Describes looking back on or reviewing past events, often used in formal or analytical contexts.
彼の回顧的なエッセイは、戦後の日本社会を振り返っている。
His retrospective essay looks back on postwar Japanese society.
回顧的な視点から見ると、その決断は正しかったと言える。
From a retrospective viewpoint, one can say that decision was correct.
Compound of 回顧 (retrospection) + 的 (-like, -ive), forming an adjectival noun meaning 'retrospective'.