Looking at photos from your past is like opening a time capsule. A simple photograph can remind you of those who have helped shape your life, transport you to a favorite day, or rekindle the feeling of a treasured place. All through a still frame, they show us where we came from, and how much we’ve grown.
Instants, a cozy puzzle-solving indie game, captures this exact feeling by tasking players with putting together photos in a family album. Arrange the photos chronologically to tell a heartwarming story of a family through the generations.
Gameplay
In Instants, players are sent photos by loved ones and tasked with turning them into scrapbooks. Use visual cues from each photo to put them in chronological order to tell a beautiful generational story of love and family. Each new set of photos reveals your family’s journey of where they’ve been and how they’ve grown.
Customization also plays a huge role in Instants. Players can decorate the pages with stickers, washi tape, text and backgrounds. You can resize, layer and rotate items to add your own flair. While not mandatory to progress in the game, it gives players a way to personalize the albums. Unlock more decorative items as you complete scrapbooks.
Instants also grants you coins as you progress. Use the coins to customize your drink, snack and music player. The catalog has so many options to choose from, cold to hot drinks, snack plates or sushi boats, even the color of your music player. There’s something for everyone. It’s a great addition that adds a little more personalization to the game.
The most emphasized part of Instants is a relaxed pace. In an age where we are constantly in a rush we tend to miss the important things like our loved ones and the memories we make together. The absence of a time constraint relieves players of the pressure and time to savor the storyline.
Puzzle Difficulty
While Instants presents a gratifying level of challenge, it’s never too much to overwhelm. The helpful hints from your pet cat ensure that you’re on the right track without giving the entire puzzle away. Arrows pointing from left to right will appear in different colors signifying if the photo progression is correct. Red for no, green for yes, and orange signifying you’re almost there, you’re just missing a photo in between. Hints only appear if you’re not on the right track. You can also turn them off with a click on the pen beneath the scrap book for more of a challenge.
Something I found helpful in doing the puzzles was paying attention to visual clues. The sky/day progression, people aging, and switching from black and white photos to color. There are also occasionally notes from family on the back describing photos which was a great jumping block for a few.
Music & Art
Instants evokes an overall feeling of warmth. And I don’t mean temperature, but more of what the feeling of love and support gives. Warmed toned colors and cozy textures that are soft and inviting. Each photo radiates love and authenticity. It truly does feel like you’re flipping through the pages of a photo album.
The music only amplifies this sentiment. The bass and piano leave melodies that feel nostalgic, like a lazy sunday with loved ones. Paired with the art, it’s crafted perfectly to add to the player’s experience.
Final Thoughts
From the puzzles to customization, Instants truly was a game made with players who like a little of both in mind. But Instants goes beyond just solving puzzles. It reminds us to focus on preserving the good stuff. To remember the fleeting moments that have built a beautiful life.
Instants releases June 7th to Steam and Epic Games store for PC, and the Switch . 8/10
Thank you to devs Endflame for the code to review.
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