Last Time I Saw You (Review)

Few things draw me in these days quite like a heartwarming coming-of-age story. Games like A Space for the Unbound and I Was a Teenage Exocolonist are high up on my favourites lists. So of course Last Time I Saw You drew me in with its promise of a magic-touched adventure in rural 1980s Japan.

Published by Chorus Worldwide, Last Time I Saw You is the first game developed by Maboroshi Artworks, a small indie studio located in Osaka, Japan.

In Last Time I Saw You, players step into the life of Ayumi – a young boy living in a small Japanese town. Ayumi is just a regular boy – he has his parents, his friends, and a dog he loves to pet in the market. But along with growing up, Ayumi soon finds himself facing another challenge when his strange dreams of a girl in the forest and a dangerous typhoon come together in a startling clash. Suddenly he finds himself navigating two lives at once: that of a hero fighting to save everyone he loves, and the normal life of a boy having to consider what love, friendship, and family mean to him.

The first thing I want to say is that Last Time I Saw You is a beautiful, atmospheric experience. Sound design isn’t something I talk about with every game, because it so many games it’s just there. But I think the sound in Last Time I Saw You is absolutely worth talking about – the ambient winds, the sounds of the rain, and the footsteps echoing through the forest add so much to the otherworldly feel of the game and the atmosphere. It's also visually beautiful, with vibrant 2D art and lots of extra attention to lighting and details.

While there are some very light combat moments and a little platforming, the gameplay is more exploration than anything, and Ayumi is rarely in any serious danger. Players will spend their time exploring caves, knocking down trees to access new areas, and searching for the correct place to leave origami. The map is small enough that going back and forth isn’t too much of a trek, and with all the different townspeople and forest folk being out and about each day, it gives that small town feeling so many of us who grew up in places like these will recognize.

As you explore, make sure to take the time to talk to everyone. A lot of the conversations don’t directly affect the story, but they add so much to the game as Ayumi observes people and makes connections. The stories along the way are touching and honestly really relatable – who among us hasn’t dealt with fighting parents, lost friendships, and first loves?

Last time I Saw You also touches on some surprisingly deep themes by way of its supernatural setting. Talking to the spirits reveals heartbreaking stories of loss as they struggle with concepts like death and not being able to return home. Everyone has a story of their own, and I have to admit that I’d love to see more of these stories someday, though I think in this setting it made sense that they weren’t delved into as deeply - Ayumi is young and really just learning about being an adult and navigating the world. He’s learning to make sense of the things around him, and grappling with history is a part of that.

The game takes about 4-8 hours depending on how thorough you want to be. I was surprised to realize it’s only a 4-hour game, since it felt like a longer journey – and definitely a worthwhile one.

Last Time I Saw You will be perfect for fans of cozy, emotional games, and is a really strong showing from Maboroshi. I would recommend this for a relaxing gaming experience, and I’ll be looking forward to future games from Maboroshi as well.

Overall Rating: 9/10

You can find Last Time I Saw You on Steam, Playstation, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox for $16.99.