Afterdream

About

Afterdream is a single player arcade action adventure game with a horror theme. It was developed by Jesse Makkonen and was released on September 28, 2023. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

"Afterdream is a single-player action game with an intriguing story and outstanding game mechanics, set in a vividly designed 2D world. Using a unique camera, interact with objects and solve puzzles to uncover the purpose of your nocturnal visit in this psychological horror adventure. With atmospheric music, minimalist interface, and no asset flips, Afterdream promises a wholesome and immersive gaming experience."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

+10

Skip User Reviews

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 165 reviews

story64 positive mentions

grinding2 negative mentions

The game features beautiful pixel art and an immersive atmosphere, enhanced by a captivating soundtrack that complements the emotional storytelling.
Players appreciate the heartfelt narrative that explores themes of love, loss, and grief, often evoking strong emotional responses.
The puzzles are generally well-designed, providing a satisfying challenge without being overly complex, and the unique camera mechanic adds an interesting layer to the gameplay.

Some players found the game to be very short, with a playtime of around 3-4 hours, leading to a feeling of it lacking depth or content.
The puzzles can sometimes feel too simplistic or obvious, leading to a lack of engagement and challenge for players who enjoy more complex gameplay.
While the game aims for a horror atmosphere, many players noted that it lacks genuine scares and tension, making it feel more like a meditative experience than a traditional horror game.

story
104 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
62%
35%
3%
The game's story is widely praised for its emotional depth and intriguing narrative, often described as moving and touching, with themes of loss and regret that resonate with players. While the pacing and execution of the storytelling received mixed feedback—some finding it engaging and others feeling it lacked depth—the overall atmosphere and artistic presentation enhance the experience. Many players appreciate the short, yet impactful nature of the story, making it a worthwhile play for those who enjoy story-driven games, particularly in the psychological horror genre.
- “An absolutely beautiful and touching story about loss and regret.”
- “Every moment had just the right amount of tension and the story progressed so beautifully.”
- “I liked this game's eerie atmosphere and creepy setup along with its intriguing story which led me to keep playing & see what the story will entail.. it was quite touching; I loved the message behind it.”
- “The plot feels a bit thin here, and while there's a lot of heart to it, I didn't quite get as emotionally invested as I'd hoped.”
- “The story is given away from the start, so you're never really driving toward anything or trying to solve any mysteries.”
- “The way the story is told makes sense (abrupt with atmospheric changes) but unfortunately it doesn't flow as well as it could have, which ultimately puts a damper on the emotional punch that the game wants to give to the player.”
atmosphere
54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
31%
6%
The atmosphere in "Afterdream" is widely praised for its eerie, immersive quality, combining unsettling sound design and pixel art to create a unique blend of horror and intrigue reminiscent of classic titles like "Silent Hill." Players appreciate the game's ability to evoke tension without relying on cheap jump scares, instead focusing on a rich narrative and emotional depth. Jesse Makkonen's craftsmanship in world-building and atmospheric storytelling is highlighted as a standout feature, making the game a compelling experience for fans of psychological horror.
- “The atmosphere was amazing, and kept me on my toes, yet it doesn't use cheap jump scares to make me feel the horror aspect of the game.”
- “Jesse Makkonen is a master at crafting both dark-creepy atmosphere, as well as beautiful-cozy atmosphere!”
- “It masterfully mixes together the haunting Silent Hill-esque atmosphere and world design that has made this dev a true colossus of indie psychological horror games, with a truly brilliant puzzle design that will keep your brain fully engaged for the whole duration of your playthrough.”
- “The atmosphere was very unnerving and it really added to the effect of the jump scares, which were very effective!”
- “If one thing is needed for horror games it's atmosphere and Jesse always creates these games where you can really never know what's real and what's not.”
- “Basically, the emotional impact and atmosphere that Jesse's games achieve is beyond that of most AAA games.”
gameplay
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
36%
7%
The gameplay is characterized by an innovative camera mechanic that enhances exploration and puzzle-solving, creating a unique atmosphere. While the puzzles are generally straightforward and satisfying, some players found them to be too obvious and lacking in challenge. Overall, the game offers a compelling experience with a strong narrative, though it may not appeal to those seeking complex gameplay.
- “The puzzles were straightforward, but still felt satisfying, and the camera mechanic was simple but impactful.”
- “The story is really intriguing and interesting and the gameplay is innovative with the use of the camera!”
- “The puzzles are rewarding to solve and the gameplay flows so smoothly.”
- “If you are looking for complex gameplay, this may not be the fit for you, but if you are looking for a fun story and a great experience.”
- “- The gameplay: I love exploring and puzzles in games, but unfortunately here it felt that the puzzle interaction was very 'obvious' (for lack of a better word) and it didn't feel very satisfactory to solve them.”
- “The only other mechanic is a camera that can reveal hidden objects, which sounds cool in theory, but in practice you have no idea when to use the camera, so inevitably you will just spam it in every room lest you miss an object you need to proceed.”
graphics
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
32%
9%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their unique and beautiful art style, which combines immersive pixel art with a dreamlike atmosphere. Many reviewers appreciate the smooth visuals and the effective use of color and design, noting that the art enhances the overall experience, even if it may not appeal to everyone's taste. The graphics, along with the soundtrack, contribute significantly to the game's engaging and atmospheric storytelling.
- “The pixel art is immersive and makes Afterdream one of those games that show how games may create a more intense atmosphere and feel more immersive if they don't go for realistic art styles.”
- “As with his previous games, the visuals have a unique and appealing style, and the music is quite good, working together to create an excellent dreamlike moodiness.”
- “The graphics are unique and beautiful, somewhere in between Distraint and Silence of the Sleep, whilst some of the puzzles (and some of the locations) are clearly inspired from Heal.”
- “The art style is a matter of taste and not everybody likes it.”
- “The artwork, soundtrack, and controls are decent.”
- “Graphics, interface and game design all give a nicely polished impression so far.”
emotional
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its ability to evoke strong feelings, with many players reporting moments of joy, sadness, and introspection, particularly around themes of love, loss, and grief. While the storytelling and atmosphere are noted as beautiful and impactful, some players felt that the plot's thinness and abrupt pacing diminished the overall emotional experience. Overall, the game is recognized for its heartfelt narrative and ability to resonate deeply with players, often leaving them in tears.
- “It made me smile, it made me cry, it made me feel introspective.”
- “Afterdream is a heartfelt game about love, loss, and regret.”
- “An absolutely beautiful and touching story about loss and regret.”
music
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
23%
10%
The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, creating a dreamlike mood that shifts from relaxing to tense. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as exceptional, complementing the beautiful art style and contributing significantly to the game's emotional and immersive experience. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, effectively setting the tone and enriching the storytelling.
- “As with his previous games, the visuals have a unique and appealing style, and the music is quite good, working together to create an excellent dreamlike moodiness.”
- “A gorgeous game with an incredible visual style, ambiance, and music.”
- “The music helps set the tone and can have you feeling relaxed and free one moment, then go through a door and you’re wondering what the heck is going on and gets you right on edge.”
- “The artwork, soundtrack, and controls are decent.”
- “This time, I decided to buy the full game; I can't even deny that I'm falling in love with the art style and soundtrack.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, particularly due to the repetitive nature of the puzzles set in a horror-themed environment. This combination of challenging gameplay and monotonous tasks can detract from the overall experience, leading to a sense of struggle rather than enjoyment.