Afterlove EP: a game where your dead girlfriend won’t stop giving you life advice.
The late Mohammad Fahmi, the creative mind of Coffee Talk, has released their most recent work, Afterlove EP. If you’ve ever played Coffee Talk, you’ll know that it’s all about having lovely talks over pixelated coffee. Instead of brewing lattes, the Afterlove EP transports us on an emotional journey through love, grief, and music in the colorful city of Jakarta.
This game, developed by Pikselnesia and published by Fellow Traveller, combines visual novel storytelling with rhythm-based gameplay, all wrapped in an indie manga-inspired art style. In Afterlove EP, you play the role of Rama, a young singer who is struggling to move on from the death of his girlfriend, Cinta. Does it sound like a burden?
Cinta’s voice continues to linger in his thoughts, constantly condemning him for the decisions he has made throughout his life. It is becoming increasingly burdensome. In the end, it is up to the reader to decide if she is a spirit, an imaginary invention, or simply a lingering guilt. Ever since Cinta passed away, Rama has been aimlessly roaming through life, trying to find his way. His inspiration is at an all-time low, his friendships are strained, and his love for music has stopped being something he once enjoyed.
One last opportunity for him to get his life back on track is a major show that has the potential to bring him back into the public eye. What catches are there? In spite of the fact that he only has 28 days to get ready, Cinta is not cooperating. As well as being a reassuring balm, her voice in him is also an expression of grief, which encourages him to confront his own reality and not to shut it off.
During the course of Rama’s travels throughout Jakarta, he comes into contact with a wide variety of personalities, each of whom is striving to do something unique. In addition to the fact that his pals are trying to push him around, his bandmates look up to him, and there is also the possibility that he will experience a new romantic relationship. Without fail, every single interaction he has and every single choice he takes has an impact on his friendships and, consequently, his life.
The game provides an intensely emotional experience, which digs into the topics of grieving, remorse, and redemption and changes them in a manner that is extremely delicate. When you make choices in Afterlove EP, the game might conclude in a variety of different ways. Will Rama be able to gain closure and go on with his life, or will he continue to be stuck in the past? It is not the game’s intention to push a single response; rather, it allows you to direct Rama’s journey, making each gameplay feel unique and individual.
In addition to elements of exploration and rhythm games, Afterlove EP also has a story-driven visual novel. Walking through the streets of Jakarta, having conversations with characters, deciding what dialogue to use, and juggling Rama’s day-to-day activities are all experiences that you will have. If you don’t want to find yourself in some type of existential crisis, you should avoid skipping through the talkies because each choice determines how the story of Rama develops.
Over the course of the rhythm-game levels, Rama is able to communicate with his band and work together with them on his projects. These levels are similar to Guitar Hero or Friday Night Funkin’. However, they occur at a slower pace and require you to play the correct notes along with the song. There is a possibility that Rama’s performance will be affected by your performance at certain levels, which may, in turn, affect the tale.
There is no conflict here unless you are not taking into consideration the emotional struggle against loss and self-doubt. That is the one exception. Rhythm-based game levels, on the other hand, offer the most challenging challenge possible. Due to the fact that these portions require precise time and synchronization, musicians are required to maintain a consistent rhythm with the song in order to deliver an outstanding performance. The gameplay is different from what is typically seen in visual novels, and it adds a fresh dimension of participation to the experience.
It is undeniable that the rhythm parts are the most notable. In addition to being a good way to play the game, they are also a decent way to select voice options. In addition, the music is pleasant, and the playing through the portions is not unpleasant. If, on the other hand, your sense of rhythm is more like that of a broken metronome, then you will find that some portions of this piece are extremely annoying. Because there is no traditional “easy mode,” you should anticipate that you will make a few mistakes before you are able to pick it up.
Another strong point of Afterlove EP is the storytelling. Although it does not shy away from difficult emotions, it does so in a gentle manner, blending serious topics with a dash of comedy and love. The game’s branching narratives make the characters likable and their hardships sympathetic. Additionally, the game encourages you to play it again so that you can see how the outcomes of the game change depending on the decisions you make.
The pace will be too slow for some people to handle. It’s not a ride on an adrenaline roller coaster; rather, it’s a voyage filled with knowledge. You have arrived at the incorrect location if you are interested in seeing vehicle chases and pyrotechnics exhibits. Afterlove EP, on the other hand, is a game that you should play if you want to play a game that will challenge you and make you feel.
This place does not have a system that allows for experience leveling. The relationships that Rama cultivates and the songs that he plays are what propel him forward. It doesn’t matter if he’s going to see old acquaintances, working too much out of grief, or falling in love with another person; every action leaves a permanent alteration in him. The value of “XP” in this game is the expansion of Rama’s heart, and the reward is a variety of outcomes that are determined by the decisions that Rama has made.
The visual presentation of Afterlove EP is stunning. The Indonesian artist Soyatu is responsible for the visual approach, which is influenced by independent manga and combines gentle pastel colors with dynamic character design. Jakarta is brought to life by its environments, which include packed streets, little cafes, and tucked-away corners. These environments are what make Jakarta credible. The visuals are sufficient justification for the game, and they are the reason why the game is worth playing in and of themselves. Each frame has the appearance of a graphic novel.
The music on the Afterlove EP is substantial, and it does not fall short of expectations in this regard. L’alphalpha, an Indonesian indie band, has contributed an original soundtrack to the game, which perfectly improves the overall atmosphere of the game. The soundtracks add even more emotional depth to the events that are taking on, ranging from the sorrowful ballads that match Rama’s pain to the thrilling bangers where the rhythm pieces are even pleasant to play along with.
Although there is only a small amount of voice acting, the storyline is not terrible enough to be able to go through without complete voiceovers. Aside from that, the sound design is really good, and the background music and ambient sounds contribute to the impression that the scene is more realistic than it actually is.
Afterlove EP is a wonderfully developed game that combines narrative-driven storytelling with an extremely addicting rhythm-based gameplay component. The music game is not only a game of grief; it is also a game of healing, growth, and therapeutic power in our lives. Not only are the graphics wonderful, but the soundtrack is also stunning.
The characters are well-developed. Afterlove EP is a game that is worth your time if you are looking for a game that has a set of gameplay rules that are clearly established, major choices, and a rich emotional storyline experience. You should just be prepared to take some emotional punches to the belly along the way. You should also keep a tissue box close by, just in case.
