Games Like Pastimes

Pastimes is a large logic puzzle set inside Children's Games, the famous painting by Pieter Bruegel the Elder from 1560.

At first there is only a vast grid and numbers. Then, cell by cell, the painting comes into view: children rolling hoops, spinning tops, playing leapfrog, blind man's buff… until the whole scene reappears.

The rule is simple: each number tells how many cells must be filled in the 3×3 square around it, counting the number's own cell. By cross-checking the clues, you gradually work out which cells to fill and which to leave empty.

Pastimes is meant to be solved at your own pace, a few minutes at a time or across long sessions.

The entire painting is one large play area, divided into scenes inspired by the different games Bruegel painted. Finish a region and unlock a close-up of the scene, plus a few lines about the game or pastime it shows.

You can work through the whole painting solo, or share the grid with a partner on the same PC. In split-screen, each player has their own camera, zoom, and cursor: you can think side by side on the same area, or head off to solve two completely different spots.

With Steam Remote Play Together, that local co-op can also be shared remotely with a friend.

Your progress is saved automatically: leave whenever you like and pick up later, alone or together.