After Us
May 23, 2023 3 years ago
Explore the corners of a surrealistic post-human world to give life on Earth a second chance in this touching story about sacrifice and hope.
What it’s like
After Us is a visually arresting, wordless platformer where you embody Gaia, the Spirit of Life, traversing a surreal, post-human wasteland. The premise centers on salvaging the souls of extinct animals to restore Earth, framed as an allegorical tale about sacrifice and hope. The experience is defined by its dreamlike atmosphere and stunning, abstract art style that prioritizes mood over narrative exposition. Structurally, it blends exploration with puzzle-solving, using light and environmental cues to guide players through level design that feels both beautiful and melancholic. Each segment culminates in uncomfortable, symbolic sequences representing the final moments of various species, creating a slow-burn emotional arc. While the writing is minimal due to its wordless nature, the craft relies on visual storytelling and audio design to convey its environmentalist themes. It is an atmospheric journey that values aesthetic immersion and poignant reflection over complex mechanics or dense lore.
Strong in Atmosphere / MoodVisuals / ArtAudio / MusicExploration / WorldPacing
Keep in mind The platforming controls are frequently described as unreliable and frustrating, which can detract from the otherwise beautiful experience. Additionally, the wordless storytelling may feel vague or ineffective to players who prefer explicit narrative guidance.
AI-generated from catalog data, informed by reviews from ign.com, metacritic.com, gamerdigest.com, gameinformer.com, gamerant.com, opencritic.com.
Screenshots
Releases
| Platform | Region | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PC (Microsoft Windows) | Worldwide | Full release | May 23, 20233 years ago |
| PlayStation 5 | Worldwide | Full release | May 23, 20233 years ago |
| Xbox Series X|S | Worldwide | Full release | May 23, 20233 years ago |