Afterlove EP is a slice-of-live adventure visual novel game set in Jakarta about love, loss, and music. Read our review to see what it did well, what it didn't do well, and if it's worth buying

Afterlove EP Review Overview

Afterlove EP is a slice-of-life visual novel adventure from the creators of Coffee Talk and What Comes After. Set in modern-day Jakarta, the game explores themes of love, loss, and moving on through the story of Rama, a young guitarist struggling to cope with the death of his girlfriend, Cinta. While those around him are moving on, Rama finds himself unable to let go—partly because Cinta still lingers in his mind, speaking to him. Is she a figment of his imagination, or is there something more to her presence?

With only one month until a critical gig that could determine the future of his band, Sigmund Feud, Rama must confront his grief, rediscover his creative spark, and decide what comes next.

Blending elements of visual novel storytelling, narrative-driven adventure, and rhythm-based gameplay, Afterlove EP offers a unique and deeply personal journey. As a side-scrolling exploration game, players will engage in meaningful conversations, interact with a world inspired by Jakarta, and experience rhythm-based jam sessions.

Featuring manga-inspired art from renowned Indonesian artist Soyatu and an original soundtrack by indie band L’Alphalpha, the game delivers a rich and immersive experience that resonates long after the credits roll.

Afterlove EP features:
　⚫︎　Side-scroller
　⚫︎　Visual Novel Elements
　⚫︎　Rhythm Game
　⚫︎　Soundtrack by Indie Band, L’Alphalpha
　⚫︎　Art from Indonesian artist Soyatu
　⚫︎　Narrative Driven Game
　⚫︎　Set in Jakarta Indonesia

Steam		PlayStation		Xbox		Switch
Price		$19.99

Afterlove EP Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
An Emotional Story about Love and Loss Gut-Wrenching Soundtrack Gorgeous Manga-Inspired Art	Rhythm Game Aspect is Sidelined Lack of Voice-Acting

Afterlove EP Overall Score - 76/100

Afterlove EP strikes a chord with anyone who’s struggled to move on. Like a song that lingers after the last note fades, its emotional storytelling, relatable characters, and poignant themes create a lasting impact. Yet, much like a track with powerful lyrics but a simple melody, the gameplay feels barebones. It’s a visual novel with little variety, and the missing rhythm game moments feel like a lost beat where interactivity could have shined.

Thankfully, its multiple choices—shaping the ending—help keep it engaging. Despite its simplicity, Afterlove EP delivers a beautiful symphony of visuals and sound. Its stunning manga-inspired art and captivating soundtrack ensure the experience remains emotionally resonant.

Afterlove EP Story - 9/10

Afterlove EP is a simple yet heartfelt story about a boy struggling to move on from his late girlfriend—who, mysteriously, is still speaking to him. It plays like a slice-of-life romance anime with a touch of mystery, delivering an emotional gut punch through its endearing and likable characters. While the story starts off slow, it gradually pulls you in, exploring the chaos and evolution of love.

Afterlove EP Gameplay - 6/10

Much like composing music—where every choice shapes the final piece—your decisions guide the symphony of this journey, leading to multiple endings that make each playthrough uniquely personal. That said, it’s a visual novel at its core, meaning you'll mostly be clicking through dialogue. While there are some rhythm game moments, they’re sparse, barebones basic, and even skippable, making them feel more like an afterthought than a meaningful addition.

Afterlove EP Visuals - 8/10

The city of Jakarta feels alive and beautifully brought to life by an art style that resembles a webcomic. Soyatu does a fantastic job not only in giving the city personality but also in crafting distinct, expressive characters. Each design instantly reflects their personality, making them feel real and relatable. Everyone looks great, but Cinta’s design, in particular, stands out—she’s absolutely adorable.

Afterlove EP Audio - 8/10

Music is seamlessly woven into the game, playing a crucial role in both its narrative and characters. L’Alphalpha masterfully captures the feeling of being trapped in a state of grief while striving to move forward. The absence of vocals, replaced by raw, emotive guitar notes, adds to the game’s melancholic yet hopeful atmosphere. It’s an unforgettable soundtrack, and I truly hope they release it in full—it's just that good. However, where the lack of vocals enhances the music, the absence of voice acting is a different story. Only Cinta has voiced lines, which makes sense narratively, but it still feels like a missed opportunity to breathe even more life into the characters.

Afterlove EP Value for Money - 7/10

Afterlove EP is priced at $20 and offers plenty of replay value with its multiple endings and dating sim elements, allowing for different journeys shaped by your choices—both good and bad, which I really love. However, the lack of gameplay variety can make it feel a bit monotonous at times. As a visual novel, you’re going to be mostly reading, so it may not appeal to everyone. But if you enjoy story-driven experiences, it’s definitely a great pick—especially for Valentine’s Day.

Afterlove EP Review: Love Fades, Music Stays

Afterlove EP beautifully captures the raw emotions of heartbreak, loss, and the journey toward healing. It’s a deeply personal story that takes players on an emotional rollercoaster, from sorrow and longing to the hope of a new beginning. If you’ve ever experienced love and loss, this game will strike a familiar chord and resonate deeply.

But how does it hold up as a game? Is it worth playing beyond its heartfelt narrative? Let’s dive into the gameplay overview to find out.

Gameplay Overview

Set in the vibrant city of Jakarta, Afterlove EP is a unique blend of visual novel, narrative adventure, and rhythm game. Over the course of twenty-eight days, every choice you make will shape Rama’s journey—from repairing old relationships to forging new ones, rediscovering his creative voice, and ultimately deciding how to move forward.

The game also features dating sim elements, allowing Rama to explore new connections and slowly open himself up to love again. As you navigate Jakarta’s beautifully realized 2D side-scrolling world, you’ll be able to visit shops, attend therapy sessions, and explore various locations, all while experiencing the city’s rich atmosphere.

And of course, music plays a key role. Throughout the game, you’ll have moments to jam with your band, adding another layer to Rama’s emotional and creative journey. Whether you’re embracing the past or stepping into the future, Afterlove EP offers a deeply personal and heartfelt experience.

A Melody of Heartbreak and Healing

The story of Afterlove EP is deeply emotional, a slow burn that grips you right from the start. From the opening montage of Rama and Cinta’s memories together, you can already sense that this game is going to break your heart—and it absolutely delivers on that promise.

While the premise is straightforward—Rama is a musician struggling to move forward after the death of his girlfriend, Cinta—the way it unfolds is profound and deeply personal. His friends and bandmates want to help him heal, but he’s been stuck for over a year, neglecting his music, his mental health, and his relationships. With a crucial gig approaching in one month, he has to make a choice: commit to his music and his future or risk being left behind.

What makes Afterlove EP so powerful is its authentic portrayal of grief and healing. There’s no single way to move on from loss, and the game reflects that beautifully with multiple branching paths and endings. The choices feel genuinely difficult, especially when it comes to romance—you may want Rama to stay loyal to Cinta’s memory, but you also know that moving forward is the healthier choice. And then there’s the mystery of Cinta’s voice in his head—is it really her, or just a manifestation of his guilt and longing?

This journey is deep, emotional, and incredibly well-told. If you’re ready for a story that will stay with you long after the credits roll, Afterlove EP delivers. Just be prepared for a lot of reading—but trust me, it’s worth every word.

A Visual and Musical Love Letter to Jakarta

The visuals and audio of Afterlove EP work in perfect harmony, painting a stylized and deeply personal portrait of Jakarta. Soyatu’s artwork gives the game a distinct comic book-meets-indie animation aesthetic, reminiscent of those heartfelt thesis projects from passionate student animators. It has a sketch-like quality, rough yet intentional, adding a layer of charm that makes every frame feel alive.

The manga-inspired designs further enhance the storytelling, with each character brimming with personality. Rama looks exactly like a grieving musician lost in his own thoughts, and his expressions carry so much weight without a single word spoken.

The music, meanwhile, is pure emotion in sonic form. Melancholic guitar notes drift like memories—sometimes warm and nostalgic, other times heavy with longing. Each track captures the delicate balance between sorrow and hope, making every moment feel immersive. The first rhythm game sequence, where you practice guitar, stands out as a beautiful blend of gameplay and storytelling, reinforcing the game’s themes through sound.

Beyond just being an aesthetic treat, Afterlove EP makes Jakarta feel like more than just a setting—it’s a living, breathing presence. The game captures that unique feeling of being surrounded by people yet still feeling alone, a quiet kind of solitude that lingers in the bustling streets. Through its art and music, Afterlove EP doesn’t just tell a story—it feels like one.

The Rhythm Game Aspect Feels Underdeveloped

If you were expecting Afterlove EP to deliver a strong rhythm game experience, you might want to lower your expectations. The rhythm sections are minimal, extremely easy, and surprisingly skippable. While it’s nice that players have the option to bypass them, this also makes them feel inconsequential—as if they were added as an afterthought rather than an integral part of the game.

When you do engage with these sections, they lack depth and impact. Hitting the right notes doesn’t feel particularly satisfying, and while the songs themselves are enjoyable, they don’t compensate for the barebones gameplay.

It would have been far more engaging if the rhythm mechanics were woven into other aspects of Rama’s journey, rather than being limited to moments when he’s playing with his band.

Expanding these mechanics to reflect his emotions, creative struggles, or personal growth could have made them feel more meaningful.

As it stands, the rhythm gameplay feels like a missed opportunity, offering little challenge or depth for those hoping for a more interactive musical experience.

Hardly Any Voice-Acting

In Afterlove EP, the only character with actual voice acting is Cinta, and narratively, that choice makes perfect sense. As the constant voice in Rama’s head, her presence is central to the story—her words linger as he struggles to move on, making the question of whether it’s truly her or just his imagination all the more compelling. Thematically, this decision aligns with the game’s core message about grief and acceptance.

However, while I understand the reasoning, I can’t help but wish the rest of the cast had at least partial voice acting. Given that 90% of the game is reading dialogue, hearing more of Rama and the other characters would have significantly enhanced the experience. The supporting cast is well-written and full of personality, and their interactions would have felt even more immersive with voiced performances.

This is especially evident given Cinta’s exceptional voice work—her actress brings depth and emotion to the role, making her feel incredibly real. It’s a shame we don’t get that same level of expression for the rest of the characters, as it could have elevated the storytelling even further. While Afterlove EP still delivers a compelling narrative, adding more voice work would have made it even more engaging.

Is Afterlove EP Worth It?

Perfect for Heartbroken People and Story Lovers

Despite its problems, for $20, Afterlove EP is a solid choice for fans of narrative-driven games, offering multiple endings and romance routes that provide plenty of replay value. Each playthrough brings a unique perspective, making it worth experiencing multiple times to uncover every possibility.

Beyond its branching paths, Afterlove EP is particularly impactful for those going through a breakup or personal loss. The game doesn’t just explore the weight of grief—it also offers a sense of comfort, reminding players that they’re not alone in their emotions. It may even help some find closure and healing along the way. It’s also a perfect Valentine’s Day game, whether you’re playing solo or cozying up with a partner for a heartfelt, emotional experience.

That said, this isn’t for everyone—especially those looking for gameplay-heavy experiences. As a visual novel, it primarily consists of reading and choosing dialogue, so players expecting more interactivity may find it lacking. But for those who love emotionally rich storytelling, Afterlove EP is a journey well worth taking.

Steam		PlayStation		Xbox		Switch
Price		$19.99

Afterlove EP FAQ

Does Afterlove EP Have LGBTQ Romances?

Yes, the game has LGBTQ romance options.

Who are the Characters in Afterlove EP

　⚫︎　Rama
　⚫︎　Cinta
　⚫︎　Adit
　⚫︎　Tasya

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Afterlove EP Product Information

Title	Afterlove EP
Release Date	February 14, 2025
Developer	Pikselnesia
Publisher	Fellow Traveller
Supported Platforms	PS5, Switch, Xbox Series XIS, PC
Genre	Visual Novel, Dating Sim
Number of Players	1
ESRB Rating	T
Official Website	Afterlove EP Website

Uriel Rodriguez

Writer | Gamer | Self-Proclaimed Digimon/Sujimon/Persona/Palworld/Pokémon Master