Info about Last Time I Saw You:

Official game description:
_**FAMILY BONDS & ANCIENT CURSES**_
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**_Last Time I Saw You_** is a coming-of-age narrative adventure about love and acceptance. An uplifting story, rich with complex characters, set in a vibrantly imagined vision of late 80s Japan.  
Join Ayumi on an exciting tale of self-discovery in which he'll face his first tentative steps into adulthood and confront the terrible curse that has fallen upon his hometown.  
_**MAGIC REALISM IN 80s JAPAN**_
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Meet an eclectic cast of characters inspired by Japanese mythology, and lose yourself in a beautifully hand-drawn and traditionally animated adventure.  
_**FRIENDSHIP & FIRST LOVES**_
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In an adventure filled with love, friendship, and all the trials of burgeoning adolescence, you'll meet a beguiling cast of fascinating characters along the way; from school friends and gossiping townsfolk, to samurai crows and kleptomaniac kappas - as well as the literal girl of your dreams.  
_**AN INTRIGUING ADVENTURE**_
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**_Last Time I Saw You_** is a cozy and relaxing 2D exploration game. Light action, environmental puzzles, side quests and collectibles support its heartwarming narrative core, all dripping in nostalgia and affection for a time long gone.

Release date: Oct 10, 2024

Categories: Narrative Adventure, 2D Platformer, Exploration, Puzzle Solving, Japanese Mythology, Nostalgia, Cozy Game, Coming-of-age Story

Feature scans:
- Proton/Linux: score 30; verdict: Playable with minor tweak needed for cutscenes; summary: The game runs well on Linux/Proton and Steam Deck overall, but a missing media codec in Proton prevents cutscene playback, requiring a workaround. This is a minor but significant tweak for an otherwise compatible experience.
- Steam Deck: score 65; verdict: Needs External Workaround; summary: The game runs well on Steam Deck for gameplay, but cutscenes are completely broken due to missing Proton codec support, requiring users to watch them externally on YouTube. This creates a significant barrier for a narrative-focused experience.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $5.50 - $10.00
  - Reasoning: The community sentiment is split: one reviewer recommends full price, while others consider it overpriced and suggest waiting for a sale near 5 euros (~$5.5). This indicates a fair base price should be between the sale price that satisfies bargain hunters and the full price that some find acceptable, resulting in a range from $5.5 to $10.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 10.0h
  - Story completion: 5.0h
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: Multiple reviews consistently report story completion around 5 hours (e.g., '5 heures', '4 to 5 hours', '5 hours'). For full completion including all side content and achievements, several players indicate 10–12 hours (e.g., '10-12 hours for full completion', 'took about 11 hrs'). No reliable evidence for typical session length or endgame content exists, so those metrics are null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game offers enjoyable gameplay and a strong narrative start without early blockers, though some players experience a mid-game slowdown that later recovers.
  - Stance: Fun immediately
  - Anchor: N/A
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: N/A
  - Unlock drivers: N/A
  - Conditions: appreciation for Metroidvania exploration; tolerance for anime/manga character tropes
- Player Archetypes:
  - Narrative Enthusiast (buy)
    - Motivation: To experience a heartfelt, well-written story with memorable characters and a poignant atmosphere.
    - Playstyle: Casual, focused on story and emotional experience; explores at own pace and prioritizes narrative over gameplay challenge.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: A Space for the Unbound; Until Then
  - Chill & Casual Explorer (buy)
    - Motivation: To unwind and immerse in a low-pressure, aesthetically pleasing world with a gentle narrative.
    - Playstyle: Relaxed, slow-paced; enjoys soaking in the atmosphere, music, and visuals without demanding mechanics.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Japanese Culture & Folklore Fan (buy)
    - Motivation: To explore authentic Japanese aesthetics, folklore, and nostalgic Showa-era atmosphere.
    - Playstyle: Immersive, detail-oriented; appreciates cultural references, historical setting, and supernatural folklore woven into the narrative.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Completionist / Achievement Hunter (buy)
    - Motivation: To achieve 100% completion and collect every achievement as a marker of mastery.
    - Playstyle: Methodical, revision-oriented; aims to unlock all achievements, possibly using guides, and appreciates clear progression tracking.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A


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:
- Artwork is gorgeous (weight 0.77): The art style is stunning, with beautiful painted visuals that stand out and enhance the overall atmosphere of the game.
- Music and art blend beautifully (weight 0.63): The art and soundtrack are beautiful and well-made, with the hand-drawn art and music working together to enhance the overall experience.
- Narrative is well-crafted (weight 0.55): The story is praised for being well-organized, flowing, and outstanding, with great characters that enhance the narrative experience.
- Game is cozy and heartwarming (weight 0.51): The soft visuals, gentle music, and relaxing gameplay create a cozy, heartwarming experience that players find comforting.
- Japanese culture beautifully adapted (weight 0.44): The game meaningfully integrates Japanese folklore, history, and culture, offering educational opportunities and an authentic cultural experience.
- Gameplay is simple and fun (weight 0.41): Players find the game easy to play, entertaining, and immersive, with simplistic yet enjoyable mechanics. The fun and cute nature makes it highly accessible.
- Characters are charming and distinct (weight 0.32): Characters are well-written, endearing, and have distinctive traits that make them fun and believable, adding depth to the game.
- Game is emotionally engaging (weight 0.17): The game is emotionally engaging, immersive, and heartfelt, providing a beautiful and touching experience for players.

Common complaints:
- Gameplay is simplistic (weight 0.7): Gameplay is criticized as too basic, consisting mostly of walking, picking up items, and occasional bat swinging. It lacks challenge and variety, with no boss fights and limited combat.
- Story is mediocre (weight 0.68): The plot is considered average, predictable, and not emotionally engaging. The ending is seen as weak and some storylines are left unresolved.
- Translation and language issues (weight 0.46): There are multiple reports of translation problems, including Japanese translation flaws, Chinese translation stiffness, and lack of support for English, Russian, and Turkish. The text sometimes feels unnatural or machine-translated.
- Characters lack depth (weight 0.44): Characters are described as shallow, stereotypical, and lacking memorable development. The protagonist shows no growth, and side characters have little backstory.
- Minigames are too difficult (weight 0.36): Players find several minigames, especially the arcade and retro ninja ones, overly hard and frustrating. The '5 Dragons' minigame is singled out as very difficult and unfair.
- Short game duration (weight 0.32): The game is considered too short, with about 10 hours of playtime, and many players wish it was longer. The 10-day in-game timer contributes to the brevity.
- Combat is underutilized (weight 0.31): Combat is infrequent and almost an afterthought, with limited enemy variety and little impact. Bat swinging is reserved for specific moments, making the action feel tacked on.
- Platforming is weak (weight 0.31): Platforming sections are described as trivial, shallow, and not challenging. There are also issues with foreground and background elements being hard to distinguish, leading to jump errors.
- Too much backtracking (weight 0.27): Players complain about having to travel back and forth across the same maps, which becomes tedious. This reduces the enjoyment of exploring the town.
- Technical issues exist (weight 0.26): Players experience technical problems such as lag during rain, black screen on inventory, cutscenes not playing on SteamDeck, and screen shrinking. These bugs harm the overall experience.
- Credit song mismatched (weight 0.18): The Spanish credit song is repeatedly noted as clashing with the Japanese setting. It feels out of place and undermines the cultural atmosphere.
- Side quests are sparse (weight 0.17): Side quests are few and only involve a handful of characters, leaving some side characters without presence. The ending does not reflect the side content, reducing replay value.
- Puzzles repetitive (weight 0.17): Puzzles are described as all the same and extremely simple, not engaging or challenging.
- Miscellaneous UI issues (weight 0.16): Minor UI and gameplay nitpicks, such as character running too fast to interact and red text blending with bloom, affect the player experience.
- Dialogue choices lack impact (weight 0.13): Dialogue choices have no real effect on the plot, making players feel their decisions do not matter.
- Game feels underpolished (weight 0.13): Overall, the game lacks polish and feels like a low-budget or amateur production, with several rough edges and a general sense of being unfinished.
- No voice acting (weight 0.07): The game lacks voice acting, which may reduce emotional impact and immersion for some players.
- Lack of replayability (weight 0.07): The game offers little replay value due to its linearity and short length.

Gameplay feedback:
- Narrative-focused adventure game (weight 0.7): The game is primarily a narrative adventure that focuses on story, characters, and atmosphere. It features exploration and dialogue, with light action and puzzle elements, making it story-driven with minimal combat or action.
- Includes platforming and exploration (weight 0.55): The game combines platforming, exploration, and narrative elements, with segments involving jumping and running. It has light platforming sections that are not difficult and are integrated into the narrative.
- Features quests and side quests (weight 0.35): The game includes a quest system with main quests and optional side quests. Side quests may involve collecting, fetching, or purchasing items, and are usually completed on the main journey.
- Set in 1980s Japan (weight 0.35): The game is set in a small town in Japan during the 1980s, which is integral to the story's atmosphere and tone. The setting contributes to a nostalgic and culturally rich environment.
- Simple and easy gameplay (weight 0.32): The gameplay is simple and easy to learn, designed to be gentle and casual for players. The mechanics are straightforward, emphasizing story and atmosphere over challenging gameplay.
- Light combat and battles (weight 0.32): The game includes very simple combat, with minimal battles. The player uses a bat as a weapon and has a bracelet that acts as health points. Combat is not a primary focus.
- Centered on boy in rural Japan (weight 0.26): The story revolves around a boy living in a small rural Japanese town in the late 1980s. The narrative deals with yokai affairs, love, loss, and the boy's involvement in supernatural events.
- Includes optional minigames (weight 0.25): The game features optional minigames, including an arcade-style minigame and a video game within the protagonist's home. These add variety and interactive fun.
- Contains supernatural elements (weight 0.21): The game includes supernatural themes and yokai, which are Japanese mythical creatures. These elements are central to the story and are based on Japanese folklore and mythology.
- Indie story and visual novel style (weight 0.2): The game is an indie title with a strong emphasis on story and characters, featuring visual novel elements. It is more of an interactive story than a traditional adventure game.
- Side-scrolling platform elements (weight 0.19): The game includes side-scrolling platforming sections with jumping and running. This adds a bit of interactivity to the narrative.
- Calm and relaxing atmosphere (weight 0.12): The game is described as calm, beautiful, and relaxing. It provides a gentle and peaceful experience, focusing on story and atmosphere rather than tension.
- Collectibles and money (weight 0.11): Exploration in the game yields collectibles or money, which may be used to purchase items or complete side quests. It encourages thorough exploration.
- Linear narrative with walking (weight 0.11): The game is a linear, story-driven experience where the player walks from one area to the next, with occasional interactions. It is similar to a visual novel with simple movement.
- Short game length (weight 0.11): The game has a short playtime, with players completing it in around 5 to 8 hours. It is designed as a compact narrative experience.

Performance notes:
- Great Steam Deck performance (weight 0.14): Players report the game runs and plays fantastically on the Steam Deck, indicating good optimization and compatibility with the handheld device.
- Steam Deck cutscene codec issue (weight 0.08): Cutscenes fail to play on SteamOS/Steam Deck due to unsupported media codecs in Proton, which disrupts the narrative experience for Linux users.
- Linux compatibility confirmed (weight 0.07): One reviewer confirms the game runs well on Linux, indicating general good compatibility beyond just Steam Deck.
- Rain scenes cause lag (weight 0.07): The game experiences lag during scenes with heavy rain, which can negatively affect gameplay and visual performance in those moments.
- Black screen transition bug (weight 0.07): A bug causes a black screen when opening the screen during a scene transition, potentially interrupting gameplay and confusing players.

Recommendations:
- Great for narrative game fans (weight 0.42): A large portion of recommendations target players who enjoy story-focused and narrative-driven games. The game is seen as a strong fit for this audience due to its storytelling elements and emotional depth
- Overall strong recommendation (weight 0.34): Many reviewers explicitly recommend the game, often in strong terms like 'can't recommend enough' or 'clear recommendation'. This indicates widespread positive sentiment and endorsement for the game.
- Good for chill, relaxed sessions (weight 0.34): The game is described as a calm, relaxing experience with a good story, suitable for quiet evenings or a few hours of play, which some reviewers find appealing
- Appeals to Japanese culture enthusiasts (weight 0.31): The game's Japanese folklore, culture, and 1980s aesthetic are frequently cited as strong selling points, with recommendations directed at players interested in these themes
- Similar to Until Then and A Space for the Unbound (weight 0.28): Multiple reviewers explicitly recommend the game to fans of 'Until Then' and 'A Space for the Unbound', highlighting thematic, artistic, or narrative similarities that would appeal to those audiences
- Try demo before buying (weight 0.22): Several reviewers suggest trying the free demo to get an accurate feel for the game before purchasing the full version, particularly if the player is on the fence
- Best purchased on sale (weight 0.17): A few reviewers recommend buying the game during a sale, indicating that while the game is good, the price relative to content may not be ideal at full price
- Recommended for emotional and relatable narratives (weight 0.16): Reviewers highlight the emotional and relatable nature of the narrative, making it a good pick for players who appreciate story-driven games with personal or nostalgic themes
- Not for mainstream players (weight 0.11): A couple of reviewers note that the game may not appeal to mainstream or average players, suggesting it has a more niche appeal
- Low accessibility of English level (weight 0.06): One reviewer notes that the English level is about B1, making it accessible to non-native speakers, which could be helpful information for a wider audience
- Potential letdown for Metroidvania fans (weight 0.06): A reviewer warns that those expecting a Metroidvania might be disappointed, suggesting the game may not deliver on that specific genre expectation
- Not for unique story seekers (weight 0.06): One review indicates that players looking for a surprising or memorable story might be dissatisfied, implying the narrative might be predictable or standard

Other player notes:
- Set in 1980s Japan (weight 0.56): The game is set in a small Japanese town during the late 1980s, specifically the Showa era, with folkloric details and yokai. This setting is considered rare and provides cultural and educational value about Japan.
- First game from new studio (weight 0.49): This is the first work from a new, small Japanese studio (Maboroshi Artworks) focused on photography and art. Being a debut indie title, it is low-budget but reviewers note the developer's care for the game's messages and hope for future projects.
- Language support is limited (weight 0.49): The game supports several languages but not all, with specific mentions of missing Russian and Turkish support, though a fan translation patch exists for Turkish. English is available at a B1 level, and Spanish localization is fully provided.
- Comparable to acclaimed narrative games (weight 0.48): Reviewers frequently compare the game to 'A Space for the Unbound' and 'Until Then', noting similar quality and coming-of-age themes, though some feel those titles have stronger story writing. It is also likened to 'Night in the Woods' and 'To the Moon' with a Japanese twist.
- Inspired by Studio Ghibli (weight 0.45): The game's art direction and story evoke Studio Ghibli and Makoto Shinkai, with a hand-drawn style and a Ghibli-ish aesthetic. It is also compared to Japanese folklore and animation, such as 'Natsume's Book of Friends'.
- Story-driven and emotional (weight 0.44): The game prioritizes storytelling, atmosphere, and emotional connection over combat-heavy gameplay, centering on a story of love and growth. The main plot involves a boy chasing a mysterious girl and saving his hometown from a typhoon, with themes of abandonment, overwork, and WWII legacy.
- Works well on Steam Deck (weight 0.36): Players report the game runs fantastically and is fully compatible with the Steam Deck, with one noting it feels like the intended way to play. A minor issue is that some cutscenes may need to be watched on YouTube for Steam Deck users.
- Yokai and folklore elements (weight 0.35): The game features a Japanese town under a curse linked to weather, with playful yokai and folklore creatures. This approach is considered distinct from other games like 'Ghostwire Tokyo'.
- Part of End of Memories bundle (weight 0.34): The game is part of the 'End of Memories' bundle alongside 'A Space for the Unbound' and 'Until Then', offering a complete coming-of-age journey. One reviewer played all three and considers this one the most underrated.
- Short playtime of about 6-10 hours (weight 0.3): The game length varies from 4-5 hours for main story up to 10 hours with side content and an unhurried pace. Some reviewers find it short, but the price is considered appropriate for the content.
- Coming-of-age and nostalgia (weight 0.26): The game is seen as a coming-of-age journey, reminiscent of juvenile films and childhood, with themes of love and growth. It is described as a love letter made into interactive art, and its setting and story resonate with those from certain parts of Asia.
- No voiceovers and simple controls (weight 0.21): The game has no voiceovers, and controls are limited to QWERTY or gamepad without in-game modification. Sound can be played separately from gameplay, and the English text is not complex.
- Short content relative to price (weight 0.21): Some reviewers feel the game has a small amount of content relative to its price, and it is smaller in scale than other titles in the same bundle. However, the price is also considered appropriate by others, and a permanent price drop was noted.
- Playable in Spanish (weight 0.2): The game is fully localized into Spanish, including the credit song, and is available in Spanish and English. This is seen as a positive for Spanish-speaking players.
- Demo and availability (weight 0.2): A free demo is available on Steam, and the game is available on other platforms as well, with controller support and cloud saves. The game is primarily on Steam.
- Reviewers' overall positive sentiment (weight 0.17): Reviewers express high praise, with some calling it one of their favorite games ever and hoping for more from the studio. The developer is seen as caring about the game and its messages.
- Context and comparisons (weight 0.17): Some comparisons to other games like 'Metaphor Refantazio' and 'FLCL' were made, but they are less central. The release day context is mentioned, and the reviewer had a demo experience at TGS 2024.
- Simple, linear story (weight 0.16): The game is story-driven with no multiple endings or impactful choices, focusing on a fixed narrative. The story includes minor family tensions but is overall comforting.
- Retro mini-game challenge (weight 0.07): A retro ninja mini-game is included and is considered difficult, adding a challenge outside the main story. This was mentioned in a review.

Emotions:
- Enjoyment (weight 0.13): Players consistently enjoyed the game for its polished presentation, beautiful art, and captivating soundtrack. The engaging story, character interactions, and non-complex puzzles contributed to a smooth, relaxing, and entertaining experience that kept players immersed.
- Admiration (weight 0.13): Admiration for the game is largely driven by its stunning hand-drawn art direction, detailed world-building, and emotional narrative. The visual presentation, including beautiful backgrounds and lighting, along with a memorable soundtrack, were frequently praised as the game's strongest assets.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.08): Players felt a strong sense of nostalgia due to the 1980s rural Japan setting and the relaxing, slice-of-life gameplay. The game's art and music evoked memories of childhood and a bygone era, creating a comforting and wistful atmosphere.
- Disappointment (weight 0.07): Disappointment was primarily due to the weak story execution, including a poorly wrapped-up ending, shallow character development, and predictable plots. Some players also felt the game lacked challenge and depth, and the price did not seem to match the content.
- Appreciation (weight 0.07): Players appreciated the game's evident craftsmanship, from the lovingly crafted art and music to the emotionally driven story. The nostalgic Showa-era atmosphere and the high level of presentation cohesion were specifically highlighted as making the experience feel special.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.05): Satisfaction was derived from the game's engaging story, beautiful art, and high-quality animations. Players appreciated the perfect game duration, worth-the-price value, and an overall solid and relatable experience, often rating it as one of the best indie games of the year.
- Love (weight 0.05): Players loved the game for its immersive world, beautiful art, music, and heartfelt story set in a Japanese village. The endearing characters and the themes of friendship and family, combined with the game's sweet details and atmosphere, made players feel a strong connection.
- Sadness (weight 0.04): Sadness was evoked by the game's melancholic and touching story, which deals with themes of parting, lost time, and the bittersweet nature of first love. Players felt emotional, with some even brought to tears.
- Joy (weight 0.04): Joy came from the wholesome and relatable elements of the game, as well as the fun gameplay involving platforming, quests, and collectables. Players described the overall journey as incredible and full of emotion, providing happiness from start to finish.
- Frustration (weight 0.03): Frustration primarily arose from the difficulty of certain minigames, particularly 'The 5 Dragons' and the ninja minigame, which were seen as unfair and too hard to complete. Other frustrations included having to traverse maps repeatedly and some technical issues like lag.
- Warmth (weight 0.03): Warmth was felt due to the game's heartwarming story and characters, along with the nostalgic and cozy village atmosphere. The combination of soft visuals, music, and melancholic yet comforting elements contributed to an overall feeling of warmth.
- Boredom (weight 0.02): Boredom was induced by repetitive back-and-forth traversal and gameplay that was too simple and tedious. The predictable story and dialogue that felt like background noise also contributed to a lack of engagement.
- Excitement (weight 0.02): Excitement built as the game became more engaging over time, with players impressed by the demo and eager for a sequel. The living world and journey of growth and self-knowledge also fueled their anticipation.
- Interest (weight 0.02): Interest was sparked by the game's adaptation of Japanese culture, which players found intriguing. The evolving mystery and engaging characters kept players wanting to know what would happen next.
- Comfort (weight 0.02): The game provided comfort through its reassuring story and natural character growth, leaving a comforting impression. The melancholic but pleasant nostalgia, along with the gentle tone, contributed to a sense of ease.
- Fondness (weight 0.01): Fondness was primarily associated with the coming-of-age story and the overall narrative. Players felt affection for the story's themes and progression.
- Captivation (weight 0.01): The game was captivating due to its strong narrative and engaging music, which, combined with the atmospheric world, fully immersed players.
- Happiness (weight 0.01): Happiness was derived from the game's beautiful art style, which players found remarkable, and from the overall joy and comfort the game provided.
- Delight (weight 0.01): Delight was found in the well-crafted conversations, characters, and quests that were full of love and care. Players also enjoyed recognizing various Japanese cultural elements and appreciated how some characters were presented despite guilt or disappointment.
- Wonder (weight 0.01): Wonder was evoked by the game's beautiful visuals and magical atmosphere, leading to reflection on the transition from childhood to adulthood. The visual and magical elements inspired a sense of awe and curiosity.}