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When The Past Was Around - Prologue

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2019

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Quick resume

This is the prologue chapter of "When the Past was Around", an upcoming adventure point-and-click puzzle game about love, moving on, letting go, and the joy and pain of everything in between.

Global score

94/100

Genres

Adventure, Casual, Indie

Pros

  • Beautiful hand-drawn art
  • Soothing and fitting music
  • Emotional and poetic narrative
  • Simple and accessible puzzles
  • Relaxing and calming atmosphere

Cons

  • Very short demo length
  • Puzzles are too simplistic
  • Music can be repetitive and annoying
  • Lack of story clarity for some players
  • No audio options to adjust music volume

Motivations

  • Autonomy
    3

    "Players direct their own actions through point-and-click mechanics and puzzle solving, with freedom to explore scenes at their own pace."

  • Competence
    1

    "Puzzles are simple and easy, providing some sense of accomplishment but minimal technical challenge."

  • Competition
    -5

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

  • Continuation
    2

    "Short demo but players express desire to continue with full game, indicating some attachment."

  • Cooperation
    -5

    "Single-player experience with no cooperative gameplay."

  • Creativity
    2

    "Players interact with environment and solve puzzles creatively, though within predefined scenes."

  • Domination
    -5

    "No elements of exerting control or superiority over others."

  • Escapism
    4

    "Players use the game as a relaxing, emotional escape with soothing music and art."

  • Expectation
    -4

    "Engagement is voluntary and driven by intrinsic interest in art, story, and puzzles."

  • Experimenting
    1

    "Some exploration of puzzle solutions and environment interaction, but mostly straightforward."

  • Exploration
    2

    "Players explore new environments and discover story elements through interaction."

  • Expression
    -3

    "Limited customization or self-expression; players interact with fixed art and story."

  • Fantasy
    3

    "Imaginative, abstract narrative with surreal elements like owl-headed character."

  • Fellowship
    -5

    "No social or community features; solo experience."

  • Growth
    1

    "Some learning through puzzle solving and narrative understanding, but limited complexity."

  • Health
    -5

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity."

  • Idle
    -3

    "Requires focused attention during puzzle solving and story progression."

  • Intimacy
    3

    "Emotional connection to story and characters, conveying intimate feelings of love and loss."

  • Leadership
    -5

    "No leadership or group management elements."

  • Progression
    2

    "Progression through unlocking new scenes and story segments, with item collection for puzzles."

  • Relaxation
    4

    "Calming music, gentle puzzles, and soothing art create a relaxing experience."

  • Sensation
    3

    "Enjoyment of visual art and music provides sensory pleasure."

  • Status
    -5

    "No social recognition or status systems."

  • Story
    4

    "Strong narrative immersion through visuals, music, and gameplay without text."

  • Strategy
    -2

    "Puzzles require some thinking but are generally simple and straightforward."

  • Thrill
    -3

    "Low suspense or risk; experience is calm and contemplative."

  • Value
    4

    "Free demo well received; players feel good value for short, artistic experience."

  • Violence
    -5

    "No combat or destructive gameplay; focus on constructive puzzle solving."

  • Survival
    -5

    "No threats or survival mechanics; stable, low-risk environment."

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