Can You Escape? A Comprehensive Review of 'Together After Dark'

Together After Dark is a co-op psychological horror game developed by RedForge, designed for 1-4 players. The game follows a group of lost teenagers trying to escape a dark and eerie forest, only to realize they are not alone. The game offers a solo mode, but it is best experienced with friends, as teamwork enhances the overall immersion and enjoyment.

I played Together After Dark straight out of the box with a group of friends. Our session lasted for two hours, during which we explored the game's environments, puzzles, and jump scares, and escaped.

[PROS]

• Engaging Co-op Experience: The game thrives in a multiplayer setting. Solving puzzles together, panicking during chases, and laughing after near-death experiences made the experience incredibly fun.
• Atmospheric Graphics: The visuals do a great job of setting the eerie mood. The environments are well-crafted, adding to the suspense.
• Immersive Sound Design: The game's sound effects, from distant whispers to sudden chase music, effectively build tension and add to the horror experience.

[CONS]

• Excessive Motion Blur: 

The motion blur is overwhelming, especially for players prone to motion sickness. This was particularly frustrating during looping segments.

• Lack of Initial Guidance: 

The game starts in a house with no clear instructions. We spent time wandering aimlessly, unsure of the objective.

• Minor Technical Issues:

• Camera getting stuck facing forward
• Minor wall collision issues at the game's start
• Door render distance issues in the hospital
• Uneven movement when going downstairs

Screenshots:

[SUGGESTIONS]

• Option to Adjust or Disable Motion Blur: 

An in-game setting to toggle motion blur is a MUST that will help players, especially those who are prone to motion sickness.

• Better Initial Guidance: 

Adding clearer environmental cues at the beginning would prevent early confusion.

• Field of View (FOV) Adjustments: 

Zooming in only shifts the FOV instead of providing a proper camera zoom effect. A dedicated FOV slider would help reduce nausea for sensitive players.

• Smoother Music Transitions: 

The chase music, specifically in the cave with the bodies, feels abrupt. Adjusting the trigger zones could improve smoother transitions.

• Map Brightness or Night Vision Feature: 

Certain areas, like the cave, are too dark, making navigation difficult and causing additional dizziness. A slight brightness increase or a night vision mechanic could help.

• Improved Entity Animations: 

While the game's graphics are fantastic, some ghost animations could be refined to feel more fluid and alive.

• Optimization for Performance: 

The game ran at an average of 33 frames per second with decent hardware (Ryzen 5800X, RX 7800X, 32GB RAM, SSD). Some optimization improvements would enhance performance. (Ultra Settings 1080p)

• More Lore or Story Elements: 

A bit more backstory about why the teens ended up in the forest could add depth to the narrative. The vague approach works, but some players may feel disconnected from the story.