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About When The Past Was Around
When The Past Was Around is a short, silent point‑and‑click adventure that follows Eda, a woman in her early twenties, as she navigates love, loss, and self‑discovery. The narrative is delivered without spoken dialogue, relying on hand‑drawn illustrations and an atmospheric violin score to convey emotion.
The game unfolds in a surreal world of fragmented rooms that represent memories and time. Players solve a series of brain‑teasing puzzles to unlock doors, reveal clues, and piece together the bittersweet story between Eda and the enigmatic Owl.
01 / THE GUIDE
Hand‑drawn Art Style
All visual storytelling is presented through hand‑drawn illustrations created by Indonesian artist Brigitta Rena. The artwork replaces traditional text and dialogue, requiring players to interpret the narrative through visual cues alone.
The surreal setting features disjointed rooms that feel like fragments of memory. Subtle details in the drawings often hint at plot points, encouraging careful observation of each scene.
- Pause briefly in each room to scan for hidden symbols that may foreshadow later puzzles.
- Compare recurring visual motifs across rooms to uncover narrative connections.
02 / THE GUIDE
Puzzle Design
The game offers various brain‑teasing puzzles that must be solved to progress. Each puzzle is tied to the story, requiring players to gather clues and unlock doors that represent emotional breakthroughs for Eda.
Puzzles range from logical pattern recognition to environmental interaction and are presented without spoken instructions. Players rely on visual hints and the ambient music to gauge difficulty and mood.
- Notice shifts in the violin soundtrack; tonal changes often reflect the story's emotional moments.
- Experiment with objects in the environment as you explore each puzzle.
03 / THE GUIDE
Atmospheric Audio
An atmospheric violin score accompanies the entire experience, moving from peaceful melodies during calm moments to tense strings during angst‑filled scenes. The music reinforces the emotional arc without any spoken narration.
Because the game is silent, audio cues become a primary guide for pacing, helping players sense when a scene is meant to feel hopeful or melancholic.
- Listen for changes in tempo to anticipate upcoming narrative shifts.
- Use headphones to fully appreciate subtle audio cues that may hint at puzzle solutions.
04 / THE GUIDE
Single‑Player Experience
When The Past Was Around is designed as a single‑player adventure, allowing individuals to progress at their own pace. The story unfolds linearly as players unlock each memory‑room and piece together Eda’s journey.
There are no multiplayer or competitive elements; the focus remains on personal reflection and narrative immersion.
- Play in short sessions; the game can be completed in under two hours, making it easy to pause and resume.
- Take brief notes on story details; the linear progression benefits from remembering earlier clues.
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Platform and Feature Support
The title runs on Windows and macOS via Steam, offering partial controller support, Steam Cloud saves, remote play on phone or tablet, and Family Sharing. These features provide flexibility in where the game can be played.
The core experience of visual storytelling, puzzles, and music is available on the supported systems.
- Enable Steam Cloud if you plan to switch between a PC and a tablet to keep progress synced.
- Test the partial controller support, but be prepared to use the mouse for precise puzzle interaction.
COMMUNITY
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