Jump to content

After Us (video game)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
After Us
Developer(s)Piccolo Studio
Publisher(s)Private Division
EngineUnreal Engine[1]
Platform(s)
Release
  • WW: May 23, 2023
Genre(s)Action-adventure
Mode(s)Single-player

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Unreal Engine developers honored at The Game Awards 2022". Unreal Engine. 2022-12-14. Archived from the original on 2023-05-16. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
  2. ^ a b c d Moss, Gabriel (2023-05-23). "After Us Review". IGN. Archived from the original on 2023-06-09. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
  3. ^ a b Evans-Thirlwell, Edwin (2023-05-16). "After Us is a vast, vibrant platformer with a muddled heart". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 2023-05-23. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
  4. ^ Romano, Sal (2023-03-23). "After Us launches May 23". Gematsu. Archived from the original on 2023-05-10. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
  5. ^ "After Us (PC)". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 2023-06-10. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
  6. ^ "After Us (PS5)". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 2023-05-25. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
  7. ^ "After Us". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 2023-06-10. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
  8. ^ a b c Bailes, Jon (2023-05-23). "After Us review: "A hazy concoction of beauty and ugliness"". Game Informer. Archived from the original on 2023-06-08. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
  9. ^ Ramée, Jordan (2023-05-23). "After Us Review - Abstract Dystopia". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 2023-06-09. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
  10. ^ Bell, Larryn (2023-05-23). "After Us review: Spiritual guidance". Shacknews. Archived from the original on 2023-06-04. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
[edit]