When we feel tired of life, sometimes all we need is a heartwarming story. That’s exactly what What Comes After offers. This short narrative game was made by talented Indonesian developers. Born from a collaboration between Pikselnesia and Rolling Glory Jam, this game isn’t an action adventure. Instead, it’s a gentle journey that will touch your heart.
What Comes After’s Meaningful Journey
The game’s story focuses on Vivi. She is a girl whose hunched posture and heavy steps immediately convey that she is carrying an invisible burden. One night, she is exhausted and accidentally falls asleep on the train on her way home. However, when she wakes up, she realizes that this is no ordinary train. The carriages are now filled with the souls of those who have passed away. In fact, they are all embarking on their final journey to the afterlife.
Here is where your real journey begins. You will walk through the train to listen to the stories of the spirits. These spirits include humans, animals, and even plants. For example, there is a story of a cat who misses the affection of its owner, or a grandfather who regrets his last words. Each conversation feels so sincere, even though it’s brief. Furthermore, the story wisely touches on heavy themes like life and death, yet presents them in a light and empathetic way.
Also Read! Hello Goodboy: An Emotional Journey with a Loyal Dog
Simple Gameplay that Prioritizes the Story
If you’re looking for complex mechanical challenges, you won’t find them in What Comes After. The gameplay is as simple as it gets. All you have to do is move Vivi left and right, then press a button to interact with the spirits. In other words, there are no complicated puzzles, no enemies to fight, and no game over screens.
This minimalist approach is a very smart design choice. By removing all distractions, the developers ensure you can fully focus on what matters most. As a result, you can absorb the narration and its emotional message. Small touches, for instance, the ability to pet the animal spirits you encounter, also make for powerful interactions. Ultimately, this proves that complex gameplay isn’t the only way to create a deep experience.
A Warm Embrace in Art and Sound
The whole experience in What Comes After feels like a warm hug. This is largely due to its beautiful visual presentation. The hand drawn art style is charming, with a bright color palette and cute character designs. These visual choices successfully create an atmosphere that is far from scary. Therefore, the journey on this afterlife train feels comfortable and relaxing.
The sound design also plays a crucial role in setting the atmosphere. The constant rumble of the train serves as a meditative backdrop. In addition, soft music accompanies the most emotional moments in the story. It is this combination of sweet visuals and calming audio that makes What Comes After a complete and touching work of art.
The Last Stop
Ultimately, What Comes After is proof that a game doesn’t need to be dozens of hours long to have a profound impact. In its short duration, this game manages to deliver a powerful and relevant story. Above all, it serves as a gentle reminder to be more kind to ourselves.
If you’re looking for a heartwarming video game, this is it. It’s an experience that can calm your mind and touch your soul, so look no further. You should head over to its page on Steam. After all, this isn’t just a game, it’s a transformative journey on a train that you’ll never forget.
References: