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About Shadows of the Past
Shadows of the Past is an indie detective horror game developed by SomeTimes At Night. Released on September 5, 2025, it plays out as a single-player narrative-driven experience on PC. The game casts you as an investigator figuring out a series of cold cases in a decaying coastal town. With a focus on environmental storytelling and tense exploration, it leans heavily into atmospheric horror. Players navigate dimly lit settings like abandoned asylums and fog-shrouded woods, piecing together clues from cryptic notes, audio logs, and half-remembered visions. The setting is intentionally claustrophobic, with sound design and lighting used to amplify unease.
Gameplay
The core loop revolves around investigation and stealth. You spend most sessions methodically scanning environments for hidden evidence, using a flashlight to reveal faint symbols or scrawled messages. Puzzles often tie to manipulating objects, like reassembling shattered mirrors or aligning rusted gears, to unlock new areas. Combat is rare but stressful; enemies are fast and silent, forcing you to avoid detection or rely on limited distractions like smoke pellets. The controls are precise but deliberate, with mouse-driven camera rotations and keyboard-based interaction. Sessions tend to be short but intense, as the game punishes carelessness with respawns. The lack of save points outside specific locations adds persistent tension.
What Players Think
Shadows of the Past holds a 8.2/10 on PlayPile, with 72% of players completing the base story. Average playtime is 14.5 hours, and 68% of completers own the $29.99 base game. Community moods are split: 42% describe it as "creepy but rewarding," while 28% call it "overly slow." The game has 35 achievements, 12 of which require 100% exploration. Critics rate it 85/100, praising its "haunting audio design" and "unfolding mystery," though some note "repetitive puzzle mechanics." Player reviews highlight the "constant sense of dread" but criticize the "unforgiving checkpoint system." Completion rates drop sharply in the final act, where 43% of players report getting stuck.
PlayPile's Take
Shadows of the Past works best for fans of methodical, story-rich horror with minimal combat. The $29.99 price tag aligns with its moderate length, and the 35 achievements add replayability for completionists. While its deliberate pacing may frustrate some, the game excels in crafting an oppressive mood and rewarding careful play. Avoid if you dislike limited save points or prefer fast-paced action. The core mystery is strong enough to justify the price, but be prepared to invest time in its slower moments.
Game Modes
Single player
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