In the warm afternoon sunlight, the bay windows of the bedroom allow streams of light to penetrate the room, casting inviting shadows across a plush rug. The room itself is compact yet bright, adorned with remnants of youth. Books and family photos line the walls, exuding a sense of nostalgia. The desk drawers overflow with drawing paper and school supplies, a testament to the creative endeavors that once took place within these walls. The presence of a skateboard peeking out from under the bed and stuffed animals tucked into every available nook further reinforces the notion that this space was once filled with a child’s joy and imagination. As the record player softly spins soothing, lo-fi melodies, you find yourself with a long, lazy afternoon to sit in this room, wrap up its memories, and embrace the next chapter of your life.
This serene environment is the setting of the game “Simpler Times,” which invites players to immerse themselves in this peaceful haven. Through picking up objects, interacting with them, and organizing them, players unravel a story. The protagonist, Taina, is preparing to bid farewell to her childhood home and embark on a new phase of her life. As players explore her bedroom, her past and future gradually come into focus, creating a journey of self-discovery and reflection.
Although the idyllic setting of “Simpler Times” may not mirror your own childhood bedroom, the developers at Transylvania studio stoneskip have crafted a comforting space that welcomes players with open arms. Every aspect of Taina’s room exudes warmth and safety, making it a haven to explore, get lost in, and become fully immersed in one’s thoughts.
This first-person game places a strong emphasis on music and atmosphere. The soundtrack, composed by George Pandrea, consists of a series of original lo-fi pieces that players control on the room’s record player. This experience mirrors the ritual of playing vinyl records, as each album runs for a set amount of time before requiring resetting or swapping. The deliberate actions of moving the needle, carefully storing away an album, and replacing it with a new one ground players in the present moment, emphasizing the beauty of anticipation and slow gestures. This intentional sequence sets the pace for the game as a whole, fostering a sense of tranquility and mindfulness.
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The soundtrack of “Simpler Times” also includes moments of lyrical poetry, written and performed by Maeve Kroeger, the voice actor for Taina. These poetic interludes add an additional layer of depth to the narrative, inviting players to delve into the emotional landscape of the character. Furthermore, the bedroom offers other avenues of interaction, such as an instant camera and a scrapbook. These items provide backstory and suggest areas in need of cleaning, propelling the larger narrative forward. Importantly, there is no sense of failure in “Simpler Times,” nor any time constraints on actions. Dialogue subtly commingles with the exploration, seamlessly unfolding Taina’s story as players wander through her room.
While “Simpler Times” may initially appear similar to “Gone Home,” the original indie “walking simulator,” this comparison falls short. Unlike “Gone Home,” in which players physically navigate a space, Taina’s bedroom in “Simpler Times” is small, and movement is achieved by looking around and clicking on points of interaction. The game’s conception during the pandemic, when developers found themselves confined to limited spaces, allowed for introspection and self-reflection. As a result, “Simpler Times” offers a contained, meditative experience that feels closer to the calming repetition of games like “Threes” than a traditional narrative adventure.
The full game of “Simpler Times” unfolds over four seasons, encapsulating four different time periods of Taina’s life. However, the demo experienced at Summer Game Fest solely immerses players in the present-day bedroom as Taina begins the process of packing up. The relaxed and intrigued state left behind by the demo acts as a respite and a welcome break from the chaos often associated with larger gaming events.
Published by iam8bit, “Simpler Times” is set to be released on Steam in 2024. This highly anticipated game offers an escape into a tranquil world where players can unwind, reflect, and embrace the beauty of simple moments. Whether through exploring Taina’s personal history or finding echoes of our own past, “Simpler Times” invites us to pause, appreciate, and savor the memories that have shaped us.
