A Taste of the Past similar games & best alternatives
A Taste of the Past
2022
Related articles
Quick resume
What do you do when you lose someone you love? A Taste of the Past is an emotional sidescroller about reconnecting with your Chinese culture while navigating a train to the afterlife. Featuring a wholesome story, cooking minigames, and hope.
Global score
98/100
Genres
Adventure, Casual, Free To Play, Indie, Visual Novel, Puzzle
Pros
- Beautiful art and music
- Emotional and touching story
- Short and accessible
- Relatable themes of grief and family
- Free to play
Cons
- Very short gameplay
- Simple and minimal minigames
- Limited voice acting
- Linear narrative with minimal player impact
- Some minor bugs reported
Motivations
-
Autonomy2
"Players make dialogue choices and engage in simple minigames, but the story is mostly linear and guided."
-
Competence-2
"Gameplay consists of simple, easy minigames with minimal challenge, focusing more on narrative than skill."
-
Competition-5
"No competitive elements; the game is a personal, emotional narrative experience."
-
Continuation1
"Short playtime (~30 minutes) but players express desire to replay for emotional impact."
-
Cooperation-5
"Single-player experience focused on personal story without multiplayer or cooperative play."
-
Creativity1
"Players customize dialogue responses and engage in simple cooking minigames, but within predefined structures."
-
Domination-5
"No elements of dominance or control over others; the game emphasizes empathy and personal reflection."
-
Escapism4
"Players use the game as emotional catharsis and distraction from real-life grief and stress."
-
Expectation-4
"Players engage voluntarily out of personal interest and emotional connection, not obligation."
-
Experimenting1
"Some exploration of dialogue options and minigames, but mostly a guided narrative experience."
-
Exploration2
"Players explore different train cars and interact with ancestors, discovering story elements."
-
Expression1
"Dialogue choices allow some self-expression; no character customization beyond that."
-
Fantasy3
"The story involves a dreamlike afterlife train and ancestral interactions, blending fiction with emotional themes."
-
Fellowship3
"Strong sense of family and cultural community through ancestral dialogue and shared heritage."
-
Growth4
"Players experience emotional growth and learning about grief, heritage, and self-acceptance."
-
Health-5
"Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."
-
Idle-3
"Requires focused attention during the short play session; not designed for background play."
-
Intimacy4
"Emotional connections with family members and ancestors create a sense of close relationships."
-
Leadership-5
"No leadership or group management elements; purely a personal narrative."
-
Progression2
"Progression through story and unlocking recipe steps, but no item collection or upgrades."
-
Relaxation4
"Calm, soothing atmosphere with gentle music and art, promoting emotional relaxation."
-
Sensation3
"Beautiful art and music provide sensory enjoyment and emotional stimulation."
-
Status-5
"No social status or recognition mechanics; experience is private and personal."
-
Story5
"Narrative-driven game with strong emotional story about grief, family, and cultural heritage."
-
Strategy-4
"Minimal strategic or problem-solving elements; gameplay is straightforward and simple."
-
Thrill-4
"No suspense or risk; the experience is calm and emotionally contemplative."
-
Value5
"Highly praised for emotional impact and quality despite being free and short."
-
Violence-5
"No violence; focus on constructive, emotional, and cultural themes."
-
Survival-5
"No survival or threat elements; stable, safe narrative environment."
Similar games
Last update: 06/03/2026