Afterlife

Reviewed by: DeathDude

Positive Points: Fun gameplay
Challenging levels
Great tunes

Negative Points: Can only be hit once

Genre: Arcade

Size: 4289 KB

Requirements: Windows

Questionable content: None

Editor rating: 4.5

Homepage: http://www.rjbsoftware.co.uk/afterlife_intro.php

Download location: http://www.rjbsoftware.co.uk/afterlife_download.php

As a balloon flying, dare devil adventurer, our main character in this game, laughs at danger. Despite enemies who wish nothing more than to stop Rickard Bronson from collecting all the balloons in each stage and defeating all the enemies before he is able to advance, the motivation is high to stop this daredevil. Yet only Rickard will be able to stop these forces of hell from reaching earth and only he can collect the ten stolen Cruciforms, which separate the gates of hell from our world, can he recover them all and still survive? In Afterlife, collecting the ten Cruciforms is your goal, and it will not be an easy journey across several levels, facing many enemies, in your hot-aired balloon. With some very fun game play at the heart of the game, some challenging levels that will challenge your skills and some great tunes, make this game a very fun experience to try for any gamer who wants a lengthy game and a challenging one.

Once you start up after life you can change the controls if you wish to control your little balloon and once you choose the single player mode to start the game, you will first play in the training mode. In training mode, you will get familiar with how the balloon moves the different weapons that are available and to get an idea of what this game is like. Once you pass the training mode, the game will begin and your job of collecting the ten Cruciforms will begin. You will travel across many different levels, fighting many enemies at times, and later in some interesting challenges that will require you to plan how you will proceed. 

The goal of each level is to defeat every enemy that is on screen, in which when you a warp hole will appear that will allow you to advance to the next level. However, if you wish to get a complete level score, you will have to collect all the balloons that are floating around in the stage before you destroy all the enemies. Be careful though, all it takes is one touch from an enemy or if you run into a hazardous object like lava to destroy your balloon and force you to restart the level all over again. 

The whole idea of flying around in a balloon using not only bombs, but a super powered umbrella may sound a bit cheesy, but it actually is quite fun. The game play is quite entertaining, from the different enemies you see, and the different challenges that you will face in each level. The enemies get smarter as you proceed and you may have to plan which enemies you may have to defeat first, before they defeat you. All it takes is one hit, so the challenge is quite high in this game, especially in the more advanced stages.

Each level itself grows more challenging as you proceed further and further in the game. While some of the levels are quite tough, they are beatable but they require careful movement and at times careful firing at the enemies. There are plenty of stages for you to see before the game is finished and lots to see along the way. The challenge is difficult but nothing frustrating and for most gamers this should not be a problem.

The music as well was quite nice to listen to, the tunes are a nice mix, and it does not distract from the action on screen. The sound effects as well also sound good and they do not seem out of place with the action on screen.

The only minor frustration that may irritate some gamers is the one hit and your dead concept. It can be quite challenging in some of the later levels, when you are close to finishing a level and accidentally hit an enemy or touch the lava, but still this just means you have to be more careful when you are playing the game. While it would have been nice for perhaps a life meter for the balloon, the concept is fine in my books.

Nevertheless, this was a very fun game and did enjoy playing through the many levels, so check it out and see what its like.