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 breathtakingly beautiful art and music, creating an immersive and nostalgic atmosphere reminiscent of Studio Ghibli films.
- The storytelling is engaging and heartfelt, with relatable characters and a charming narrative that explores themes of love, loss, and personal growth.
- Gameplay is enjoyable with a mix of light platforming, side quests, and collectibles, making it a cozy experience perfect for fans of narrative-driven games.
- The game is relatively short, leaving some players wishing for more content and depth in the world and character development.
- Combat elements are minimal and lack variety, which may disappoint players looking for more challenge in the gameplay.
- Some players experienced minor bugs and issues with dialogue interactions, which could detract from the overall experience.
- story64 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game's story is widely praised for its emotional depth, engaging characters, and beautiful art, creating a captivating narrative experience that resonates with players. While some reviewers noted a lack of character development and unresolved plot points, many appreciated the heartfelt coming-of-age themes and the immersive world filled with charming side quests. Overall, the storytelling is described as enchanting, with a blend of humor and poignant moments that keep players invested throughout their journey.
“The game's storytelling is truly captivating, weaving an emotional narrative that pulls at your heartstrings from start to finish.”
“An emotionally resonant journey, 'Last Time I Saw You' delivers a powerful narrative through its enchanting world and beautiful storytelling.”
“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.”
“I never feel like we really get to know the characters deeper than skin-level; there feels like unresolved consequences to some characters' actions. Rather than a coming-of-age story, it felt more like a week-long slice-of-life, which I know doesn't make sense, but I don't really feel like the main character 'grows' during the story.”
“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.”
“The story isn't as mind-blowing as 'A Space for the Unbound' or 'Until Then', but it is serviceable, with a fair share of great moments.”
- music29 mentions
- 66 % positive mentions
- 24 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the storytelling and atmosphere, evoking a sense of nostalgia and comfort reminiscent of Studio Ghibli films. Reviewers highlight the beautiful soundtrack as a perfect complement to the game's art and narrative, creating an immersive experience that draws players into the quaint Japanese village setting. While some noted that the melodies may not be particularly memorable, the overall sound design effectively supports the emotional depth of the game.
“This game is pure magic, beautiful art and music, and wonderful storytelling.”
“The music complements the gameplay perfectly, enhancing the overall experience.”
“The nostalgic music, cultural references, and attention to period detail create a deeply immersive experience, making it easy to lose yourself in this world.”
“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.”
- graphics21 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 19 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Last Time I Saw You" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning hand-drawn visuals and immersive atmosphere, reminiscent of works by Makoto Shinkai. Reviewers highlight the game's unique art style, high production value, and the care put into the backgrounds and character designs, creating a nostalgic and engaging experience. Overall, the visuals are described as beautiful and integral to the storytelling, making it a standout debut for Maboroshi Artworks.
“The artwork is superb; the backgrounds and atmosphere were crafted with a great deal of care with the backing of good production value.”
“The art style is beautifully unique, with hand-drawn visuals that create an immersive and nostalgic atmosphere.”
“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 is another indie game, and the debut of the Maboroshi Artworks studio at that, which impresses with the quality of its execution.”
“If you enjoyed Makoto Shinkai's disaster trilogy and visuals, this is the game for you.”
- gameplay17 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally well-received, offering a blend of light platforming and simple combat that complements the engaging story and beautiful art. While some players noted its linearity and occasional backtracking as minor drawbacks, the overall experience is immersive and enjoyable, enhanced by a captivating soundtrack. The mechanics are straightforward, allowing players to focus on the narrative and character interactions without feeling overwhelmed.
“The gameplay time is 100% worth the cost and I enjoyed every minute of it!”
“The music complements the gameplay perfectly, enhancing the overall experience.”
“The gameplay is fluid and you instantly get immersed in the story without getting overwhelmed.”
“The gameplay is simple and pretty linear, but you will have the option to complete the quest in several ways.”
“I wish the gameplay and level design were more involved, as there's lots of just moving forward in one direction.”
“Although gameplay doesn't represent by itself anything special, the combination of all kinds of art gives you an immersive interactive experience.”
- emotional12 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game "Last Time I Saw You" is praised for its deeply touching and wholesome narrative, combining cozy visuals with a heartfelt coming-of-age story that resonates emotionally with players. Reviewers highlight its captivating storytelling and character development, making it a must-play for those seeking an engaging emotional journey. Overall, it is celebrated as a beautiful and relatable adventure that leaves a lasting impact.
“It's deeply touching and it's wise - for me, it's really the game of the year.”
“The game's storytelling is truly captivating, weaving an emotional narrative that pulls at your heartstrings from start to finish.”
“An emotionally resonant journey, 'Last Time I Saw You' delivers a powerful narrative through its enchanting world and beautiful storytelling.”
- atmosphere10 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its superb artwork, unique hand-drawn visuals, and immersive sound design, creating a nostalgic and engaging experience. Reviewers highlight the enchanting combination of art, music, and character interactions that bring the world to life, making it a deeply moving and enjoyable experience. Overall, the atmosphere is described as captivating and well-crafted, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.
“The art style is beautifully unique, with hand-drawn visuals that create an immersive and nostalgic atmosphere.”
“From the stunning atmosphere to the beautifully drawn characters, this game offers a deeply moving experience that is hard to forget.”
“All these elements create an engaging atmosphere and a world that feels alive.”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features a well-balanced sense of humor, with funny characters and a solid story that enhances the overall experience. Reviewers appreciate that the humor is neither forced nor overly simplistic, contributing positively to the gameplay.
“There's a good sense of humor.”
“Really good game, solid story, great art, funny characters, and the gameplay, while basic, works well.”
“Neither boringly bland nor trying to be funny at all costs.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players appreciate that the grinding aspect of the game is well-balanced, avoiding artificial difficulty and tedious mechanics. The gameplay feels both familiar and innovative, allowing for an enjoyable experience without unnecessary complications.