Fading Afternoon

55 hours and i don't think i've seen even a quarter of everything in this game. and i haven't been bored a single time. it's genuinely THAT GOOD. the combat is a bit lacking for options, but once you unlock the second character that's alleviated pretty well.

So..... I play to much of this game. Really enjoy the gameplay, a lot of story branch, you can do so much and the music is a banger. Overall really recommend this game, and if someone can recommend a game simmilar to this i'm really up for it.

Fading Afternoon is a 2D beat-em-up and time-management life-sim game that delves into the life of Seiji Maruyama, a character dealing with the complexities of Yakuza life, filled with reminiscence and existential dilemmas. The pixel art is well done and effectively complements the game's themes, creating an engaging atmosphere, together with the soundtrack.
Initially, the gameplay can feel a bit overwhelming since the game doesn't provide much guidance. This lack of direction may make the early stages seem challenging, but figuring things out becomes part of the experience. After a bit of trial and error and some online research, I recognized how crucial time management is for progressing through the narrative. The game encourages replayability, presenting various paths based on your choices.
While I did encounter a few bugs during my playthrough (playing mainly on Steam Deck), they didn't significantly impact my experience. It’s commendable to see such depth in a game primarily developed by a solo developer—truly indie gaming.
I haven’t yet played The Friends of Ringo Ishikawa or Arrest of a Stone Buddha, but I am interested in trying them after my experience with Fading Afternoon. After dedicating 20.5 hours to the game and unlocking all achievements, I can confidently say it was a worthwhile investment of my time.
For fans of pixel art, criminal dramas (especially Takeshi Kitano), and the Yakuza series, Fading Afternoon offers a unique experience. It stands out as one of the best indie games I’ve played.
Highly recommended!

Friends of RIngo was a cool little game that did not draw me in for longer than one playthrough.
Fading Afternoon is completely different. A nihilistic mood with multiple cinematic storylines and relationships to build.
Definitely feels like you're living a Kitano movie

If you enjoy classical Yakuza's movies, there so much ambiance to be soaked in. The game has layers. the more you play it the more familiar with the characters, locations and branches of the scenario you get.
The combat is a tough beast to master but it allows a lot of creativity and has a very wide panel of techniques. be it with fists or weapons. I would definitely advise to begin in easy to get accustomed with it at first.
The pixel art and animations are wonderful, as with any creation of Yeo.
This is by far the game which has hooked me the most in 2023 and i played a lot of indies and AAA alike.
It is not for everyone but nothing which really shine at what it does is.
The only grief i got is theses @#$%&! guys throwing bottles at your head!!
This is infuriating ^^ i know...get good at dodging ^^

Love this game. Never got the ending I wanted due to the limited timeframe but still a great play nevertheless. You can also replay it several times and always end up with an alternative ending.

its fun uh until you accidentally change the controls and you can no longer change them back so now you are just kinda stuck unable to even play the game properly