When the Past Was Around is a point-and-click puzzle game about a relationship's rise and fall. You guide Eda, a woman in her twenties, through surreal memory-spaces filled with objects that unlock progression. The puzzles involve matching symbols, finding hidden items, and manipulating scenes to reveal new paths. The game's structure mirrors emotional stages: meeting someone, falling for them, then facing loss. Environments shift between cozy rooms and abstract dreamscapes as the story moves forward. An owl-headed man appears throughout, representing Eda's romantic partner. Puzzles aren't mechanically complex but serve the narrative—each solved room advances her process of remembering and letting go. The art style uses hand-drawn visuals and muted colors. No dialogue, just environmental storytelling and a piano-driven soundtrack. It's short, taking around 90 minutes to complete. Fits players wanting a reflective experience over challenge.
