PAX East 2019: After Party Expands On What We Know From Its Predecessor

Night School Studio embarking on their next project with After Party excited fans who enjoyed the studio’s first title, Oxenfree which dropped back in 2016. Following the reveal of the upcoming title last year, fans are eager to see how the story stands on its own compared the first graphic adventure title. I can share that the new game does in fact differentiate itself with its cast of characters and new scenery set in the underworld of Hell.

At this year’s Penny Arcade Expo held in Boston, Massachusetts I got the opportunity to demo the new title and played through the first sequence of the game within a 20-minute time-frame. Following the two protagonists, Luna and Milo, who recently became deceased from a lethal accident and find themselves in the netherworld.

Rather than the more general expectations of Hell as a torturous cesspit for those who’ve sinned, Night School re-imagines the underground inferno as an overpopulated city comprised of lost souls and rundown structures. With life expectancy out the window now that you’re dead, demons look towards partying and over-drinking as a popular overtime since this is their new eternity.

The two reach a bar with an accompanying demon to find answers on how to find an exit to Hell. In the process, they must converse with some of those occupying the alcohol drenched space. Which is where the strongest suit from the developer shines bright for those who haven’t played their previous title. From witty comebacks to nonchalant jokes and drunken arguments, the writing for After Party always kept me entertained and laughing.

At one point, Milo is asked to play blood pong at the party held in the bar which amplifies on the already expansive dialogue options available. When drinking, which you will do a lot of, depending on the alcohol you drink will affect how you react to situations and give different conversation choices on top of your two standard discussion pieces. For the sake of the demo, the extra decision is a more arrogant, alcohol-fueled response to the conversation.

This only blankets another layer that the first title lacked and introduces more possibilities when exploring the cast of different characters you will interact with throughout the course of the game. Gameplay for the actual blood pong is as expected, lobbing a ball into a row of three cups and even the option to bounce the ball is neat, but less effective in the long run.

Leading after this the two take the party upstairs to find the one demon they came in with to find out how to get out of this hellish party. Where they were answered with having to head to a party the Devil himself Satan is hosting and must verse him in a drink off. The chances of winning are the same as “the Browns winning the Superbowl” as I met the end of the demo.

Speaking with some of the developers following the demo, they shared that After Party is set to release sometime in 2019 for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC, and Nintendo Switch.