Hindsight
- December 6, 2022
- Joel McDonald
- 2h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on Xbox Games Store"Hindsight" is a single-player arcade game that explores the marvelous and highly emotional story of a woman's life. Players revisit her childhood home and sort through personal belongings, stepping through windows to memories frozen in time. By paying attention to the little things left behind, players piece together memories and shift their viewpoint to pull deeper into the past, ultimately deciding what to take with them and what to leave behind. Fans of narrative exploration games may also enjoy "A Memoir Blue."
iPad
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Mac OS
Nintendo Switch
PC
Phone
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Windows
Xbox One
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Mobile Platform
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- Hindsight offers a deeply emotional and relatable narrative that resonates with players, particularly those who have experienced loss.
- The game's beautiful art style and soundtrack enhance the storytelling, creating a poignant atmosphere that captivates players.
- Many players found the experience to be a touching reflection on familial relationships, making it a worthwhile and memorable journey.
- The gameplay is often criticized for being simplistic and clunky, with some players feeling it lacks the depth and interactivity expected from a game.
- The short length of the game, around 2 hours, has led some to question its value, suggesting it might be better suited as a film rather than a game.
- Some players found the narrative to be overly sad and lacking in humor or lightness, making it feel dreary and unrelenting at times.
- story50 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 66 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The game's story is a poignant exploration of grief and memory, focusing on a daughter coming to terms with her mother's death while navigating her past. While some players found the narrative slow and linear, many appreciated its emotional depth and beautiful presentation, likening it to an interactive memoir that resonates with personal experiences of loss. Overall, it is recommended for those who enjoy heartfelt storytelling, despite its brevity and limited gameplay.
“Please give this game a try if you are a story-loving individual with a hankering for a feelings trip.”
“It's a truly beautiful story.”
“A touching and heartfelt story about grief and the memories that help us move through it (or make it harder to move on).”
“The story is very linear with no choices (of any consequences).”
“I also think the creators of the game meant for it to read like a letter, but it came off feeling long-winded and often had unnecessary sentences that felt like they were just there to fluff up the story.”
“It left me resenting the narration as I kept feeling like I wanted to rush through the game to get to whatever point or message the story was struggling to get to.”
- gameplay23 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Hindsight" is primarily narrative-driven with minimal mechanics, focusing on exploring memories through a camera rotation mechanic. While some players appreciate the emotional depth and immersive atmosphere, others criticize the clunky controls and repetitive nature of the gameplay, finding it lacking in depth and engagement. Overall, it appeals to those who enjoy story-rich experiences, but may disappoint players seeking intricate gameplay mechanics.
“The story was a bit slow to become engaging, but the atmosphere/style of the game + the core gameplay mechanic kept me interested.”
“Its core mechanic of diving into objects to explore memories is absorbing and immersive, and the soundtrack is successful at evoking empathy.”
“Gameplay-wise, the game is beautiful visually and the gameplay is very intuitive.”
“The game does suffer from being incredibly short and not offering much in terms of gameplay, focusing more on a short, touching story.”
“If you can look past the non-existent yet somehow occasionally frustrating gameplay, the emotional experience is absolutely visceral.”
“This is the main mechanic of the game, and though it isn't totally awful, it does get repetitive and often clunky at times.”
- emotional18 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its deeply emotional narrative, often evoking strong feelings of grief, nostalgia, and reflection, with many players reporting that it moved them to tears. While some criticize the gameplay as lacking, the storytelling is described as poignant and immersive, effectively capturing complex emotions and personal experiences. Overall, it is recognized as a touching work of art that resonates with players on a profound level.
“Emotional in all the right ways and truly a work of art.”
“It's insightful, heart-wrenching, and relatable in surprising ways.”
“A touching and heartfelt story about grief and the memories that help us move through it (or make it harder to move on).”
- music7 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its beautiful composition and seamless integration into the storytelling, enhancing the narrative experience and evoking strong emotions. Reviewers note that the soundtrack is cinematic in quality and significantly contributes to the immersive exploration of memories, with many expressing a desire to purchase it.
“A lot of the narrative is conveyed visually with audio (words and music) helping make sense of what you're seeing.”
“I also loved how the music is blended into the storytelling.”
“The story is artfully told, accompanied by a soundtrack fit for cinema.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are widely praised for their beautiful aesthetic and creative art style, which enhance the overall experience. While the visuals are considered gorgeous and fitting, some players feel that the narrative lacks depth, suggesting that the stunning graphics could have complemented a more engaging story. Overall, the visuals are a highlight, contributing positively to the game's atmosphere.
“The game offers some nice graphics and a really beautiful aesthetic; it is pleasant all the same.”
“The game is gorgeous; the art style just fits.”
“It has a nice, simple art style and a mood that fits well with the story being told.”
“And even though I didn’t connect with the story at all, it would’ve at least led to a far more enjoyable experience through someone’s life with pretty visuals.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere and unique style effectively maintain player interest, even if the story takes time to become engaging.
“The atmosphere and style of the game, combined with the core gameplay mechanics, kept me engaged even when the story was slow to start.”
“The immersive atmosphere truly draws you in, making every moment feel impactful.”
“The game's atmosphere is hauntingly beautiful, creating a perfect backdrop for the unfolding story.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviewers note that the game has limited replayability due to its length, suggesting that players may want to wait for a sale before purchasing.
“That said, given its length and limited replayability, I suggest waiting to buy it on sale.”
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is largely absent, with many users noting a pervasive sense of sadness that detracts from any lightheartedness or comedic elements.
