous Indonesian artist, Brigitta Rena.  
*   **A short, sweet and whimsical journey.**  
    Explore a bittersweet tale between a girl and her lover in a surreal world consisting of disjointed rooms of memories and time.  
*   **Personal and ubiquitous.**  
    a game about overcoming the past and finding the self.  
*   **Solve brain-teasing puzzles.**  
    Various intriguing puzzles to solve and stories to uncover.  
*   **Let the music guide you.**  
    Atmospheric violin music will accompany you from the peaceful days to the angstiest moments
When The Past Was Around is a short silent narrative experience that can be finished in less than 2 hours. Even though it is a short game, we’ve put all our hearts into delivering a deep and meaningful experience for you. We hope that the brief moment you spend with Eda and Owl would be priceless and unforgettable.

Release date: Sep 22, 2020

Categories: Point-and-click Adventure, Puzzle Solving, Narrative Adventure, Emotional Storytelling, Hidden Object, Environmental Storytelling, Choice-based Narrative, Short Session Gameplay


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics: No data
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes: No data


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Emotional storytelling through visuals (weight 0.99): The game excels in conveying deep emotions without dialogue, using illustrations, symbols, and music to tell a resonant story about grief, love, and loss. Players consistently praised its ability to evoke strong feelings through subtle narrative techniques.
- Beautiful hand-drawn art style (weight 0.6): The game’s hand-drawn visuals were widely praised for their warmth, detail, and ability to complement the emotional tone. The art style enhances the storytelling and creates a cozy, immersive atmosphere.
- Captivating and emotional soundtrack (weight 0.44): The soundtrack, particularly its violin themes, was highlighted as a key element in enhancing the game’s emotional depth. Players noted how the music perfectly complemented the narrative and evoked strong feelings.
- Themes of grief and healing (weight 0.23): The game effectively explores themes of grief, loss, and moving forward, resonating deeply with players. Its portrayal of these emotions was described as comforting, hopeful, and beautifully executed.

Common complaints:
- Tedious or slow gameplay mechanics (weight 0.45): Certain mechanics, like clicking musical notes or backtracking for puzzles, are described as slow, tedious, or poorly paced. Some interactions lack polish or feel forced.
- Short playtime undermines value (weight 0.28): The game’s length (~1.5 hours) is frequently cited as too short for its price, leaving players feeling underwhelmed. Many refunded the game or questioned its replayability due to the brief experience.
- Technical issues and bugs (weight 0.12): Players encountered progression-blocking bugs, softlocks, and crashes, particularly with puzzles or fast interactions. Some issues were fixed in updates, but others persist, like resolution problems on ultrawide monitors.
- Underdeveloped characters and symbolism (weight 0.1): Characters lack backstory, depth, or meaningful development, making it hard for players to connect with them. Symbolism (e.g., feathers, music notes) is criticized as shallow or underutilized.
- Poor save system and progression design (weight 0.08): The game lacks reliable autosaves, forcing players to restart chapters or scenes if they quit. Fixed save points and irregular autosaves lead to unnecessary repetition.
- Achievement and replayability issues (weight 0.07): Achievements are either too easy, misleading, or require guides/replays to complete. Some are broken or poorly designed, detracting from the experience for completionists.

Gameplay feedback:
- Core point-and-click puzzles (weight 0.71): The game is primarily a point-and-click adventure with puzzle-solving mechanics integrated into its narrative. Players interact with objects, solve logical puzzles, and progress through rooms or scenes, often involving backtracking or item collection.
- Puzzle variety and logic (weight 0.67): Puzzles range from straightforward to moderately challenging, often requiring logical thinking, item interaction, or symbolic interpretation (e.g., musical notes, clocks, or safes). Some puzzles involve note-taking or creative problem-solving.
- Hidden object elements (weight 0.48): While not a traditional hidden object game, some mechanics involve finding or interacting with hidden items or details. These elements are often tied to achievements or narrative depth rather than core progression.
- Narrative-driven storytelling (weight 0.33): The game emphasizes a strong, emotional narrative told through chapters, often without dialogue. The story focuses on themes like grief, memory, and acceptance, using visuals, music, and puzzles to convey its message.
- Short playtime with replayability (weight 0.19): The game is relatively short, typically completed in 2-3.5 hours, but offers replayable chapters, achievements, and optional content to extend engagement. Some players may find the length appropriate for its narrative focus.
- Chapter-based structure (weight 0.16): The game is divided into chapters (e.g., six chapters), with puzzles increasing in difficulty as the story progresses. Players can revisit chapters or select them for replayability, adding flexibility to the experience.

Performance notes:
- Resolution and zoom bugs (weight 0.05): Persistent resolution/zoom issues (partially fixed in updates) and screen setting bugs affect visual clarity. Some players needed restarts to resolve these problems mid-gameplay.
- Game-breaking softlocks (weight 0.04): Softlocks during the prologue and after extended play sessions (e.g., 50 minutes) force players to restart, breaking progression. These bugs severely impact core gameplay.
- Steam Deck compatibility issues (weight 0.04): Players report unregistered playtime and unresponsive controls on Steam Deck, impacting handheld gaming experience. These issues persist despite hardware optimization efforts.
- Ultrawide monitor visual glitches (weight 0.03): Unprocessed screen edges and filter-related glitches on ultrawide monitors disrupt immersion. These issues are specific to non-standard aspect ratios and may require UI scaling fixes.
- Achievement and cloud support gaps (weight 0.03): Broken achievements and lack of Steam Cloud sync disrupt completionists and players who switch devices. These features are expected in modern PC releases.
- Accessibility concerns from flickering (weight 0.02): Flickering screen borders and objects create accessibility barriers for players with visual sensitivities. This issue compounds with other visual bugs.
- Optimized for low-end hardware (weight 0.02): The game runs smoothly on budget systems, making it accessible to a wider audience. This is a positive technical achievement noted by players.

Recommendations:
- Ideal for narrative-driven puzzle fans (weight 0.41): The game is highly recommended for players who enjoy emotional, story-rich experiences with puzzles, particularly fans of point-and-click or indie games. Comparisons to titles like 'Florence' and 'Journey' highlight its appeal to those seeking deep, introspective storytelling.
- Purchase recommended, especially on sale (weight 0.14): Many reviews suggest buying the game, particularly at a discounted price, due to its high storytelling quality and emotional impact. The short duration is offset by its value as a one-time, immersive journey.
- Not for everyone’s emotional state (weight 0.07): The game’s themes of loss and grief may be triggering for some players, particularly those with similar life experiences. Reviews caution against playing if these themes could be distressing.
- Appeals to broad, casual audiences (weight 0.04): The game’s universal themes and accessible gameplay make it suitable for casual gamers, women, and those new to narrative-driven experiences. Its emotional depth and art style attract a diverse player base.
- Soundtrack and artbook worth buying (weight 0.03): The game’s soundtrack and artbook are highlighted as valuable standalone purchases, complementing its emotional and visual appeal. This adds extra value for fans of its aesthetic.

Other player notes:
- Indie studio with emotional storytelling (weight 0.05): Developed by Mojiken Studio, an Indonesian indie studio known for hand-drawn art and emotionally driven narratives. Their collaboration with Toge Productions is also frequently noted.
- Inspired by similar narrative games (weight 0.05): The game is often compared to titles like 'Gris' and 'Unpacking' for its emotional storytelling and artistic style. It also shares similarities with the studio's prior works, such as 'She and the Light Bearer'.
- Easy achievements and small file size (weight 0.03): Achievements are straightforward to unlock in a single playthrough, and the game's file size is noted as small, reminiscent of older or retro-style games.
- Pandemic influenced uplifting tone (weight 0.02): The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the game's development, leading the developers to shift its tone to be more uplifting and hopeful, reflecting a desire to provide comfort during challenging times.
- Visually appealing owl protagonist (weight 0.02): The main character, an owl man, is frequently described as visually appealing and memorable, contributing to the game's unique aesthetic and charm.
- Photosensitivity warning included (weight 0.02): The game includes a warning for photosensitive players due to flashing visuals, ensuring accessibility and safety for a broader audience.
- Emotionally impactful for players (weight 0.02): The game's themes of loss and healing may deeply affect players emotionally, with some noting its potential to evoke strong personal reflections.

Emotions:
- Appreciation (weight 0.13): Players consistently praise the game's artistic and auditory design, highlighting its beautiful visuals, soundtrack, and emotional storytelling. The integration of music and art to convey deep themes without dialogue is a recurring cause for admiration, along with the game's attention to detail and philosophical depth.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.09): The game evokes nostalgia through its themes of love, loss, and memory, often reminding players of personal experiences or other beloved games. Its portrayal of past relationships, shared moments, and the bittersweet nature of recollection resonates deeply, creating an emotional connection to the characters' journeys.
- Frustration (weight 0.09): Players report frustration due to confusing or illogical puzzle design, unresponsive controls, and technical issues like bugs, performance problems, or lack of autosave features. The game's difficulty spikes, obscure mechanics, and occasional lack of emotional payoff despite personal relevance also contribute to this emotion.
- Sadness (weight 0.07): The game's narrative, centered on grief, loss, and irreversible separation, elicits strong emotional reactions, often reducing players to tears. The portrayal of the protagonist's visible grief and the tragic, unresolved nature of the story amplify this emotion, making it deeply personal for many players.
- Disappointment (weight 0.06): Players express disappointment when the game fails to meet expectations in storytelling, emotional depth, or technical execution. Common causes include rushed endings, shallow symbolism, repetitive puzzles, and unpolished elements like poor audio balance or abrupt narrative twists that undermine the experience.
- Melancholy (weight 0.05): The game's exploration of themes like grief, loss, and acceptance creates a melancholic atmosphere. Its bittersweet storytelling, depressive tone, and portrayal of life's fleeting moments evoke a sense of wistfulness and emotional weight in players.
- Affection (weight 0.04): Players develop affection for the game's characters, particularly the owl and cat, due to their cute design and the touching portrayal of their relationship. The sentimental and heartwarming story, combined with beautiful music and emotional depth, fosters a strong sense of fondness.
- Admiration (weight 0.04): Admiration stems from the game's high production values, including its stunning art style, masterful soundtrack, and emotional storytelling. Players praise its ability to convey complex themes like grief with simplicity and elegance, often describing it as a 'masterpiece' or 'amazing' experience.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.03): Players feel satisfied by the protagonist's emotional resolution, the balance of puzzle difficulty, and the game's meditative enjoyment. Completing the game, especially its puzzles, and the overall quality of the experience—despite its short length—contribute to this positive emotion.
- Comfort (weight 0.03): The game's cozy atmosphere, comforting music, and gentle storytelling provide a sense of warmth and healing. Its quiet, emotional exploration and message of carrying love forward create a soothing and reassuring experience for players.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.03): Players enjoy the game for its engaging story, art, and overall pleasant experience. The fun and relaxing gameplay, combined with the emotional narrative, make it a rewarding and enjoyable playthrough for many.
- Joy (weight 0.03): Joy arises from the game's uplifting moments, beautiful presentation, and heartwarming art and music. Players also find joy in solving puzzles, completing achievements, and sharing the experience with loved ones, creating a sense of happiness and warmth.
- Empathy (weight 0.02): The game fosters empathy through its relatable themes of self-doubt, growth, and emotional struggles. Players connect deeply with the characters' journeys, particularly Owl and Eda, and the expressive storytelling resonates on a personal level.
- Emotional impact (weight 0.02): The game leaves a strong emotional impact through its narrative, atmosphere, and poignant moments, such as the credit scene or the ending. Players describe the experience as deeply moving, often evoking tears and a lasting sense of reflection.
- Gratitude (weight 0.02): Players express gratitude for the game's ability to evoke deep emotions, provide healing, and offer a meaningful experience. They appreciate the developers' hard work and the game's capacity to touch their souls, especially during difficult times.
- Awe (weight 0.02): The game inspires awe through its masterful emotional journey, stunning visuals, and beautiful music. Its ability to convey complex feelings simply and create a deeply immersive experience leaves players in admiration of its artistic and narrative achievements.
- Warmth (weight 0.02): The game evokes warmth through its heartwarming story, soulful art, and comforting music. Small interactive details and the emotional depth of the narrative create a gentle, inviting atmosphere that resonates with players.
- Relaxation (weight 0.01): Players find the game relaxing due to its calming atmosphere, soothing music, and slow pace. The gameplay and design create a unique, meditative experience that helps players unwind and enjoy the moment.
- Amusement (weight 0.01): Amusement arises from playful elements like romantic interactions between characters, humorous comparisons to other games, and lighthearted moments. Players also find joy in quirky achievements or references that add a touch of fun to the experience.
- Calm (weight 0.01): The game's slow pace, soothing music, and healing atmosphere create a sense of calm. Players describe it as a soothing experience that leaves them feeling relaxed and at peace after playing.}