After Us (video game) explained
After Us is an action-adventure video game developed by Piccolo Studio and published by Private Division in 2023. Players control a spirit who brings peace to the extinct animals on a dead version of Earth.
Gameplay
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. To do this, players can use a boomerang-like attack. The story is told wordlessly.[2]
Development
Developer Piccolo Studio are based on Barcelona, Spain.[3] Private Division released it for Windows, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S on May 23, 2023.[4]
Reception
On Metacritic, the Windows and PlayStation 5 versions of After Us received mixed reviews,[5] [6] and the Xbox Series X/S version received positive reviews.[7] Though they enjoyed the visuals, IGN said the game "[leans] heavily on unwieldy platforming and mind-numbing combat".[2] IGN and Game Informer found the themes heavy-handed;[2] [8] however, IGN liked how players could bring some life back to the dead world,[2] and Game Informer praised the game's emotional depth.[8] Both Game Informer and GameSpot praised the environmental storytelling.[9] [8] Praising its gameplay, visuals, and message, Shacknews said it "make[s] for a satisfying puzzle-platformer overall".[10] Eurogamer called it "a Game with a Message but not necessarily anything to say".[3]
Notes and References
- Web site: Unreal Engine developers honored at The Game Awards 2022. Unreal Engine. 2022-12-14. 2023-06-10. 2023-05-16. https://web.archive.org/web/20230516133444/https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/blog/unreal-engine-developers-honored-at-the-game-awards-2022. live.
- Web site: After Us Review. Moss. Gabriel. IGN. 2023-05-23. 2023-06-10. 2023-06-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20230609122815/https://www.ign.com/articles/after-us-review. live.
- Web site: After Us is a vast, vibrant platformer with a muddled heart. Evans-Thirlwell. Edwin. Eurogamer. 2023-05-16. 2023-06-10. 2023-05-23. https://web.archive.org/web/20230523122113/https://www.eurogamer.net/after-us-is-a-vast-vibrant-platformer-with-a-muddled-heart. live.
- Web site: After Us launches May 23. Romano. Sal. Gematsu. 2023-03-23. 2023-06-10. 2023-05-10. https://web.archive.org/web/20230510213056/https://www.gematsu.com/2023/03/after-us-launches-may-23. live.
- Web site: After Us (PC). Metacritic. 2023-06-10. 2023-06-10. https://web.archive.org/web/20230610181543/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/after-us. live.
- Web site: After Us (PS5). Metacritic. 2023-06-10. 2023-05-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20230525013831/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-5/after-us. live.
- Web site: After Us. Metacritic. 2023-06-10. 2023-06-10. https://web.archive.org/web/20230610181543/https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-series-x/after-us. live.
- After Us review: "A hazy concoction of beauty and ugliness". Bailes. Jon. Game Informer. 2023-05-23. 2023-06-10. 2023-06-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20230608021019/https://www.gamesradar.com/after-us-review/. live.
- Web site: After Us Review - Abstract Dystopia. Ramée. Jordan. GameSpot. 2023-05-23. 2023-06-10. 2023-06-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20230609151605/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/after-us-review-abstract-dystopia/1900-6418068/. live.
- Web site: After Us review: Spiritual guidance. Bell. Larryn. Shacknews. 2023-05-23. 2023-06-10. 2023-06-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20230604212750/https://www.shacknews.com/article/135597/after-us-review-score. live.
