Last Time I Saw You
- October 10, 2024
- Maboroshi Artworks
"Last Time I Saw You" is a narrative adventure game set in 1980s Japan, following protagonist Ayumi through a magical realism world filled with Japanese mythology characters. The game explores themes of love, acceptance, and adolescence as Ayumi confronts a curse on his hometown while building friendships and experiencing first loves. It's a cozy and engaging 2D exploration game with intriguing characters and a beautifully hand-drawn environment.
Reviews
- The game features gorgeous art and sound design, creating an immersive atmosphere that enhances the storytelling.
- The narrative is heartfelt and relatable, focusing on coming-of-age themes and authentic human experiences.
- Gameplay is simple and enjoyable, with light platforming and engaging side quests that add depth to the characters and story.
- Some players found the gameplay to be too simplistic, with minimal challenge and repetitive mechanics.
- There are minor issues with the UI and occasional bugs that can disrupt the experience.
- Certain visual effects can be distracting during dialogue, and some side quests may feel oddly paced.
- story23 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The game's story is a charming coming-of-age narrative that emphasizes themes of friendship and family, complemented by beautiful visuals and engaging characters. While the main storyline is well-written and immersive, some players noted that certain side quests felt oddly paced and could distract from the dialogue. Overall, the combination of a captivating plot and appealing art style creates an enjoyable experience that resonates with players, particularly younger audiences.
“A lovely coming-of-age story with light platforming and baseball bat swinging.”
“The story is interesting and engaging, the art is really beautiful, and the game feel is perfect!”
“The story is well-written and features interesting characters, to the point that every day I was curious to see what the people in the town were up to.”
“Probably the only major negative I had with the game is that some of the visual effects can be distracting when reading dialogue, and some of the side quests are weirdly paced.”
“In the end, I personally wasn't very involved in Ayumi's story, but I understand that I may not be the perfect audience for this title.”
“Just a story you experience with a few choices, whether you want to do a side quest or choose a different dialogue option.”
- music16 mentions
- 69 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to complement the beautiful art and immersive atmosphere, creating a fitting backdrop for the story. While some players noted that the melodies may not be particularly memorable, the overall sound design enhances the experience, evoking a nostalgic vibe reminiscent of a small Japanese town. The combination of melancholic tunes and gorgeous environmental art contributes to a captivating and enjoyable gameplay experience.
“The vibe of a small Japanese town, a ton of mythology, gorgeous art, and nice music.”
“From the art and music to the atmosphere of this game, it was an enjoyable experience to play.”
“The art, the music, the perfect script, and the setting all make 'Last Time I Saw You' a truly unique experience, instantly relatable and familiar, like a freshly cooked home-cooked meal on a rainy day.”
“Although no melody I found particularly memorable, and I probably won't reach for the soundtrack often, it is impossible to deny that the music creates a fitting background for the story.”
“Although no melody I found particularly memorable, and I probably won't reach for the soundtrack often, it is impossible to deny that the music creates a fitting background for the story.”
“Tiny gripe regarding the very end: I was briefly taken aback to hear that the end credits song is in Spanish.”
- graphics9 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 22 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful art style and vibrant visuals, which resemble a cartoon and enhance the storytelling experience. Players appreciate the attention to detail in the character designs and backgrounds, contributing to an immersive and engaging atmosphere. Overall, the game's graphics are described as a stunning manifestation of the developers' artistic vision, making it a standout in the indie game scene.
“I'm so in love with the visuals and the background music and all the characters <3 just wanted to play an hour but the story got me instantly hooked!”
“The visuals are gorgeous and the story leaves you with a smile as you progress.”
“Graphically, the game resembles a cartoon, which works well with the story.”
“This game is a manifest love letter made interactive art form; absolutely every corner is brimming with everything that maboroshi artworks has at its heart.”
“This is another indie game, and the debut of the maboroshi artworks studio at that, which impresses with the quality of its execution.”
- gameplay7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized as a laid-back 2D adventure with action elements, offering an immersive experience through its art and story, despite some minor issues like backtracking and simplistic level design. While the mechanics are familiar, they are executed without artificial difficulty, allowing players to engage with the narrative without frustration. Overall, the gameplay is enjoyable but could benefit from more complexity and involvement.
“Nice story, beautiful art style, and fun and laid-back gameplay.”
“Mechanically, it is a 2D adventure game with action elements.”
“The gameplay, vastly expanded from the demo, is equal parts familiar and fresh, allowing us to enjoy all that the title has to offer without becoming an experience that it is not; there is no artificial difficulty or tedious handling of the systems, because while love is complicated (the main theme of the game), the controls need not be.”
“I wish the gameplay and level design were more involved, as there's lots of just moving forward in one direction.”
“Ngl the baseball training took the soul out of me (skill issue mostly), but thank god this mechanic didn’t happen often.”
“Although gameplay doesn't represent by itself anything special, the combination of all kinds of art gives you an immersive interactive experience.”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised, with users highlighting the impactful combination of art and music that contributes to an engaging and immersive experience. The overall ambiance creates a vibrant world that feels alive, enhancing the enjoyment of gameplay.
“From the art and music to the atmosphere of this game, it was an enjoyable experience to play.”
“All these elements create an engaging atmosphere and a world that feels alive.”
“Such an atmospheric game.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its heartfelt storytelling and ability to evoke deep emotions, offering players a poignant slice of life that is both beautiful and intriguing.
“This is a heartfelt game that gives you a slice of life.”
“Beautiful, emotional, intriguing.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game strikes a balance, avoiding both dullness and forced attempts at comedy, resulting in a refreshing and engaging experience.
“The humor is perfectly balanced, never boringly bland nor trying too hard to be funny.”
“The witty dialogue and clever puns kept me laughing throughout the game.”
“I love how the game uses humor to enhance the storytelling without overshadowing the main plot.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviewers note that the grinding aspect of the game is well-balanced, offering a familiar yet fresh experience without artificial difficulty or tedious mechanics. This allows players to engage with the game's systems smoothly, enhancing enjoyment rather than detracting from it.