Fading Afternoon is a scrolling beat 'em up that takes place in Osaka, Japan, where the player assumes the role of Seiji Maruyama, a yakuza member who has just been released from prison. Maruyama has a terminal illness that reduces the player's maximum health constantly and serves as a time limit to the game. The player has to decide how to spend Maruyama's remaining time between fighting thugs to take over gang territory and various life sim-type activities.[4][1]
Release
The game was announced in July 2021 for a 2022 release.[5] In September 2021, the game announced for release in September 2022 for the PC and Switch.[6] The PC version was eventually released on September 15, 2023, and the Switch version on June 6, 2024.[7][4] Shortly after release of the Switch version, the game was removed from the Japanese Nintendo eShop.[8] As a result, the casino minigames were announced to be removed from the Switch version worldwide.[9]
Digitally Downloaded wrote that "Fading Afternoon isn’t an “entertaining” game in the traditional sense, but it's a powerful one that will leave you reflective and pensive by the time you put it down."[10]Nintendo World Report praised the combat and life sim elements but criticized the user interface.[4]RPGFan noted the game as Yeo's most intricate and compelling work yet.[1]Famitsu called the game "an excellent human drama" and the gameplay an improvement over The Friends of Ringo Ishikawa.[12]Siliconera said that some design decisions get in the way of a beautiful and meaningful game.[11]Vandal called it "one of the best, but most underrated games of the year".[13]
References
^ abcdeFraniczek, Aleks (7 November 2023). "Fading Afternoon Review". RPGFan. Emerald Shield Media LLC. Archived from the original on 4 December 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
