Simpler Times – Review

We turn our faces towards peace, memory, and the little things

In an industry dominated by speed, competition, and overstimulation, Simpler Times emerges as a much-needed break. The game, developed by stoneskip, doesn't aim to impress with complex mechanics or spectacular graphics, but with a calm, personal, and deeply emotional experience. It's a title that invites the player to slow down, observe, and reflect, transforming the act of playing into a form of interactive meditation. Simpler Times isn't about winning, but about being present.

Game concept and central idea

Simpler Times tells the story of Taina, a young woman who mentally returns to her childhood room and the seemingly mundane moments that defined important stages of her life. The game is built around the idea of memory, nostalgia, and reconnecting with one's inner self. Without a clearly imposed objective or rigid narrative thread, the player is free to explore the space, interact with objects, and discover fragments of the main character's life.

The experience is divided into several chapters, each representing a different year and a distinct season. This subtle structure offers a sense of time passing, without breaking the game's calm atmosphere. Everything is designed to create emotional continuity, not a classic level-based progression.

Space as a narrative element

Taina's room is not just a setting, but a character in itself. Every object has a story, a memory, or an associated emotion. Books, vinyl records, photographs, notebooks, and the small details around contribute to building the character's identity. Interaction with these elements is simple, but significant, and the game rewards curiosity with moments of introspection and discrete narrative fragments.

This approach transforms the space into a visual and auditory journal. The player is not aggressively guided, but encouraged to explore at their own pace, which makes each game session different, depending on the player's mood and attention.

Gameplay and rhythm

From a gameplay perspective, Simpler Times is intentionally minimalist. There are no complicated mechanics, difficult challenges, or negative consequences for choices made. The available activities, such as listening to music, painting, photography, or solving simple puzzles, are naturally integrated into the experience and do not break the game's relaxing rhythm.

This lack of pressure is one of the title's greatest qualities. The game asks nothing of the player, but offers a safe space where they can spend time without being judged or rushed. For some, this may seem lacking in substance, but for the target audience, it's exactly what makes the experience memorable.

Visual atmosphere

The game's visual style is clean, warm, and intimate. The graphics don't aim for realism, but for expressiveness, using soft colours and lighting that subtly changes with the seasons. Everything is designed to convey comfort and familiarity, and this contributes significantly to the state of peace the game induces.

The details are not ostentatious, but they are carefully placed. Every corner of the room seems lived-in, every object seems carefully chosen, and this reinforces the sense of authenticity of the experience.

Music and sound

The soundtrack plays a central role in Simpler Times. The lo-fi and chill jazz music is not just background, but an extension of the game's emotional state. The records you listen to become emotional anchors, and the ambient sounds complete the feeling of intimacy.

The narration is delivered with a calm and expressive voice that doesn't dominate the experience, but accompanies it. The monologues are short, but well-written, offering enough clues about Taina's life and thoughts without over-explaining them. This restraint is one of the game's most mature design choices.

Emotional impact

Simpler Times is a game that functions differently depending on the player's state. For some, it may just be a relaxing, visually and audibly pleasing experience. For others, it can become a mirror of their own memories, childhood, lost moments, or the need for peace in a busy world.

The game doesn't force emotion, but allows it to emerge naturally. It is precisely this subtlety that makes it powerful. It doesn't try to impress through drama, but through honesty and simplicity.

Limitations and potential dissatisfactions

Of course, Simpler Times is not a game for everyone. Those looking for mechanical challenges, clear objectives, or dynamic gameplay may find the experience too limited or too slow. Also, the relatively short duration of the game may leave the feeling that the experience ends too quickly, especially if played at a faster pace.

There are also minor technical issues reported by the community, such as small bugs or the lack of advanced accessibility options, but these do not significantly affect the core experience.

For those who appreciate introspective experiences, stories told through atmosphere, and games that focus on mood more than competition, Simpler Times is an inspired choice. It's a playable reminder of how valuable simple things can be, when we allow ourselves to notice them.

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Available on: PC (Steam)
Played on: PC (Steam)
Release date: 8 June 2024
Developer: stoneskip
Publisher: stoneskip