Fahmi’s Swan Music: Afterlove EP – Life, Love, and Music in Jakarta

Once we, Pikselnesia, first heard the pitch for Afterlove EP from one in every of Indonesia’s best narrative minds, Fahmi Hasni, we knew it will be one thing particular. However we by no means anticipated every little thing to unfold the best way it did.

I first met Fahmi, funnily sufficient, via a relationship app. After a really transient entangling, it rapidly turned clear that we had been meant to create one thing far larger than only a fleeting companionship. Even earlier than What Comes After took form, he was already dreaming about what at the moment was referred to as Undertaking Heartbreak. Again then, he didn’t also have a story – only a feeling he wished to seize. The ache of making an attempt to maneuver on whereas the voice of misplaced love nonetheless lingers in your head.

Then, simply as we had been entering into full manufacturing, Fahmi handed away. I bear in mind spending plenty of horrible months in my grief questioning what went incorrect – if something may have gone in another way. Fahmi’s passing was sudden, tragic, and totally stunning.

When our workforce and writer ultimately selected me to be the Narrative Lead, I knew precisely what to do. Our protagonist would really feel what I felt.

I used to be going to place him via hell.

Because the workforce hurled itself into persevering with manufacturing at the hours of darkness, I knew every of us struggled to fill the large gap Fahmi had left. Our producer, Ivor, had identified Fahmi since earlier than his days as a gaming journalist. Now, he needed to shoulder the unimaginable – main a studio with out its coronary heart. He managed Pikselnesia, coordinated with our writer Fellow Traveler, and saved Fahmi’s household up to date. I knew he was expert – his years within the AAA cell sport trade proved that – however guiding a grieving workforce whereas mourning a pal will need to have been gut-wrenching.

Our different co-lead, Damas, was a pillar of the Indonesian gaming trade. His Bandung-based studio – Rolling Glory Jam – had been our spine once we launched What Comes After years earlier than. Then there was Giri, who I had labored with on What Comes After. Seeing him once more as Lead Programmer for Afterlove EP felt like reuniting with an previous ally. Our different programmer, Dany, took on much more – entering into the function of Artistic Director whereas nonetheless managing the back-end of our PC and Nintendo Swap builds. I had seen all these males stand beside Fahmi earlier than. Although I maybe would by no means totally grasp the depth of their grief, I may really feel their dedication to finish Fahmi’s ultimate masterpiece, the swan tune of his dying breath.

Even when Afterlove EP was only a dialog I had with Fahmi over espresso, Fahmi already knew he wished Soyatu to steer the artwork path. I bear in mind being in awe – Soyatu’s unmistakable type, in an clever sport about loss of life? It could certainly be a head-turner. I used to be relieved when Fahmi additionally discovered Pinga to create background arts that completely complement Soyatu’s energetic characters. Collectively, their work felt seamless. And when Maxi joined the workforce, every little thing clicked into place. Watching Soyatu’s characters come to life – really strolling, really speaking – was surreal. It made sense, although. Maxi had labored with Giri earlier than at Thinker Studio, and I by no means doubted his expertise for a second.

This all-star workforce was precisely what Fahmi’s imaginative and prescient wanted – something much less merely wouldn’t have sufficed. His love for Jakarta ran deep. The chaotic sprawl of the streets, the hidden gems tucked away in hole-in-the-wall eateries, town’s thriving music and artwork tradition – all of it formed him, and his hopeless romantic tendencies. That was why he introduced L’Alphalpha into the challenge so early. The shoegaze band has a novel, distinctive sound that’s considerably cinematic, distinctive lyrics written in Bahasa Indonesia which might be melancholic with out being maudlin, the kind of songs that acknowledged ache however by no means let it eat you. It was every little thing Fahmi wished Afterlove EP to specific.

In Afterlove EP, you step into the lifetime of Rama, a deadpan younger musician grieving the lack of his girlfriend, Cinta, who died from a deadly coronary heart illness. Dealing with the burden of her absence is already overwhelming – sorrow, trauma, and guilt twist collectively in a relentless storm. However what makes it even more durable is that Cinta’s voice by no means really leaves him. She lingers in his thoughts, chatting with him, questioning him, making shifting on really feel unimaginable.

As Rama stumbles towards a brand new chapter in his life, he faces decisions that form his future – together with three potential love pursuits: Mira, Regina, and Satria. But, Cinta stays. She watches. She feedback on his selections. She even sometimes disagrees with how he tries to maneuver ahead, a presence that refuses to fade into reminiscence. In the meantime, his band, Sigmund Feud, is barely holding collectively. His absence throughout his deepest grief took its toll, and when he lastly returns, he in some way manages to make issues worse. Anybody who has tried to begin a band with mates in a storage will perceive – generally it’s tangled in private drama, different instances it’s clashing ambitions. However in each indie band, there’s all the time that second when every little thing feels prefer it may collapse.

As you navigate Rama’s life in essentially the most eventful month of his new life, you’ll be immersed in Soyatu’s signature artwork type – not simply in character sprites you’re controlling and interacting with, but in addition in superbly crafted comics woven all through the sport.

You’ll additionally have the ability to management how nicely Rama performs with the band in each apply periods and reside performances, as you jam out to L’Alphalpha’s unimaginable shoegaze post-rock soundtrack.

Jakarta itself performs an important function in Afterlove EP, with real-life areas that meant the world to Fahmi and our workforce. Who is aware of? Perhaps at some point, you’ll end up wandering these similar streets, seeing town via his eyes, and understanding why he fell in love with it.

There’s a lot extra to find, however I don’t wish to spoil the surprise of experiencing Afterlove EP for your self. So, I’ll finish right here – with my deepest gratitude to everybody who has supported us on this journey. We’re lastly on the end line, and it’s due to you that we had been in a position to convey Fahmi’s ultimate masterpiece to life. Till later once we meet once more, mates.

Afterlove EP

Fellow Traveller

☆☆☆☆☆
1

★★★★★

$19.99

$17.99

Going down within the vibrant metropolis of Jakarta, capital of Indonesia, Afterlove EP is a mix of visible novel, narrative journey and rhythm sport from the creator of Espresso Discuss and What Comes After.

Step into the sneakers of Rama, a younger musician struggling to maneuver on with life after the loss of life of their girlfriend, Cinta.

While his shut mates and bandmates are all decided to assist him transfer on, Rama has been caught for greater than a 12 months. He’s neglecting his music, his psychological well being and his relationships.

Making issues more durable, he’s listening to Cinta’s voice inside his head, uncertain if she is a spirit or a part of his creativeness.

Now he has only one month to get it collectively!

Rama’s band has a important gig in a single month’s time. Both he will get severe about his music and delivers the brand new songs he has been promising or the band will transfer on with out him.

KEY FEATURES
• An emotional new story from the creator of Espresso Discuss and What Comes After.
• Set in a vibrant and genuine recreation of recent day Jakarta, Indonesia
• A mix of narrative journey, visible novel and rhythm sport components – discover, discuss, jam out!
• A number of endings and story paths – over 28 days and nights, it will likely be your decisions that decide the trail Rama takes.
• That includes the distinctive artwork of famend Indonesian indie-manga artist, Soyatu.
• That includes an unique soundtrack from in style Indonesian band, L’alphalpha.