Two strangers search for connection in the tourist trap known as Earth.  A narrative experience, playable in browser (20-30 min).

Please give it a rating if you enjoyed it!

CONTROLS

  • Arrow Keys / WASD to move
  • Z / J / ALT to interact

All artwork, music copyright Hadrian Lin

Sound effects by Tronimal: GBFX, GBFX2 
Condensed fonts set by edo999


PURCHASE $4.99 Deluxe Edition and get:


  • ERF Color ROM + Analogue Pocket file
  • The Year After Color ROM (Only until June 30, 2026)
  • GB Studio project files for ERF: the graphics have been stripped down and the music removed, but all scenes, actors, triggers and scripts remain. Take a look if you're a beginner wanting to learn GB Studio or if you're simply curious about how the game was built. Use the logic in your own projects.
  • Making-of videos (coming in future updates)
  • Discount for the physical cart when available
  • Printable Papercraft (No glue required. Just cut and fold):


UPDATES

Email me with just "gimme-updates" in the subject line. I'll let you know when there's a new game.

đź“§ hadrianlingames (ayyyyyyaaat) geeeemail

Updated 2 days ago
Published 20 days ago
StatusReleased
PlatformsHTML5
Rating
Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars
(6 total ratings)
AuthorHadrian Lin
GenreVisual Novel
Made withGB Studio
TagsGame Boy, Pixel Art, storygame, Story Rich, Walking simulator
ContentNo generative AI was used

Purchase

Get this game and 1 more for $3.49 USD
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$4.99 $3.49 USD or more

In order to download this game you must purchase it at or above the minimum price of $3.49 USD. You will get access to the following files:

ERF_deluxe.zip 7.4 MB

Comments

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This game has a really nice color palette! 

There seemed to be a softlock during the flower cutscene. After purchasing the two flowers then getting up after being asked "Why did you get two flowers?", I moved up to the wall then right. The black-haired tourist was left standing by the shop window, and none of my inputs seemed to progress anything.

(1 edit)

It seems to be a rare bug because I can’t reproduce it. I adjusted some things that should prevent it though.

Did the boy walk off screen? Or did he stay at the right side? He turned back to look at girl and she was still at the bench and that’s where it got stuck?

You are playing in the browser?

Thanks for the help

I'm glad to be of assistance! The boy turned to look at the girl, who also got up from the bench, then he went off screen. I am playing through the browser.

(+1)

Bought the Game and I am so excited to Play! What about an Analogue Pocket Version of the Game? World be nice!

Ok done! It's in the zip now.

(+1)

THANK YOU! :) 

(+1)

Bro, this game is amazing. Story, Art - nice little Game! today I will Check The Year After :)

I’m glad you liked it! If you feel like it please leave a rating too and add to a collection. Then hopefully more people can find it.

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For Shure! I do it now!

(+1)

bro. This is art. Was hoping the ending wasn’t going to be what it was 🥲

(1 edit) (+1)

Really gorgeous work here. The cutscenes, backgrounds and maps are all stunning, consistent, and very intentional. The music is captivating. All of it serves the story which is spare, thoughtful, and bittersweet. It's largely a "walking simulator” and is, I think, a really good example of the immersive narrative capabilities of that form when it's done well.

I haven't played The Year After yet so I don't know if the story is related, but ERF stands on its own. It takes place in a vision of the future that is vivid and detailed without being overburdened with exposition. The player always has just enough information to understand the emotional weight of what's happening.

The ROM I played (on a physical GBC) didn't seem to have save capabilities, or anything mapped to the Select and Start buttons, but fortunately I played this at a rare moment where I could take my time with the story and still finish it uninterrupted. I recommend playing the whole thing in one sitting. And don't rush through dialogue—this game communicates a lot with very little text!

(+1)

I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Because it is so short I wasn't sure whether or not to put in a save system but I may still add that in. 

I hope you enjoy The Year After too!