Out later this year, creepy life sim Neverway already has its claws in me
Within just a few minutes of playing Neverway, I knew I was hooked. It’s clear right from the off that something is terribly wrong in this world. Whether it’s the nightmarish, achromatic art style or simply the feeling of dread that oozes out of every scene, you just know you’re in for a hellish time. As does Fiona, it seems; Neverway’s protagonist who leaves her life behind to live on a farm on a mysterious island.
Instantly, Neverway paints the picture that something is wrong with Fiona. She’s fired from her job for failing to turn up and so your first task is to trek to her office to pick up a few measly belongings. That’s all well and good until, on the way back, her train ride becomes a living nightmare, with monsters appearing and the train morphing into a hellish landscape. Is it real, or is it simply a mark of Fiona’s mental state?
Given the direction that Neverway seems to go, it seems likely it’s more than just a stressful day. The preview I played only gave me a taste of what to expect, cutting out after Fiona arrives to her new home. But I absolutely cannot wait to find out more about this weird yet beautiful world, and I’m already desperate to know what happens to Fiona.
Neverway describes itself as a “life sim RPG”, and from what I can gather, it’ll feature elements from multiple different genres. I’ve engaged in combat during the preview build; fighting off demons in a ‘sim’ on Fiona’s PC that seemingly sets her up for her new life. It seems there’ll also be farming and crafting elements, along with an intriguing story to unravel, and a whole lot more.
The bad news is that it’s not scheduled to launch until October, so I’ve still got six months left to wait until I can find out more. But this is one I’ll definitely be keeping a sharp eye on. Whether it’s the expertly presented pixel art style, the unsettling soundtrack by Disasterpeace or the creepy story that leaves you wanting more, Neverway is definitely one to watch.
Neverway is set to release on PC and Nintendo Switch this October.
