Review of Everhood 2 for Nintendo Switch

Sequel Everhood 2, developed by Foreign Gnomes, is here to transport us back to its whimsical world for yet another thrilling escapade. Let’s dive into the details of Everhood 2 in this review.

When I first heard about Everhood 2, the announcement came as a surprise. Yet, I’m happy to report this sequel is exactly what we didn’t know we needed. It’s a delightful continuation that takes everything we loved about the original Everhood and cranks it up a notch. Drawing clear inspiration from Undertale, it embraces this influence proudly, much like its predecessor. Having reviewed the original Everhood for Nintendo back in 2021, I was eager to see what fresh twists and expansions this new installment would offer.

One interesting aspect of Everhood 2 is how your choices impact the path your adventure takes. Early on, you’re prompted with a question: What do you value most in games? The choices include Story, Battle and Challenges, Unique Experiences, and Funny Stuff. It doesn’t stop there; next, you’re asked about your preferred difficulty level, ranging from Story Mode to Hard, setting the stage for your gameplay experience.

The game further quizzes you on your interaction style, probing if you talk to every character you encounter. While these queries might seem tedious initially, they gradually become more personalized. How extensive the questionnaire becomes is entirely up to you, and once it’s finished, your character’s soul color is determined based on your responses.

Starting your adventure, you maneuver your character with the left analog stick or D-Pad. To interact with objects or characters, you press the A button, and the X button opens your menu, letting you view your inventory and tools. Switching characters is seamless, thanks to the L and R buttons. True to the series’ nature, battles abound, featuring the unique musical combat Everhood is known for. If you’re unfamiliar, the rhythm-centric fights initially might take some getting used to.

In these musical battles, paying attention to the beat is crucial. You’ll dodge attacks and find the perfect moment to strike by moving your character left or right with the D-Pad or left analog stick, switching between lanes. Jumping is handled with the up direction or B button, while absorbing attacks and returning fire is managed with ZR, A, ZL, or Y buttons.

A fresh mechanic in Everhood 2 lets you hold down the ZR or A button to absorb multiple notes in succession, powering up your skills. The more energy you absorb, the harder you hit—so use this strategically, but cautiously! A hit from the enemy means losing all your stored energy, so patience pays off. It’s vital to keep the colors of absorbed energy consistent for maximum effect. Beware of the barrier notes, which will block your attacks.

Another innovative feature is battling the overworld enemies, reflecting a nod to games like the classic Earthbound. Winning battles and opening treasure chests nets you experience points, allowing you to level up. Each level up boosts your stats, lending extra HP and attack strength. As a bonus, leveling up unlocks new cosmetic options to personalize your character.

In Everhood 2, you’re a unique entity traversing various realities, aided by Raven to fully unleash your potential. Your initial task is to defeat a dragon to acquire your Soul Weapon. Collect Power Gems to enhance your capabilities further. The first gem upgrades your medium cast with Armor Break. Subsequent gems increase your attack power, though these upgrades will require more investment as you progress. This highly anticipated title drops on the Nintendo Switch tomorrow, priced at $20.00.

In summary, Everhood 2 returns us to its eccentric universe for another engaging chapter. Techniques used in the original game are reinvented here, offering a fresh and dynamic player experience. The elements of choice and musical combat make it stand out remarkably in a sea of indie titles.

Disclaimer: Our insight for this review of Everhood 2 comes from a Nintendo Switch review copy provided by Foreign Gnomes.