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.
Despite these issues, the power of Afterlove EP‘s story manages to shine through. It is an incredibly touching slice-of-life story that explores the forms and layers of grief with the variety and depth perfect for a video game.
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 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'.
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.
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 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.
Afterlove EP is an atmospheric visual novel with a unique Indonesian setting, a touching story, and strong music, though limited choices, a distracting rhythm minigame, and missing voice acting hold it back, yet it still resonates emotionally, especially for those connected to its culture or themes.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Afterlove EP is a deeply moving narrative experience that explores themes of loss, mental health, and healing. While the pacing mechanics falter and some of the narrative beats feel disjointed, the game's strong writing, evocative setting, and themes make it a journey worth experiencing.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
Afterlove EP is a touching look at life, love, grief, and what it’s like to move on as someone comes to terms with a tragedy and looks forward.
Afterlove EP delivers a heartfelt narrative enriched by Jakarta’s vibrant backdrop, blending visual novel storytelling with exploration and rhythm-based gameplay. Despite minor technical flaws, its emotional depth, cultural authenticity, and musical integration make it a compelling and immersive experience worth exploring.
Afterlove EP is a quaint and charming adventure title solely focused on moving on, and does a great job conveying that with its scenario, characters, and music numbers. [S]core one more point for Indonesia's gaming scene for another banger of a title.
Afterlove EP doesn’t always hit the right pitch for me, but its art style is captivating, its gameplay gripping, and its story is authentic.
t was a wonderful journey and time that I was able to spend with Rama and his friends. The game deals with the difficult topic very respectfully and also offers a good dose of life wisdom that can even help people in grief in real life. In terms of gameplay, I would have liked a bit more variety and the rhythm interludes could have been used more often.
Review in German | Read full review