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
Reviews
- The narrative, level design, and music blend together excellently, creating a unique and engaging experience.
- The game features an excellent soundtrack that enhances the overall enjoyment and atmosphere.
- The challenge mode is addictive and competitive, providing a fun way to engage with the game beyond the main story.
- The level design feels loose and random, making it difficult to navigate and understand the placement of collectibles.
- The story appears nonsensical and lacks coherence, which detracts from the overall experience.
- There are issues with character movement mechanics and sight-reading levels, leading to frustration during gameplay.
- music7 mentions
- 86 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its excellent quality and engaging soundtracks, enhancing the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the blend of music with narrative and level design, noting it as a standout feature that adds depth and enjoyment to gameplay. The retro-inspired tracks are particularly appreciated, contributing to the game's joyful atmosphere while complementing its mechanics and themes.
“The narrative, level design, and music blend together excellently!”
“Haven't finished but there are some fun, surprising mechanics and settings and the soundtrack's a bop.”
“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.”
- story5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The story is described as unique yet somewhat nonsensical, with collectibles that are important to the narrative but poorly integrated into the gameplay, making them difficult to collect purposefully. While the story mode is engaging and thoughtful, enhancing the overall experience, the challenge mode adds an addictive competitive element.
“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 Celeste 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 throughout the level that are supposedly important to the story, but their random placement makes it unclear how to purposefully collect any specific type.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Gameplay is characterized by a mix of challenging mechanics, particularly with wind dynamics that can feel arbitrary, leading to difficulty in sightreading levels. While some players find the character movement mechanics unsatisfactory, others appreciate the introduction of fun and surprising gameplay elements, along with a catchy soundtrack and unlockable challenges that keep the experience fresh.
“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 can feel inconsistent, making it difficult to adapt to new challenges.”
- graphics1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The graphics feature a unique and eclectic art style that some players find disjointed and inconsistent.
“The art style is kind of weird and all over the place.”
“The graphics look outdated and lack detail.”
“The character models are poorly designed and lack realism.”
