Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

“Estamos Pensando” unfolds as a series of distinct gameplay sequences that elegantly mirror the emotional journey at the heart of its narrative. The opening confrontation with the lover sets a tone of tension and vulnerability, as you guide the protagonist through tight spaces and demanding platforming challenges. Movement feels responsive, and the inclusion of wall slides—allowing you to rebound off surfaces into precise wall jumps—adds a graceful complexity that will test both your timing and spatial awareness.

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Once the initial segment concludes, the game seamlessly transitions into a second phase set inside a mysterious house. Here, the mechanics shift to emphasize exploration over pure platforming, giving you room to breathe and absorb the atmosphere. Subtle environmental puzzles appear, encouraging you to interact with objects in order to piece together the story. These interactions never feel tacked on—they flow naturally from the premise of unmet demands and emotional distance.

One of the most striking aspects of the gameplay is its use of music and voice. Each section is accompanied by its own track, and certain moments feature sung segments in Portuguese. These musical cues serve as guidance markers, signaling changes in pace or emotional beat. The bilingual option (Portuguese or English) ensures that non-Portuguese speakers can still appreciate the lyrics’ evocative quality, though hearing the original language lends an added layer of authenticity.

Graphics

Visually, “Estamos Pensando” adopts a minimalist yet atmospheric art style that feels both timeless and emotionally resonant. The backgrounds are rendered with muted color palettes—grays, blues, and soft pastels—that underscore the protagonist’s inner turmoil. Foreground elements stand out in sharper contrast, guiding your eye to platforms, walls, and interactive objects without ever feeling cluttered.

Character design is deliberately understated: your avatar lacks detailed facial features, a choice that allows players to project their own emotions onto the role. Environments, from the shadow-laden corridors to the warmly lit rooms inside the house, are imbued with symbolic touches—flickering lamps, drifting curtains, and subtle particle effects that evoke a sense of memory and longing.

The UI is clean and unobtrusive. On-screen prompts for wall jumps or object interactions appear only when necessary, letting the graphics breathe. Transitions between scenes use gentle fades or sliding panels that preserve immersion. While “Estamos Pensando” does not boast cutting-edge visuals, its deliberate aesthetic and thoughtful use of light and shadow make the experience feel artfully crafted.

Story

At its core, “Estamos Pensando” is a metaphorical tale about love, expectation, and the painful realization that some demands simply cannot be met. The narrative unfolds almost entirely through gameplay and musical interludes rather than traditional cutscenes, inviting you to piece together the emotional subtext as you overcome each obstacle. This approach fosters a deeper connection to the protagonist’s inner world.

The opening confrontation sequence casts you directly into conflict, establishing the lover’s demands without a word of exposition. As you progress through the house, audio logs and whispered lyrics fill in the gaps, revealing backstory and the evolving dynamics of the relationship. The choice to sing parts of the narrative in Portuguese adds a poetic layer—lyrics become fragments of memory, echoing through the rooms you traverse.

Daniel Martins Novais’s writing is economical yet poignant. No line is wasted, and the story’s emotional weight grows with each new discovery. Whether you play in Portuguese or in English, the translation preserves the essential melancholy, forcing you to confront the gap between what is asked of you and what you are able—or willing—to give.

Overall Experience

“Estamos Pensando” is a thoughtful indie gem that blends platforming, exploration, and music into a cohesive emotional journey. Its relatively short runtime—perfect for a single sitting—belies the depth of feeling it conveys. By the time you reach the final chords of its soundtrack, you’ll have experienced a narrative arc that feels both personal and universal.

The bilingual presentation broadens its appeal, inviting players from different linguistic backgrounds to engage with its themes. Controls remain tight throughout, and the pacing of gameplay segments versus contemplative house exploration strikes a satisfying balance. Sound design, too, lifts the experience: subtle footsteps, creaking floorboards, and the protagonist’s soft sighs all contribute to an atmosphere of intimate unease.

While “Estamos Pensando” may not satisfy those seeking non-stop action or sprawling worlds, it excels as a compact, emotionally driven experience. Its blend of metaphor, music, and finely tuned mechanics makes it a standout among narrative platformers. For players who appreciate games that provoke introspection and deliver an artistic statement, “Estamos Pensando” is well worth your time.

Retro Replay Score

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