Simpler Times
- June 7, 2024
- stoneskip.
Get on Steam"Simpler Times" is a cozy, contemplative game where you explore Taina's childhood memories over four seasons, interacting with various objects and learning her story. With no timers or fail states, players can relax and unwind to lo-fi beats while experiencing Taina's personal growth. Each season offers new puzzles and insights, making for a reflective, engaging journey.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game offers a relaxing and cozy experience with beautiful art and a charming soundtrack.
- It features simple puzzles and interactive elements that enhance the nostalgic and heartwarming narrative.
- Players appreciate the emotional depth and relatable story, making it a delightful game for unwinding.
- The game is very short, with some players completing it in just a couple of hours, leading to concerns about its value at full price.
- There are missable achievements that can cause frustration, requiring players to restart to collect them.
- Some puzzles may feel a bit buggy or lack clear instructions, which can detract from the overall experience.
- music18 mentions
- 78 % positive mentions
- 22 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game has been widely praised for its ability to create a cozy and relaxing atmosphere, perfectly complementing the gameplay and visuals. Reviewers noted the soundtrack's quality, with many describing it as nostalgic and fitting for the game's themes, enhancing the overall experience. Overall, the combination of great music and charming art direction stands out as a highlight of the game.
“I'm a sucker for good music in games.”
“The music perfectly underpinned the chill, cozy, and wholesome vibe of the game, and the art is amazing.”
“Cozy game with chill music that took me on a trip down memory lane.”
- story9 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 22 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The game's story is praised for its warmth and depth, complemented by a relaxing atmosphere and beautiful art style. Players appreciate the environmental storytelling and the cozy vibes, making it a perfect choice for unwinding. Overall, the narrative is engaging and thoughtfully integrated with simple puzzles and enjoyable gameplay mechanics.
“I thought the game had such a cute story, and it was so relaxing with a beautiful art style.”
“I really loved how much you could interact with the environment, and the environmental storytelling, as well—seeing how things changed but also stayed familiar as years and seasons progressed.”
“The mechanics are great and easy to understand, and the storyline is very deep and moving.”
“The story felt underdeveloped and lacked depth, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“I found the plot predictable and the characters uninteresting, which diminished my overall experience.”
“While the game had potential, the story was convoluted and left many questions unanswered.”
- emotional5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game evokes strong emotions through its well-crafted narrative, transforming potentially sad moments into heartwarming reflections on growth and nostalgia. With a focus on personal identity rather than complex gameplay, it delivers a cozy experience enhanced by beautiful art and music that resonate deeply with players.
“The game has the potential of being a sad and emotional experience, but the narrative was so well written that Taina, the main character, manages to turn it around, making these possibly sad memories into fond and wholesome memories.”
“A short, but heartwarming tale about growing up and leaving the nest.”
“Didn't expect to get so emotional playing this; it's pretty short and only has some minor puzzles, but that's not really the point of the game—it's more a reflection on what makes you, you.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The gameplay features a user-friendly point-and-click mechanic that enhances the cozy and relaxing experience. Players appreciate the depth of the storyline and the thoughtful design across all aspects of the game, making it ideal for unwinding.
“Very cozy and relaxing gameplay.”
“The mechanics are great and easy to understand, and the storyline is very deep and moving.”
“It's perfect for unwinding, and it's clear that a lot of thought has been put into every aspect of the game (art, story, and gameplay).”
“The game controls use a point-and-click mechanic; there are no WASD controls.”
“The gameplay feels very limited and lacks depth.”
“The mechanics are clunky and make it frustrating to navigate through the game.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are praised for their beautiful art style and cozy aesthetic, contributing to a relaxing atmosphere that complements the melancholic story. Players appreciate the overall visual presentation, which enhances the gaming experience alongside the soundtrack and voice acting.
“I thought the game had such a cute story, and it was so relaxing with a beautiful art style.”
“Cozy vibes, cozy game; lovely graphics and soundtrack, nice voice acting, and a melancholic story.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant stability issues, with players reporting numerous bugs and frustrating puzzles that detract from the overall experience.
“Wanted a chill game, got a bunch of buggy puzzles and busy work.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it impossible to enjoy.”
“I encountered numerous glitches that ruined the overall experience.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by relaxing music, pleasant scenery, and an overall cozy vibe, creating an inviting and enjoyable experience for players.
“The relaxing music, beautiful scenery, and overall atmosphere create a truly cozy game experience.”
“The game's atmosphere is incredibly immersive, making you feel like you're part of a living, breathing world.”
“Every detail contributes to a captivating atmosphere that draws you in and keeps you engaged.”
