Developer: Aruma Studios
Platforms: PC (Reviewed), macOS
Genre: Adventure
Publisher: Aruma Studios
Shadows of the Afterland is a point-and-click supernatural mystery game. This game was developed and published by Aruma Studios. This review was done on Windows, though it is also available for Linux, macOS, and later releases on Nintendo Switch.
Set in Madrid, 1960, Shadows of the Afterland opens with what seems like a simple introduction to Pilar, a maid going about her daily life. However, things take a supernatural turn when an unforeseen incident lands “Pilar” in the afterlife. Though there’s a twist, the spirit inhabiting Pilar’s body is not hers at all, but Carolina, a sharp police investigator. Somehow, Caroline has awakened in the afterlife before her own birth, wearing a face she does not recognise and is trapped in a timeline she is unfamiliar with.
This narrative hook is what pulled me in straight away. The mystery surrounding Carolina’s death and how she even exists in the past afterlife creates a constant sense of intrigue. As you progress, the story unravels gradually through conversations, discoveries and supernatural investigation. The game does not feel rushed and builds tension in a way that keeps me wanting to talk to more characters. The recap feature, when you reload your save, is also a lovely touch; it feels like tuning back into a cartoon episode and being reminded of the plot you may have forgotten (a great way to pick up where you left off).
The movement and interaction rely on simple point and click controls. You hover your cursor around an environment, and icons appear to signal whether Carolina can interact with something, examine it or comment on it. Navigation between areas is equally straightforward, where clicking on the edge of the screen transitions you smoothly to the next section, with the use of a cute map. I appreciated how intuitive the system felt. There is no clunky movement or overcomplicated UI, which lets you focus on exploration and dialogue. Areas themselves are quite compact, where backtracking does not feel tedious.
Later on in the game, you discover a mechanic that stood out for me the most, which was possession. As a ghost, Carolina can inhabit living characters, gaining access to their inventories and perspectives. It is a clever system that adds a layer to puzzle-solving and storytelling. Though I will say I wish there were more of the complex puzzle possession sequences, and for it to be a mechanic established from early on in the game. The first possession sequence you encounter with the family was so much fun to try to piece together, but later on, possession was just a matter of controlling and talking to others.
Shadows of the Afterland is a game which is gorgeous in a nostalgic, pixel art way. Everything is rendered in colourful sprite work that feels vibrant without losing the slightly eerie undertone you would expect from an afterlife setting. The contrast between the lively work of the living and the jazzy, gloom-tinged underworld is especially well done.
Character design is where the game really shines. All ghosts have their signature look, light blue with a wispy half, but retain clothing from the moment they died, which is an incredible way to tell each character’s story. Each ghost you encounter has a story to tell about how they died, and the items they carry, and the clothes they wear represent those unforeseen circumstances that led to their demise. Animations are subtle but effective, there is mouth sync to dialogue, you can notice expression shifts, and even the idle floating motion gives the spirit’s personality. Little details, like a ghost casually smoking, add charm to the worldbuilding.
The voice acting deserves special praise. Every ghost you meet feels distinct, and the performance of the voice acting elevates their personalities. Gasper, the old man ghost in the main square, is a standout as his voice perfectly fits the aesthetic of the spirit. Carolina herself carries that assertive detection tone that reinforces her investigative identity. I often found myself simply listening rather than reading the dialogue, which says a lot about the quality of the acting.
Now, all in all, Shadows of the Afterland is a narrative puzzle adventure. Gameplay revolves around speaking to spirits and living characters, selecting dialogue options, gathering clues and piecing together the mystery behind Carolina/Pilar’s death. Progression often requires revisiting characters with new information, locating items or triggering events at the right time. The puzzles are all story-driven; for example, you might need to distract someone at the perfect moment to investigate a loose tile or uncover hidden evidence.
Some solutions genuinely made me pause and think. There were moments where I thought I was stuck, only to realise the answer was sitting in my inventory the whole time. The game encourages you to think. I will say it would be nice to have some sort of task log or reminder system, as occasionally backtracking through characters would make me forget the task I was actually focused on.
I truly enjoyed this game. The storytelling was engaging, and with each discovery, it felt like I was getting closer and closer to the truth. The supernatural detective angle is already compelling, but placing it in a past timeline before Carolina’s birth adds a layer of mystery that kept me hooked. I also adored the character interactions. It took me roughly 7 hours to complete the game, which almost went by a little too quickly (in a good way, of course!). Meeting new spirits never got old because each one had such a distinct personality, voice and design. The world feels alive despite it being ‘dead’.
Shadows of the Afterland is a charming, story-rich adventure that blends supernatural mystery with heartfelt character moments. Its pixel art style is vibrant, and the voice acting is outstanding, and the narrative hooks you from the beginning to the end. Be sure to check out Shadows of the Afterland if you are someone who loves narrative-driven mysteries, by stepping into the afterlife!
Overall: 8.5/10
This is S & S. We are world game explorers. We play games. We have played over 10,000+ games! We travel, we write reviews AND we play more games!!!!
