Indie studio Orchid of Redemption is set to release its highly anticipated narrative puzzle game, After Light Fades, on June 20, 2025, exclusively on Steam for PC. To mark the launch, the game will be available at a 10% discount during its release week, bringing the price to $13.49 USD from its standard $14.99 USD.
Combining emotionally resonant storytelling with intricate sokoban-inspired mechanics, After Light Fades invites players on a deeply personal journey of grief, memory, and letting go. If you’re a fan of puzzle games that challenge both your logic and your heart, this one belongs on your radar.
A Puzzle Game About Loss, Love, and Letting Go
At its core, After Light Fades tells the story of Alice, a woman mourning the loss of her partner Aura, who tragically died in a house fire. In the surreal aftermath, Alice discovers seven mystical artefacts—each tied to a treasured memory. These relics guide her through seven unique puzzle worlds, each representing a different stage of grief.
As players explore these ethereal landscapes, they’ll encounter sokoban-style puzzles—but with a twist. The game evolves beyond traditional box-pushing by introducing mechanics like magnets, vines, mirrors, transmutation, fire propagation, electricity, clones, and more. Each mechanic is thematically woven into Alice’s emotional journey, representing powers and memories she must ultimately relinquish to move forward.
“This isn’t just a puzzle game about moving boxes,” says game director Al Thumm. “It’s a meditation on what we lose and how we grow. Each of the seven mechanics you master, you must eventually abandon. The player feels that loss, and that’s the heart of the experience.”
Watch the Official Release Date Trailer
Get a first glimpse of After Light Fades‘ dreamlike visuals and layered gameplay in the official release date trailer
Gameplay Features That Resonate
After Light Fades doesn’t just challenge your brain — it touches your soul. Here’s what you can expect when the game launches:
- 🧩 Seven Emotional Puzzle Worlds
Explore handcrafted levels themed around the stages of grief, from serene coves to haunted manors — each with its own emotional weight and mechanical theme. - 🔮 Mechanics That Mirror Emotion
Use abilities like magnetic fields, elemental transformation, teleports, and fire to solve layered puzzles. Then, let them go as part of Alice’s healing journey. - 💔 A Narrative Intertwined with Gameplay
The story unfolds not through dialogue, but through mechanics. Mastering — and then surrendering — your powers reflects the personal cost of moving forward. - 🛠️ Steam Workshop Support & Level Editor
Dive into community creativity with a built-in level editor. Design your own puzzles and emotional stories, or play those crafted by others via Steam Workshop.
Release Date & Pricing
🗓️ Release Date: June 20, 2025
💵 Price: $14.99 USD
💸 Launch Discount: 10% off during the first week
🖥️ Platform: PC (Steam)
Wishlist After Light Fades now on Steam to be notified when it drops — and to grab the launch week discount.
After Light Fades launches on June 20, 2025, for PC via Steam for $14.99 USD with a limited-time 10% launch discount. For more details, visit the website and follow on Instagram, Bluesky, X, and YouTube.
