Simpler Times

About

"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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

97%

Audience ScoreBased on 76 reviews

music28 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

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 the ability to explore memories, making it a delightful experience overall.

The game is very short, with some players completing it in under two 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 can be buggy or lack clear instructions, which may detract from the overall experience.

music
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
78%
22%
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 nostalgic and chill vibes, enhancing the overall experience and making it a standout feature. Many described it as a highlight of the game, with specific mentions of its seasonal variations and lofi influences that resonate well with players seeking a comforting gaming experience.
- “The music perfectly underpinned the chill, cozy, and wholesome vibe of the game, and the art is amazing: every time I could pick something up and spin it or zoom in, I did—just to take in the effort and quality that went into the models and art.”
- “Warm story, relaxing music, simple puzzles, and super relaxing to play.”
- “Cozy game with chill music that took me on a trip down memory lane.”
story
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
39%
17%
The game's story is described as warm, cute, and deeply moving, complemented by a relaxing atmosphere and beautiful art style. Players appreciate the environmental storytelling and the ability to interact with the surroundings, which enhances the cozy experience. Overall, the narrative, combined with simple puzzles and a soothing soundtrack, makes it an ideal choice for unwinding.
- “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.”
- “I thought the game had such a cute story, and it was so relaxing with a beautiful art style.”
- “Has a warm story, simple puzzles, easy achievements, and collectibles which you can go back to after finishing the plot.”
- “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).”
emotional
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game evokes strong emotions through its well-crafted narrative, transforming potentially sad moments into heartwarming reflections on growth and nostalgia. Players appreciate the cozy atmosphere, enhanced by beautiful art and music, which collectively create a touching experience that resonates deeply despite its short length and simple puzzles.
- “The game has the potential of being a sad and emotional game, 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.”
gameplay
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
38%
38%
The gameplay features a user-friendly point-and-click mechanic, promoting a 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. Overall, the mechanics are intuitive and enhance the immersive experience.
- “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, no WASD.”
- “Very cozy and relaxing gameplay.”
- “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).”
graphics
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
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 lovely visuals alongside the soundtrack and voice acting, enhancing the overall experience.
- “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.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability has been criticized for being plagued by numerous bugs, which detracts from the overall experience and makes it feel more like a chore than a relaxing game.
- “Wanted a chill game, got a bunch of buggy puzzles and busy work.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by relaxing music and pleasant scenery, creating a cozy and inviting experience for players.
- “Relaxing music, nice scenery, and a good atmosphere; truly a cozy game.”