Afterdream has an interesting premise and gameplay, but at the moment the game is a buggy mess. Sound volume slider does not work: if you try to adjust the volume sound just disappears and there is no way to get it back unless you remove the config file. Some puzzles are broken: pendulum puzzle for example does function correctly, one of the bars does not light up. Reloading the game fixed the issue. There are other issues as well.
I would recommend waiting 'till the game gets patched, but right now there haven't been an update since launch.
Another fantastic game that, like Distraint, combines elements of human psychology and certain horror motifs, while toning down the fear very well so that the player is scared primarily by the atmosphere, not the jumpscares. Great, darkly stylized audio-visual setting, interesting camera mechanics and a well-written story. This game has very simple, uncomplicated mechanics and logical puzzles, but that's good. Oddities and excessive complexity are not recommended here, because the gameplay serves as a tool to push the narrative of the main character's story forward. If you like both Distraint games, you'll love Afterdream too!
Bugs seem to have all been patched. Jesse is a top tier independent developer. Always fun to see what twisted worlds he comes up with. And you can see his coding and programming skills getting more advanced over time as he adds new mechanics in each game. Can't wait to see what he comes up with next.
I'm not familiar with this developer's previous works, so I can only judge this game on its own merits.
You play as a woman who looks like one of The Turks from Final Fantasy VII...at least, in the trailer and the title screen; otherwise, we only see her and other people as their in-game sprites, which look overly cartoonish (if not amateurish) for what is supposed to be a serious-minded horror-themed game; no voice-overs in the game like there are in the trailer, either...way to raise and dash my expectations...
Works a lot like a point-and-click game, but with a side-scrolling view; find items, use those items on other things in the environment, and use your camera to either reveal hidden items or doors, or remove things that block your way.
You'll see visions flash by, you'll get jump scares, audio stings, lights will suddenly go out, and you'll hear bumps-in-the-night, but ultimately, it's just all smoke and mirrors; there's really nothing out to get you. Too many horror cliches without any payoff.
As much walking around and backtracking as you'll do at times, I wish the game had a Run button, but then dodging the one or two ghosts that you have to during the game's entire runtime would've been exceedingly easy, which is probably why such an option wasn't included...all for two obstacles.
There's not much plot to speak of; our heroine's purpose is to meet up with her deceased father in her lucid dream; she doesn't have much back story at all, and neither do any of the other "characters" (people) we meet, if we can even call them that...since they have no back story. We don't even learn her name until the end.
The ending felt abrupt, inconclusive, and left a sour taste in my mouth, like I got "The Bad Ending," even if it's the game's ONLY ending...no real catharsis or anything, like I wasted my time...
WHAT DID IT ALL MEAN? Maybe discuss the game on social media, so the developer can get free advertising...which was always meant to be part of the plan...
