Two years back, I found myself wandering the chaotic aisles of PAX West 2023. Somehow or other, I stumbled upon this game—Everdeep Aurora. The name? Relaxing, right? No monsters, just puzzles and poking around. I left feeling kind of curious, and you bet I was thrilled to grab a real chance to play it.
Everdeep Aurora kicks off with simplicity. You’re Shell, a kitten—yep, a kitten—trying to find her mom. And hey, there’s a meteor show going nuts on the surface. Everyone’s taking cover underground. With this trusty drill, you’re digging and digging… deeper and deeper for that reunion.
But wait. As you burrow down, things start getting, let’s say, complicated. Who did I meet first? Was it the snake trying to cheat everyone, or maybe the girl looking for her dog? There’s a whole parade of quirky characters, each with tales and troubles. You’ve got to help them out, which means they help you back. The stronger drill, the wall jump, that cool propulsion boost—it all comes in handy. Weirdly, kindness is your best weapon here. Go figure.
Switching gears for a second. Exploration’s the name of the game. Shell ends up hoarding all these trinkets and treasures—hats, random documents, sparkling gems that juice up the drill. Game’s got this retro vibe, too—think Game Boy Color. But it’s got surprises: dice games, a crane game—seriously—and some computer-y puzzles. What’s best? The cutscenes, with such an old-school flair, take you back. And man, so many paths and secret spots. I mean, who doesn’t love a game with multiple endings? Exploring was my jam here.
But I gotta be honest, it’s not all roses. The biggest headache? No waypoints. Can’t tell you how many times I got lost, chasing shadows. Conversations and helping NPCs? Great. But without some radar or quest log? You’re relying on memory, pal, and mine’s sometimes like Swiss cheese. Where’s that otter who had a letter? The radar won’t tell you. And on Switch, there’s this annoying screen jitter. Small hiccup, really—just didn’t expect that.
So, do I think Everdeep Aurora’s worth the plunge? Well, mixed feelings. Music, graphics, the whole no-combat vibe—is super refreshing. But, and there’s a big ‘but,’ that wandering aimlessly tests your patience. Few directional nudges could’ve made it shine. For now, whether you love it depends on how chill you can stay when you’re lost underground.
Chill vibes, lots of heart, but guidance? Could use more. You get the picture. 6.7 out of 10. If feeling lost is your jam, maybe give it a whirl.
