Games worth discovering
A short game that managed to pull at my heartstrings - How We Know We're Alive
2K View2023-03-21
How We Know We're Alive is a touching story about how the business of life can affect our relationships. This one is definitely a tear-jerker. From the beginning of the game, the original music pulled me in with its melancholy feel, but the dialogue and visuals, such as the consistent rain throughout the story, hammed the point home. Not that I'm complaining. Moving throughout the small Swedish town and learning more about the past kept me glued to the screen and, perhaps most importantly, left an emotional toll.
The best thing about How We Know We're Alive is that it's short and sweet. Besides moving from left to right across the 2D town and interacting with residents, there's not much else to do, which means its hour or so runtime is perfect if you're looking for a worthwhile but quick narrative.
The narrative is the selling point of How We Know We're Alive, but the technical aspects are nothing to sneeze at. I was impressed with the pixelated style graphics, but details like my reflection in a puddle of water in the foreground really make it stand out.
How we Know we're Alive isn't free, but at $3, the attention to detail, narrative structure, and technical aspects were well worth it. Some might feel upset about the length of the game, but for me, that only added to my experience. Something short, sweet, and memorable.
Mentioned games
A Touching Story that Hits Close to Home - How We Know We're Alive
Ah, How We Know We're Alive, the game that tugs at your heartstrings and makes you want to call up your loved ones and tell them how much you appreciate them. It's like a good romantic comedy, but without the predictable ending and cheesy one-liners.
First off, let's talk about the graphics. They're pixelated, but in a good way. It's like looking at a beautiful watercolor painting, except it's made up of tiny squares.
Deviron1K2023-03-28
A Pixelated Tear-Jerker with Heart - How We Know We're Alive (QR)
Ah, How We Know We're Alive, a heart-tugging game that will make you want to hug your loved ones tightly. The pixelated graphics are reminiscent of a beautiful watercolor painting, and they're just as impressive as the attention to detail. Not Tonight! has similarly impressive graphics, and I loved that game. How We Know We're Alive's hauntingly beautiful music sets the melancholy tone of the story perfectly, as you interact with the interesting characters and learn about their struggles.
Deviron2K2023-03-28
I played this game a few months ago, and I loved it so much I couldn't delete it when I finished. Visually, it's gorgeous. I love the colors, the graphics, and in particular, I love the way the street reflects its surroundings.
Its premise is simple, so you think you know exactly how the story plays out. But it subverts it in such a way that hits you pretty hard (at least it did me, anyway).
The music is really good, too. The track, How We Know We're Alive went straight on my playlist because of how hauntingly beautiful it is.
Casual Gamer1K2023-03-26
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