Instants Demo Impressions

A code was provided, and many thanks to Endflame

This past Summer I had the pleasure of meeting the people at Endflame, who were presenting their game Instants at Gamescom 2024 in Cologne. So when a demo popped up in my mailbox, it was a pleasure to give it a try.

A puzzle screen in Instants, where old sepia-toned photographs of a couple’s memories are connected with colorful dotted lines. The nostalgic scrapbook setting is complemented by a cup of tea, stationery, and a sticker of the red cat mascot. Published on: LadiesGamers. — Mind the dotted lines to see if you got it right

Puzzle Game With a Story

Instants is a puzzle game that is expected in 2025. Especially for Valentine’s Day there is a short demo out in the Steam shop. In the game, you are tasked to piece together family photo albums. And not just in a random way, but by putting the stack of photos you get in the right order. All along, you will uncover the stories behind each photo as you go, as they act as clues to the timeline.

An open scrapbook in Instants, containing three photographs of a young girl in a red polka-dot outfit. The cozy desk setting includes a cassette player, cookies, and a cup of tea, reinforcing the nostalgic and warm atmosphere. Published on: LadiesGamers. — One of the first tests is to see if you can get the photos in the right order.

The demo opens up with a sort of test run, showing how a sequence in photos is the right one. See the photo of the girl getting a gift? In photo 2 the gift turns out to be a new pyjama, and in photo 3 she shows off her new sleepwear. When a photo is in the right place, the dotted line between photos turns green. If it’s almost right, orange and totally wrong, red. That’s the basis of the gameplay, and the more photos you have to organise, the harder it will be.

A playful red cat in Instants sits on a round teal mat, holding a sealed envelope with a heart-shaped wax seal. The wooden floor is scattered with cat toys, including a stuffed fish, a yarn ball, and a feathered toy. Published on: LadiesGamers. — This little kitty has some help for you.

And if you just can’t get it right, you can always ask this sweet little kitty for assistance.

Add an Artistic Touch

As you progress, you’ll also have the chance to add your own artistic touch by decorating the albums with various backgrounds. The demo only shows a fraction of decorations that will be possible in the full game, think of things like stickers, typography, washi tape and more. It will feel as if you’re doing a nice scrapbook project!

A scrapbook page in Instants titled "Sweet Memories," featuring three sepia-toned photographs of a couple’s life together, including a wedding photo adorned with decorative stickers. On the left, a selection of themed stickers such as a house, camera, and bow is available for customization. The cozy, nostalgic atmosphere is enhanced by the game's signature warm pastel aesthetic. Published on: LadiesGamers. — Turn your album into a scrapbook project.

Instants is not just about the puzzle aspect: you piece together a family’s story through their photo albums. By arranging the pictures in chronological order you use visual clues to uncover the evolution of the family’s journey over generations. And it will feel like you are a spectator to the story of a life.

Final Thoughts about Instants

I liked my time with the demo of Instants. With a blend of puzzle-solving, crafting, and storytelling, Instants is a nice game with little touches that might not be mind-blowing but add a sense of cosiness. Click on the cookies, and one of them is eaten; lift the cup of tea as if you are drinking. It feels every bit like sitting down and enjoying your little art project.

The demo is short but I can see how the full game with more photos to sort will be a sweet and cosy experience telling family stories.