In Retrospect
- September 6, 2022
- Paper Salamander Games
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"In Retrospect" is a 2D action/platformer game that explores the joys and challenges of life, allowing players to make decisions affecting the story and gameplay. The game features 10 stage story mode, over 40 challenge stages, and leaderboards to compete in. With a custom button system, unique platforms, enemies, and hazards, players can craft their own story and gameplay based on their choices.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The narrative, level design, and music blend together excellently, creating a unique gaming experience.
- The game features an excellent soundtrack that enhances the overall enjoyment.
- The challenge mode is addictive and competitive, providing a fun way to engage with the game.
- The art style is inconsistent and the story feels nonsensical, with levels that appear random and chaotic.
- Level design is too loose and open, leading to frequent downtime and difficulty in sightreading obstacles.
- Collectibles are poorly placed, making it hard to understand their significance and how to collect them purposefully.
- music14 mentions
- 86 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised, with many reviewers highlighting its excellent quality and engaging soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. The blend of narrative, level design, and music is noted as particularly effective, contributing to the game's joyful and meaningful atmosphere. Overall, the soundtrack is described as a standout feature, with some calling it one of the best retro scores in recent memory.
“The narrative, level design, and music blend together excellently!”
“With some of the best retro music I've heard for a long time, this deceptively joyful platformer sneaks all kinds of deep and meaningful thoughts and decisions into its simple concept.”
“Haven't finished but there are some fun, surprising mechanics and settings and the soundtrack's a bop.”
- story10 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The story is described as unique yet somewhat nonsensical, with collectibles that are meant to enhance the narrative but are poorly integrated, making purposeful collection difficult. Despite these issues, the game effectively conveys a lot of story in a short time, with a fun and thoughtful story mode that adds depth to the overall experience.
“The story is pretty unique for a runner, and the collectibles you choose to grab change your experience with the game.”
“This is much better, however, and like Celete, conveys a lot of story in a short amount of time.”
“Story mode is fun and thoughtful, and the challenge mode is already addictive and competitive.”
“The story appears nonsensical.”
“There are collectibles scattered all throughout the level and are supposedly important to the story in some way, but based on their placement and how they are randomly scattered on the levels, I have no idea how you would ever purposefully collect any specific type of collectible.”
“The story appears nonsensical.”
- gameplay8 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
Gameplay is a mixed bag, with some players finding the level design and movement mechanics challenging and arbitrary, particularly regarding wind mechanics. However, there are enjoyable and surprising elements, including unlockable challenge stages and a dynamic introduction of new gameplay ideas that keep the experience fresh. The soundtrack also receives positive mentions, adding to the overall enjoyment.
“Haven't finished, but there are some fun, surprising mechanics and settings, and the soundtrack's a bop.”
“It's small but mighty (with unlockable challenge stages that I've not yet tried) and it does that Nintendo thing of dropping in new gameplay ideas and moves every time you get comfortable.”
“The levels are often hard to sightread, especially with certain mechanics like the wind. It feels incredibly arbitrary how and when you are supposed to jump with the wind and the trajectory it will send you on.”
“In general, I wasn't a fan of almost any aspect of the character's movement mechanics.”
“The gameplay mechanics feel inconsistent and frustrating, making it difficult to enjoy the overall experience.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The graphics have received mixed feedback, with many users noting that the art style is unconventional and inconsistent, leading to a somewhat chaotic visual experience.
“The art style is kind of weird and all over the place.”
