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

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

I first met Fahmi, funnily sufficient, via a courting app. After a really temporary entangling, it rapidly grew to become clear that we have been meant to create one thing far higher than only a fleeting companionship. Even earlier than What Comes After took form, he was already dreaming about what at the moment was known as Mission 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 entering into full manufacturing, Fahmi handed away. I keep in mind spending numerous horrible months in my grief questioning what went flawed – if something may have gone in a different way. Fahmi’s passing was sudden, tragic, and totally surprising.

When our group 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 group 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 group 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 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 position of Artistic Director whereas nonetheless managing the back-end of our PC and Nintendo Change 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 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 fashion, in an suave recreation about loss of life? It might 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 group, the whole lot 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 group 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, the 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 undertaking 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 the whole lot Fahmi wished Afterlove EP to precise.

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 actually 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 decisions 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 one way or the other 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 at all times that second when the whole lot feels prefer it may disintegrate.

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 fashion – 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 be capable to management how nicely Rama performs with the band in each apply classes and dwell performances, as you jam out to L’Alphalpha’s unimaginable shoegaze post-rock soundtrack.

Jakarta itself performs an important position in Afterlove EP, with real-life areas that meant the world to Fahmi and our group. Who is aware of? Possibly someday, you’ll end up wandering these identical streets, seeing the 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 have been in a position to deliver Fahmi’s closing masterpiece to life. Till later once we meet once more, mates.

Afterlove EP

Fellow Traveller

☆☆☆☆☆
2

★★★★★

$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 recreation from the creator of Espresso Speak 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 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 essential gig in a single month’s time. Both he will get critical 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 Speak 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 parts – discover, discuss, jam out!
• A number of endings and story paths – over 28 days and nights, will probably 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.