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A Taste of the Past

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2022

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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

  • Autonomy
    2

    "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."

  • Continuation
    1

    "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."

  • Creativity
    1

    "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."

  • Escapism
    4

    "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."

  • Experimenting
    1

    "Some exploration of dialogue options and minigames, but mostly a guided narrative experience."

  • Exploration
    2

    "Players explore different train cars and interact with ancestors, discovering story elements."

  • Expression
    1

    "Dialogue choices allow some self-expression; no character customization beyond that."

  • Fantasy
    3

    "The story involves a dreamlike afterlife train and ancestral interactions, blending fiction with emotional themes."

  • Fellowship
    3

    "Strong sense of family and cultural community through ancestral dialogue and shared heritage."

  • Growth
    4

    "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."

  • Intimacy
    4

    "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."

  • Progression
    2

    "Progression through story and unlocking recipe steps, but no item collection or upgrades."

  • Relaxation
    4

    "Calm, soothing atmosphere with gentle music and art, promoting emotional relaxation."

  • Sensation
    3

    "Beautiful art and music provide sensory enjoyment and emotional stimulation."

  • Status
    -5

    "No social status or recognition mechanics; experience is private and personal."

  • Story
    5

    "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."

  • Value
    5

    "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."

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    Last update: 06/03/2026