Back in 1995

On the Playstation 1, I was a big fan of games like Resident Evil and Silent Hill. Survival Horror was a fun genre. Also, for the time, the graphics were good. Scan forward to now and you see that those PS1 classics don’t hold up as well graphics or gameplay wise. So what if a game came out today and was exactly like those games…on purpose? Welcome to my review of Back in 1995 for the Nintendo Switch.

Back in 1995 is a hard game to review. The game sets out to be like a Playstation 1 survival horror game and it succeeds. Back in 1995 reminds me a lot of Silent Hill 1 for the PS1. It is spooky, creepy, and mysterious just like that PS1 classic.

For some players, a trip down memory lane will be enough. We liked those PS1 survival horror games. Back in 1995 is trying to tap into nostalgia for those old school games. I think it does a good job of that. If you enjoyed those games, you’ll find something to like about this game.

I also think that Back in 1995 is a difficult game to fully enjoy. Games have come very far since the Playstation 1. Modern games have much better graphics and gameplay. We’ve played better games than the old Silent Hill and Resident Evil. Yes, those games are classic, but…have you played them lately?

Back in 1995’s graphics are not good. Old 3D does not hold up as well as old 2D. The same can be said for Back in 1995’s gameplay. This game has “tank” controls, which means your characters walks very slow and stiffly. Shooting an enemy is slow and its easy to die in this game because you can’t get turned in time to shoot an enemy or you quickly run out of bullets.

Gamers these days are spoiled with amazing graphics and tight controls. Even the music and “sound effects” of Back in 1995 make us remember how spoiled we are now.

Unfortunately, as you play this game, you can’t help but compare the old and the new. Also Back in 1995 is no Silent Hill or Resident Evil 1. It may have all the same elements as Silent Hill 1 but it doesn’t have a very interesting story and it doesn’t introduce any kind of new mechanics to those old school games. Back in 1995 just sets out to be a Playstation 1 survival horror game. It does feel like a game from that system and that time. Thats not totally a good thing.

Back in 1995 is recommended only if you don’t have a Playstation 1 anymore and you feel like time traveling back to the PS1 era. Otherwise, some things are better left in the past.

Back in 1995 gets a 7.0 out of 10.

Thank you to Ratalaika Games for providing a review copy of this game. Back in 1995 is now available on the Nintendo Switch eshop.