...Knew the Beginning Review Summary

Last updated: 2026-09-04
  • Fun quirky experience with charm
  • Great art style and story
  • Unique funny characters and humor
  • Puzzles lack challenge and depth
  • Game is extremely short
  • Story lacks conclusion and depth
...Knew the Beginning header

Emotions

What players like:

Common complaints:

Gameplay feedback:

Performance notes:

Recommendations:

Other player notes:

Review evidence

Why players say this

Steam review verdict

A charming quirky adventure with gorgeous art, a lovely story, and funny characters, but puzzles lack depth, the game is too short, and the story ends unresolved.

What players like

Fun and quirky experience: Players consistently describe the game as fun, quirky, and entertaining, with a certain charm and humorous moments. It is seen as an interesting and enjoyable experience overall.

Great and interesting art style: The art style is frequently praised as great, interesting, and lovely, with a unique surreal and slightly askew aesthetic. It is noted to match the game's tone and evoke older internet flash weirdness.

Interesting and surprising story: The story is described as interesting, surprising, and better than some other games, with a fever-dream quality. It carries the game well through its short duration and includes disturbing sequences.

Unique and funny characters: The characters are praised for being unique, funny, and quirky, with humorous voices and dialogues. Their distinct personalities contribute significantly to the game's charm.

Good voice acting overall: Voice acting is generally well-received, with some noting it is fully voiced in German and English with good actors. However, opinions vary on the quality, with some finding it amateurish but charming.

Common complaints

Puzzles lack challenge and depth: Multiple reviewers found the puzzles too easy, with solutions requiring only one or two steps. This made the game feel unchallenging and lacking in depth.

Game is extremely short: Several reviewers noted the game is only about an hour long, making it feel more like a prologue than a full experience. This brevity also raised concerns about the price being fair.

Story lacks conclusion and depth: The story was described as bland, almost non-existent, and failing to resolve questions or wrap up the main plot. This left reviewers feeling disappointed and unsatisfied.

Excessive walking and slow movement: Reviewers complained about slow walking speed and the need to traverse the train repeatedly, especially due to two exits. This made the pacing feel tedious.

Gameplay is mediocre: The gameplay was described as mediocre and rough around the edges, with inconsistent object interaction mechanics. This made the overall experience feel unpolished.

Gameplay and performance

Easy and straightforward puzzles: Puzzles are generally easy, straightforward, and typical for the genre, posing no significant obstacle. This is mentioned in several clusters, indicating a common sentiment.

Classic point-and-click adventure: The game is described as a traditional point-and-click adventure with light puzzle elements and a short experience. This genre classification is consistent across multiple reviews.

Short playtime around one hour: The game lasts roughly an hour or slightly more at a calm pace, making it a brief experience. This is noted in two clusters.

Character walks backwards: A specific animation bug where the character walks backwards without turning around was reported. This is a minor but noticeable issue.

Map teleportation feature: Clicking on the map allows teleporting to different areas, which is a convenient navigation feature. This is a single mention.

Steam Deck requires external mouse: Players report that the game is playable on Steam Deck only when using an external mouse, indicating a lack of proper controller or touch support on the device.

Recommendations

Game recommended for interesting experience: Multiple reviewers recommend the game for those seeking an interesting or unique experience. It is praised as a good discovery and a clear purchase recommendation.

Suitable for slow-paced play: The game is recommended for players with a few hours to spare who enjoy a slower pace. This suggests it is not action-heavy but offers a relaxed experience.

Worth price for short entertainment: One reviewer implies the game is worth its price for about an hour of entertainment. This indicates a short but satisfying experience relative to cost.

Honest but not breathtaking: The game is described as not breathtaking but breathtakingly honest, appealing to those who value authenticity over spectacle. This suggests a grounded, sincere narrative or design.

Buying context

Game completion: 1.0h.

Story completion: 1.0h.

Other review notes

Mature content warnings: The game contains drug references, foul language, sexual content, and graphic violence. Reviewers warn it is not suitable for sensitive or family audiences.

Developer's first game: Multiple reviewers noted this is the developer's first game, which may explain some rough edges. This context is important for setting expectations.

Comparisons to other games: Reviewers compared the game to Substitute Priest, a mix of Edna, Sally Face, and Fran Bow, and Daedalic Adventures with Gothic. These comparisons help define its genre and tone.

Hand-drawn art style: All visuals in the game are drawn, and the surreal art style reminded reviewers of Edna and Harvey games. This artistic choice is a notable feature.

Fully voiced in German and English: The game is fully voiced in both German and English, providing accessibility for different audiences. This is a positive feature for voice acting quality.