Indie studio Orchid of Redemption has officially announced After Light Fades, a narrative-driven puzzle game that explores the emotional weight of loss and transformation, set to launch on Steam on June 20, 2025. The game will be available for $14.99 USD with a 10% launch week discount.
In After Light Fades, players step into the role of Alice, a woman mourning the tragic loss of her partner, Aura, in a house fire. As Alice searches through the ashes, she uncovers seven symbolic artefacts—each tied to a meaningful memory. These artefacts lead her into seven surreal puzzle worlds, where spatial logic challenges are layered with thematic depth and emotional storytelling.
At the core of its gameplay, After Light Fades builds on classic sokoban-style puzzles—pushing boxes, manipulating the environment—but introduces a deeply emotional twist. Each world grants Alice a unique ability, tied to the artefacts and puzzle mechanics like magnets, mirrors, clones, fire propagation, and more. But to move forward, players must ultimately let go of these abilities, echoing the painful but necessary process of healing.
“This isn’t just a puzzle game about moving boxes,” says Director Al Thumm. “It’s a meditation on what we lose and how we grow. Each mechanic you master, you must eventually abandon. The player feels that loss, and that’s the heart of the experience.”
Key Features:
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Seven Emotional Puzzle Worlds – Explore handcrafted, dreamlike environments, each representing a different stage of grief. From spectral coastlines to shifting manors, every setting carries its own mechanical identity and emotional resonance.
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Evolving Puzzle Mechanics – Traditional sokoban design meets a toolbox of interactive elements, including electricity, vines, mirrors, and more. The puzzles are designed for both challenge and meaning, evolving as players progress.
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Narrative Through Mechanics – The gameplay serves as an emotional narrative, with each artefact and mechanic symbolizing stages of acceptance and transformation. Giving up a power becomes part of Alice’s journey to move forward.
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Steam Workshop & Level Editor – Build and share custom puzzles using the in-game level editor. Players can craft their own stories, remix existing mechanics, and share creations directly through Steam Workshop.
After Light Fades launches on PC via Steam on June 20, 2025. Whether you’re here for the puzzles, the story, or both, this is one game aiming to leave a lasting emotional impact.