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When The Past Was Around

Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC (Microsoft Windows), iOS, Mac, PlayStation 4, Android • 2020

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Quick resume

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.

Global score

95/100

Genres

Adventure, Casual, Indie, Point-and-click, Puzzle, Music

Pros

  • Beautiful hand-drawn art
  • Emotional and poignant story
  • Soothing and memorable soundtrack
  • Accessible yet thoughtful puzzles
  • Meaningful exploration of grief and healing

Cons

  • Short gameplay length
  • Some puzzles can be too easy or slightly unclear
  • Repetitive soundtrack for some players
  • Limited replay value beyond achievements
  • Lack of explicit narrative clarity for some

Motivations

  • Autonomy
    3

    "Players direct their own actions through point-and-click puzzles and exploration, with freedom to interact with many objects and revisit chapters."

  • Competence
    2

    "Puzzles provide moderate challenge and require some problem solving, but are generally accessible and not overly difficult."

  • Competition
    -5

    "No competitive elements; focus is on personal emotional experience and story."

  • Continuation
    1

    "Short game with some replay value for achievements and emotional revisiting, but overall brief play sessions."

  • Cooperation
    -5

    "Single-player experience focused on individual reflection and story engagement."

  • Creativity
    1

    "Players solve puzzles creatively and explore symbolic elements, though within a structured narrative."

  • Domination
    -5

    "No elements of control or superiority over others; experience is personal and empathetic."

  • Escapism
    4

    "Strong emotional immersion offering escape into a poignant narrative about grief and healing."

  • Expectation
    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily driven by personal interest in emotional storytelling and art."

  • Experimenting
    2

    "Players explore puzzles and symbolic interactions, encouraging experimentation within the game world."

  • Exploration
    2

    "Players discover new scenes, objects, and memories, encouraging curiosity and discovery."

  • Expression
    2

    "Artistic style and symbolic storytelling allow personal interpretation and emotional expression."

  • Fantasy
    1

    "Contains some surreal and symbolic elements (e.g., Owl character), blending realistic emotional themes with imaginative presentation."

  • Fellowship
    -5

    "Primarily a solitary experience focused on personal emotional journey."

  • Growth
    3

    "Players experience emotional growth and reflection on grief and healing through narrative progression."

  • Health
    -5

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

  • Idle
    -3

    "Requires focused attention to solve puzzles and engage with story; not a background or idle game."

  • Intimacy
    4

    "Strong emotional connection to characters and story, evoking empathy and personal reflection."

  • Leadership
    -5

    "No leadership or group management elements; purely individual experience."

  • Progression
    3

    "Narrative and puzzle progression advance the story and emotional development."

  • Relaxation
    3

    "Calm, soothing music and gentle pacing create a relaxing atmosphere despite emotional themes."

  • Sensation
    3

    "Enjoyable sensory experience through beautiful art and evocative music."

  • Status
    -5

    "No social recognition or status elements present."

  • Story
    5

    "Core focus on narrative immersion telling a poignant story of love, loss, and healing without words."

  • Strategy
    1

    "Puzzles require some problem solving and logical thinking but are generally straightforward."

  • Thrill
    -3

    "Emotional tension present but no suspense or risk-based thrills."

  • Value
    2

    "Good perceived value for emotional impact and artistic quality, though some note short length."

  • Violence
    -5

    "No violence; focus on constructive emotional experience."

  • Survival
    -5

    "No survival or threat avoidance mechanics."

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    Last update: 06/03/2026