After Dark is a 2013 arcade game made by UNIS, short for Universal Space.
The game sees you play as two monster hunters who are after the bounties on monsters terrorizing the countryside. Lead by a friar named Carl, they brave the supernatural dangers for fame and glory.
Many have compared the game to Namco's Deadstorm Pirates. It's easy to see why, as it as it has the same control scheme, similar enemy types, and even a wheel for moments where you need to steer out of harm's way. The game is still able to stand on its own though, as the theme of the game helps alleviate the similarities and keep it from being too much of a copycat.
Here's a playthrough.
After Dark has the following tropes:
- Attack Its Weakpoint: The usual "hit the flashing point before you're attacked" mechanics in most shooting games like this.
- Cool Airship: The start of Dracula's stage has the heroes navigating a mountain in one.
- Dracula: One of the bosses of the game, though oddly not the Big Bad.
- Expy: To say this should've been called Van Helsing: The Arcade Game is an utter understatement. The three protagonists greatly resemble Helsing, Anna and the Friar Carl. Heck, the Friar is even named Carl!
- Monster Mash: Werewolves, Vampire, Imps, Dragons, Zombies, Golems and Skeletons are all present here.
- Shout-Out: The flying ship stage is a nod to The Mummy Returns.
- Zerg Rush: Some enemies will just rush you all at once.
