Never Alone – A unique must-play experience
Never Alone is one of those games that I saw at PAX Prime earlier this year which looked interesting but had such a long line that I never actually got to try. I’m certainly glad we received a review key for it and I’m also a bit sad that I hadn’t been following this game earlier on. Never Alone is easily the best atmospheric puzzle platformer that I’ve played since Limbo. I’m presuming that many of our readers understand just how much praise that is for a game in this genre, but if not then you should add it to your wishlist when you finish playing Never Alone. What I’ll say right up front is that Never Alone is a must-buy for anyone that likes platformers with breathtaking graphics and deeply engaging stories.
If you haven’t heard of it, Never Alone is a platformer based on an Iñupiaq folk tale. The story telling is done in the Iñupiaq language with English subtitles. The characters and backgrounds are beautifully rendered 3D models, though the game itself is a side-scrolling platformer. While the game is very atmospheric and visually stunning, the storytelling is the focus. The young girl and her fox make quite the charming pair of protagonists as they work together to save her people from an endless blizzard. The girl, Nuna, is an accomplished hunter and has a bola to help with puzzle solving which may sometimes include hitting polar bears. The fox is attuned to the spirits around them and can call them to aid in the journey. Arctic foxes are also just adorable, so kudos for the most cute and capable onscreen duo ever.
I spent time in Never Alone playing with both a controller and using the keyboard and mouse. Honestly, keyboard and mouse are the way to go in my opinion. The controller uses the right analog stick to aim and throw the bola, and I find it a little unwieldy. The mouse is far more comfortable as far as I’m concerned. And that concludes the only slightly negative thing I have to say about the game.
Much of the gameplay is going to be centered on problem solving. Most puzzles are reasonably straightforward, so the game moves along at a rewarding pace and keeps the storytelling feel throughout. I played solo, but the option exists for multiplayer co-op with each player controlling one character. I didn’t try it, so I can’t say that I recommend it, but I think it’s a fantastic idea. It would have likely made the areas at the end of the game a whole lot less frantic not having to switch between characters. The use of an underwater environment (and the return of those mechanics later) in the game was one of my favorite ways of seeing things changed up and kept fresh for me as the player. Gorgeous as the game is, I might not have been quite as in love with it if all I ever did was move from left to right and jump.
It wasn’t strictly necessary for gameplay or story, but an interesting and unique aspect of Never Alone is the unlockable insights videos. Each one is a short, documentary-style vignette highlighting some aspect of life in Alaska for the Iñupiat people. Yes, educational material and a gorgeous game. It’s a refreshing and unexpected approach to gaming entertainment. The videos are worth watching either when discovered in game (look for the little owls) or in between play sessions. I’ve somehow missed two of them on my first play through, but I certainly don’t mind going back through again to find them.
Never Alone is one of those genre-defining games that people are going to talk about for years to come and is hands down my choice for platformer game of the year. It may easily be my favorite game of any genre for 2014. The aesthetic is endearing, the story is touching, and it’s a tool for learning about a Alaska Native culture. As an atmospheric puzzle platformer, it manages to hit all the right notes including exploration and tense chase sequences. It’s available on PS4, Xbox One, or Steam. I can’t wait to see what E-Line Media brings us next in their World Games genre.
