AFTERBLAST

I jumped into AFTERBLAST expecting a cute indie riff on modern roguelites and came out sweating, laughing and already planning another run. Lumino Games has cooked up a neon-soaked shooter that blends fast gunplay, a snappy grappling hook, and boss encounters that actually feel like events. It’s the kind of early-access title that shows its bones — brilliant ones — while asking for more meat around them. If you love frenetic co-op runs or the satisfying rhythm of risk-reward loot loops, this one will grab you quickly.

Racing Through the God-Realm

AFTERBLAST puts you into runs that are all about momentum: you shoot, you grapple, you finish enemies with flashy chain-hook finishers, and you keep moving. The core loop is delightful — clear rooms, grab chests and items, stack perks, and push toward monstrous bosses that demand you to read attack patterns rather than just spray-and-pray. Gunplay is responsive and weighty enough that headshots and positioning actually matter, and the grappling hook adds an extra layer of mobility that makes traversal feel like its own mini-game. Runs vary between a deeper, planet-delving portal and large open-map survival scenarios, which changes pacing and forces you to adapt builds.

What Makes This Blast Different

Several small systems lift AFTERBLAST above many other indie shooters: weapon finishers tied to the hook, destructible enemy parts that can be strategically targeted, and companions that give tiny but meaningful bonuses. The developers also split the experience into two distinct modes — a dungeon-like descent and an open survival fight — giving the roguelite runners a change of flavor between runs. Items can evolve when stacked, creating combo synergies that reward consistent decision-making, and the Boss Soul mechanic both raises difficulty and unlocks new threats and rewards, which encourages replayability. Co-op play adds a satisfying layer: sharing loot and chaining builds with friends feels intentionally designed instead of an afterthought.

Neon, Noise and Performance

Visually, AFTERBLAST is all saturated colors and readable effects — it knows it’s loud and leans into it. The UI and item icons are bright and easy to parse mid-fight, though sometimes status effects lack clear visual feedback which can leave you guessing what’s actually active. Sound design largely supports the chaos: guns have punch, finishers clang satisfyingly, and boss cues telegraph danger well, but there are moments where SFX feel flat compared to the kinetic gameplay (some users have noted this too). On my rig the performance was solid and responsive; a few reports of blocking bugs and stuck states exist, which the devs seem quick to address. Accessibility options are modest but present; key rebinds and simple toggles make it approachable for most players.

AFTERBLAST is a wildly promising early-access roguelite that already nails the fun parts: movement, bosses and the high-octane loops that make runs addictive. It needs more variety, clearer item feedback and a round of polish to stomp the remaining bugs, but Lumino Games’ responsiveness and the game’s core joy make it an easy recommendation for friends’ co-op nights or fans of fast FPS roguelites. Buy it if you want energetic gunplay and a studio that listens — just don’t expect the final package yet.