Screenshots
Watch trailer on Steam ↗We Grew Up in War
Charles Games · Published by Charles Games · Official site ↗
Last updated 30 Sept 2026
This narrative adventure tells stories of children from Sarajevo and Ukraine based on local’s testimonies. See contemporary war from an overlooked perspective, highlighting resilience and imagination of kids whose future was taken from them.
Adventure, Indie · 2026 · More free games
Explore the resilience and imagination of children caught in war in We Grew Up in War. This 2026 indie adventure from Charles Games offers a poignant look at contemporary conflict through local testimonies.
About this game
"All the children who spent their childhood in war grew up way too fast."
Meet Anna, Mak, and Melisa, piece together fragments of their lives, and uncover how war changed their fates. We Grew Up in War shows everyday routine in a besieged city, what it's like to be displaced again and again, and to be forced to reimagine your dreams by war.
But in this story – just like in real life – kids are not just helpless victims. They are resilient and creative beings who have unique ways of coping with the hardships around them.
By playing, you'll help us make the stories of children from Ukraine and Sarajevo heard – part of the game's revenue goes directly to the historykeeping and educational efforts of the award-winning War Childhood Museum. Sales will also fund the game's integration into educational programs and exhibitions worldwide.
transforms real testimonies of those who were children during the Siege of Sarajevo (1992–1996) and the war in Ukraine (2014–ongoing)
presents a non-linear narrative in which players have to unpack boxes of memories and sort them correctly to discover the whole story
is being created in collaboration with War Childhood Museum, based on interviews and years of historical research, with input from Ukrainian and Bosnian communities
offers over 20 interactive micro-stories – from battling imagined monsters to facing hunger and loss huddled inside bomb shelters, or merrily playing in a car wreck; each level draws from authentic childhood experiences of war
features light puzzle gameplay and an interactive story where you pick emotions, not words
Our protagonists might have different fates, but they have a lot in common. Unravel their interconnected stories – witness Mak grow up under a siege that lasts for years, follow Melisa as she leaves her home behind, and join Anna and Valerie as they desperately try to break free from the war alongside their family. How do these kids cope with the scars that war has left them with? Explore how past and present conflicts have shaped these children's lives.
How do you get by when everyday sounds become threats, shadows twist into monsters, and a derelict playground offers fleeting refuge from the shelling outside? Unpack boxed memories full of hardships, but also of joy and friendship. See history and the present from a perspective often missing in the media, based on the experiences of real children.
We Grew Up in War is being developed by Charles Games in collaboration with War Childhood Museum in Sarajevo.
System Requirements
Will my PC run this? →Minimum
- OS: Windows 10
- Processor: Core i5-7200U
- Memory: 4096 MB RAM
- Graphics: Intel HD 620
- Storage: 2 GB available space
Recommended
- OS: Windows 10
- Processor: CPU Intel Core i5-8600
- Memory: 8192 MB RAM
- Graphics: GPU GeForce GTX 750 2GB
- Storage: 2 GB available space
Supported Languages
*languages with full audio support
Latest news
AnnouncementsOfficial
Demo out now, including a part of Ukrainian story
Hi! The moment we all’ve been waiting for quite long is here! We just released the first ever public demo of We Grew Up in War! It includes three levels, two from Bosnia and one from Ukraine. Witness Melisa and her mother crossing the border, forced to by worsening circumstances; peek into Matej’s imatination as he learns of terrible news; jump into Valeria’s dreams and see how they’re altered by the invasion.We can’t wait for you to try the game. Please let us know any feedback and consider leaving a review on the demo’s Steam page. We eagerly await what players like you think about the game.By the way, we also have a new teaser that includes even more Ukrainian parts. Watch it on our store pages here:Let us know how you like it and the game.All the best and thanks for all the continued support!OndřejRead full article on Community Announcements (Ludocapitalism Enjoyer)AnnouncementsOfficial
We Grew Up in War First Look Stream!
Czech and Slovak Games Week continues, and with it our stream schedule! Join us on 14th November at 16:00 CET for an exclusive stream of some levels of We Grew Up in War. See the game in action, learn more about our gameplay, about the characters and the setting. And meet our kid protagonists! Lucie and Ondřej will be your hosts :) So join us for a sneak peek! OndřejRead full article on Community Announcements (Petromasculinity Advocate)AnnouncementsOfficial
Our New Game Velvet 89 is Out Now!
Our dearest followers, before we'll be able to show you more of our upcoming game We Grew Up in War, we'd like to share with you some exciting news - our new game Velvet 89 is finally out and for free! https://store.steampowered.com/app/3133340/Velvet_89/ Velvet 89 takes you on a trip across the revolting country – from cautious ecology-themed protests to huge crowds. Investigate the moments before police brutally attacked a peaceful demonstration and unveil the stories of those who decided to speak up. With Velvet 89 we put a lot of effort into a) making sure the history is represented in a nuanced and truthful manner and b) stylized visuals with a paper-like quality to them. Velvet 89 is also available on both phone and tablet devices, on App Store and Google Play so you can explore it on whichever platform you prefer. Dive in and experience the story wherever you are! We'd love to hear your thoughts! Leave us a review, drop a comment, and share your perspective on the power of protests—how they have shaped history and how they continue to inspire change today.Read full article on Community Announcements (Kohoutí_Iluze)
