| After Us | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Piccolo Studio |
| Publisher(s) | Private Division |
| Engine | Unreal Engine[1] |
| Platform(s) | |
| Release |
|
| Genre(s) | Action-adventure |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
After Us is an action-adventure video game developed by Piccolo Studio and published by Private Division in 2023. Players control a spirit who brings peace to the extinct animals on a dead version of Earth.
Gameplay[edit]
Players control a forest spirit named Gaia who rescues the ghosts of the last animals that went extinct on a dystopian version of Earth. Each of the eight areas where Gaia can find a spirit is an open world connected to the others. To reach the ghosts, Gaia must jump and fly, as in platform games. Rescued ghosts can be sent to a central area, where Gaia can visit and pet them. Players must fight Devourers, the ghosts of humans who ravaged the planet. To do this, players can use a boomerang-like attack. The story is told wordlessly.[2]
Development[edit]
Developer Piccolo Studio are based on Barcelona, Spain.[3] Private Division released it for Windows, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S on May 23, 2023.[4]
Reception[edit]
On Metacritic, the Windows and PlayStation 5 versions of After Us received mixed reviews,[5][6] and the Xbox Series X/S version received positive reviews.[7] Though they enjoyed the visuals, IGN said the game "[leans] heavily on unwieldy platforming and mind-numbing combat".[2] IGN and Game Informer found the themes heavy-handed;[2][8] however, IGN liked how players could bring some life back to the dead world,[2] and Game Informer praised the game's emotional depth.[8] Both Game Informer and GameSpot praised the environmental storytelling.[9][8] Praising its gameplay, visuals, and message, Shacknews said it "make[s] for a satisfying puzzle-platformer overall".[10] Eurogamer called it "a Game with a Message but not necessarily anything to say".[3]
References[edit]
- ^ "Unreal Engine developers honored at The Game Awards 2022". Unreal Engine. 2022-12-14. Archived from the original on 2023-05-16. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
- ^ a b c d Moss, Gabriel (2023-05-23). "After Us Review". IGN. Archived from the original on 2023-06-09. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
- ^ a b Evans-Thirlwell, Edwin (2023-05-16). "After Us is a vast, vibrant platformer with a muddled heart". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 2023-05-23. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
- ^ Romano, Sal (2023-03-23). "After Us launches May 23". Gematsu. Archived from the original on 2023-05-10. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
- ^ "After Us (PC)". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 2023-06-10. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
- ^ "After Us (PS5)". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 2023-05-25. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
- ^ "After Us". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 2023-06-10. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
- ^ a b c Bailes, Jon (2023-05-23). "After Us review: "A hazy concoction of beauty and ugliness"". Game Informer. Archived from the original on 2023-06-08. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
- ^ Ramée, Jordan (2023-05-23). "After Us Review - Abstract Dystopia". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 2023-06-09. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
- ^ Bell, Larryn (2023-05-23). "After Us review: Spiritual guidance". Shacknews. Archived from the original on 2023-06-04. Retrieved 2023-06-10.