Afterlove EP – Navigate the World and the Rhythm of Rock

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• Developer: Pikselnesia
• Publisher: Fellow Traveller
• Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One
• Genre: Visual Novel / Rhythm
• Release Date: February 14, 2025
• Initial Price: 17.55€
• Reviewed Version: PC

Valentine’s Day – the perfect date for games centered around love. While the first thought might be of lighthearted dating sim games, sometimes a connection with another person is intertwined with confusion, pain, and even loss. Afterlove EP is special because it successfully blends both of these aspects, combining a narrative adventure, dating sim, and rhythm game into a remarkable journey through everyday life.

Afterlove EP is a slice-of-life adventure from the creators of Coffee Talk and What Comes After. Set in the bustling city of Jakarta, the game follows the story of Rama, a young musician trying to come to terms with life after the death of his girlfriend, Cinte. Although his close friends and bandmates are determined to help him move on, Rama has been stuck in the past for over a year and now faces a serious challenge: either he rejoins the band for an upcoming gig and finally delivers the new songs he promised, or the band moves on without him. Over twenty-eight days and nights, your decisions will play a crucial role in confronting the past and shaping a new future.

A Question of Life and Death

The prologue is concise and direct: we are introduced to the main characters, their relationships, and their roles in the story, as well as elements that will follow them later, such as the rhythm games that we get used to from the very beginning. It is right then that we witness the key event of this story, Cinte’s death, and Rama’s struggle to accept it. It only takes about ten minutes of gameplay to learn the basic information, get acquainted with the manga-inspired aesthetic, and connect emotionally with the story (but don’t worry, the real emotional punch only arrives at the very end, when the elements you saw at the beginning will gain a much deeper meaning).

Then we move on to the main part of the game, a slice-of-life adventure that lasts for a month. The story places us one year after the events of the prologue, but the past still haunts us. The first few days serve as an introduction to the new reality, familiarizing us with the different mechanics and development possibilities. Exploring the city takes place through a side-scrolling perspective, and important conversations with new and old characters are initially guided by the game itself to keep us on track.

Most of the time, however, players have a great deal of freedom. Each day, you can complete two activities, including searching for memories, busking on the street, going to therapy, working shifts, or meeting one of the three romantic candidates. When planning your schedule, it’s important to keep in mind that some events are scripted and cannot be avoided, such as band rehearsals and conversations with band members. I know, there’s a lot to keep track of, but that’s why we have a phone to help us organize everything; applications like the map, calendar, and Messenger are intuitive and helpful in making decisions.

The Diverse Voice of Indonesia

The narrative is undoubtedly the key element of this game, but it wouldn’t be as effective without an interesting setting and a unique style. Afterlove EP brilliantly succeeds in capturing the atmosphere of modern urban life: we can visit different neighborhoods, enter buildings, and casually chat with passersby. Jakarta is vibrant, dynamic, and full of surprises, but it also has room for the warmth and simplicity of everyday life. Furthermore, the inclusion of elements like the Indonesian language, traditions, and customs adds authenticity and a personal touch to the whole experience.

Both the visuals and the music are beautiful and perfectly complement each other. The graphics use a manga aesthetic, such as speech bubbles and separate panels, which is charming and fits the narrative perfectly. As soon as the combination of a rock band and comics appeared, it immediately reminded me of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, although the two stories don’t have much in common. The design is simple and clean, which is especially noticeable in the animated scenes with smooth movements.

It’s safe to say that Soyatu’s art and the original soundtrack by the indie band L’Alphalpha fit together perfectly. I especially liked that instrumental versions of the songs are available during rehearsals, while vocals are added for performances. Unfortunately, the rhythm sections of the game could be more fun if they offered some challenge; there is no scoring system, and missed notes have no impact, which makes these parts of the game unsatisfying, repetitive, and a bit dull.

Echoes of Past Melodies

It took me seven hours to finish Afterlove EP, which is relatively short for a narrative-driven game. And I have to say, it just wasn’t enough. It had ideas with potential, but it failed to fully realize them. In the previous sections, I touched upon various aspects of the game to give you insight into what it tries to achieve. These concepts are original, easily relatable, and sound great, but the way they are implemented simply doesn’t do them justice. I think it would make more sense to compare how these elements look in theory and how they are actually executed.

The game borrows mechanics from different genres, which enriches the experience but can be confusing. The rhythm segments are present but repetitive and ultimately overshadowed by other aspects of the game. The dating part offers three romantic options, but it is often unclear how decisions affect the story. On the other hand, the narrative adventure truly shines and deals with loss, saving the band, and repairing friendships. However, balancing all these elements at once limits their deeper development. Once again, quality should take precedence over quantity.

The freedom of choice keeps players engaged, but Afterlove EP suffers from a lack of clarity. For instance, collecting photo memories is never emphasized as vital, so it remains unclear how they influence the story, gameplay, or ending. The game simply doesn’t explain it. Other activities have a similar problem; there’s a lack of feedback on what helps or has significance. Without clear goals, player actions feel like time-filling, which stretches out the story, and the emotional impact fades over time.

I appreciate how the game tackles serious themes like loss, mental health, and grief while maintaining a dose of humor. The therapy sessions, focused on understanding emotions, were the strongest part of the story. But if the goal is to move on from Cinte’s death, why is she present throughout the entire game? While this reflects the feeling of being stuck in the past, her constant presence, sometimes malevolent or manipulative, diminishes the gravity of her death. At least the voice acting was solid.

Our decisions in romantic relationships should influence the ending, right? I chose my romantic option, and yet I was met with a breakup ending. Okay, I messed up, but how am I supposed to know where and how? Too few dates? Wrong timing? Too much focus on other activities? Even if I wanted to load an older save file to fix the situation, I wouldn’t know where to start, and that is precisely what creates confusion.

Final Thoughts

Muddled – that is the impression the game left on me. It’s not bad; the presentation is fantastic, the themes are deep, and the messages it conveys are important. But again, all of that loses power when the vision isn’t clear. I would say Afterlove EP is a generally positive experience, and there will surely be players who fully enjoy it. For me, however, it was too vague and chaotic to effectively convey its message, even though the love and effort put into this story are evident. In the end, it may not be memorable, but the way it explores life is something you shouldn’t ignore.

Review copy provided by the publisher