When I Was Young is a side-scrolling action adventure that seeks to capture the grim atmosphere and emotional turmoil of the Vietnam War through a distinctly retro presentation. Developed by WallRus Group and published by Art Games Studio S.A., it tells the story of a young American soldier who enlists in the army after learning that his brother has gone missing in action. What begins as a straightforward search for family quickly evolves into a desperate fight for survival across a hostile and unforgiving landscape. The game immediately immerses players in the raw intensity of war, contrasting the patriotic fervor of enlistment with the suffocating reality of jungle combat. Its narrative ambition is evident: instead of glorifying warfare, it highlights the futility and personal cost of violence. This story-driven approach gives the game an identity that goes beyond its surface as a retro platformer, evoking a sense of melancholy and nostalgia that mirrors the protagonist’s loss of innocence.
Visually, When I Was Young embraces a pixel art aesthetic that combines vintage simplicity with expressive detail. The environments are richly layered, capturing the dense foliage, murky rivers, and ruined urban backdrops of Vietnam with a painterly touch. Every screen evokes a sense of decay and dread, as though the war-torn world itself is closing in around you. The developers use lighting and color sparingly but effectively, bathing the player in oppressive greens and oranges that enhance the sense of danger and desolation. The game’s soundtrack reinforces this mood with haunting, minimalist melodies and ambient noise that echo through tunnels and battlefields alike. Though limited in technical complexity, the art direction and soundscape work hand in hand to build a consistent atmosphere—one that is somber, evocative, and at times quietly beautiful.
In terms of gameplay, the experience blends exploration, combat, and survival elements into a linear narrative framework divided across nine chapters. Players alternate between stealthy traversal, direct firefights, and environmental puzzles while navigating minefields, underground passages, and enemy encampments. There is a rhythm to its pacing: brief moments of safety give way to sudden bursts of violence, forcing players to react quickly and manage scarce resources. The protagonist can run, crouch, and shoot, but every encounter feels dangerous, with limited ammunition and brutal consequences for mistakes. This difficulty curve helps communicate the chaos and unpredictability of war, yet it is also one of the game’s weaknesses. The controls often lack precision, resulting in awkward platforming sequences or delayed combat responses. While these technical flaws don’t completely break the game, they interrupt the immersion and can make some sections feel more punishing than intended.
The game’s level design alternates between inspired and uneven. Some chapters, especially those set in dense jungles or ruined villages, are tightly constructed and filled with visual storytelling that adds weight to the protagonist’s journey. Others, particularly the early training missions, drag on with repetitive objectives and pacing issues that dilute the narrative momentum. Enemy placement and hit detection occasionally feel inconsistent, adding frustration to an otherwise grounded experience. Still, there are moments of brilliance—small, wordless vignettes that remind the player of the human cost of the conflict. Dead soldiers litter the landscape, villages lie in ashes, and fleeting encounters with civilians emphasize the blurred line between friend and foe. These quiet details lend the game an emotional sincerity that overshadows some of its technical shortcomings.
From a narrative standpoint, When I Was Young stands out for its earnestness. The personal quest to find a lost brother serves as a strong emotional anchor, grounding the story in something intimate amidst the chaos of war. The writing is sparse but effective, relying more on imagery and pacing than on dialogue. It’s a tale of disillusionment—of how a young man’s ideals crumble as he confronts the horrors of combat and the futility of vengeance. This thematic approach gives the game a sense of purpose that many indie war titles lack. The developers clearly sought to explore not just the physical trials of battle but the psychological transformation it inflicts on those who endure it.
Despite its flaws, When I Was Young is a memorable and heartfelt project. Its retro aesthetic may conceal its ambitions, but beneath the pixel art lies a serious attempt to blend emotion, history, and gameplay into a cohesive experience. The controls could be tighter, the combat more refined, and the pacing more balanced, yet its sincerity shines through. It is not a polished blockbuster nor a fast-paced action showcase, but rather a small, reflective journey through one of history’s most traumatic conflicts. For players who appreciate atmospheric storytelling and are patient with the quirks of indie design, this title offers something rare—a war game that feels personal rather than heroic. It may stumble in its execution, but its heart is firmly in the right place, and that makes it a meaningful addition to the growing library of narrative-driven indie adventures.
Rating: 7/10
