HOW WE KNOW WE'RE ALIVE

About

HOW WE KNOW WE'RE ALIVE is a single player arcade simulation game with drama and mystery themes. It was developed by Motvind Studios and was released on May 5, 2023. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

A free hour long melancholy, point-and-click narrative mystery set in the bible belt of Sweden.

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97%

Audience ScoreBased on 228 reviews

story69 positive mentions

stability1 negative mentions

Beautiful pixel art and atmospheric visuals with impressive lighting and effects such as rain reflections and moving trees.
Emotionally impactful, touching, and well-written story that explores themes of grief, loss, friendship, and acceptance.
Soothing and fitting soundtrack that enhances the melancholy and immersive experience.

Very short gameplay length, roughly 30 to 65 minutes, which may leave some players wanting more depth or closure.
Limited gameplay mechanics with minimal interaction, functioning more like an interactive narrative or walking simulator than a traditional game.
Some players found the protagonist unlikable, and the story's sad and somber tone may be too depressing or heavy for casual entertainment.

story
156 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
54%
2%
The story of "How We Know We're Alive" is a short, deeply emotional narrative exploring themes of grief, loss, friendship, and coming to terms with past mistakes. While some find it hauntingly beautiful and thought-provoking with a strong emotional impact and a surprising plot twist, others note it can feel overly melancholic or brief. Overall, it is praised for its intimate, realistic portrayal of complex human emotions despite minimal gameplay, making it a compelling experience for fans of story-driven indie games.
- “This is a really intimate and touching story that tackles a wide array of topics - including loss, acceptance, maturing and facing reality.”
- “It's a heartbreaking story with several nice twists, walked through with the protagonist in one hour and on one single road, and accompanied by music of great beauty and elegance.”
- “"how we know we're alive" is a beautiful and sad story about loss, mourning, and bargaining in grief.”
- “The story just didn't do much for me.”
- “If the protagonist of a story comes off this unlikable, there's really just no motivation to continue.”
- “A very short and emotional story, honestly it was so short I didn't know how to feel about it.”
emotional
43 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is widely praised for its deeply emotional and intimate storytelling, often evoking tears and a heavy, bittersweet atmosphere despite its short length. Its touching narrative, atmospheric setting, and beautiful art and music combine to create a memorable, immersive experience that resonates strongly with players on themes of loss, acceptance, and nostalgia.
- “This is a really intimate and touching story that tackles a wide array of topics - including loss, acceptance, maturing and facing reality.”
- “The strength of this game lies not only in its captivating narrative but also in its ability to resonate with players on a deeply emotional level.”
- “Everything about this game makes sense: the graphics, the plot, the characters and their personality, the scenery... it allows the player to get a full-immersive feeling and to participate emotionally.”
music
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
46%
4%
The music in the game is widely praised for its haunting, melancholic, and calming ambiance, perfectly complementing the emotional and somber narrative. The soundtrack, often described as slow, ethereal, and beautifully crafted with influences from shoegaze and post-rock, enhances the immersive storytelling and pixel art visuals, creating a deeply moving and atmospheric experience.
- “There is so much art poured into this very short game; everything is perfectly crafted from the pixel art to the soft, melancholic soundtrack.”
- “I only say it perfectly 'works' and widens your feelings, your thoughts, and your soul while listening to some serious and deep shoegaze/post rock/ethereal/ambient music produced by Hammock, Slowdive, Simon Scott, Ulrich Schnauss.”
- “From the soundtrack to the sound effects, the graphics to the environment, this game does it all beautifully, and I haven't even mentioned the storytelling, the emotions—everything is absolutely sublime.”
- “The story is quite sad (and the somber music ambiance does tremendous work setting the mood), but it also felt avoidable.”
graphics
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
46%
The game's graphics are widely praised for their beautiful, immersive pixel art style enhanced by atmospheric lighting and detailed effects like rain reflections. Reviewers highlight how the visuals perfectly complement the story and ambiance, creating a rich, emotionally engaging experience. Overall, the art style is considered a standout feature, blending simplicity with artistic care to deliver a compelling indie aesthetic.
- “The pixel graphics don't feel stale at all, everything is moving, and the lighting is beautiful.”
- “From the moment you step into the rain-soaked streets of Härunga, the game envelops you in its melancholy ambiance, beautifully brought to life through richly animated visuals and evocative storytelling.”
- “The graphics may be simple, but are enhanced with nice effects like reflections in rain puddles or glowing lights.”
gameplay
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
23%
33%
The gameplay is minimal and straightforward, focusing primarily on narrative and exploration rather than complex mechanics or challenges. While some players appreciate the immersive storytelling and emotional experience, others find the limited interactivity and pre-visited locations somewhat detracting. Overall, it suits those who enjoy walking simulators and story-driven games.
- “'How We Know We're Alive' is an award-winning, point-and-click narrative mystery set in the Bible Belt of Sweden, featuring a captivating story, an original soundtrack with various sound effects, multiple characters, immersive gameplay mechanics, and stunning visuals.”
- “With its heartfelt storytelling, stunning visuals, and immersive gameplay mechanics, 'How We Know We're Alive' is a true gem in the world of indie gaming.”
- “Enjoyed the storyline and mechanics a lot.”
- “With minimal gameplay and clear instructions focusing on sharing a sad story of two friends, Sara and Maria, I would rate its difficulty at 1/10.”
- “Good story, worth a playthrough if you like walking sims and are fine with minimal gameplay/choice.”
- “It's just gameplay.”
atmosphere
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
12%
13%
The game's atmosphere is highly immersive and emotionally engaging, enhanced by its cinematic visuals, thoughtful light effects, and fitting soundtrack. Set in a small industrial town, it offers a strong sense of place and mood, resembling an interactive film focused more on storytelling and ambiance than traditional gameplay. Overall, the atmosphere is praised for its depth and emotional resonance.
- “Immersive and emotionally gripping, 'How We Know We're Alive' transports players to the atmospheric setting of Härunga, a small industrial town nestled in the Bible Belt of Sweden.”
- “An atmospheric game with a cinematic visual style and an intimate, emotional story.”
- “The light effects truly give the game a wonderful atmosphere you can get immersed in.”
- “It’s more of an interactive film than a game, no puzzles, just atmosphere and dialogue.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game exhibits some bugs and occasional instability, with certain story and dialogue elements feeling underdeveloped, but overall it remains a worthwhile experience.
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game offers limited replayability, being more of a one-time experience with minimal incentives to play again, though some players may revisit it occasionally for fun.
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Grinding in the game requires having a second live, indicating that players may need additional resources or support to effectively engage in repetitive tasks.

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80%Critics’ scoreBased on 1 critic reviews

A Life Well Lived
Keengamer.com
80%

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Frequently Asked Questions

HOW WE KNOW WE'RE ALIVE is a arcade simulation game with drama and mystery themes.

HOW WE KNOW WE'RE ALIVE is available on PC, Mac OS, Phone, iPad and others.

HOW WE KNOW WE'RE ALIVE was released on May 5, 2023.

HOW WE KNOW WE'RE ALIVE was developed by Motvind Studios.

HOW WE KNOW WE'RE ALIVE has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked HOW WE KNOW WE'RE ALIVE for its story but disliked it for its stability.

HOW WE KNOW WE'RE ALIVE is a single player game.

Similar games include Until Then, What Remains of Edith Finch, Before Your Eyes, A Taste of the Past, To the Moon and others.

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