By Karoline Castillo-Troncoso

Developed by Pikselnesia and published by Fellow Traveller Games, AfterLove EP illustrates the poignant story of a young musician as he grapples with the death of his girlfriend, Cinta. The story-driven experience renders a nuanced and realistic portrayal of grief, drawing me in because I grew emotionally invested in its moving plot line. 

AfterLove EP is a seamless slice-of-life adventure game, where dialogue flows naturally and authentically. Set in Jakarta, Indonesia, Rama encounters individuals with diverse hobbies, personalities, and attitudes. The game is vibrant and lively, offering a glimpse into a world outside of the personal intricacies of the protagonist and the other leading characters. Whether it be the cashier at Indomay cheerfully greeting, “Hey man, good morning. Hope you have a blessed day,” or the individual overanalyzing the beauty of the simple painkiller packaging, connoting it as somebody’s ‘art,’ AfterLove EP celebrates distinctive personalities and details which form the building blocks of the budding community of Jakarta. 

With manga-inspired protagonists and environments by Indonesian artist Soyatu and a catchy original soundtrack from Indonesian Indie band L’Alphalpha, it’s natural for players to grow drawn to the game’s musical and visual appeal. Whether it be the music played by Rama’s band, or the white noise behind the sound of marker streaks as a new day is marked off of a calendar, all sounds evoke feelings, shaping the atmosphere they create. This atmosphere is a reflection and manifestation of the choices made by players as they progress through their gameplay. Whether making romantic decisions, prioritizing friendship, or deciding an approach to Rama’s grieving process, each course of action ultimately affects the ending achieved. 

During musical scenes, players are able to play a minigame where the objective is to press the up, down, and side keys as they approach the two eighth notes at the center of the screen in a timely, rhythmic and sometimes rapid manner. Just as Rama becomes immersed in his playing, the player is equally invested because they don’t want to miss any notes, at least that was the case in my gameplay. I was so involved, it was easy to miss the scene occurring in the background. Nonetheless, the minigames are there for novelty and, rather than offering depth to the storyline that is relevant to the gameplay, it ultimately serves to punctuate the main plot line and add a touch of charm. 

When experiencing loss first-hand, it stings like a solitary pain; an incomparable sorrow that seems to have you as its primary target. Such is evident when Rama books a last minute appointment with therapist, Dr. Santi, a smart woman with ideas that may ultimately help the him. There, Rama expresses his frustration after meeting with his bandmates whom he hadn’t seen in a year following the death of his girlfriend, Cinta. 

Tensions arise as his friend Tasya utilizes sarcasm to express dissatisfaction with Rama’s absence. Speaking to Dr. Santi, Rama communicates, “I was the one who was hurting the most, I know it.” To this, Dr. Santi responds, “So something happened to this Cinta, and you feel your reaction is the only one that matters.” 

Hearing this convicting statement shifts Rama’s perception of the situation as he realizes that grief isn’t an experience of limited impact, only to affect one individual. Other members of his community had also been grieving the death of Cinta, the difference being that everyone grieves differently and copes through his or her own way. By displaying those raw emotions and how negative feelings can sometimes be unintentionally projected onto loved ones when navigating the grieving process, I find it refreshing to see the developers of this indie game portraying the imperfection and humanity in responding to loss. Additionally, such an approach allows players to grow emotionally involved with the plotline and its characters.

The voice of his beloved Cinta, although steering him in the right direction at times, unexpectedly inhibits his attempt at finding closure when confronting the intensity of his grief. This is demonstrated when Rama goes to see therapist Dr. Santi to confront the fact that Cinta is gone despite the weight of her physical absence and the palpable voice that guides him. 

“I wonder if she’ll make you realize that…I’m not real,” Cinta’s voice lingers. Rama reaffirms that she feels real and that he continues to hear and see her, despite his uncertainty as to whether she is a spirit or a construct of his imagination. I think Afterlove EP is a clear representation of how grief can lead one to isolate from loved ones for fear that connection will intensify the pain produced by the absence of those we’ve lost. Sometimes, the memory of the departed is enough to drive an individual to withdraw and sever any mutual ties that evoke these tender recollections. Although it may appear as a protective mechanism, this instinct ultimately disconnects us from the rest of the world. The story of Rami underscores the importance of community during the grieving process and how embracing closure doesn’t necessarily mean forgetting but about honoring the love we carry even in the wake of loss. 

I recommend Afterlove EP to players wanting an experience that possesses a moving and charming essence, one where the decisions made affect the outcome of gameplay and leave individuals wanting more of these complex but compelling characters one grows to love. 

Karoline is our intern from the Bronx’s TapCo school. She won one of our scholarships for writing a one-act play featuring a video game.

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