Using deftly acted characters with sharp, humorous writing, Afterparty presents a rowdy version of Hell and an engaging story of two friends battling many forms of demon in hopes of another shot at life.
What happens to us after we die? Where do we go? Is there a Heaven. Is there a Hell?
Afterparty imagines Hell as a semi-tortuous, never-ending party. One where your deepest flaws and past mistakes persistently nag at you in the form of a personally assigned demon. But if you’re lucky enough, one of Hell’s numerous bars is open to drink the harsh reality away.
Developed by Night School Studio, the team behind Oxenfree, Afterparty finds comfort in delivering a dialog-rich game that uses humor and smart writing to frequently gut punch the player with meaningful messages about death, friendship, personal insecurities, family, and more.
Milo and Lola are two best friends shocked to find their college graduation party is fake and that they are actually dead and on track to spend eternity in Hell. But before they get assigned their special place in the afterlife, the Processing section of Hell shuts down for the work day. Not satisfied with waiting for tomorrow, Milo and Lola are certain this hellish fate is a mistake and learn that they can escape it by beating Satan in a drinking game.
Night School spares little time in crafting Afterparty as one of the better realized interpretations of Hell. In no way is the motif of Hell as a bustling metropolis unheard of. I’ve seen demons run businesses like evil entrepreneurs and watched neon-lit streets highlighted by the heat of hellfire. Yet in Afterparty the bustling mediocrity of life in Hell is approached with a stylistic touch that is made even more surreal by the presence of Milo and Lola.
The two disenchanted 20-somethings are introduced to players are sarcastic and rarely humbled by their predicament. In a way, Hell feels normal but also a kind of everyday inconvenience, the kind that a few stiff drinks would wash away after a night. Still, I truly loved the way hell was presented with its packed bars, taxis driving through lava, infinite mountains, and boring queue lines.
Despite being a vibrant world that is meant to torture the souls arriving there and the ones who are stuck there permanently in what has to be a low-paying job, Night School’s afterlife is inviting… as much as that place could be. Players won’t get tired of Satan’s domain, especially when meeting the cast of characters who truly elevate the world and the story.
It takes a bit of time before Milo and Lola meet Satan but the whole time I was hooked by the unique character work meant to add layers of complexity to the leads but also the demons they encounter. Players will spend most of their time going through dialog choices, attempting to mold the two in whatever personality they wish. Throughout the journey, there’s going to be some uncomfortable moments when Milo and Lola are forced to come to terms with what kind of people they are and how their lives on Earth may have ended them up in Hell. Especially interesting are the family dynamics with Satan and his brethren. Players will realize that even the ruler of Hell has some problems.
It’s easy to see Afterparty as skewing towards comedy. Night School are great at writing outright jokes and more subtle, darker humor that gets under the skin. I spent a great deal of time laughing and smiling at the wonderful writing put forth. But I was more surprised at how real the game got. There’s some rough subject matter here and it is likely going to speak to those who grew up in their post-college years not really being able to find their place in the world and wanting something different.
The writing in Afterparty is quite exceptional but keep in mind that the game may potentially feel like a slog for those seeking out a bit of action in their games. Expect meaningful conversations, introspective moments, and a lot of choices that are meant to dictate the personality of the characters you control. Don’t expect wild branching narrative paths or exciting gameplay moments. That’s simply not what Afterparty is about.
Gameplay is not tantamount to a good game and that’s a good thing for Afterparty. In essence, players are going to do a lot of walking around Hell and a lot of selecting dialog bubbles. From there, the most gamified elements come from a few mini-games like beer pong, cup stacking, and dancing competitions. They act as passable distractions and are affected by the other major element of the game: the drinking.
Milo and Lola are fairly heavy drinkers when in Hell and the many bars they peruse to progress the story will often have them needing to engage in conversation and drinks with other demons. Players are able to select certain drinks for the pair to gulp down that open up various dialog choices. These color-coded beverages may make Milo act like a dick where Lola will be more sympathetic. Sure it all ultimately leads to the same place but it gives players something else to do in the game aside from driving the narrative.
Afterparty is an engaging game about humanity and humor. It reflects on what happens to us after we die. It questions our individual legacies and what we leave behind. Often the game effortlessly induces laughs while at the same time making you wince with its emotional honesty. This is a picture of Hell that players won’t likely forget, especially with the incredible cast and writing. It’s gameplay moments are a lot less memorable but that certainly isn’t what will resonate as players work to give Milo and Lola another shot at life.
