Review: Everdeep Aurora for Switch

Two years ago, I found myself at PAX West 2023, wobbling my way through a crowd that smelled vaguely of popcorn and excitement. I stumbled upon this game, Everdeep Aurora. Yeah, that’s the one. No fights here. Just puzzles and a lot of wandering around. Honestly, it felt like a breath of fresh air amidst all the chaos. So, naturally, when the opportunity to review it came up, I jumped on it—I couldn’t resist seeing what more it had to offer.

Searching for Mother? Or Something More?

So, the story kicks off pretty straightforward. You’ve got Shell, a cute kitten digging through the earth looking for her mom because, apparently, a meteor shower decided to turn her world upside down. Using just a drill, Shell goes deeper and deeper, each layer teeming with life and stories—there’s a girl fretting about her missing dog, a frog on a mission to make peace with his daughter, and a cheeky snake with too many tricks up his sleeve. Did I mention the otters? They bicker a lot, but solving their dramas is your ticket to progress. It’s like a soap opera underground—only with more dirt.

Highs and Lows of Wandering Around

Now, the real charm here? Exploration. You’ll end up hoarding a ton of stuff—hats that make absolutely no sense, piles of lore-filled documents, and glittery gems to keep that drill powered up. The whole vibe screams retro, like, remember your old Game Boy Color? Yeah, that kind of retro. But surprises sneak in—there’s this crane game, dice rolls, and even pixelated mini-dramas that unfold. Oh, and multiple endings too. So, even after you wrap up, you kind of feel like starting all over again. Weird, right?

Yet, despite all that, getting lost became my nemesis. No shiny arrows or quest logs to help you out. Just you and your brain. I’m usually all about the whole getting-to-know-you phase with NPCs, but when you’re ten minutes in and can’t remember who needed what, it’s a bit of a headscratcher. Don’t even get me started on the Switch’s tiny framerate hiccup—it’s there, like a persistent itch you can’t quite reach.

Would I Recommend This Journey?

Ah, Everdeep Aurora is like that mystery novel you can’t put down because just around the corner might be something spectacular. The tunes are catchy, the visuals vibrant, and it’s refreshing to explore a combat-free zone where unearthing secrets is the real thrill. But, oh boy, without any direction, it’s like piecing together a puzzle in the dark. Some guideposts wouldn’t hurt. If you’re the type to get a kick out of wandering without a map, this might just make your day. Otherwise, prepare for a test of patience.

Chill exploration, they said. But they didn’t mention the part where you occasionally want to pull your hair out.

Final Thoughts

Everdeep Aurora tries to lure you in with its easygoing aura, which kind of works, until you realize you’re not entirely sure what’s happening. The characters? A delight. The digging and discovering? Absolutely fun when you’re not tearing out your hair trying to recall the countless errands. It’s a journey where chill vibes meet the challenge of finding your way in a maze, and how much you enjoy depends entirely on how much you enjoy the mystery of the unknown—or the frustrating thrill of getting lost.