Back Then
- December 8, 2023
- Octopus Embrace
Get on Steam"Back Then" is a narrative-driven first-person game that explores the mind of Thomas Eilian, an elderly writer with Alzheimer's Disease. Players, as Thomas, interact with collectibles, puzzles, and memories while traversing through a house and dreamlike sequences, uncovering truths about Thomas and his family. The game emphasizes storytelling, exploration, and detective work as players struggle to remember their past.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game offers a deeply emotional and moving narrative that effectively portrays the struggles of Alzheimer's Disease.
- The voice acting and art style are well-executed, enhancing the overall experience and immersion.
- It provides a unique perspective on aging and memory loss, making it relatable for those who have experienced similar situations with loved ones.
- The gameplay is primarily a walking simulator with minimal interaction, which may feel slow and unengaging for some players.
- There is no option to save mid-chapter, requiring players to replay sections if they need to exit the game.
- The game has a short duration and limited replayability, which may not justify its cost for some players.
- story13 mentions
- 69 % positive mentions
- 8 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The story is described as a deeply emotional and beautifully sad narrative that resonates with themes of dementia and loss, drawing comparisons to other acclaimed walking simulators. While some find the pacing slow, many appreciate its thoughtful execution and the way it connects with personal experiences, making it a memorable and impactful journey. Overall, the storytelling is praised for its depth and relatability, despite some wishing for more scenarios to explore.
“It's such a beautiful, yet incredibly sad story.”
“An amazing game and story, truly worth playing in my opinion!”
“The story is deeply emotional, touching, and managed to sadden even a jaded, cynical person like myself.”
“It just tells a sad story, painfully slowly, while you do nothing.”
“I really wanted to do a little review ^^ so, the story is certainly very well thought out, it's a shame that it's contained in just 2 scenarios.”
“I can't remember the story.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is noted for its intense emotional impact, featuring a mix of tension, frustration, and sadness that resonates deeply with players. Its storytelling is particularly effective, evoking strong feelings even in those who are typically hard to move. Overall, it delivers a profound emotional experience that leaves a lasting impression.
“There were a lot of tense moments and many emotional ones as well.”
“It's emotional, frustrating, disorienting, scary, and very sad.”
“The story is deeply emotional, touching, and managed to sadden even a jaded, cynical person like myself.”
- music2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is praised for its spot-on soundtrack, which effectively enhances the overall mood and complements the narration, contributing to a seamless flow in the gameplay experience.
“Nice and spot-on soundtrack.”
“The soundtrack and the art really helped set the mood, and the narration enhanced the flow.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game has a low replayability score, with users noting a short playtime of only two hours, which diminishes its value given the high price.
“Overall rating 6/10. I can't give more because the price is a bit high and the longevity is just 2 hours, making it not replayable.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is enhanced by high-quality voice acting, which effectively contributes to the immersive experience.
“The voice acting is really good and atmospheric.”
- graphics1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their appealing art style, which complements the well-executed voice acting.
“The voice acting is well done, and I like the art style.”
- gameplay1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
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