indiegame.fan
What Never Was header art

What Never Was

What Never Was is a short, story-driven first-person game focused on exploration and puzzle-solving about Sarah, having to shoulder the arduous task of clearing out her grandfathers attic, and soon finds that not everything about the attic is what it seems.

Steam Page
Developer
Publisher
Release
January 11, 2019
7 years and 204 days ago
Steam Reviews
Very Positive5,092 reviews94.5%

Does this feel indie?

Vote based on whether this game feels indie to you. You can change your vote at any time. Results earn an IGF score after 10 accepted votes.
No votes yet
Vote on More Games
Game contextLatest: IGF Team
ContextThe evidence factors used to assess whether this game belongs on IndieGame.Fan.Status
Notes
Latest Contributor: IGF TeamEdit notes
Updated: Jul 13, 2026Developer scaleThe operating scale of the game's developer.
Updated: Jul 15, 2026Publisher scaleThe operating scale of the game's publisher.
Updated: Jul 15, 2026Publisher statusHow the game's publishing relationship is classified.
Search Google: How is What Never Was and Acke Hallgren funded?FundingThe known source of funding behind the game.
Search Google: Who controls the creative direction and IP for What Never Was and Acke Hallgren?Creative controlWho appears to retain creative control of the game.
Updated: Jul 13, 2026Release statusWhether and how the game has been released.

Media

7 items

About the Game





Sometime in the late 2000s, Howard James Wright - an old but kind man - perishes. Leaving behind him many adventures, relics he's collected over the years as well as books authored, he is also leaving Sarah, his granddaughter behind.

Having to shoulder the arduous task of clearing out her grandfathers attic, she is soon to find that not everything about her grandfathers attic is what it seems.




What Never Was is a short, story-driven first-person game focused on exploration and puzzle-solving.

You play as Sarah Elizabeth Wright, exploring through your grandfathers attic, solving small puzzles and uncovering the story through gameplay. What Never Was aims to combine the gameplay of classic point-and-click games with the control schemes of modern adventure and walking sim games.

It is inspired by the likes of Myst, Indiana Jones and The Longest Journey and borrows themes from folklore, Norse mythology, and works from authors like H.P. Lovecraft.

The game is the first solo game and passion project of game developer Acke Hallgren with the support of a handful of supportive creatives.