HOW WE KNOW WE'RE ALIVE
A downloadable game for Windows, macOS, and Linux
HOW WE KNOW WE'RE ALIVE is a free hour long melancholy, point-and-click narrative mystery set in the bible belt of Sweden.
"A mature and thought-provoking tale that will resonate with many people long after it has been completed"
"How We Know We're Alive will break your heart."
"A deeply touching and emotional game that really hits hard. Highly recommended."
Welcome to Härunga – a small industrial town in the bible belt of the mid–north of Sweden. You play as Sara, an aspiring writer who, after having been away for 10 years, returns home in order to investigate the tragic fate of her estranged best friend.
The days grow short quickly this far up north – and the rain never seems to let up...
Lovingly crafted and richly animated, explore the melancholy atmosphere of a small town that time seemingly forgot.
Meet old friends and enemies and piece together the mystery of what happened after your friendship tragically fell apart.
As in life, what you say will impact things in hidden ways and not everything may be as it seems. Who is telling whose truth and can you know the difference?
HOW WE KNOW WE'RE ALIVE is a passion project among friends and completely free for everyone. However, if you would really like to support this and future projects you can pay 2€ or more and get access to HOW WE KNOW WE'RE ALIVE – DELUXE EDITION which includes:
- 5x High quality custom made desktop wallpapers
- 6x High quality custom made phone backgrounds
- 4x Animated custom made phone backgrounds
- Mastered version of the original soundtrack including unused tracks, composed by Ivan Starenius
- Digital ART BOOK, with detailed versions of used and unused sprites and artwork
- A PDF of the original script, written by Imogen West-Knights
Created & directed by August Håkansson
Art & animation by Leo Köhler & August Håkansson
Written by Imogen West-Knights & August Håkansson
Original soundtrack by Ivan Starenius
Contact and press: hello@augusthakansson.com
Presskit: https://howweknowwerealive.com/presskit/
Motvind logo design: Andreas Knutsson
Download
Click download now to get access to the following files:
Development log
- OUT NOWMay 01, 2021
Comments
Log in with itch.io to leave a comment.
such a heartbreaking game 10/10
What a great message.
The soundtrack and the atmosphere are the best part of this game.The story and the "twist" at the end was pretty nice too
This was a great game. played it on my channel
I really lliked this! Its so well done for a free game and the pace of the story flows so nicely, feels engaging but not tense at the same time, just what it needs❤️ I recommend it together with another 3 games in this video, it's in spanish tho but just so you know it
when i started the game there was really bad audio issues i'm not sure if it was from my side or the game's
This game was so sad but gave in the end the hope to move on.
This game was peak, would totally recommand !
It's so over...
Played it on Steam, very touching game and interesting characters, it manages to subvert your expectations even though it's short.
Hi, I played it on Steam. Great story that other perspectives count as well, not only the protagonist's perspective. It is also nice to see "Sweden" in the game, since I'm from Norway. :)
I didn't cry, because there was not enough story to feel with them...
Show post...
Interested in NSFW games? Check out https://proadultgames.pages.dev/
Loved it! At first I thought the story was going a certain direction, but the subversion was a neat touch! I'm actually quite inspired!
Did you at least kiss the brick before you threw it at me?
Fr, my fault for going into the game blind. I thought it was going to be peaceful
such a nice game i loved it
这个游戏有点长，但我认为我真的在挖掘它！这些主题真的很有意义，尽管只有一种语言选项，我不得不依靠翻译来完成它。有兴趣更新更多语言吗？！
That was amazing game!!! :3
Kurz und knapp, aber definitiv genug für Tränen
Hi there! I would love to translate your game for free to Spanish LATAM. I am game translator, and I am trying to build my portfolio, I have translated a couple of games on this platform, you can see them on my profile. If you are interested let me know and I will be happy to help!
Just played How We Know We're Alive – and wow.
It's a short narrative game, but it left a big emotional impact.
The story is touching, the atmosphere is haunting, and the pixel art is beautifully done.
One of those rare games that stays with you long after the credits roll.
Highly recommended for anyone who loves storytelling in games.
Why does Sarah hate Harunga so much?
Wonderful fkn game. This game showed me that my perspective is not the only story that matters. Loved the game.
Good atmosphere and engaging story
i really like it!!
Hello, I love your game, I'm running a community on discord about story driven games, where players can feature game and get rewarded for these ! I would love to feature it there, can we connect on discord at zerobarstudio for discuss about it ?
Oh my God, what a great game.
I'm crying, it's truly incredible.
Really appreciated it. It's well written, the awkwardness, the spite, they really do put you into the character's shoes. It really played with my assumptions and I'm all the more pleased for it.
great game
I was looking for horror games and stumbled onto this one! What a nice game! I really liked the story and the atmosphere. I also liked the ending and how everything was actually different from what I and the protagonist were expecting. Loved that plot twist and loved the themes in this game. I made a video about my experience! 😊
Great game, but what makes it truly special is the absolutely gorgeous art. The combined use of pixel art with the lighting and effects is the best style I've ever seen in a game. Great atmosphere, great writing, great everything. Incredible
Nice game - very well made and was very fun.
You have some serious hatred for God though lol. Wish you the best of luck with that.
:) live and let live, there are games that promote god and those that don't. Aren't y'all religious folk supposed to be all accepting and shit? If god is someone you believe in then move along and quit being petty.
You start by saying "live and let live" and then proceed to do the exact opposite. Also the guy was very nice. Reading both your comments as a bystander you're the one that seems petty.
Awesome Game.
amazing.
I wont lie this game almost made me cry a couple times. Took me about 1h30m to complete (with clicking on everything lol). I definitely would recommend just diving in and taking it in.
Jogo emocionante e bonito
I wish the game was a little longer so we could have more context with the relationship she had with everyone and the town. Some of the choices, I had trouble choosing bcuz I didn't know what to say. Beautiful art & music.
Absolutely loved this, such a beautiful, heartrending game. I think it explored the subject matter quite well and it was super engaging. Will be returning.