HOW WE KNOW WE'RE ALIVE

About

"Baltic dive into melancholy: How We Know We're Alive is a free, hour-long point-and-click narrative mystery. As Sara, investigate your estranged best friend's tragic fate, piecing together the past in a richly animated, rain-soaked small town. Emotionally resonant with a 'heart-breaking' tale to tell."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

98%

Audience ScoreBased on 189 reviews

story58 positive mentions

The game features stunning pixel art and a beautiful soundtrack that enhances the emotional storytelling.
The narrative is captivating and deeply moving, exploring themes of grief, loss, and the complexities of human relationships.
Despite its short length, the game leaves a lasting impact, making players reflect on their own friendships and experiences.

The gameplay is minimal, with some players feeling it lacks interactivity and depth beyond the narrative experience.
Some players found the story to be cliched or predictable, which may detract from the overall experience.
The short duration of the game left some players wanting more content and a deeper exploration of the characters and themes.

story
128 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
52%
2%
The story of "How We Know We're Alive" is a poignant and emotional narrative that explores themes of loss, friendship, and the complexities of human relationships, particularly through the lens of grief and regret. While the gameplay is minimal, the captivating pixel art and evocative soundtrack enhance the storytelling, making it a deeply immersive experience that resonates with players. Despite its brevity, the impactful plot and unexpected twists leave a lasting impression, often eliciting strong emotional responses.
- “The story hit home too since I empathize with growing up in a small and religious town while not having the same beliefs.”
- “A very beautiful and thoughtful experience, the pixel art is amazing and the story punches you in the gut (but like in a good way) be warned though, you may cry.”
- “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.”
- “Quite a simple story game.”
- “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.”
emotional
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised, with many players expressing that its short narrative evokes deep feelings, often leading to tears. The combination of beautiful pixel art, evocative music, and a heartfelt storyline creates an immersive experience that resonates with players on a personal level, making it a standout in the indie gaming scene. Overall, the game is described as touching, bittersweet, and impactful, leaving a lasting emotional impression despite its brief duration.
- “A short but touching story that leaves an impact.”
- “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.”
- “It's heartbreaking but beautiful.”
music
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
29%
14%
The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to create a calming and immersive atmosphere, enhancing the emotional narrative and storytelling. Reviewers highlight the beautiful soundtrack, which features a mix of shoegaze, post-rock, and ambient styles, as a key element that complements the stunning pixel art and overall experience. Many describe the music as impactful and elegant, contributing significantly to the game's emotional depth and aesthetic appeal.
- “The art and music really added to the storytelling.”
- “A short emotional narrative with gorgeous pixel art, and beautiful music.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “Beautifully well done game from the visuals, music, to the story.”
graphics
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
22%
17%
The graphics of "how we know we're alive" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning pixel art and immersive atmosphere, effectively complementing the game's narrative. Reviewers highlight the meticulous attention to detail, such as reflections in rain puddles and a melancholic ambiance, which enhance the overall emotional experience. Overall, the visuals are described as aesthetically pleasing and integral to the game's storytelling, making it a standout in the indie gaming scene.
- “The pixel art graphics really impressed me; a lot of work and care has been put into it.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “The graphics may be simple, but are enhanced with nice effects like reflections in rain puddles or glowing lights.”
- “---{ graphics }---”
- “Quick play but deep message and very comfy artstyle”
gameplay
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
29%
29%
The gameplay of "How We Know We're Alive" is characterized by minimal mechanics and a focus on narrative, making it accessible with a low difficulty rating. Players can expect an immersive experience driven by a captivating story, stunning visuals, and an original soundtrack, appealing particularly to fans of walking simulators and narrative-driven games.
- “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.”
- “'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 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.”
atmosphere
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
86%
14%
The atmosphere of "how we know we're alive" is described as immersive and emotionally gripping, set in the evocative industrial town of härunga, Sweden. Players appreciate the game's cinematic visual style, effective light effects, and a fitting soundtrack that collectively enhance the overall experience. While the atmosphere is praised, some users humorously suggest that it could benefit from more diverse representation.
- “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.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
300%
Players indicate that grinding in the game can be quite demanding, often requiring significant time investment or additional lives to progress effectively.
- “Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding, as it allows you to unlock powerful abilities and gear.”
- “The grind is real, but the sense of achievement you get from leveling up makes it all worth it.”
- “I love how grinding feels purposeful; every hour spent enhances my character and enriches the gameplay experience.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
- “I spent hours grinding, and it felt like I made no progress.”