Back Then
We all live with the fear of reaching the shadow of dementia. The ultimate fear of forgetting. The fear of not remembering our past, what led us here. For who do we become when we forget who we are?
Back Then is a first-person narrative game journey taking place in the mind of Thomas Eilian, an elderly writer diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease.
The gameplay, presented in first-person perspective, is story-driven and is heavily focused on interactions, puzzles and detective exploration.
Stuck in a Wheelchair, players find themselves lost in a house, discovering more about Thomas and his family by unlocking new rooms, collectibles, objectives and puzzles. Together, both the player and Thomas attempt to discover who they are, listening to the monologues of Thomas and his family, detailing their own struggles and perspectives of the situation at hand.
Players traverse through the four seasons of the year, going back and forth between the House and Dreamlike Sequences as Thomas attempts to unravel what his life meant.
Back Then is a game for people who are in search of unconventional and new story-rich experiences.
It appeals to a more general audience, emphasizing on the game’s atmosphere, soundtrack, and narrated-exploration to deliver players a poetic and emotional story.
- In-depth narrative and storytelling experience.
- Detective exploration and puzzles.
- Creative gameplay and events related to Alzheimer’s and forgetfulness.
- Inspired by personal events, involving the team’s loved ones and family.
Back Then is a story about Time, Death, and who we become when we forget who we are.
Through this story we hope to make as many people as we can uncomfortable, but aware to the reality of millions around the world diagnosed with Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease.
We know what it’s like… To have someone whom we love no longer even recognise you.
We become familiar strangers in their eyes.
We dedicate this game to you, your loved ones…
And all who were back then.
Game Discussion
Steam User 2
It's quite a good walking sim focused on story about Alzheimer's and the finiteness of life. Excellent writing and voice acting. Sad themes.
Moving is a bit slow though, especially when you have to use that stairs lift over and over again.
Steam User 0
Even though it was only two hours long, it was two hours well enjoyed. I played a demonstration a long time ago in a games convention is Lisbon, I only remembered I struggled to understand where the elevator was after I found it once more. Ironic maybe. It's good to finally play the final product, I wish the developers luck.
The sound and graphical design were great, and the writing was fascinating.
Steam User 0
Its a short first-person narrative puzzle game about an elderly writer living with Alzheimer’s. The puzzles are simple, but the atmosphere and storytelling are the real strength, quiet, intimate, and genuinely emotional. A bit easy to get lost at times, yet overall it’s a touching experience that stays with you.
Steam User 1
I rlly enjoyed this game, the message was both beautiful and haunting at once with an atmosphere to match, the gameplay was p simple but I still thought the puzzles were cool, and (spoiler warning)
I thought the looping thing with the end was rlly unique and fitting my sole complaint was I had a little difficulty with interactions with cabinet doors, particularly on the larger closets. Hell of an emotional ride, very well made esp for a first full game, and it was nice to see smth like this dedicated to those with Alzheimer's. Was also honestly refreshing to play as an elderly character and see those accommodations as actual features in the game. Definitely recommend if ur into more walking sim/puzzle type games. (sorry if the wording's a little weird, I'm tired but wanted to review while it was fresh lol)
Steam User 1
A nice little 2/3 hour experience, I think it's worth the price, especially on sale, no brainer!
Some of more puzzley elements towards the start of the game work well and feel pretty polished. The environments and art looks really great, and the sound adds a lot to the experience, really enjoyed the footsteps being blended with the sound of the ticking clock.
I enjoyed the scene/house changing as we progress through the story, there's a lot of detail.
I did get stuck in the war part for ages trying to find the last poem piece, and then trying to find the door to exit, some more guidance there would have been really helpful (clearer path to follow).
The object inspect was a bit hard to rotate objects to be able to read newspaper cuttings.
I thought the story was good, but didn't quite dig into the full impact of Alzheimers, that it maybe could have, but that's just my personal opinion, alot of the voice acting was good but the main older man, Tom I think, sounded a bit like someone putting on an old man voice rather than an actual real older person, so it probably stopped me being fully emotionally invested.
To be honest though, as a teams first game, there's so much to love about it, and it's really worth your time!
Steam User 0
:)