Review of Afterimage

The Rise of Metroidvanias

Metroidvania games have experienced a significant surge in popularity over the past few years. From the widely acclaimed Hollow Knight to more niche titles like Momodora: Reverie Under Moonlight and Unsighted, these games have solidified their place as beloved examples of the genre. However, after spending 30 hours playing Afterimage, it’s clear that this title deserves to be part of the conversation as well.

A Captivating Premise

Afterimage follows the story of Renee, an amnesiac woman who embarks on a journey through the lands of Engardin after her village is destroyed. Accompanying her is Ifree, a cute floating creature who serves as her constant companion in this ruined world. The premise draws inspiration from anime, setting the stage for a journey of self-discovery and finding answers.

As the adventure unfolds, the game’s narrative becomes increasingly intriguing. Engardin’s world is beautifully depicted, with lush environments ranging from mushroom-infested mines to desolate villages. The hand-drawn art style, inspired by anime, brings vibrant colors to each area, making even the most barren locations feel alive. The environmental storytelling in Afterimage is where the game truly shines.

Exploring Themes and Unveiling Endings

Throughout Afterimage, the game explores various themes, including the consequences of selfish desires, the different expressions of faith, and the potential for breaking cycles of violence. These themes are presented in a player-dependent manner, with minimal explicit explanations. However, they converge at different points in the game’s multiple endings.

Open-Ended Exploration

To experience most of the endings, players must thoroughly explore Afterimage‘s world. The game excels in providing open-ended sections, a characteristic shared with other Metroidvania titles. Traversal upgrades, such as double jumping and underwater navigation, unlock new areas and secrets. While these upgrades may not introduce groundbreaking mechanics, they enhance the satisfaction of controlling Renee.

The platforming mechanics in Afterimage are precise, and Renee’s agility is showcased through jumps and slides. The game strikes a balance between challenging and frustrating, with well-designed challenges that avoid leaving players stuck without progress. However, there are occasional issues with respawn points and camera feedback when taking damage. Despite these minor gripes, the platforming challenges are immensely satisfying to overcome.

Satisfying Combat and Abilities

Combat in Afterimage is equally gratifying, with a variety of weapon types that excel in specific areas. Swords offer versatility, with quick speed, good range, and solid damage. Whips provide excellent range and damage but are slower. Our playthrough predominantly featured dual blades for their speed and greatswords for their high damage and sweeping attacks.

In addition to melee weapons, magic is available as a ranged combat option. Elemental attacks like fire and water, as well as a life-stealing blast, add variety to combat encounters. However, the high cost and damage limitations make magic less viable compared to weapons.

Challenging Bosses and Varied Enemies

Afterimage features numerous challenging and enjoyable boss fights. Each boss has unique attack patterns that require memorization and skill to overcome. However, the game’s difficulty can be imbalanced depending on when players encounter certain bosses. Exploring extensively can result in facing a boss while under-leveled, while spending time building up Renee’s abilities can lead to overpowering bosses. This balance can sometimes diminish the excitement of a fight.

Basic enemies in Afterimage offer a diverse range of challenges, with each area introducing new foes. While there are a few palette swaps, most enemy designs are unique to their respective regions. This constant introduction of new enemies keeps the gameplay fresh and engaging.

A Gem for Metroidvania Fans

Despite a few minor quirks, Afterimage is a remarkable Metroidvania experience. The game’s combat mechanics, enemy variety, and satisfying platforming challenges make for an engaging gameplay loop. The captivating world and thought-provoking themes add depth to the overall experience. Metroidvania enthusiasts will find Afterimage to be an absolute gem.

Afterimage releases on April 25th for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. Game Rant received a PC code for review.

Afterimage

Afterimage is a hand-drawn 2D action adventure that emphasizes fast-paced combat with diversified character builds, non-linear levels, and a gripping storyline set in the ruins of a fantasy world.