Two years ago, I wandered into PAX West 2023. Man, those days. I stumbled upon a game, Everdeep Aurora — seriously, it’s got the most laid-back vibes. No battles, just puzzles and exploration. Left me curious, you know? So when I got a chance to really dive in for a review, I went for it.
Searching for Mother
Everdeep Aurora kicks off simple. You’re Shell, a kitten – yeah, a kitten! – seeking her mom. Meteors are bombarding, and everyone’s hiding underground. You’ve got this basic drill to dig deeper and deeper. It’s like, keep burrowing ‘til you find her.
As you dig, you meet all sorts. A girl searching for her dog, a forgiving frog dad, a swindling snake, and two otters who’ve just… drifted apart. I kinda got sucked into their stories. Helping ’em out is key, ’cause Shell upgrades her drill with kindness. Who knew?
Highs and Lows of Exploration
Man, this game is all about collecting stuff. Shell gets hats (cute), lore-filled documents, gems to juice up her drill. It’s 2D with a Game Boy Color vibe, but throws surprises—crane games, computer puzzles, retro scenes. It’s short, but with multiple paths. Discovering things is just… it hit me right.
But – ugh, frustration lurks. No waypoints, like, nope. I kept getting lost. Sure, NPC stories compensate, but a radar would’ve been sweet. You have to remember which NPC needs what. My brain hurts just thinking about the otter who wants you to deliver a letter. And on Switch, the screen’s a bit jittery. Okay, not a deal-breaker, but c’mon, stability matters.
A Journey Worth Completing?
Everdeep Aurora? It’s a mixed bag for me. The music rocks, graphics are killer, the characters—deep, no pun intended. A combat-free mystery? Loving that rarity. But it’s easy to get stuck without guidance. A few pointers could’ve lifted it to greatness. Your experience? Depends on your patience navigating an underground maze.
Look, it’s chill and unique. But if you’re easily frustrated… well, you’ve been warned.
