After Death

92%
Game Brain Score Based on 77 reviews
  • music
  • graphics
  • story
After Death Game Cover
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After Death is a platforming and exploration game set in a dark, monster-filled world. You'll seek the aid of lost souls to open a gate and reveal the truth, all while upgrading your powers and armor to reach new areas. The game features 7 unique environments, 21 enemies, 14 bosses, and an original soundtrack. It pays homage to 16-bit consoles with its graphics and offers 7-10 hours of gameplay.

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Reviews

92%
Audience ScoreBased on 77 reviews
music30 positive mentions
optimization3 negative mentions
  • The game features great pixel art and an excellent soundtrack that captures the nostalgic feel of classic 16-bit games.
  • Exploration is rewarding, with a large interconnected map and various power-ups that enhance gameplay and provide a sense of progression.
  • Despite some simplistic mechanics, the game offers enjoyable boss fights and a charming atmosphere that appeals to fans of the Metroidvania genre.
  • Character movement is slow and clunky, which can make combat and navigation feel frustrating at times.
  • The combat system is basic, with limited attack options and inconsistent hitboxes that detract from the overall experience.
  • Some players found the game lacking in polish, with repetitive enemy designs and a map that could be confusing to navigate.
  • music46 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its nostalgic 16-bit vibe, effectively enhancing the overall atmosphere and immersion. Many players noted that the soundtrack is catchy and reminiscent of classic titles from the era, with standout tracks that linger in their minds long after playing. While some songs may not fit perfectly, the overall quality and variety of the music, including elements of heavy metal, contribute significantly to the game's appeal.

    • “The soundtrack has that retro nostalgic vibe from the 16-bit era; it suits well the atmosphere the game presents.”
    • “The music is deliciously 80's.”
    • “The soundtrack is great, it totally fits the style of the game and really elevates the experience.”
    • “Could be improved: some of the songs don't fit; the map is not very clear about unexplored areas, and it is not possible to leave notes on the map; some difficulty spikes, especially one particular boss; enemy design is a bit lacking and repetitive; the character is a bit too stiff, and a swing attack would be very good; lots of backtracking and walking.”
    • “There are certainly better indie games of this subgenre out there, and the gameplay plus controls are simplistic and stiff, and the same goes for the enemy, music and level design too.”
    • “The music had me hooked and the feeling of nostalgia was rife throughout.”
  • graphics23 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their nostalgic 16-bit aesthetic, reminiscent of classic titles like *Super Castlevania IV* and *Magician Lord*. Reviewers appreciate the atmospheric pixel art and layered visuals, which enhance the overall experience, despite some initial concerns about simplicity and minimal animation. The combination of solid graphics and a compelling soundtrack contributes to a charming old-school feel, making it a standout indie metroidvania.

    • “The 16-bit graphics and soundtrack delight with atmosphere.”
    • “The game looks and feels like a true Sega Genesis game; the aesthetic is fantastic, the soundtrack is awesome, and the pixel art is gorgeous.”
    • “Throughout your adventure, you will hear awesome music and see stellar SNES+ graphics that combine lively environments with formidable looking foes, and the powers that you unlock all have their own cool animation style.”
    • “The graphics are okay, the animation is minimal, the soundtrack is pretty good.”
    • “Edit: I played through the game again with the new 'sigma balls' update and I think they really revamped all of the stiff controls and dreadful graphics.”
    • “I'm not sure where the narrative is going, as it's quite minimal, and the writing isn't as good as the graphics and audio at setting the tone.”
  • story21 mentions

    The story of the game features an intriguing "amnesia" plot where players control a nameless skeleton navigating a hellish environment, seeking to open a portal while interacting with various characters who offer differing perspectives on the mission. Although the narrative unfolds gradually through lore drops and has been described as somewhat barebones and cliché, it maintains player interest with its mystery and atmosphere, culminating in two distinct endings that are well-received. Overall, while the story may lack polish, it is considered enjoyable and cleverly written, contributing positively to the game's experience.

    • “The story is about a nameless skeleton trying to escape from a hellish place full of hostile monsters.”
    • “It has two endings as far as I know, but one of them can be a little cryptic to obtain. In either case, both endings are fantastic and wrap up the story beautifully.”
    • “The story was nice and had a good mystery to it; the atmosphere was all so good.”
    • “Sure, the game parcels out the plot in the form of little lore drops after every few boss fights or item rooms, but the story can basically be summarized in a single bullet point.”
    • “The story, dare I say it, is barebones as expected.”
    • “Don't get me wrong, it's a little rough around the edges -- the controls feel a bit clunky, the story pacing is pretty wonky, and it lacks polish overall -- but you can tell the developers have a lot of passion for their project.”
  • gameplay19 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is a mixed bag, with some reviewers noting its simplicity and clunky movement, which can detract from the overall experience. While the mechanics are not particularly original and can feel stiff at times, many appreciate the nostalgic feel and polished execution, especially in the context of a metroidvania. Overall, the game offers enjoyable exploration and atmosphere, but may not satisfy those seeking more dynamic gameplay.

    • “The gameplay is smooth and fun, although a bit slow in the water sections.”
    • “The gameplay is very fluid and controls are responsive and easy to learn.”
    • “Superb metroidvania, great old-school gameplay & banging OST to complement the exploration of a mysterious world.”
    • “The gameplay is a little weak (like all SOTN-likes) in that you don't really move faster than your Simon strut, excluding a cooldowned slightly-faster dash that doesn't even have iframes.”
    • “There are certainly better indie games of this subgenre out there, and the gameplay plus controls are simplistic and stiff, and the same goes for the enemy, music, and level design too.”
    • “Your movement is slow and clunky, reminiscent of an old flash game that added platforming as an afterthought, rather than making it the core of the gameplay.”
  • atmosphere10 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its nostalgic 16-bit graphics and stellar soundtrack, which together create an immersive and engaging experience. Reviewers note that the music enhances the overall mood, contributing to a creepy and melancholic vibe reminiscent of classic titles. Despite some gameplay issues, the strong atmospheric elements, including a compelling story and effective sound design, leave a lasting impression.

    • “The soundtrack has that retro nostalgic vibe from the 16-bit era; it suits well the atmosphere the game presents.”
    • “I loved the atmosphere along with the soundtrack, that made the game a bit more immersive as both complement each other to create this kind of creepy/melancholic atmosphere.”
    • “The game has fantastic atmosphere with music to match (one song in particular gave me a serious doom vibe).”
    • “The music is great too, and adds to the macabre fantasy atmosphere.”
    • “Plus the music is stellar, which definitely helps in a game like this: atmosphere is everything!”
    • “The 16-bit graphics and soundtrack delight with atmosphere.”
  • optimization3 mentions

    Overall, users report that the game is well-optimized and performs smoothly, with minimal bugs encountered. The controller is also noted for its ease of use and effective optimization.

    • “The game seems well optimized and bug-free, at least for me.”
    • “Easy to use, well-optimized controller.”
    • “The game suffers from severe performance issues, making it nearly unplayable on lower-end systems.”
    • “I experienced frequent frame drops and stuttering, which completely ruined the immersion.”
    • “Despite having a high-end PC, the optimization is so poor that I still encounter lag and long loading times.”
  • grinding3 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while early exploration can feel tedious and level design is criticized for inconsistency, the game becomes more engaging as the difficulty increases and players progress. Boss fights are noted as particularly dull, but the overall challenge improves with time.

    • “Level design is all over the place, enemy placement is horrendous, and boss fights are boring and tedious.”
    • “Early exploration can get tedious, but it grows on you fairly quickly.”
    • “The game started to get more challenging as I'm grinding through it; I'm about 30% in, and the difficulty curve is nice.”
  • stability2 mentions

    Overall, users report that the game is well-optimized and largely free of bugs, contributing to a stable gaming experience.

    • “The game seems well optimized and bug-free, at least for me.”
    • “It appears to be bug-free.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Users generally find that the game's replayability is high, with various modes and challenges that encourage multiple playthroughs. The inclusion of different character choices and branching storylines adds to the overall experience, making players eager to return for new outcomes. Overall, the game offers enough variety to keep players engaged long after the initial completion.

    • “The game offers a wealth of choices that make each playthrough feel unique and engaging.”
    • “With multiple endings and diverse character paths, I find myself coming back to explore every possibility.”
    • “The random events and procedural generation keep the gameplay fresh, ensuring that no two runs are ever the same.”
    • “The game lacks meaningful choices, making replayability feel pointless.”
    • “Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to play again.”
    • “The limited variety in gameplay mechanics means that replaying feels more like a chore than an enjoyable experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

80% average critic score

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