Fading Afternoon (Switch) Review

Yeo, the small team that also released the cult favorite The Friends of Ringo Ishikawa and Arrest of a Stone Buddha, have ported Fading Afternoon to Switch, a beautifully animated 2D noir crime simulation-lite. It is easy to see the Yakuza/Like A Dragon and River City influences but easily stands apart with its obscure gameplay and mature themes.

The game opens as Seiji, a respected yakuza member, finishes his prison sentence. An old crime buddy picks you up from prison and gives you a few bucks and a temporary place to stay. Unlike the more cartoony and slightly comical narrative and gameplay of the Yakuza series, this dying crime boss simulator is dripping in reality. The presentation, pacing, and overall gameplay loop is somber, deep, and very open ended. While these aesthetics provide a memorable experience, there is a high buy-in trade off. Without any tutorials or guidance, the player is left to struggle through the learning curve, which is rather steep.

Being completely honest here, I was massively confused when starting this game and I fear the aimlessness will be off putting for players. There is no tutorial on how to play or what it is the player should even be doing. Unless you cheat and reference a guide, the player’s only option is trial and error. If this was an action game based around one or two verbs, this wouldn’t be a problem. However, gameplay is all about performing mundane tasks like riding a train, casually walking around a city, and talking to NPCs. This is a perfect definition of a double-edged sword. Performing these tedious tasks is what makes the gameplay compelling but at the cost of time and commitment.

It is only after grinding through the first couple hours will things start to click. Eventually the player realizes that you need to defeat rival gangs, earn some cash along the way, and determine how best to spend the time of each day. As it turns out, the playable character is dying and there are numerous endings depending on your decisions. It is also important to note the details in what the NPCs say because they can provide direction on a task to complete but without a quest marker, guide, or menu checkbox. Everything here is left for the player to blindly solve.

One of the most interesting aspects comes from the most unnecessary details. For example, there is an option to comb your hair, take a moment to rest by overlooking the crowd from atop a ledge, remove your jacket, and smoke/flick a cigarette. Adding to the learning curve is the complicated button structure. To roll up your sleeves, the player must tap an awkward button combo and even after spending time with it, it is easy to struggle remembering what does what. At the same time, this rhythm extends to the combat as well. When performed well, players can feel like John Wick in a fire fight. But again, a double-edged sword. It can be cool, but takes a while to get there.

The soundtrack also aligns with the lively pixel art. One track in particular begins with a feral scream. Super weird? Absolutely. Does it oddly work and sound good? Also yes. The minimalist presentation is intentional and really gives this game its overall feeling.

Fading Afternoon is not a typical game by any means. This experimental, open-ended, obtuse gameplay isn’t for everyone, but the artistic expression is top notching, something that players will never see from an AAA studio these days.

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By: Zachary Gasiorowski, Editor in Chief myGamer.com

Twitter: @ZackGaz

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