Recollection

About

Recollection is a single player casual simulation game. It was developed by Erkberg and was released on April 17, 2023. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

"Recollection" is a serene walking simulator, encouraging players to appreciate the beauty of nature through hand-crafted, unique experiences. With two game modes, Natural and Fragile, players can discover magical wonders at their own pace or challenge themselves with delicate ecosystems. The game features an atmospheric silhouette artstyle and an emotional soundtrack, offering a short yet memorable experience of 1-2 hours, playable with various input methods.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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97%

Audience ScoreBased on 62 reviews

music7 positive mentions

Recollection offers a beautiful and calming experience, with a soothing soundtrack and visually appealing graphics that enhance the meditative gameplay.
The game conveys a heartfelt message about appreciating nature and the importance of mindfulness, making it a meaningful experience for players.
With its short playtime and simple mechanics, Recollection is accessible and provides a rewarding sense of completion, especially in its 'fragile mode' which adds an interesting challenge.

The gameplay can feel overly simplistic and may not provide enough depth for players seeking more engaging mechanics, often resembling a series of easy mini-games.
Some players found the 'fragile mode' frustrating and annoying, detracting from the overall relaxing experience the game aims to provide.
The game is very short, which may leave some players feeling unsatisfied, especially if they were expecting a more substantial gameplay experience.

story
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
The game's story is a poignant exploration of nature and the human impact on the environment, presented through a simple yet thought-provoking narrative. While some players found the story short, it effectively encourages reflection on life's beauty and the importance of ecological preservation, especially in its expanded "fragile" mode. The atmospheric art and music enhance the storytelling experience, making it engaging despite its brevity.
- “A beautiful story about nature, ecology, and the destructive influence of humans.”
- “A simple, yet effective storytelling about rediscovering the beauty this world has to offer.”
- “I love the atmospheric art style, visual storytelling, and I was surprised at how effective it was at getting me to slow down and pay attention.”
- “It is a very short story - walking game.”
- “Huge flaws, the story and the duration; not even time to start it and it's already finished.”
- “Simultaneously, the hard or 'fragile' mode unlocks after beating the game and expands on the calmer normal mode to tell a different story about the importance of preserving the beauty of nature and taking an environmentalist stance before it's too late and we're forced to forget life's wonders.”
music
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
9%
27%
The music in the game is widely praised for its calming and atmospheric qualities, enhancing the overall experience with a soothing soundtrack that complements the minimalist visuals and gameplay. While many players appreciate the beautiful and dreamy compositions, some suggest that a darker tone towards the end could have further enriched the emotional impact. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant highlight, contributing to the game's charm and contemplative nature.
- “A collection of small, intuitive mini-games, blended with minimalistic visuals, soothing soundtrack, and a calming ambience propel you on your way forward to understanding how getting unstuck from our dreary daily loops to bond with nature can help us get a different, eye-opening perspective.”
- “A charming little indie game with a contemplative, calm atmosphere and a catchy soundtrack.”
- “It takes you on a little journey, experiencing simplistic but beautiful landscapes, with calm and relaxing music and an important message that I don't want to spoil here.”
graphics
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
37%
27%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming, minimalistic aesthetic and soothing ambiance, which enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the clean visuals and atmospheric art style, likening it to a blend of gentle storytelling and engaging mini-games. The combination of beautiful graphics, a calming soundtrack, and intuitive design creates a relaxing environment that encourages exploration and mindfulness.
- “Graphically lovely game.”
- “The minigames and puzzles are varied and interesting and tie into the beautiful visuals and audio seamlessly.”
- “No stress, just exploring, finding interesting things in the environment and enjoying the beautiful graphics in the purple night sky.”
- “Easy controls (could go 100% with only a mouse) and business-vector like graphics.”
- “The art style might remind you of Limbo at first sight, but in a much gentler mood.”
- “Nonetheless, recollection is a very charming and soothing mindful game, ideal after a stressful day to put you in a chill mood with cozy graphics and sound.”
emotional
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the game emotionally impactful, praising its heartfelt message about appreciating the simple wonders of life. Many describe it as touching and wholesome, with some expressing that it brought them to tears. The game's dual modes offer a balance of lightheartedness and emotional depth, while its commitment to donating a portion of proceeds to environmental charities adds to its positive emotional resonance.
- “For me, a wholesome game because of the profound and yet simple message it wants to portray: we tend to forget the simple things around us that are actually a wonder of their own.”
- “This game made me cry; so touching.”
- “It was very heartwarming to see this world slowly becoming more beautiful by your actions.”
gameplay
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
28%
29%
The gameplay is characterized by a minimalistic and meditative approach, emphasizing exploration and subtle interactions, which fosters a calm and contemplative experience. While the minigames may not be particularly engaging, the game offers two modes that provide players with enjoyable options ranging from wholesome to challenging gameplay. Overall, it balances simplicity with meaningful engagement, though expectations for intricate gameplay should be tempered.
- “Very calm and nice gameplay.”
- “Its two modes give the player a choice between wholesome and easy-going or more dramatic and challenging, and both are a lot of fun in terms of gameplay.”
- “Gameplay is minimalistic but so meditative, focusing on exploration and subtle interaction.”
- “We should take more time to contemplate... recollection doesn't provide a whole lot on the gameplay aspect but it compensates with meaning.”
atmosphere
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
80%
20%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with users highlighting the exceptional music that enhances the overall experience, though some suggest a darker tone towards the end could improve the mood. The combination of atmospheric art style and storytelling creates a calm and relaxing environment, encouraging players to engage deeply with the narrative. Overall, the game is described as charming and contemplative, making it a memorable indie experience.
- “I loved this game from start to end, the atmospheric music, the story, and how you get pulled in.”
- “It was super atmospheric, calm and relaxing, with a very beautiful message to discover at the end.”
- “I love the atmospheric art style, visual storytelling, and I was surprised at how effective it was at getting me to slow down and pay attention.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its bug-free performance and affordability, making it a strong recommendation for players looking for a peaceful and relaxing experience.
- “The game's bug-free performance and affordable price point make it an easy recommendation for anyone seeking a peaceful and relaxing experience.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Users report that the game runs smoothly on the Steam Deck, indicating strong stability across this platform.
- “Runs great on Steam Deck, by the way!”
- “The game maintains a steady frame rate, even during intense action sequences.”
- “I've experienced no crashes or bugs, making for a smooth gaming experience.”