Info about Until Then: Afterimages:

Official game description:
Award-winning narrative adventure Until Then brings two new riveting chapters following our beloved characters. Sofia returns home to memories she left behind. Mark meets a new lover and an old friend. On their own, they explore what it means to carry on living in the presence of absence.
Play fresh minigames from tarot to baking, interact with engaging in-game phone apps for dating and video content, and run into beloved characters old and new across two chapters of gameplay.
Chapter 1: Homecoming
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Sofia returns home amidst a lockdown—a lot has changed. Familiar places have vanished, people have grown up, and at the same time, she has to confront the past she'd conveniently left behind.
Chapter 2: Sparks
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Mark is the proud, responsible head of a college organization. There he finds love and an unexpected old friend. Has he truly changed as a person or will a spark burn down everything he's built?
**Requires the base game to play.**

Release date: Jun 18, 2026

Categories: Narrative Adventure, Visual Novel, Episodic Content, Choice-based Narrative, Mini-game Collection, Dating Simulation, Multiple Endings, Pixel Art Style

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 5; verdict: Fair / Non-Predatory Paid DLC; summary: The reviews focus on an inexpensive, optional story DLC for Until Then. Users commonly praise its price-to-content value and describe it as a way to support the developers. No review provides evidence of real-money gacha, loot boxes, pay-to-win purchases, convenience items, currency obfuscation, aggressive FOMO, or an in-game cash shop. Negative feedback is limited to subjective story quality concerns, which are not monetization issues.

- Hardware Profile:
  - Summary: Windows users report broadly playable performance overall, but the middle VRAM cohort shows the most serious instability. The lowest and highest VRAM cohorts are mostly positive with noted stutter, freezes, or lower-than-expected FPS.
  - Sample size: 99 (10% coverage)
  - Audience skew: Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
  - Windows <8GB VRAM (positive, 57 reports): All included reviewers recommended the game, though they reported lag, crowd-related slowdowns, occasional loading freezes, and a late-game crash.
  - Windows 8-11GB VRAM (negative, 23 reports): Reviewers frequently reported freezes during scene changes and specific story moments, with two not recommending the game due to performance problems.
  - Windows 12-15GB VRAM (positive, 14 reports): All included reviewers found it playable and recommended it, while noting occasional stutter and lower-than-expected FPS.
  - Caveats: 99 of 1022 reviews expose hardware metadata.; Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $10.00 - $20.00
  - Reasoning: The clearest base-game pricing signal comes from a review saying the game is too cheap and that the reviewer would pay EUR 10-20 for the base game. Other reviews consistently praise the base game and treat it as stronger than the DLC, supporting the idea that the current $4.99 base-game price is below the community's fair-value perception. Ignoring DLC-specific price tags, the fair base-game range is therefore estimated at roughly $10-$20 USD. Confidence is moderate because most reviews focus on DLC content rather than direct base-game pricing.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 5.0h
  - Story completion: 5.0h
  - Session length: 5.0h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The DLC is a two-chapter story expansion, and reviews report total playthroughs around 4 hours, about 2 hours for the first chapter plus about 4 hours for the second, and 5 hours to complete. These cluster around 5 hours, so gameCompletion and storyCompletion are both set to 5. The same completion pattern and the launch-session report of playing for five hours support a sessionLength of about 5 hours. No review gives a separate endgame or post-story playtime, so endgame is null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The reports mostly indicate the game never clicks for these players, who cite repetitive scenes, odd pacing, short chapters, and boring mini-games. A minority find specific mini-games or story content enjoyable, but mainly if they are already invested in the characters or story.
  - Stance: Never clicks
  - Anchor: N/A
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: Repeated scenes; Off-kilter pacing; Pacing feels too quick; Absurdly short chapter; Too many boring mini-games; Missing tutorial for the cooking minigame
  - Unlock drivers: N/A
  - Conditions: Prior investment in the story; Attachment to base-game characters; Chapter quality varies between Homecoming and Sparks; Expectation of fanservice; Interest in mini-games
- Player Archetypes:
  - Emotional Continuation Seeker (buy)
    - Motivation: Reconnecting with beloved characters and extending the emotional journey of the base game.
    - Playstyle: Plays for narrative and character-driven moments, treating the DLC as more of the base game rather than a standalone sequel.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: big fan of the base game
    - Reference games: Until Then
  - Disillusioned Canon Purist (no buy)
    - Motivation: Preserving the base game's true ending and canonical character development.
    - Playstyle: Evaluates the DLC as a narrative continuation, focusing on timeline placement, thematic consistency, and whether it honors the original story.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: people who love the main story
    - Reference games: Until Then
  - Sofia Arc Enthusiast (buy)
    - Motivation: Experiencing Sofia's personal story and seeing her grief and growth given more screen time.
    - Playstyle: Prioritizes character-specific side stories, especially Homecoming, and often recommends only the first chapter or a discounted purchase.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Until Then
  - Timeline Lore Analyst (buy)
    - Motivation: Understanding and expanding the game's time-paradox system and alternate timelines.
    - Playstyle: Analyzes routes, endings, and timeline placement; enjoys speculating about which canon the DLC follows and what future content could reveal.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: hardcore fan
    - Reference games: N/A


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- DLC widely praised (weight 0.55): The DLC is overwhelmingly well-received, with many calling it a masterpiece, emotionally moving, and worth the price. It is seen as a beautiful continuation that exceeds expectations.
- Sophia's story touching (weight 0.19): Sophia's chapter is described as meaningful, bittersweet, and well-written. Her character evolution and romantic relationship are particularly moving.
- Matches base game quality (weight 0.19): Players feel the DLC builds perfectly on the base game, reaching or even surpassing its quality and expanding its story and themes successfully.
- Emotionally impactful narrative (weight 0.17): The DLC delivers a powerful emotional experience, often described as a rollercoaster that rivals or exceeds the main game's impact.
- Good value for price (weight 0.17): Many reviewers find the DLC reasonably priced, offering solid content and good value for money.
- Strong base game love (weight 0.11): Reviewers express deep appreciation for the base game, often calling it a masterpiece and a 10/10 experience.
- Satisfying ending (weight 0.11): The ending is praised as good, cinematic, and true to the characters, leaving players satisfied despite being bittersweet.
- Mark's character well-written (weight 0.11): Mark's arc and story are highly regarded, with his chapter being especially good and his writing receiving no complaints.
- Outstanding soundtrack (weight 0.08): The soundtrack is widely praised as phenomenal, often considered better than the base game's music and enhancing key story moments.
- Baking minigame enjoyable (weight 0.07): The baking minigame is frequently mentioned as fun, cute, and a delightful addition to the DLC.
- Both stories captivating (weight 0.06): The two stories in the DLC are described as captivating, masterfully told, and really good overall.
- Mature and darker themes (weight 0.06): The DLC explores more mature and darker stories than the base game, dealing with adult themes in an emotionally complex way.
- First chapter excellent (weight 0.06): The first chapter of the DLC is often cited as the best, being more fleshed out and receiving high praise.
- Art and music outstanding (weight 0.06): The art, music, and sound design remain outstanding, consistently praised for their high quality.

Common complaints:
- DLC feels pointless and disappointing (weight 0.6): Many reviewers question the DLC's purpose, finding it adds little to the base game. They describe it as unsatisfying and a letdown compared to the original.
- DLC story lacks depth and impact (weight 0.54): Reviewers feel the DLC's narrative is shallow and fails to capture the emotional weight of the main game. It does not expand on characters or story and is considered brief.
- DLC diverges from base game's tone (weight 0.39): The DLC feels very different from the original, lacking its charm and emotional resonance. It is seen as a downgrade that bogs down the base game's experience.
- Disappointing and confusing ending (weight 0.38): The DLC's ending is frequently described as rushed, unsatisfying, and nonsensical, leaving loose ends and failing to provide closure. Many found it ruined the experience.
- Confusing and poorly written Mark's chapter (weight 0.38): The chapter focusing on Mark is criticized for being confusing, melodramatic, and lacking meaningful character development. Many found its script incoherent and its length excessive.
- Mark and Nicole's relationship ends poorly (weight 0.19): The conclusion of Mark and Nicole's romance is disappointing, with an open or tragic ending that feels unsatisfying. Many wanted a happier resolution.
- Chapter 2 messy and poorly written (weight 0.16): Chapter 2 is often described as weird, complex, and poorly paced, with a tone that feels off. It fails to wrap up the story cleanly.
- DLC set in wrong timeline (weight 0.15): The DLC takes place in a timeline where Cathy dies, which feels pointless and inconsistent with the base game's endings. It does not continue from the true ending.
- Technical issues and crashes (weight 0.13): Players report freezing, crashing, and performance problems that prevent completion. These issues occur at specific spots and are not present in the base game.
- Minigames are uninteresting and frustrating (weight 0.12): The minigames, especially the baking one, are seen as unenjoyable, poorly explained, and tedious. They detract from the overall experience.
- Writing quality is weaker than base game (weight 0.08): The writing in the DLC is considered less compelling and complete, with some parts being poorly executed. It does not match the original's strength.
- Sparks is depressing and not fun (weight 0.08): The Sparks storyline is criticized for being a depressing slog with a sad story that is not enjoyable to watch. It feels messy and lacks fun.

Gameplay feedback:
- DLC Split Into Two Stories (weight 0.62): The DLC is divided into two separate chapters or stories, often named Homecoming and Sparks. Each chapter focuses on different characters, typically Sofia and Mark.
- Continues Base Game Narrative (weight 0.28): The DLC expands the narrative of the base game, continuing the story with new chapters and character development. It is a story-driven expansion that follows from the main game's events.
- DLC Set After First Ending (weight 0.25): The DLC's story takes place after the first ending of the base game, not the final ending. It explores an alternate timeline or aftermath following that specific conclusion.
- Sofia Chapter Deals With Grief (weight 0.15): Sofia's chapter focuses on her coping with the loss of her sister Cathy (or Katie) and her return to the Philippines. It explores themes of grief, memory, and moving on.
- Includes Mini-Games (weight 0.11): The DLC features various mini-games, such as a cake-baking minigame, which are part of both chapters or specific sections. These add interactive elements to the narrative.

Performance notes:
- Performance issues throughout game (weight 0.12): Players experience lag, stuttering, and low FPS in many scenes, including festival crowds and chapter 2. The game is poorly optimized despite simple pixel graphics.
- Random freezes block progression (weight 0.11): The game freezes at various specific moments, causing hard locks that prevent advancing. This issue is reported across multiple chapters and storylines.
- Crashes at DLC ending (weight 0.09): Multiple players report consistent crashes during the final chapter of the DLC, including the opening cinematic. This makes it impossible to complete the DLC content.
- Ending chat crashes (weight 0.06): Crashes occur specifically during the ending chat and near the credits. This prevents players from seeing the conclusion.
- Scene transition problems (weight 0.06): Freezing and lag occur when switching scenes, with transitions sometimes being jarring. Loading may also freeze or be too quick.
- Visual glitches and artifacts (weight 0.06): Players report sprites disappearing, visual artifacts, and graphical bugs. These issues detract from the visual experience.
- DLC loading and performance (weight 0.05): The DLC has long load times and barely runs on some systems. General glitches also occur in the DLC.
- Underperformance vs expectations (weight 0.04): Players expected over 280 FPS but achieved only 140-180 FPS. Similar underperformance is reported by others.
- Default FPS cap too low (weight 0.02): The default FPS cap is set to 20 FPS, which is far below expected performance. Players expect much higher frame rates.
- Not low spec friendly (weight 0.02): The game does not run well on lower-end systems. Optimization is needed for broader compatibility.
- Text rendering jerky (weight 0.02): Text rendering is slow and jerky with huge pauses between phrases. This affects readability during dialogue.
- Mouse cursor not working (weight 0.02): The mouse cursor fails to work in certain game areas. This can hinder interaction.
- General bugs during play (weight 0.02): Various bugs occur during play, affecting the overall experience. These are not specified but contribute to frustration.
- Audio missing in scenes (weight 0.02): Applause and background music are missing in certain scenes. This reduces immersion.
- Crashes eventually resolved (weight 0.02): Some players experienced crashes that eventually resolved on their own. This suggests intermittent issues.

Recommendations:
- Highly Recommended for Base Fans (weight 0.39): Many reviewers strongly recommend the DLC for players who enjoyed the base game, especially for its backstory and additional content. It is described as a must-have for fans of the original storytelling.
- Disappointing for Story Continuation (weight 0.27): A significant number of players do not recommend the DLC, particularly those who loved the base game's ending. They feel it fails to meet expectations and is not worthy of fans of the original story.
- Worth the Price (weight 0.19): Reviewers frequently mention that the DLC is definitely worth its price, especially given its low cost. Many say it is a no-brainer purchase for those who enjoyed the base game.
- Strong Positive Recommendations (weight 0.13): Many reviewers give the DLC high praise, with ratings like 10/10 and strong recommendations. They consider it a phenomenal addition to an already great game.
- Skip and Watch Instead (weight 0.08): Some players recommend not buying the DLC and instead watching a playthrough or let's play online. They suggest avoiding the DLC and just playing the base game.
- Supporting the Developers (weight 0.06): A few reviewers encourage buying the DLC to support the developers, especially if you enjoyed the base game. They see it as a way to show appreciation for the dev team.
- Not for All Fans (weight 0.04): A few reviewers recommend the DLC only for those who liked the main story a lot, while others advise against it for fans of the main story. It is not universally appealing.
- More Until Then Content (weight 0.04): Some players recommend the DLC for those who want more of the Until Then universe, including additional dynamics between characters. It is seen as a good supplement for fans.
- Mixed Feelings on Quality (weight 0.03): Some players find the DLC hit or miss, depending on what you enjoy outside the base game. It is considered good but not as good as the main game.
- Sparks Criticized (weight 0.03): A couple of reviewers mention that the Sparks content is not fun to watch and lacks a compelling story. They do not recommend it for those seeking narrative depth.

Other player notes:
- DLC is Expansion Add-on (weight 0.29): The DLC is an expansion to the base game Until Then, requiring the original game and adding more content. It is not a standalone sequel but a follow-up.
- Two-Chapter Story Structure (weight 0.27): The DLC is divided into two distinct chapters, Homecoming and Sparks, focusing on Sofia and Mark respectively. These chapters are independent tales with different tones.
- Affordable DLC Pricing Praised (weight 0.21): Reviewers consistently highlight the DLC's low price, often under $5, and consider it excellent value for the content provided. Many thank the developers for the reasonable pricing.
- Short Playtime Around 4-5 Hours (weight 0.18): The DLC offers about 4 to 5 hours of gameplay across its two chapters, which some reviewers consider short. The length is often mentioned in relation to its low price.
- Desire for More DLC (weight 0.07): Several reviewers express hope for future DLCs or additional content from the developers, indicating satisfaction with the current offering.
- New Soundtrack and Tone (weight 0.06): The DLC features a fully new soundtrack with different vibes from the base game, along with additional music and scenes. This contributes to a distinct tone.
- Base Game Highly Regarded (weight 0.06): Reviewers praise the base game Until Then as amazing and a highlight, despite acknowledging some flaws. This positive sentiment carries over to the DLC.
- Does Not Extend Main Plot (weight 0.06): The DLC does not add concrete developments to the characters or story of the original game. Some reviewers note it doesn't really extend the main plot.
- Developed by Polychroma Games (weight 0.05): Polychroma Games, a Philippines-based studio, developed both the base game and the DLC. This information is noted by some reviewers.

Emotions:
- Disappointment (weight 0.16): Players were disappointed because the DLC failed to continue the true ending or provide satisfying closure for Mark and Nicole's relationship. The rushed, weak story and poor handling of characters felt like a downgrade from the beloved base game.
- Frustration (weight 0.07): Frustration stemmed from constant crashes, freezes, and technical bugs that blocked progress, along with forced romance, illogical plot holes, and tedious minigames. The story's ambiguous and unsatisfying ending compounded the irritation.
- Sadness (weight 0.06): Players felt sadness from the emotional story of Mark and Nicole, particularly the heartbreaking scenes and Cathy's death. The melancholic atmosphere and bittersweet endings left many in tears.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.05): Satisfaction came from the DLC delivering a good continuation with emotional closure, strong character stories, and well-crafted endings. The content felt worth the price and provided the expected emotional journey.
- Appreciation (weight 0.05): Appreciation focused on the exceptional writing quality, mature themes, and the love and soul put into the DLC. The story's emotional depth, beautiful art, and thoughtful handling of grief and relationships were highly valued.
- Confusion (weight 0.05): Confusion arose from the DLC's unclear timeline placement, puzzling narrative purpose, and abrupt ending that contradicted expectations. Players struggled to understand character motivations and how the story connected to the base game.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.04): Enjoyment was found in the DLC's handling of aftermath and relationships, particularly Sofia's chapter, and the new perspectives on beloved characters. The storytelling and emotional beats made it a fun and immersive experience.
- Love (weight 0.03): Love was expressed for the DLC's deep dive into Sofia and Mark's stories, the emotional impact, and the way it expanded the game's universe. Fans cherished the additional content and the chance to revisit the characters.
- Anger (weight 0.03): Anger was driven by forced romance, poorly handled character arcs, and the DLC's failure to honor the base game's true ending. The introduction of NTR themes and the mishandling of Mark and Nicole's relationship felt like a betrayal.
- Admiration (weight 0.03): Admiration was inspired by the excellent writing, beautiful art, and thought-provoking themes in the DLC. The developers' skill in crafting human characters and emotional narratives was highly praised.
- Disgust (weight 0.02): Disgust was caused by the NTR plot, infidelity themes, and what felt like poor handling of grief and relationships. The behaviors of characters and the inclusion of cuckolding elements left a nauseating impression.
- Excitement (weight 0.02): Excitement came from the DLC's emotional rollercoaster, great story, and high production quality. Players were thrilled by the new content and eagerly anticipated future expansions.
- Surprise (weight 0.02): Surprise resulted from the DLC taking unexpected narrative directions, such as exploring the first timeline or introducing NTR-like elements. The emotional depth and story choices defied initial expectations.
- Hope (weight 0.02): Hope was expressed for future DLCs, patches to fix technical issues, and a continuation of the game's universe. Players wished for more content and a happy resolution for the characters.
- Joy (weight 0.01): Joy was felt from returning to the game's world, experiencing Sofia's story, and seeing characters find happiness. The kiss scene and positive moments brought delight to players.
- Gratitude (weight 0.01): Gratitude was directed toward the developers for providing more Until Then content and creating a meaningful experience. Players thanked the studio for the emotional journey and artistic work.
- Boredom (weight 0.01): Boredom arose from repetitive tasks, overly sweet dialogue, and a dull story in parts of the DLC. The pacing and lack of engagement in certain chapters made it a tedious experience.
- Longing (weight 0.01): Longing was about missing characters like Cathy and wanting more content, such as a plushie or additional DLC. Players yearned for further exploration of the game's timelines and relationships.
- Moved (weight 0.01): Players were moved by the raw exploration of trauma and growth, and by deeply emotional scenes like the kiss and finale. The DLC's realistic writing and expressive art brought many to tears.
- Heartbreak (weight 0.01): Heartbreak came from the DLC continuing the base game's emotional pain, crushing hopes for Mark and Nicole, and depicting unresolved trauma. The morally messy ending left players deeply saddened.}