When the Past Was Around

TechRaptorCatherine Dellosa

9/10

When The Past Was Around is a unique point-and-click game that invites players to go on an emotional journey in a dreamlike, almost fragmented state. Mojiken Studio’s love letter to simple couplehood takes a minimalist approach to living life to the fullest and learning how to move on, so it just might be the perfect game to play during this stressful pandemic.

KeenGamerWill Hitchcock

9/10

When the Past was Around is a point and click puzzle game that succeeds in getting the player emotionally invested in its bittersweet tale of love and loss. Eda's tale of grief for a lost partner is wonderfully told in a way that affects you, but does the game succeed in keeping players interested throughout with its puzzle gameplay?

GameSpaceEmily Byrnes

9/10

I won’t ruin the end for those that are looking to play it, but it definitely moved me to tears. I knew going into a playthrough of When The Past Was Around that it would be short, but I wasn’t mentally prepared to let go of Eda and Owl after the two-hour mark. The studio was very transparent about the length of the game, so I absolutely cannot fault them for that, but it was just such a beautifully-crafted game that I hated for it to end so early. I think it’s a wonderful testament to ...

COGConnectedLillian King

85/100

Some games are fragile bird’s eggs: easily broken if handled poorly. Writing a review for these games can feel like picking those eggs up without gloves, just praying that you won’t drop them. When The Past Was Around, a point-and-click adventure game developed by Mojiken Studio, is one of these games, and I hope I can do the delicate nature of this title justice without cracking any shells.

TheSixthAxisReuben Mount

8/10

When the Past was Around isn’t a long title by any means, but what it does with its run time is definitely worth the look. The puzzles throughout are challenging, but not to the point of frustration (mostly). The beautiful visuals and music tell a wordless tale of love and loss with such deftness and care that the game’s emotional moments feel earned. If you’re looking for a great indie title to while away a sombre afternoon, look no further.

Pure NintendoJemma Casson

8/10

When the Past Was Around is a puzzle game for the Nintendo Switch. It plays like an interactive story, using point-and-click mechanics to unravel a woman’s pa

VGChartzLee Mehr

5/10

Whether due to its miserly length or disjointed puzzles, Mojiken's exploration of loss is already distant in my mental rearview mirror.Note: This review is based on the Xbox One version of the game, but played on an Xbox [...]