Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 71 | 70 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 85% | 78 | 247 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 100% | 97 | 3 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 8 reviews sampled · 8 total reviews in window · weighted 5.7 up / 0 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (57)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 70
“After Us is an emotional journey that takes players on a journey through a devastated, surreal world. The game explores the consequences of human actions on the environment and highlights their destructive power. Players control Gaia, a tiny spirit, and embark on a mission to restore life and hope to a ravaged planet. The game’s stunning visuals and environmental narrative effectively convey a message about ecological responsibility. Players explore the world, overcome obstacles, and must fight for survival. After Us offers a visually striking experience that encourages reflection on humanity’s impact on the world around us, but its content and gameplay don’t offer much in the way of excitement.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“For better and worse, After Us is yet another beautiful but otherwise boring and overly artistic game that does very little to advance the medium.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“From our perspective, After Us is a bold and imperfect, yet profoundly meaningful creation. It’s not a game for everyone, but it stands as one of those rare experiences capable of leaving a lasting impression, particularly on those attuned to environmental themes and open to quiet introspection. What resonated most with us wasn’t the variety of gameplay, which, inevitably, begins to feel repetitive over time, but its remarkable ability to stir deep emotions through visual and auditory language, all without a single spoken word. It is a world meant to be wandered, not conquered. There are no missions to accomplish, no victories to secure. The game’s true aim is to prompt reflection, to inspire understanding, and to make us feel the weight of irreversible loss and the delicate hope of redemption. Its symbolism is never arbitrary. Every element, be it the animal spirits, the Devourers, the crumbling architecture, or the sudden resurgence of vegetation, serves a distinct narrative purpose. Even the absence of a HUD, the bold use of color, and Gaia’s slow, meditative movements are all part of a carefully considered vision: to transform the video game into a medium of expression rather than mere entertainment. While we cannot ignore its weaknesses, particularly the sections where repetition becomes apparent and the lack of dynamic gameplay may cause detachment, especially among players less inclined toward contemplation, we can only conclude that After Us is a work that urges us to look ahead, mindful of the missteps of humanity’s past. Its true purpose is to cultivate emotional and intellectual awareness, an awareness essential to imagining and building a better future. In my view, After Us strikes emotional chords that few games even attempt to reach. It’s a title that takes risks, and, in the long run, succeeds in them. For that alone, it deserves attention and praise. It’s not a game that aims to please everyone, but it has the power to move deeply those willing to be carried away by its visual language and its silent emotions.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“After Us manages to deliver an experience that is largely enjoyable despite its flaws. Loose gameplay mechanics, framerate hiccups, and superfluous combat encounters are mostly offset by solid environmental storytelling, a poignant message, fantastic soundtrack work, and almost rock-solid performance and visuals.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“After Us stands as a thought-provoking testament to human responsibility, but it leaves untouched the broader canvas of nature's relentless force. Recognizing both sides of this environmental equation would have offered a more comprehensive perspective on the intricate dance between humanity and the natural world, underscoring the urgent need for responsible stewardship of our planet. The gameplay is serviceable and the game's length won't leave anyone asking for more, but the real showstopper is its gorgeous visuals and ambiance.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“With lofty ambitions and some great elements, After Us lets itself down in as many ways as it triumphs. Gorgeous art direction and an admirable anti-pollution message aren't enough to make up for tedious combat, performance issues, and open-ended level design that plays things a little too loose. If you're itching for an experience like this, there are better options out there, at the very least until After Us' performance issues are addressed. There's the core of an incredible experience here, but it's just not ready yet.”
read full review ↗ - 55
“After Us had some lofty goals and it shows but sadly, they didn’t quite reach those highs. Incredible art direction and a dope soundtrack sadly don’t make up for the ‘tacked’ on combat and the very floaty platforming controls. The design choice to make it open world is also a head scratcher because the game absolutely does a poor job of telling players where to go next. I’m left wondering what could have been with After Us, had the combat been taken out I think this would have been a much better adventure.”
read full review ↗ - 65
“There's a fascinating game hiding in After Us. The melancholy tale of resurrecting a desolate Earth makes for an interesting premise, but it isn't told in a way to make you care much about it. The platforming generates some good moments, but it is also clunky in places due to the physics and lack of explanation in the tutorial. The combat is rather unnecessary and unexciting, but it is functional, while the presentation remains fetching. Patches are still being created to tweak the game, and there is some potential to fix the technical issues experienced in the early portion of this playthrough. For now, it isn't a game that you need to seek out and play if there are other options to tackle.”
read full review ↗ - 82
“After Us is a very strong title that is visually beautiful with an amazing atmosphere created by the coordination of each element of the game put together. While some platform elements can be a little frustrating, the combat is a very fun part of the game that allows the size of the playable character to enhance the creepier aspects of the game.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“A chilling fever dream of dystopian hope, After Us takes the mechanics of an atmospheric puzzle-platformer and uses them to create a beautifully unsettling experience that feels a little too real. Its satisfying traversal challenges through gorgeously rendered wastelands provide plenty of engaging gameplay moments for platforming fans, though its relentlessly oppressive environments may prove too harsh for some. Haunting and immersive, but definitely not for the faint of heart.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“After Us is an atmospheric platforming adventure that leaves you thinking about the beauty in extinction rather than the horrors. With slick controls, appealing environments to explore and a tranquil nonintrusive soundtrack, fans of titles like Journey will likely enjoy the exploration of a surreal and desolate world of post-human life.”
read full review ↗ - 40
“After Us beats you over the head with paper-thin themes, but between the truly awful platforming and the frustrating level design, it'll be the least of your worries.”
read full review ↗
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Patch history
- After Us v1.1 Patch NotesJun 29, 2023