Hindsight (video game)
A 2022 adventure game about memory and a complicated mother-daughter relationship.
Hindsight is a 2022 adventure game from developer Team Hindsight and publisher Annapurna Interactive. The story follows a woman processing her mother's recent death by revisiting their difficult relationship.
After her mother passes away, the protagonist, Mary, goes back to her childhood home. As she sorts through her mother's belongings, she experiences memories from her own past, from early childhood to adulthood. Each object she selects triggers a memory that she can explore. A narrator explains these events and how they shaped Mary. Uncovering more memories reveals the full, complicated history between mother and daughter.
Team Hindsight was led by Joel McDonald, who previously worked at Raven Software and created the game Prune. Annapurna Interactive released Hindsight for Windows, macOS, Switch, and iOS on August 4, 2022. Ports for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S followed on December 6, 2022.
Critics gave the iOS and Windows versions "generally favorable" reviews, while the Switch version received "mixed or average" scores, according to Metacritic. On OpenCritic, 59% of critics recommended the game.
Eurogamer found the narration mostly unnecessary but praised the game for its insights into childhood and memory. Nintendo Life called the story "eloquent, mature and moving," noting its "technical and artistic aplomb." Pocket Gamer appreciated the art and voice acting, describing the story as "deeply emotional but a tad repetitive." Nintendo World Report said the game's theme encourages players to ask loved ones lingering questions while they still can, recommending it to those seeking an emotional story with light gameplay. TouchArcade recommended the iOS version over the Switch, calling it "essential if you enjoy emotional narratives."
- Developer
- Team Hindsight
- Publisher
- Annapurna Interactive
- Release Date
- August 4, 2022 (Windows, macOS, Switch, iOS); December 6, 2022 (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S)
- Genre
- Adventure video game
- Platforms
- Windows, macOS, Switch, iOS, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
- Lead Developer
- Joel McDonald
Lore & Background
After her mother's death, Mary returns to her family house. There, players relive Mary's memories, spanning from childhood to adulthood, as she packs her mother's possessions. Selecting objects triggers memories, which players can interact with. Narration explains these past events and how they affected Mary. As players trigger more memories, they learn about Mary's complicated relationship with her mother.
The game was developed by Team Hindsight, led by Joel McDonald who previously worked at Raven Software and developed Prune. Annapurna Interactive released Hindsight for Windows, macOS, Switch, and iOS on August 4, 2022. It was ported to the PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on December 6, 2022.
Hindsight received 'generally favorable' reviews from critics for its iOS and Windows versions, and 'mixed or average' reviews for the Switch version, according to review aggregator Metacritic. OpenCritic determined that 59% of critics recommended the game.
Reader's Guide
Hindsight is significant as a narrative-driven adventure game that explores themes of memory, grief, and family relationships through interactive object-triggered memories. Its development by Team Hindsight, led by Joel McDonald (creator of Prune), and publication by Annapurna Interactive placed it within a lineage of thoughtful, artistic games. The game's reception was notably split by platform: iOS and Windows versions received generally favorable reviews, while the Switch version received mixed or average scores, with only 59% of critics recommending it on OpenCritic. Critics praised the story as 'eloquent, mature and moving' (Nintendo Life) and highlighted the art and voice acting (Pocket Gamer), though some found the narration unnecessary (Eurogamer) or the story 'deeply emotional but a tad repetitive' (Pocket Gamer). Nintendo World Report noted its theme of urging players to ask loved ones lingering questions while they still have time. TouchArcade recommended the iOS version over the Switch, calling it 'essential if you enjoy emotional narratives.' The game's legacy lies in its focused, intimate storytelling and its demonstration of how platform can affect critical reception.
Did You Know?
- Hindsight was developed by Team Hindsight, led by Joel McDonald who previously worked at Raven Software and developed Prune.
- The game was released on August 4, 2022 for Windows, macOS, Switch, and iOS, and later ported to PlayStation and Xbox consoles on December 6, 2022.
- According to Metacritic, the iOS and Windows versions received 'generally favorable' reviews, while the Switch version received 'mixed or average' reviews.
- OpenCritic determined that 59% of critics recommended the game.
More in Walking simulators 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record