Neversong

The content that’s here really is a joy to experience, and we’re of course conscious that artificially lengthening the game would no doubt diminish its value, but we can’t deny a certain level of disappointment after completing it in just a few short hours.

Neversong took me about three hours to complete, but its message resonated with me for far longer.

Neversong is one of those games that feels like an impactful and interactive art piece rather than the kind of title you envelop yourself in for hours and hours at a time. As with many indie projects, you can tell it was crafted with great care and a message that doesn't need a lot of time to register. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone looking for a little dark adventure.

Neversong is a litany of missed opportunities, poor design choices and an underwhelming story. However, anyone looking for an inexpensive and time-respecting source of chills and nerve-tingling horrors will find something to enjoy in the journey--if not the destination--of Neversong.

Although visually charming and despite the unique atmosphere, the game world feels somehow empty. Most of the gameplay relies on the same simple ideas which are repeated from start to end. Although it requires precision from the player, Neversong does not offer the control scheme to support such a need.

This is a game where the ending sequence saved it. As a platformer it barely stacks up to a lot of the competition; some portions of the art aren't that good; the combat is very wonky, with a "bouncy" feel; and, finally, the story doesn't deliver until the end. Adding some badly designed puzzle sections all pull Neversong down. The ending and the idea the title puts forth is powerful enough - even with some plot holes in retrospection - that is worth checking out if someone is into platformers, and has a few hours to try out something different.

Neversong is a dark and thrilling tale with a child-like twist, exploring human emotion in a world without adults. The dark storyline contrasts starkly to the beautiful score and artwork, the clear influences from Tim Burton and The Legend of Zelda creating an immediate connection and sense of nostalgia.

Neversong is a game that uses terror and childhood trauma to tell a unique story of love and friendship. Its visual section is exquisite, as are the narrations in verse and the way of telling the story through metaphors and symbolism. A little gem that we should not miss.

If you liked the tainted dreamlike aesthetic of games like Inside and the exploration and platforming of titles like Ori and the Blind Forest and Hollow Knight, but also appreciate a tightly constructed narrative then you can do far worse than giving Neversong a few hours of your time.

Neversong is a beautiful game about a very personal, and gut-wrenching story that manages to exceed expectations in the narrative department, if not in the gameplay itself. If you're fond of short adventures with a gripping plot, then this one's for you.