Afterdream
- September 28, 2023
- Jesse Makkonen
Get on Steam
Get on Xbox Games Store"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."
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Steam Deck
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- The game features a beautifully crafted story that explores deep themes of love, loss, and regret, resonating emotionally with players.
- The pixel art and sound design create an immersive atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience and making it visually and audibly appealing.
- Puzzles are engaging and satisfying to solve, with a unique camera mechanic that adds an interesting layer to the gameplay.
- The game is quite short, with some players feeling it could be completed in under four hours, leaving them wanting more content.
- Some puzzles may feel too simplistic or obvious, lacking the challenge that some players expect from a puzzle adventure game.
- The horror elements are minimal, with many players noting that it doesn't deliver the scares they anticipated, making it feel more like a drama than a horror game.
- story52 mentions
- 62 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The game's story is widely praised for its emotional depth and intriguing narrative, often described as touching and poignant, with themes of loss and regret. Players appreciate the atmospheric setting and the integration of gameplay mechanics, such as the camera, which enhance the storytelling experience. However, some critiques mention that the plot can feel thin or predictable at times, and the pacing may hinder deeper immersion into the narrative. Overall, it is considered a compelling and beautifully crafted story that resonates with many players.
“The story is moving, the puzzles are fun and satisfying, the artwork is beautifully spooky, the sound effects are pleasing to the ears.”
“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.”
“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.”
“It seems more like a short and simplified version of a story that could have taken its time to develop.”
- atmosphere27 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 26 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in Afterdream is widely praised for its eerie, immersive quality, combining gritty tension with beautiful pixel art and exceptional sound design. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke a haunting, psychological horror experience without relying on cheap jump scares, creating a unique blend of creepy and cozy elements. Overall, the atmosphere significantly enhances the storytelling and emotional impact, making it a standout feature of the game.
“Afterdream does share a lot in common with Distraint, and I will never tire of experiencing Jesse Makkonen's unique world-building through gritty atmospheres, satisfying hits of tension, and terrific sound design.”
“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.”
“It masterfully mixes together the haunting Silent Hill-esque atmosphere and world design that has made this developer 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.”
- gameplay21 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by an innovative camera mechanic that enhances exploration and puzzle-solving, creating a unique atmosphere and tension. While some players appreciate the straightforward puzzles and engaging story, others find the mechanics underutilized and the puzzles too obvious, leading to a lack of challenge. Overall, the game offers a satisfying experience for those who enjoy narrative-driven adventures, though it may not appeal to players seeking complex gameplay.
“The camera flashing is a great mechanic for momentary light compared to the previous lantern.”
“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!”
“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 felt that the puzzle interaction was very 'obvious' 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.”
- graphics17 mentions
- 59 % positive mentions
- 24 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their unique and beautiful art style, which combines elements of pixel art and a dreamlike atmosphere, enhancing the overall immersive experience. Many reviewers appreciate the smooth visuals and the way the art complements the game's emotional and atmospheric storytelling. While the art style may not appeal to everyone, it is generally regarded as a standout feature that contributes significantly to the game's charm.
“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.”
“I love that it’s like a CRT screen and the graphics are really smooth and well thought out.”
“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.”
- emotional15 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to evoke a range of feelings, from joy to sadness, particularly through its themes of love, loss, and personal growth. Many players found the story touching and inspiring, with some expressing that it resonated deeply due to personal experiences, while others noted that the narrative's flow could have been improved to enhance its emotional impact. Overall, the game is praised for its heartfelt storytelling and atmospheric design, making it a memorable emotional experience despite some narrative shortcomings.
“It made me smile, it made me cry, it made me feel introspective.”
“A very nice little emotional horror experience about overcoming the grief of a dead parent and learning to stand on your legs after it.”
“An absolutely beautiful and touching story about loss and regret.”
- music15 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, creating a dreamlike and immersive experience 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 thematic depth. Overall, the combination of music and visuals is noted as a standout feature, elevating the gameplay experience.
“Art style and music are beautiful.”
“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.”
“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 it 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.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, as it often involves repetitive and challenging puzzles set in a horror-themed environment, which can detract from the overall enjoyment and immersion.
