Developed by the Barcelona-based company Piccolo, known for their work on “Arise… A Simple Story” which was released back in 2019, “After Us” takes players on a pretty compelling journey through a distant apocalyptic future. Set against the backdrop of our planet Earth abandoned by humanity, the game casts players in the role of Gaia, a spiritual embodiment reminiscent of Mother Nature, on a quest to revitalize this desolated world. The post-apocalyptic landscapes of this emanate a profound sense of desolation, with remnants of civilization scattered throughout. It often even highlights the bad in humanity and what we have done to hurt the planet. Barren freeways cluttered with abandoned cars and sprawling trash dumps serve as poignant reminders of a once-thriving world. It is within these hauntingly beautiful environments you’ll be utilizing familiar platforming mechanics such as double jumps, dashes, and wall-runs to traverse the desolate terrain.
While the initial move-set is pretty standard, Gaia’s abilities go a little bit beyond normal platformer repertoire. For instance, she possesses unique powers that unleash energy blasts, imbuing life into the surroundings and temporarily eradicating hazards like oil spills. As I progressed through the game, I found that this power became increasingly useful in ways I didn’t expect. The level designs are fairly big and littered with animal spirits scattered throughout the world that you can encounter, it’s a good way to entice players to explore hidden paths and undertake more challenging platforming sequences if you are trying to collect everything.
The checkpoint system in “After Us” is very well-implemented, I feel like this game autosaves very frequently and it’s very useful to resume your progress after facing setbacks during demanding platforming segments. These well-placed checkpoints alleviate the frustration of having to retrace significant portions of the game, I always felt like I was progressing which helped me stay invested. Although the absence of a traditional map in “After Us” can sometimes lead to a sense of disorientation, my sense of direction often had me lost. On the topic of maps though, there is a cool interface resembling a constellation of stars, which serves as a level selection screen and provides valuable information regarding collectibles and progression.
Throughout the game, players encounter “the devourers,” enigmatic humanoid creatures that stand as the sole adversaries in the desolate landscape. Combat encounters with these creatures, though not overly frequent, introduce a welcome change of pace. Gaia’s light projectile attack serves as her only means of offense, and can sometimes be challenging in a good way. In terms of length, “After Us” surprised me with its extensive gameplay. The journey through the desolate world can be more substantial than anticipated, and I recommend pacing your playthroughs out. While a shorter, more concise experience could have enhanced the pacing, either way the game did its job and got its message across and gave me a fairly memorable experience while doing so.
I would be amiss if I didn’t talk about the visuals, while generally simple graphics it effortlessly captures the delicate balance between beauty and desolation. The game’s striking set pieces, enhanced by meticulous particle effects and atmospheric details, immersed me in a hauntingly atmospheric world. It portrays the grim reality of a dying planet while simultaneously unearthing the underlying beauty, reminding players of the fragility and preciousness of our environment. Beyond its captivating visuals, “After Us” delves into thought-provoking themes. As the game unfolds, it raises existential questions and challenges players to ponder the moral implications of Gaia’s mission to save a planet seemingly on the brink of oblivion. At thirty bucks, you definitely get your money’s worth, but it really depends on how you feel about platforming games in general and cerebral emotional experiences with little words, but a lot to say. “After Us” is a remarkable testament to Piccolo’s artistry, embracing the beauty of such a desolate world.
8/10
For more information, visit YouTube, follow on Twitter, become a fan on Facebook, follow on Instagram, and visit www.afterusgame.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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