After Us

A spirit rescues the ghosts of extinct animals on a dead Earth.

After Us is a 2023 action-adventure game from Barcelona-based developer Piccolo Studio, published by Private Division for Windows, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. The player takes on the role of a forest spirit named Gaia, who must rescue the ghosts of the last animals to go extinct on a dead, dystopian Earth. The game features eight open-world areas connected to one another, where Gaia uses platforming jumps and flight to reach each spirit. Rescued ghosts can be sent to a central hub, where Gaia can visit and pet them. Combat involves fighting Devourers—ghosts of the humans who ruined the planet—using a boomerang-like attack. The story is told without any spoken or written dialogue.

Critical reception varied by platform: the Windows and PlayStation 5 versions received mixed reviews on Metacritic, while the Xbox Series X/S version earned positive scores. Reviewers praised the visuals but criticized the platforming as unwieldy and the combat as mind-numbing. IGN and Game Informer noted the themes felt heavy-handed, though IGN appreciated the ability to bring life back to the world, and Game Informer highlighted the emotional depth. Both Game Informer and GameSpot commended the environmental storytelling. 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."

Developer: Piccolo Studio
Publisher: Private Division
Release date: May 23, 2023
Platforms: Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
Protagonist: Gaia
Number of areas: 8

Lore & Background

After Us is set on a dystopian, dead version of Earth where players control a forest spirit named Gaia. Her mission is to rescue the ghosts of the last animals that went extinct, each found in one of eight open-world areas connected to one another. The story is told entirely without words, relying on environmental storytelling and visual cues. Rescued ghosts can be sent to a central area where Gaia can visit and pet them. Players must also fight Devourers, the ghosts of humans who ravaged the planet, using a boomerang-like attack. The gameplay combines platforming elements such as jumping and flying with combat against these enemies.

Reader's Guide

After Us received mixed to positive reviews depending on the platform, with the Xbox Series X/S version garnering positive scores on Metacritic while the Windows and PlayStation 5 versions received mixed reviews. Critics praised the visuals and environmental storytelling, with Game Informer and GameSpot highlighting the latter. IGN noted that the game 'leans heavily on unwieldy platforming and mind-numbing combat,' and both IGN and Game Informer found the themes heavy-handed. However, IGN appreciated how players could bring life back to the dead world, and Game Informer commended the game's emotional depth. Shacknews described it as 'a satisfying puzzle-platformer overall,' praising its gameplay, visuals, and message. Eurogamer called it 'a Game with a Message but not necessarily anything to say,' reflecting divided opinions on its thematic execution. The game's legacy lies in its wordless storytelling and environmental focus, though its platforming and combat drew criticism.