After Us (video game)
A wordless platformer about rescuing extinct animal ghosts.
After Us is a 2023 action-adventure game from Barcelona-based developer Piccolo Studio, published by Private Division. Players take on the role of a forest spirit named Gaia, who travels a dead, dystopian Earth to rescue the ghosts of the last extinct animals. The game is divided into eight open-world areas, each connected to the others. Gameplay involves platforming—jumping and flying—to reach each spirit, and combat against the Devourers, ghostly remnants of humans who destroyed the planet, using a boomerang-like attack. Rescued spirits can be sent to a central hub where Gaia can visit and pet them. The story is told entirely without words.
Private Division released the game for Windows, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S on May 23, 2023. Critical reception was mixed: the Windows and PlayStation 5 versions received mixed reviews on Metacritic, while the Xbox Series X/S version got positive ones. IGN praised the visuals but criticized the "unwieldy platforming and mind-numbing combat," and both IGN and Game Informer found the themes heavy-handed. However, IGN liked the ability to revive the dead world, and Game Informer commended its emotional depth. Game Informer and GameSpot both highlighted the environmental storytelling. Shacknews called it a satisfying puzzle-platformer, praising its gameplay, visuals, and message. Eurogamer described it as "a Game with a Message but not necessarily anything to say."
Quick Facts
- Title
- After Us
- Developer
- Piccolo Studio
- Publisher
- Private Division · Untold Tales
- Director
- Alexis Corominas · Jordi Ministral · José Luis Vaello
- Producer
- Naomi Steele
- Designer
- Samuel Cohen · Laura Roldán · Adrià Sampé · Carla Sevillano · Luis Sanchez
- Programmer
- Juan M. Martinez M. · David Soriano · Rubén Pineda Navarrete · David Pérez
- Artist
- José Luis Vaello
- Composer
- Dan Elms
- Engine
- Unreal Engine
- Platforms
- PlayStation 5 / Windows / Xbox Series X/S
- Released
- WW · May 23, 2023
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
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, using a boomerang-like attack. The story is told wordlessly.
Reader's Guide
After Us received mixed to positive reviews depending on platform. On Metacritic, the Windows and PlayStation 5 versions received mixed reviews, while the Xbox Series X/S version received positive reviews. Critics praised the visuals and environmental storytelling, with Game Informer and GameSpot highlighting the latter. IGN enjoyed the ability to bring life back to the dead world but criticized the unwieldy platforming and mind-numbing combat, and both IGN and Game Informer found the themes heavy-handed. Game Informer praised the game's emotional depth. Shacknews called it a satisfying puzzle-platformer overall, praising its gameplay, visuals, and message. Eurogamer described it as 'a Game with a Message but not necessarily anything to say.' The game's significance lies in its wordless narrative and environmental themes, though critical reception was divided on its execution.
Did You Know?
- The game was developed by Piccolo Studio, based in Barcelona, Spain.
- Enemies called Devourers are the ghosts of humans who ravaged the planet.
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