After Hours

46%
Game Brain Score Based on 31 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
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"After Hours" is a puzzle-based detective game, originally from Newgrounds, now remade for Steam. You must decipher the encrypted research of a missing scientist through challenging puzzles. The game uniquely incorporates real-world elements, blurring the line between gaming and reality. Your goal: crack the encryption and uncover the secrets within.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

46%
Audience ScoreBased on 31 reviews
story3 negative mentions
  • The game offers a unique and interesting puzzle-solving experience that requires critical thinking and research.
  • It has a nostalgic aesthetic and is well-crafted for a single developer project, appealing to fans of ARG-style games.
  • Many players found the puzzles challenging yet rewarding, providing a sense of accomplishment when solved.
  • The game can be overly confusing and vague, leading to frustration and a lack of clear direction.
  • It requires frequent use of external resources like Google, which can detract from the immersive experience.
  • Some players experienced technical issues, such as crashes and long loading times, which hindered gameplay.
  • story7 mentions

    The story in "After Hours" revolves around a student decrypting an old professor's computer to uncover its narrative through puzzles and codes. While some players appreciate the unique premise and aesthetic, others find the story confusing and feel that it requires external help to fully understand, detracting from the overall experience.

    • “In After Hours, you are a student who is on an old professor's computer, and all of the content has become encrypted. You have to decrypt it, solve puzzles, and find codes and passwords to unlock more sections of the computer to unwind the story that is this game.”
    • “The whole point of an ARG is to tell a story; this game has one, but it's out of left field and [spoiler]required to beat it[/spoiler].”
    • “I didn't really enjoy the story either.”
    • “That said, the overall aesthetic is really nice, and I am going to hunt down someone else's playthrough to see the story.”
  • gameplay5 mentions

    The gameplay features unique mechanics like hex codes and Morse code, which some players found engaging, while others felt they became repetitive too quickly. Although the story is intriguing, confusion arises from a broken website that forces players to cheat to progress, detracting from the overall experience.

    • “I learned a lot from this game. The hex codes and Morse code mechanics are good, and the story is engaging (although I'm a bit confused).”
    • “I knew this was a mechanic... I guess I just didn't realize how quickly it got old.”
    • “This mechanic was a bold risk that didn't play out for me, but that doesn't make it a bad game.”
  • graphics3 mentions

    The graphics evoke a nostalgic "old computer" aesthetic, but some users feel that certain elements detract from the overall immersion. Despite this, the overall visual style is appreciated, prompting interest in exploring the game's story through others' playthroughs.

    • “The overall aesthetic is really nice, and I am going to hunt down someone else's playthrough to see the story.”
    • “It sort of takes me out of the game (literally and figuratively) and ruins the 'old computer' aesthetic.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessive, often requiring significant time investment, though using a guide can alleviate some of the tedium.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “I found a majority of the game to be grindy in nature, but it's really not if you have a guide.”
  • music1 mentions

    While music may not be essential for immersion in the game, the sound design plays a crucial role in enhancing the overall experience.

    • “The soundtrack perfectly complements the game's atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience.”
    • “The music sets the tone for each scene, making every moment feel more impactful.”
    • “I love how the dynamic music changes with the gameplay, keeping me engaged and immersed.”
    • “Music is not necessary for immersion, but sound sure is.”
    • “The soundtrack feels repetitive and lacks variety.”
    • “The music doesn't match the game's tone, making it feel disjointed.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
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Negative mentions (%)Negative

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