The Flash game development scene proved the perfect place for a number of fledgling developers to cut their teeth. From Alien Hominid to Super Meat Boy, plenty of Flash creations have become popular talking points in gaming culture over the course of the Flash gaming boom. Another such example was Coma, which has now received a spiritual successor called Neversong from original creator Thomas Brush at Atmos Games.
Initially known as Once Upon A Coma, Neversong follows Peet as he wakes from a slumber to try and find his kidnapped girlfriend Wren. The reality that Peet awakens in is not for the faint of heart, however, with all the adults missing and fearsome creatures running amok. The game was initially released for Apple Arcade before a swift PC release, and has now arrived for home consoles as Brush aims to double down on the success seen with 2018's Pinstripe.
Neversong is certainly eye-catching. Its marvellous 2D models and subtle background artwork are gorgeous to look at, flowing freely akin to Night in the Woods. It all adds up to an evocative representation of a wider game world beyond the confines of Redwind Village and its surrounding areas, all the while still feeling self-contained.
This carries through to Neversong's characters too. Almost akin to the works of Henry Selick and Tim Burton, in particular The Nightmare Before Christmas and Coraline, there's a macabre quality to Neversong that taps into the mundanity of small town life. This doesn't just come across in the game's gruesome moments and grotesque creatures, but also with its humor.
Neversong isn’t always a funny game – in fact its core focus is distress – but it has plenty of bizarre moments that will give the player a grim chuckle. Its characters are bold and memorable, in particular the varied personalities of the children of Redwind Village. This cast is backed up with some extremely strong voice acting, especially with its A Series of Unfortunate Events-esque narration.
By creating an attachment to its denizens, Neversong adds an extra punch to its story. Peet's journey is short, but because it is so well-paced it is very impactful, with an emotional weight that belies its youthful characters. That said, those who have played other indie puzzlers like Limbo and Braid will not find much that comes as a surprise here.
It’s not perfect, though. Along with the story being a little on the predictable side, the gameplay can sometimes be a bit of a letdown. This is particularly true with Peet's movement since the youngster feels a little twitchy at times, which makes its jumping and swinging puzzles hit and miss.
The same can be said of the combat, which can feel awkward due to the floaty nature of Peet’s controls. Something that certainly doesn't help matters is that Neversong's character models are on the small side, meaning that the precise moment to swing an attack can easily be missed. Thankfully, the game's selection of great boss battles more than make up for it, with each having a unique feel that makes use of the player's skill set.
Neversong is still worth a play in spite of its weaker moments. A self-contained story is a rare thing in games, and Neversong's narrative is delivered well enough to make up for its flimsier elements. If players can forgive the odd awkward moment from a mechanical perspective, then they will find a gem here.
Neversong is out now for iOS, PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. Screen Rant was provided with a PS4 code for the purposes of this review.
Neversong
- Released
- May 20, 2020
