LumiKin
Metacritic 7710+

When The Past Was Around

Mojiken|2020AdventureCasualIndie

LumiScore?Our 0–100 score for how developmentally beneficial and low-risk this game is for children. Higher is better.

62/ 100
GOOD
120+ min/day recommended

Growth

45/100

Growth Value

  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Memory & Attention

Risk

LOW

Engagement Patterns

Minimal pressure to spend or play excessively.

Heads up

💸 Monthly cost: Free

Parent Pro-Tip

Engage with your child by discussing the game's poignant narrative about memory, loss, and self-discovery. Collaborate on solving the puzzles to enhance shared problem-solving skills and enjoy the beautiful hand-drawn art and violin music together.

Top Skills Developed

Problem Solving5/5
Critical Thinking5/5
Memory & Attention5/5
Empathy5/5
Spatial Awareness3/5

Development Areas

Cognitive?Problem solving, spatial awareness, strategic thinking, creativity, memory, and learning transfer. Weighted 50% of the Benefit Score.
62
Social & Emotional?Teamwork, communication, empathy, emotional regulation, and ethical reasoning. Weighted 30% of the Benefit Score.
27
Motor Skills?Hand-eye coordination, fine motor control, reaction time, and physical activity. Weighted 20% of the Benefit Score.
30
Overall Benefit Score (BDS)45/100

Representation?How diverse the game's characters are in gender and ethnicity. Higher = more authentic representation. Display only — does not affect time recommendation.

Gender balance
2/3
Ethnic diversity
1/3

Bechdel Test?The Bechdel Test checks whether a game has at least two named female characters who talk to each other about something other than a man. A simple measure of representation.N/A — no named characters

Not enough information to determine if two named female characters talk to each other about something other than a man, as the primary focus is on 'a girl and a beast/owl boyfriend'.

Parent Pro-Tip

This approach not only promotes emotional literacy and resilience by exploring complex themes but also strengthens family bonds through collaborative play and appreciation of artistic elements.

What your child develops

When The Past Was Around offers significant cognitive benefits through its core puzzle-solving mechanics, which demand problem-solving, critical thinking, memory, and spatial awareness. The narrative, centered on overcoming the past and self-discovery, fosters empathy and emotional understanding, providing a rich emotional experience.

Base: UnknownMonthly: FreePlaytime: ~2hReviewed Apr 2026

Regulatory Compliance

Tap a badge for details. Grey = not yet assessed.

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About this game

From the creators of "A Raven Monologue" and "She & The Light Bearer". When the Past Was Around tells a bittersweet tale between a girl and a beast, and a journey of overcoming the past.