Later On
- January 26, 2018
- Penumbra Games
Get on Steam"Later On" is a narrative-driven game following David, a quiet man seeking his missing friend Nico. Aided by Prea, a hospital worker, and Luna, a well-meaning werewolf, David's search becomes a journey of self-discovery and confronting personal demons. The game explores themes of guilt, friendship, and identity.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Engaging and unique storytelling that effectively explores deep themes like depression and existentialism.
- Creepy atmosphere enhanced by a fitting soundtrack, creating a strong psychological horror experience.
- Affordable price point makes it accessible for casual gamers and achievement hunters alike.
- Gameplay can feel linear and restrictive, with limited exploration and some puzzles being tedious.
- Some players may experience issues with achievements not unlocking as expected.
- The game may frustrate those seeking a straightforward narrative due to its surreal and complex storytelling.
- story30 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The game's story is a compelling blend of horror and emotional depth, focusing on themes of depression and personal struggle, particularly through the character of David. Players appreciate the engaging narrative and the way it unfolds, with hints that become clearer upon replaying, although some find the initial experience confusing. Overall, the storytelling is praised for its immersive quality, supported by well-composed music and a unique atmosphere, making it a standout in the indie RPG genre.
“Everything centers around depression and bad choices, and the story is interesting.”
“Its story may seem nonsensical on the first playthrough, but on the second playthrough all the pieces of a puzzle meet together: there are a lot of hints of what's truly going on in the dialogues from the first half of the game - they seem surreal and unclear before you know how the story truly ends, but after that they sort things out perfectly.”
“Facing your own perilous past, accepting goods/bads for what's worth, and finding the needed closure in your life is the main story of this game.”
“The story is why you're getting this.”
“There's no combat, it's linear, and not many choices that have any bearing on the story - to my knowledge there aren't multiple endings.”
“If you're searching for a simple story, 'later on' may frustrate you on the first walkthrough, but if you're searching for a good time, it may give you two hours of surprises with a happy ending before titles.”
- music10 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising its excellent sound design and ability to enhance the psychological horror atmosphere, while others find certain tracks forgettable. Overall, the original compositions are noted for their effort and effectiveness in setting the mood, despite a few criticisms regarding specific songs.
“With dark themes, excellent music, and a familiar but pleasant visual aesthetic, I can't help but ignore its flaws and heartily recommend it.”
“Excellent music and sound design.”
“All the music in the game was composed from scratch, and you can really tell how much work went into it, which changes according to the tempo of every scene and at every turn of the story.”
“I hated the song in the restaurant; it nettled me.”
“The psychological horror element is almost tangible, and the music helping to create it is very disturbing when needed.”
“All the music in the game was composed from scratch, and you could just tell how much work went into it, which changes according to the tempo of every scene and at every turn of the story.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The graphics are reminiscent of old-school RPG Maker titles, featuring anime-styled character portraits and a nostalgic aesthetic that some users find charming. While the visuals may not be cutting-edge, they effectively complement the game's dark themes and music, enhancing the overall experience despite their limitations. Users suggest that improved graphics could significantly elevate the game's impact and scare factor.
“With dark themes, excellent music, and a familiar but pleasant visual aesthetic, I can't help but ignore its flaws and heartily recommend it.”
“The graphics are like old-school games (perhaps a bit nicer than my childhood consoles with shader effects).”
“If this was created using the Unreal Engine, escaping the 2D plane of existence and given better graphics, it would be far more scary and the story insanely more impactful.”
“It has typical RPG Maker style graphics with anime-styled character portraits.”
“The graphics are like old-school games, perhaps a bit nicer than my childhood consoles, but still lacking in modern appeal.”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by a creepy yet immersive quality, enhanced by exceptional storytelling and vivid character development. Reviewers praise the surreal setting and engaging narrative, noting that it stands out even against higher-budget titles, all while being offered at an affordable price.
“Creepy atmosphere combined with great storytelling and a low price.”
“What really shines here is the writing and the atmosphere; the characters are unusually vivid and alive for a video game, even compared to those with much higher budgets, and the setting is great in all its surreal glory.”
“Later on is a very good and fairly short game with an excellent narrative and atmosphere.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The gameplay primarily involves exploration and puzzle-solving, where players engage in finding items and responding correctly in dialogues. Reviewers highlight the impressive quality of key scenes and puzzles, noting that the experience is captivating and charming throughout the two-hour playtime.
“The gameplay involves walking around and solving puzzles, either by finding items or making the correct choices.”
“The dialogues, key scenes, and puzzles later in the game are magnificent, and by the end of two hours of gameplay, I was completely charmed by them.”
“The gameplay amounts to walking around solving puzzles, either by finding items or making the correct replies.”
“The gameplay feels repetitive and lacks depth, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“The mechanics are clunky and often lead to frustrating moments that detract from the overall experience.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find that while the puzzles are generally well-balanced in difficulty, they can occasionally feel more like tedious plot checkpoints, detracting from the overall enjoyment and flow of the game.
“The puzzles are reasonable in terms of difficulty, but in some instances, they become more like tedious plot checkpoints than anything else.”
“Grinding feels like a never-ending chore that detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
“The repetitive nature of grinding makes it hard to stay engaged with the story and characters.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a significant emo influence, which, despite its negative connotations, is presented in a solemn manner that thoughtfully addresses mental and emotional issues.
“There's a heavy emo influence, and while that's gotten a bad rap, I feel it's done in a more solemn way that takes a serious look at mental and emotional issues.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its cute anime-style characters, who deliver occasional laughs without falling into clichés or excessive dialogue typical of JRPGs. This balance contributes to a refreshing and engaging comedic experience.
“The anime-style characters are cute and occasionally humorous, striking a perfect balance without being cliché or overly talkative like in many JRPGs.”
“The humor in the game is clever and refreshing, making each interaction enjoyable without feeling forced.”
“I love how the game incorporates humor into its storytelling, keeping the experience light-hearted and fun.”
