We Went Back
- April 3, 2020
- Dead Thread Games
- 5h median play time
Get on SteamWe Went Back is a sci-fi time-looping horror game located on an abandoned lunar station. Explore, deduce, and unleash terror in order to find a way out.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Great atmosphere and sound design that creates a chilling experience.
- Interesting time-loop mechanic that keeps players engaged.
- Visually impressive for a free game, with attention to detail in the environment.
- Very short gameplay, typically completed in under an hour.
- The monster design is underwhelming and loses its scare factor after the first encounter.
- Lacks a coherent story, leaving players with many unanswered questions.
- atmosphere546 mentions
- 70 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and unsettling qualities, with many reviewers highlighting its strong visual design, sound effects, and the ability to evoke a sense of dread and tension. While the graphics and environmental details are often noted as impressive, some players feel that the reliance on jump scares detracts from the overall atmospheric experience. Overall, the game is considered a solid choice for fans of atmospheric horror, despite some criticisms regarding its storytelling and monster design.
“The atmosphere and concept are very immersive and intriguing.”
“We went back is a standout in psychological horror, delivering a deeply atmospheric and unsettling experience.”
“The atmosphere is chilling and left me scared and not wanting to go on.”
“I think if they wanted it to be more atmosphere-based, they could have added more details you could look at to put together the story, but this game just feels like wasted potential.”
“The atmosphere isn't scary; there's no eerie music, there's no tension, you just walk and walk without worrying about a thing... when I saw the monster for the first time, I thought 'oh, it's simply a person without skin,' which isn't really scary.”
“Although the atmosphere of the game is strong, our goals and the way to achieve these goals do not match the atmosphere, which is disappointing.”
- graphics507 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their impressive quality, especially considering it is a free title. Many players noted the beautiful visuals and atmospheric design, which effectively enhance the horror experience, although some reported performance issues and minor graphical bugs. Overall, the game's aesthetic and attention to detail stand out as its strongest features, making it visually appealing despite some criticisms regarding character design and optimization.
“The graphics are amazing and the atmosphere that this game creates is intense.”
“The visuals and setting were incredible, I would have loved more of this and happily paid at least 2 euros for this; it's underrated.”
“The graphics and sound are top-notch, creating an outstanding and believable atmosphere reminiscent of Alien.”
“Graphically, it looks a decade old.”
“The game does not run at a steady frame-rate no matter which graphic settings I used.”
“Within the first 4 minutes of gameplay, I turned down the graphics 7 times and it did nothing to help the lag spikes; optimization is terrible.”
- story487 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The game's story is often described as vague and underdeveloped, relying heavily on environmental storytelling and player interpretation rather than a clear narrative. While some players appreciate the atmospheric tension and the mystery surrounding the plot, many express disappointment over the lack of coherent storytelling and character development, feeling that the game has significant potential that remains untapped. Overall, the experience is seen as a mix of intriguing concepts and missed opportunities for a more engaging story.
“The story is quite interesting but rather mysterious and complex as to what actually transpired to you and your crew.”
“The way it uses environmental storytelling in the ever-changing environment made me want to play it twice because I felt that I missed some details that added to this game's silent but effective story.”
“Great atmosphere with a real sense of mystery that left me wondering about the deeper story and universe -- which may not exist, but I didn't mind it being left up to my imagination.”
“No real story here, and that was a deciding factor why it's getting negative.”
“The story is nonexistent as well, there's only 'oh look creepy imagery and messages' with no real meaning behind them.”
“There is not much for story, you just keep walking and finding clues for a big end game puzzle which then gives you a code.”
- gameplay261 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is characterized by a central time-loop mechanic that adds a layer of mystery and urgency, but many players find it simplistic and repetitive, often likening it to a walking simulator with minimal interaction. While the atmosphere and graphics receive praise, the gameplay is criticized for being linear, lacking depth, and relying heavily on scripted jump scares, leading to a mixed reception overall. Despite its short playtime of around 30-60 minutes, some players appreciate the experience for its visual and auditory design, though many feel it falls short in terms of engaging gameplay.
“The time-loop/environmental change mechanic as you travel around the vessel is central to both gameplay and narrative, adding layers of mystery and urgency as you unravel the truth behind the station’s demise.”
“The gameplay loop consists of finding clues throughout the dynamically changing environment that will help you solve the puzzle allowing you to leave.”
“The stunning graphics and well-rounded gameplay led to a great experience, and I would recommend this game to anyone.”
“The gameplay is nonexistent.”
“The 'time-loop' mechanic is just a tool to force you to stay in the same room until you find the item you're meant to be looking for.”
“What could have been a brilliant atmospheric horror is sacrificed for cheap jumpscares and mediocre gameplay.”
- optimization88 mentions
- 10 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 36 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has been widely criticized, with many players experiencing significant performance issues such as stuttering, frame rate drops, and inconsistent gameplay even on high-end systems. While some users noted that the graphics are impressive, the overall performance detracts from the experience, leading to a consensus that the game requires substantial optimization and polishing to run smoothly. Despite its potential, the lack of optimization has left many players frustrated and unable to fully enjoy the game.
“A short, surprisingly well made and optimized horror game with a lot of potential.”
“Good graphics, could use better optimization, but still a great game.”
“Despite optimization, ran it on a 760 with everything at low and still had fun.”
“The game is not well optimized; it could use some extra work on optimization.”
“I have way more than the minimum system requirements, but I cannot get more than 10 fps with constant stuttering.”
“The constant frame freezing and stuttering is headache-inducing.”
- music58 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its ability to enhance the atmosphere and create tension, while others find it either forgettable or lacking in impact. Many highlight the effective sound design and ambient tracks that contribute to the overall horror experience, though a few note the absence of a memorable soundtrack. Overall, the sound and music are seen as integral to the game's ambiance, with some players enjoying the chilling effects while others feel it falls short of expectations.
“The music, atmosphere, lighting, and concept of time travel really make for an awesome experience.”
“The music is spooky and really adds a lot to the game, so play with headphones!”
“The music is well crafted and used in the right moments to emphasize certain parts of the game whilst staying true to the bizarre nature of 70s styled sci-fi, in my humble opinion.”
“There's no voice acting other than an announcer lady and absolutely no soundtrack or musical tracks that I can remember or notice.”
“The atmosphere isn't scary, there's no eerie music, there's no tension, you just walk and walk without worrying about a thing... when I saw the monster for the first time, I thought 'oh, it's simply a person without skin' which isn't really scary.”
“None of it is scary, there's no real atmosphere beyond generic horror music and a couple jumpscares.”
- stability39 mentions
- 8 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 92 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting frequent glitches, lag, and optimization issues that hinder the overall experience. While some users experienced smooth gameplay without significant problems, a substantial number encountered bugs that affected gameplay, such as audio issues and freezing during loading. Overall, the game is considered to be in a somewhat unstable state, requiring further updates to address these concerns.
“Super polished, runs great at full settings, all that.”
“Did it all in one run, super good game, no glitches or anything. Should definitely add multiplayer though. Okay, bye.”
“In its current state, this game is a buggy mess.”
“The optimization is bad; it lags on every possible setting, max and lowest, and it just can't be played because of those lags and glitches.”
“So far the game has been too buggy to advance past a certain point, be that either the same room looping endlessly before a scripted event or the same event happening then respawning you out of bounds.”
- replayability28 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is generally considered low, with most players noting that it offers little incentive to play again after the initial experience. While some users mention the potential for trophy or achievement hunting as a reason to replay, many agree that the game lacks depth and variety for multiple playthroughs. A few players appreciate the game for its short duration and initial enjoyment, but ultimately, it does not encourage repeated engagement.
“Some extra content is a nice touch, as it encourages replayability.”
“As well with the inclusion of Steam achievements, it adds a lot of replay value with me beating the game a total of three times just to get all the achievements.”
“Doesn't have great replay value unless you're trying to unlock all the achievements, but it's a very fun game and won't take long to beat.”
“Granted, it doesn't have much value as a replayable game, but what it does in the first playthrough is very well done.”
“Although the replay value is not too high once you know how to complete it.”
“It is short though, so don't expect much replayability.”
- humor25 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is largely derived from its clunky monster design and unexpected comedic moments, with many players finding the jump scares more amusing than frightening. While some aspects, like funny bugs and poorly animated enemies, detract from the horror experience, they contribute to a lighthearted atmosphere that players appreciate. Overall, the game is seen as a mix of humor and horror, with many recommending it for its unintentional comedic value.
“I experienced a few funny bugs, but nothing too bad, such as when encountering the creature who did not kill me or do anything at all, so I was able to examine it up close.”
“The first time I saw it, I actually started laughing.”
“Oh yeah, there's a hilariously poorly-textured, poorly-animated, poorly-modeled giant skeleton monster.”
- grinding16 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 6 % neutral mentions
- 94 % negative mentions
Reviews highlight that the grinding aspect of the game is excessively tedious, often requiring players to revisit the same locations with minimal variation, leading to a repetitive and frustrating experience. While some players tolerate the grinding for the sake of story or atmosphere, many find it annoying and a significant detractor from overall enjoyment. The lack of variety and the slow pace contribute to a sense of exhaustion, making the grinding feel more like a chore than an engaging gameplay element.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The gimmick of going through the same location again and again with minor variations is tedious.”
“This becomes especially tedious due to environmental repetition; it would have been nice to introduce different locations and settings to add atmospheric variety, rather than being forced to retread the same territory.”
- emotional7 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players report a range of emotional responses to the game, from sadness and unease to feelings of invincibility and self-reflection. While some found the experience deeply moving, others felt it fell short in delivering genuine fear, instead evoking a mix of empathy and frustration. Overall, the emotional impact varies significantly among players, highlighting the game's ability to provoke thought and feeling, even if not always in the intended horror context.
“I cried.”
“This game made me feel sad; please feed Billy Bob, he needs to pack on some pounds.”
“This game made me feel uneasy while playing it, which is exactly what a horror game should do.”
- character development7 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
Character development in the game received mixed reviews, with some players praising the emotional connection and impactful plot, while others criticized the lack of depth and engagement, describing it as repetitive and uninspired. Overall, the character designs were noted as either impressive or lacking, contributing to the varied experiences of players.
“I have to say the character development in this game was incredible. You could really connect with the characters' feelings, and the ending was really eye-opening. The plotline was just fantastic.”
“Looks beautiful, great set/character design.”
“The game is a single hallway with no plot, no character development, and only at times a sense of endless frustration for which you are never rewarded.”
“Very quick and boring with bad character designs.”
“To sum it up - pretty repetitive, character design is lame, what seems like the main puzzle of the game is kinda dumb.”
- monetization3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is subtly integrated, with various signs and advertisements present in the environment that nod to its inspirations, reminiscent of 70s sci-fi aesthetics. However, some players feel that the game can be completed quickly, raising concerns about the value of the experience relative to its monetization strategy.
“The game has various signs and advertisements littered around the environment, giving a gentle nod to the Alien: Isolation inspiration the game has taken.”
“I have all of the achievements in about an hour of play, and the only other game I've done that in is the horrid The Secret World spin-off/advertisement, The Park.”
“The environment captures the aesthetic of 70s style sci-fi, with a lot of references going back to the late 60s and 70s PC advertisements scattered around for the curious eye to appreciate.”
