Afterlove EP Reviews
Blemished and imperfect though it may be, Afterlove EP is a moving, heartfelt story that has a lot to say about grief, love, and moving on.
I left Afterlove EP feeling more confused and frustrated than I was moved. It has a lot of interesting things to say about moving on from loss, the vicious hold that grief can have on us, and how art and love are intertwined, and its character writing is excellent, but the whole experience felt too unfocused and directionless to say anything concrete.
Afterlove EP is sympathetic to the fact that none of us handle grief in a way that is easy to swallow for everyone around us, but its best moments come when it’s willing to slap you across the face and tell you to do better.
A well-wrought but draining and frustrating study of grief, recovery and rock music at the heart of Jakarta.
Afterlove EP definitely fits with the cosy set: slow tempo, heartwarming narrative, and sad story (yes). The themes of grief, mental health and their impacts on our lives are explored in a way that feels gentle, much like Fahmi's earlier releases. There were a few wrinkles as things unfolded, and the dating sim aspect was unexpected, but still there's easygoing fun to be had. If you're looking for a light touch on serious issues, this one could be worth a play, and a replay. If you want a heavy-hitting game to wreck you emotionally, you might want to hit 'skip'.
Afterlove EP is a heartfelt project that looks to explore the theme of loss, grief, and moving forward after the death of a loved one. However, it is marred by some bugs that cause loss of key conversations, and you can get softlocked out from seeing the ending.
The music and vibe of Afterlove are both fittingly beautiful with the contrast in difficulty in certain rhythm sections doing a great job of showcasing Rama’s focus at the time.
Afterlove EP is an emotional story about loss, finding love, and becoming passionate about music.
Review in Russian | Read full review
The game ultimately has strong, important messages about loss and mental health. Add in some great music and wonderful navigation, and it becomes difficult not to recommend Afterlove EP despite its rough edges.
By Afterlove EP’s closing moments, I was happy to take the needle from the vinyl and put the record back in its sleeve. I will file it away in the collection, an imperfect album, with some standout tracks that make the filler worthwhile.
Afterlove EP offers a deeply heartfelt and genuine narrative experience, showcasing clear thought and care in its world-building, characters, and storytelling. The rhythm game segments may not provide much of a challenge for the average gamer but do so much to add to the overall vibe, especially with the wonderful music. Though certain early sections may feel a bit too railroaded and lacking in dialogue choices, the journey as a whole is special with a story that is bound to pull at your heartstrings.
Afterlove EP pulls from a deep emotional well to weave threads of grief, love, hope, resentment, forgiveness, identity and more through a mostly-good mix of choice-driven visual novel and rhythm game. It has some issues with flow, and the rhythm stuff isn't amazing, but stick with it and you'll fall in love with this little slice of Jakarta.
Whether it's just listening to your friends vent frustrations or finding common ground with someone new, there's something special about what these games bring to the table. I for one recommend everyone pull up a stool and listen for a while. You may find a new best friend.
Playing Afterlove EP brings the same feeling as reading a slice of life manga on a rainy afternoon while listening to some good lo-fi music. Its gameplay is simple, but it brings a narrative surrounded by moments of reflection. Its visual novel vein increases the replayability factor and makes us want to try different routes not only to see the ending but also to follow Rama's journey in a process of healing and starting over.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Afterlove EP is an emotionally impactful visual novel that combines a heartfelt story with engaging rhythm gameplay, making for a truly unique experience. As an additional precaution, you should be emotionally ready to take a few tumbles as you go.
When a game makes you feel emotions in the first five minutes, it gives you expectations for a great overall experience. Whilst Afterlove EP isn’t able to fully capitalize on its strong opening, the story remains touching throughout. I have no doubt that anybody who shares a similar life story with any of these characters would feel a strong affiliation with this game.
If you loved Coffee Talk for its cozy, pixel-art charm and relaxing vibes, Afterlove EP is… not that. Instead, it's an emotional gut punch—a game about love, loss, and moving on, developed by a team mourning its own creator, Mohammad Fahmi. With time management mechanics, a rhythm game twist, and an unforgettable soundtrack, Afterlove EP is a messy yet compelling experience—just like grief itself.
Afterlove EP captures very well the life of a man trying to cope with the loss of a loved one, but certain aspects prevent him from being able to fully work with his emotions.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
With a strong storyline and fun gameplay, AfterLove EP beautifully and masterfully handles the deep topic of grief.
Afterlove EP is a poignant and heartfelt visual novel that explores some intense stuff about grief, wrapped up in the conceit of still talking to those who have passed on. However the lack of control, choice and gameplay options left me wanting to process my grief elsewhere.