Last Time I Saw You: A Haunting Japanese Teen Drama

Last Time I Saw You: A Haunting Japanese Teen Drama

Last Time I Saw You is a coming of age tale about middle schooler Ayumi who keeps seeing a mysterious girl in his dreams, but can never quite glimpse her face. The game’s Steam demo gives us a glimpse into its opening chapter, and it’s a strong show of intent from developer Maboroshi Artworks.

The Game’s Atmosphere

The game’s atmosphere is uneasy, with a sense of nervous energy that’s as alive and present as the large river running through the village’s centre. The game’s 2D sidescrolling exploration is simple, but the lack of pressure is deceiving. The autumnal village is full of signs protesting against the town’s expansion plans, and the hushed murmurs about an oncoming typhoon create a sense of unease.

Gameplay

The gameplay is similar to Infinite Fall’s Night In The Woods, with Ayumi navigating the town’s 2D planes and staircases using a familiar mix of jumping and directional button presses. However, the combat is a little clunky, and may be the game’s main undoing.

The Story

The game begins with a dream sequence, and we play through another before the demo’s over. The dreamscape features some neat perspective tricks that blends objects and sights seen by Ayumi during the day with the kind of surreal logic that only exists behind closed eyes. The game’s story is about love and acceptance, a terrible curse, and an eclectic cast of characters inspired by Japanese mythology.

Developer: Maboroshi Artworks
Publisher: Chorus Worldwide Games
Release: 10th October 2024
Download the demo on: Steam

Overall, Last Time I Saw You is a charming and haunting game that’s worth checking out. Its melancholy tone and nostalgic slice of life story about rural Japan are reminiscent of Gagex’s The Kids We Were.