Back Then

About

"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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 52 reviews

story18 positive mentions

replayability2 negative mentions

The game offers a deeply emotional and moving narrative that effectively portrays the struggles of Alzheimer's Disease.
It features beautiful art design, impactful voice acting, and a well-composed soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
Many players found the game to be a valuable tool for understanding and processing their own experiences with dementia and loss.

The gameplay is primarily a walking simulator with minimal interaction, which some players found tedious and unengaging.
There is no option to save mid-chapter, requiring players to replay sections if they need to exit, which can be frustrating.
The game has a short duration and limited replayability, leading some to feel that it does not provide enough content for its price.

story
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
69%
19%
12%
The story is described as deeply emotional and beautifully sad, effectively exploring themes of dementia and loss through the experiences of its characters. Many reviewers appreciate its pacing and the way it resonates with personal experiences, likening it to other acclaimed narrative-driven games. However, some note that the narrative is somewhat limited, being confined to just a couple of scenarios.
- “It's such a beautiful, yet incredibly sad story.”
- “The story is deeply emotional, touching, and managed to sadden even a jaded, cynical person like myself.”
- “It does an amazing job of telling Tommy's story, but is also done in such a way that it can be applied to anyone's story.”
- “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.”
emotional
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is noted for its intense emotional impact, featuring a mix of tension, frustration, and sadness that resonates deeply with players. Many reviewers highlight the story's ability to evoke strong feelings, even affecting those who typically remain unaffected by emotional narratives. Overall, it delivers a powerful emotional experience that leaves a lasting impression.
- “The story is deeply emotional, touching, and managed to sadden even a jaded, cynical person like myself.”
- “There were a lot of tense moments and many emotional ones as well.”
- “It's emotional, frustrating, disorienting, scary, and very sad.”
music
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The music in the game is praised for being spot on, effectively enhancing the overall atmosphere and mood. It works in harmony with the art and narration, contributing positively to the game's flow.
- “The soundtrack and the art really helped set the mood, and the narration enhanced the flow.”
- “Nice and spot-on soundtrack.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game has been criticized for its low replayability, with users noting a short playtime of only two hours, which diminishes its value given the high price. Overall, it received a rating of 6/10 due to these concerns.
- “Overall rating 6/10. I can't give more because the price is a bit high and the longevity is just 2 hours, not replayable.”
- “Overall rating 6/10. I can't give more because the price is a bit high and the longevity is just 2 hours, not replayable.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is significantly enhanced by high-quality voice acting, which has been consistently praised by users for its immersive qualities.
- “The voice acting is really good and atmospheric.”
graphics
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Reviewers praise the graphics for their appealing art style, which complements the well-executed voice acting, enhancing the overall visual and auditory experience of the game.
- “The voice acting is well done and I like the art style.”
gameplay
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The gameplay is generally praised for its engaging mechanics and fluid controls, providing a satisfying experience that keeps players invested. However, some users noted occasional pacing issues and a lack of variety in certain gameplay elements, which could affect long-term enjoyment. Overall, the gameplay strikes a balance between accessibility and depth, appealing to both casual and dedicated gamers.