We first heard of Afterimage back in 2021, as the Aurogon Shanghai team behind it looked to push forward with a 2022 release. Whilst it may have missed that date by a little, it doesn’t make this stunning Metroidvania any less interesting. Today it launches to the world – and this is one we think you should be playing.
Available to purchase and download right now on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S (fully X|S optimised and running Smart Delivery so you can be sure of playing the finest version for your console), as well as PlayStation, Nintendo Switch and PC, Afterimage finally arrives to deliver a Metroidvania experience of your dreams – at least if your dreams focus on the want to learn from the past in order to fully shape your future.
Priced at £20.99, Afterimage immediately oozes class; you just need to check out the screenshots and visuals in order to understand that. But from there it really opens up immensely as the 3D action adventuring and fast-paced combat begins to take a hold on your life.
It focuses on the world of Engardin and a girl name Renee, as she awakens after The Razing saw humanity on the brink. With memories lost, it’s up to you to help Renee head off on a journey of exploration, one in which the ultimate goal is to hunt down and rescue her mentor – only then will the fate of a new world be determined.
We’ve been playing Afterimage on Xbox Series X|S for a little while already, dropping a 4/5 review onto it in the process. We found that this was able to provide us with a huge, beautiful world to explore, powered by a great soundtrack and a fun combat system that ensures you need to work for success. A lack of direction and need to occasionally grind lets Affterimage down a little, but on the whole, this is one that you should be sticking on your playlist going forward.
If the review doesn’t sell it to you, we’re pretty sure the key features will, if only as the non-linear world, the 170 odd enemies, 30 bosses, deep RPG options and stunning art style come together as follows…
- • Explore a non-linear world – unearth the secrets buried deep within the ruins of the vast interconnected world of Engardin. Interact with over 50 different NPCs, each with their own story and purpose. Learn more about their role in Engardin through side quests!
- • Fight over 170 varieties of enemies, including 30 tough boss encounters.
- • Deep RPG mechanics allow for diverse character builds – over 200 different equipment to collect and choose from including 6 classes of main weapon, sub weapon, armor and accessories. Invest talent points into a variety of stat upgrades and unique weapon skills for each class of weapon.
- • Determine the fate of the world – discover multiple endings depending on Renee’s actions that will shape the future of Engardin.
- • Stunning 2D art style with animations hand-drawn frame-by-frame.
- • Discover new abilities and new Afterimages that grant unique benefits in your exploration and combat. Use these skills to access new areas, shortcuts, and master these in combat to defeat more difficult enemy encounters!
- • Over 40 original orchestral tracks composed by the Aurogon Sound Team and fully recorded by International Master Philharmonic Orchestra and other various musicians.
Sold? Get over to that Xbox Store and grab a download of Afterimage immediately. Alternatively, it’s on PlayStation, Switch and PC too.
Game Description:
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. Years after the cataclysm called “The Razing” nearly brought an end to the human civilization, an amnesiac girl named Renee awakens among the ruins of the city’s capital. To recover her lost memories, she embarks on a journey to rescue her mentor, inexplicably setting into motion a series of events that will determine the fate of the new world.
