“Afterimage,” a new title developed by Aurogon Shanghai and published by Modus Games, is an absolutely gorgeous side scrolling Metroidvania-style game that took me by surprise that offers lots of fast-paced action and stunning 2D art that looks like it was pulled straight from an anime. While the game’s story may be incredibly convoluted, even when writing this I can’t really give you a great rundown on what it’s about, but the gameplay and presentation made it a worthwhile experience for me. For a game that I hadn’t even heard of and suddenly falling on my lap, I was impressed with how much the gameplay sucked me in.
So, for the story, I’ll do my best to generalize what I more or less understood. So, it takes place in the world of Engardin, a beautifully realized world, with lush environments and imaginative creatures that add to the game’s overall immersion. After a world changing event called “The Razing” the world now is a place of peace. You play as Renee, a girl who seems to have lost her memories. Throughout your journey of the game, you will be traveling to recover her lost memories as well as to rescue her mentor, the abduction is more than what it seems though, there is something larger at play here. What that is though, man, it’s tough to say.
The character designs are particularly impressive, with intricate details and whimsical flourishes that make them stand out. The combat system is fantastic, with the ability to equip up to two weapons at a time and customize Renee’s abilities to suit your play style. As you progress further, you’ll get access to upgrades that give you new move sets, allowing you to travel to parts of the map that were previously inaccessible. The map UI was a bit too simplistic, so keeping track of where things are on it was not fun to do. The gameplay and overall design are so addictive, though, that it kept me into this game and what made me continue to play.
The biggest weaknesses by far here of “Afterimage” is indeed that hard to understand story, which can be so confusing and difficult to follow. Despite the game’s interesting premise, the dialogue and plot progression often feel vague and unclear, which make it even harder to understand what is happening in the game. As the game progresses and the story becomes more complex, I found myself losing interest in the narrative and focusing more on the gameplay instead. This is unfortunate because a strong story can help players become more invested in the game’s world and characters.
However, the game’s fast-paced action is one of its biggest strengths. Fighting enemies in the beautifully designed world of Engardin is a blast, with combat that is both intuitive and satisfying. The levels are also well-designed, with a good mix of platforming and combat that keeps things interesting. The customization options add depth and replayability to the experience. If you’re a Metroidvania fan looking for a game with beautiful visuals and satisfying gameplay, “Afterimage” is worth checking out.
7/10
For more information, visit http://playafterimage.com
Related: Nick Navarro Reviews
Gaming since I was given an original Nintendo as a kid. I love great storytelling and unique ingenuity. When both collide in a single game, I'm a happy gamer. Twitter/IG @NickNavarro87
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