Shadows of the Afterland
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About Shadows of the Afterland
Shadows of the Afterland is a point-and-click adventure game set in a fractured 1960s Madrid, developed by Aruma Studios and released in February 2026. You play as a soul trapped between the living world and a chaotic afterlife, embodying the memories of future police officer Carolina. The game blends mystery with surreal exploration as you navigate both realms, uncovering secrets behind a bizarre death at the city zoo. The afterlife here is a quirky, rule-breaking dimension filled with odd characters, while the real-world setting reflects a time of social tension. It’s a story about identity, fate, and solving puzzles to bridge two worlds.
Gameplay
The core experience revolves around point-and-click exploration and dialogue choices. You’ll switch between the 1960s Madrid streets and the afterlife, where physics and logic behave differently, like floating objects or characters who forget their own names. Puzzles often require leveraging these strange rules, such as using a ghost’s memory to access hidden locations. Environmental interaction is key: click on objects to collect evidence, interrogate NPCs for clues, and manipulate items in both worlds to progress. The game emphasizes narrative over action, with branching dialogues that subtly influence outcomes. Sessions typically last 2-3 hours, balancing investigation with surreal set pieces.
What Players Think
PlayPile users rate Shadows of the Afterland 8.2/10, with 68% completing the main story. Average playtime is 14 hours, though 32% report finishing in under 12. The mood is split between curiosity (45%) and mild frustration (28%), with some players noting repetitive puzzle mechanics. Positive reviews highlight the game’s “fresh take on the afterlife” and “rich character designs,” while critics call it “a bit too slow for impatient players.” Metacritic averages 79, praising the worldbuilding but noting pacing issues. Achievement completion sits at 82%, with 17% unlocking all 42 trophies, mostly through exploration.
PlayPile's Take
This game works best for fans of narrative-driven adventures who don’t mind slower pacing. While the premise is inventive, some puzzles feel underpolished. At $29.99, it’s a mid-tier buy, but the unique setting and layered storytelling justify the price for niche audiences. Don’t expect action or speed; instead, prepare to linger on dialogue and experiment with surreal mechanics. Worth trying if you enjoy figuring out mysteries through environmental storytelling.
Game Modes
Single player
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