Sometimes games hit you right in the feels, and After Light Fades looks like one of them. Launching on Steam this June 20th, this indie puzzler takes a familiar mechanic (good old box-pushing) and wraps it in a deeply personal story about grief, memory, and letting go.
You play as Alice, a woman dealing with the loss of her partner Aura after a tragic house fire. As she explores seven dreamlike puzzle worlds, each tied to a memory, she solves clever sokoban-style challenges that get more complex as she goes. But there’s a twist: every time you master a new mechanic, like mirrors, magnets, or clones, you eventually have to give it up. It’s a powerful way to showing how grief forces change, whether we’re ready or not.
The game’s not just emotional, though, it’s packed with creative puzzle ideas. Expect mechanics like fire, electricity, vines, and even transmutation. It’s all about how elements interact and build on each other in clever ways.
If you fancy getting even more out of it, there’s a full level editor with Steam Workshop support. Once you’ve wrapped Alice’s story, you can jump into community-made puzzles or try building your own.
After Light Fades will be available on PC for £11.99 (about $14.99) with a 10% discount during launch week. Keep your eye on this one if you love your puzzle games with a bit of heart.