Everdeep Aurora

It told me a story made up of stories, restored my belief in the idea that the things we do, even when we are directionless and alone and afraid and all seems lost, can have profound impacts on other people.

Everdeep Aurora, a pixel art platformer from Ysbryd Games, has its faults. It also has enough charm and personality to overcome them. Striking visuals, fun gameplay, and an absolutely adorable cat make this a game that arcade adventure fans should definitely check out.

Its easygoing nature suggests a straightforward tale, but has plenty to dig into if you’re willing to follow its many threads.

Everdeep Aurora offers a retro-styled game world that's fun to immerse yourself in and a story that, while it could have done with fewer text boxes, still works well with its various endings and lovable characters. The different endings make it worth listening carefully and exploring everything attentively and the 7-8 hours you spend underground with Shell will fly by quickly.

While it has its fair share of graphical and mechanical debris, Everdeep Aurora is an endearing little story of trying to find home and a sense of togetherness when the world is falling apart. Quests may be imbalanced in terms of rewards, but the characters are charming. The map lacks definition, but the stripped-back colour schemes are atmospheric. You won’t know where you’re going, but you’ll lose yourself in the sensational soundtrack along the way. Therefore, it digs up a Thumb Culture Silver Award from the deep!

Everdeep Aurora is a good idea that stands out for its visual presentation and charming characters, but it’s rarely fun or engaging as we explore its underground world.

I love the concept behind Everdeep Aurora, as the design direction is flawless, but it can also be quite a cumbersome game.

Do I think it’s a fun game? Not entirely. The gameplay angered me at times with how slow it was at the start and figuring out where to go was a pain. But gameplay was never really the focus for me. This is a slow burn game that relies on characters, story, and occasional puzzle solving. Those were the main draws for me, and it’s more than enough to keep people invested.

Everdeep Aurora is a 2D exploration game set during a devastating meteor shower that is forcing the entire world to evacuate into the safety of the depths below. Its charming graphics gave me a nostalgic feeling as I, Shell the kitten, drilled my way through the rocks on my own personal quest for protection. Through text based dialogue, each enchanting character I encountered told me their stories and uncovered the secrets of Everdeep and the location of Shell’s mother. If you’re looking for your next indie adventure, look no further than this delightful gem from Nautilus Games!

The nostalgic visuals, carefully crafted exploration, and thought-provoking themes keep me digging for more, despite the game’s narrative haze.