Neversong Review
Release Date: July 16, 2020
Developer: Atmos Games, Serenity Forge
Platforms: Nintendo Switch (Reviewed), PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Price: $14.99
There are heavy topics tackled all the time in video games and interpreted in a variety of ways. Some prefer to go a more scenic route in a walking simulator as you pick up notes that tell a narrative complemented with its environmental design, others prefer a more grotesque approach where the struggles can change a person for better or for worse, others want a more profound outlook that have next to no dialogue and let the imagery speak for itself, or a pick-your-own-adventure where you control the scenarios and do your best to avoid more tragic outcomes. Either way, some games do this great, while others miss the mark or, in poor taste, simply take advantage of a topic to drive a game forward with no real merit. What Neversong does here, however, is a unique and tasteful way at looking at what we can go through and the different perspectives one can have when it comes to loss, the struggles that come with it, and the hope for things to get better or for all the bad stuff to all just go away. Neversong also doesn’t forget that it's a game, so while the topics may be heavy, the art direction, world, mechanics, and overall pacing are excellent and keep things gripping until the very end.
Neversong is a story about a boy, Peet, waking up from a coma after being unable to save his best friend Wren from a figure simply known as Dr. Smile, and while timid and recovering, he still sets out to face his fears and save Wren, facing multiple bosses along the way all representing some sort of obstacle we must overcome to fight and continue moving on for the ones we love. Neversong focuses on light platforming elements that are done not only via the traditional jumping, but with traversal with the items you acquire after each boss fight throughout your playthrough. Wren's house features a piano that players must come back to after every boss once a new song is uncovered after their defeat, and doing so will grant you an item to help go into the next area of Neversong's beautifully crafted world filled with themes and their own sort of gimmick that makes use of the newly attained piece of equipment. While you'll mostly be using your trusty bat to inflict any sort of damage to the various enemies in and out of dungeons, other items - like a skateboard and umbrella - help get to places that were previously out of reach, and bring their own sort of flavor to each boss fight shortly after, making it so bosses aren't simply a "dodge and attack" encounter.
Each dungeon and area of which they're contained has its own flair, vibe, and ambiance that's made immediately recognizable and felt the moment you see them. Neversong's intuitive and overall design keep things fluid and straightforward, and while it is of the Metroidvania nature, the dungeons or layouts of Neversong's world never feels overwhelming or like it's overstaying its welcome. Sure, it may be on the short side of things at roughly 4 hours, and even faster on a second playthrough where songs can be immediately replayed on the piano to access the items right away, but Neversong's offerings still make it feel full with a slew of collectibles that can range from basic cards to cosmetics such as bandanas, glasses, and a feather trail. This helps the game feel more personalized in this regard as well, and adding to its overall fluidity is the performance in both handheld and TV mode on Switch. Whether you're a balanced user, TV-only, or handheld-only, Neversong is like butter from beginning to end with its beautiful animations, blooms, fully-voiced cast, color palette, stunning music, and crisp resolution and framerates that make every desired playstyle a joy (contrary to its dark story). Physics are finely tuned to make every jump and hit calculated and flexible, getting a good feel from the moment you begin playing; add that to the intuitive control scheme and Neversong has a consistent fluidity all across what makes it so special.
All the philosophies that made Pinstripe great (the developer's previous and just as amazing title) carry on over to Neversong in a stunning and poetic way literally and figuratively as you make way through a bleak yet beautiful world in search for a loved one. Facing multiple bosses - all of which represent some sort of grief - throughout your playthrough, while short and small in numbers, keep things rewarding as you make your way through each dungeon in a Metroidvania-esque fashion acquiring new techniques with each new song you obtain and play on your piano back home. The game continuously grows as you uncover more and are able to access previously locked areas thanks to new techniques, before truly testing your perseverance by the end against Dr. Smile. The deep-rooted messages of Neversong make it a thinker's game for those that like to delve into topics like this and discuss the psychology and philosophy of life's offerings and the love we experience (and break) along the way, but its intuitive controls, seamless gameplay, and straight-forward fun mechanics and progression make it immediately accessible to those who are fans of sidescrollers and, while not entirely focused on it, platformers as well. From its dynamic and peaceful soundtrack to cleverly-written dialogue, art direction, and overall design and aesthetic, Neversong shows a maturity from Pinstripe, tackling heavier topics while retaining a true sense of fun with a message that aims to inspire positivity and humility, and that our struggles our shared and never faced alone. Neversong wants to remind us that even when we're alone and lost, things will correct and find their way. Neversong reflects this through its increased challenges and by the end, to those who are strong enough, are rewarded with a new vision and outlook with a fresh start.
PROS:
Dynamic piano-driven music complements the environments and dungeons in both a serene and intense way
Gameplay, movement, and combat is fluid
A well-rounded story that's cleverly told
CONS:
The short length of Neversong may be upsetting to some, providing only six levels/dungeons, as the game is truly gripping and is over before you know it
A big thank you to Atmos Games and Serenity Forge for providing a copy of Neversong for the purpose of this review