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

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

I first met Fahmi, funnily sufficient, via a relationship app. After a really transient entangling, it rapidly grew to become clear that we have been meant to create one thing far better 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 have been getting into full manufacturing, Fahmi handed away. I keep in mind spending a number of horrible months in my grief questioning what went flawed – if something might have gone in a different way. Fahmi’s passing was sudden, tragic, and completely stunning.

When our staff and writer finally 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 staff hurled itself into persevering with manufacturing at nighttime, I knew every of us struggled to fill the enormous 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 stored Fahmi’s household up to date. I knew he was expert – his years within the AAA cell recreation business proved that – however guiding a grieving staff whereas mourning a buddy should have been gut-wrenching.

Our different co-lead, Damas, was a pillar of the Indonesian gaming business. His Bandung-based studio – Rolling Glory Jam – had been our spine after 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 Seeing him once more as Lead Programmer for Afterlove EP felt like reuniting with an outdated ally. Our different programmer, Dany, took on much more – getting 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 might really feel their willpower to finish Fahmi’s closing 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 course. I keep in mind being in awe – Soyatu’s unmistakable type, in an suave recreation about demise? It will absolutely be a head-turner. I used to be relieved when Fahmi additionally discovered Pinga to create background arts that completely complement Soyatu’s vigorous characters. Collectively, their work felt seamless. And when Maxi joined the staff, every part clicked into place. Watching Soyatu’s characters come to life – truly strolling, truly 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 staff 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 can be melancholic with out being maudlin, the kind of songs that acknowledged ache however by no means let it devour you. It was every part 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 load of her absence is already overwhelming – sorrow, trauma, and guilt twist collectively in a relentless storm. However what makes it even tougher is that Cinta’s voice by no means really leaves him. She lingers in his thoughts, talking to him, questioning him, making transferring on really feel unimaginable.

As Rama stumbles towards a brand new chapter in his life, he faces selections that form his future – together with three potential love pursuits: Mira, Regina, and Satria. But, Cinta stays. She watches. She feedback on his choices. She even often 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 by some means manages to make issues worse. Anybody who has tried to begin a band with mates in a storage will perceive – typically it’s tangled in private drama, different occasions it’s clashing ambitions. However in each indie band, there’s at all times that second when every part feels prefer it might collapse.

As you navigate Rama’s life in probably 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 fantastically crafted comics woven all through the sport.

You’ll additionally be capable of management how properly Rama performs with the band in each apply periods and dwell 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 places that meant the world to Fahmi and our staff. Who is aware of? Perhaps in the future, 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 need to spoil the marvel 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 have been capable of convey Fahmi’s closing masterpiece to life. Till later after we meet once more, mates.

Afterlove EP

Fellow Traveller

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

Going down within the vibrant metropolis of Jakarta, capital of Indonesia, Afterlove EP is a mix of visible novel, narrative journey and rhythm recreation 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 demise 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 yr. He’s neglecting his music, his psychological well being and his relationships.

Making issues tougher, 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 vital 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 contemporary day Jakarta, Indonesia
• A mix of narrative journey, visible novel and rhythm recreation components – discover, speak, jam out!
• A number of endings and story paths – over 28 days and nights, it is going to be your selections that decide the trail Rama takes.
• That includes the distinctive artwork of famend Indonesian indie-manga artist, Soyatu.
• That includes an unique soundtrack from standard Indonesian band, L’alphalpha.