Review: Everdeep Aurora for Switch

Wow, so picture this: It’s PAX West 2023 and there I am, like a kid in a candy shop, right? I stumble across this game, Everdeep Aurora. It’s got these super chill vibes—no enemies, just puzzles and exploration. Honestly, I was hooked, so naturally, when the chance popped up to review it properly, I didn’t hesitate.

Okay, let me try and paint you a picture here. First thing, you play as Shell. Yup, she’s a kitten. Basically, she’s on this epic quest to find her mom. Oh, and there’s this meteor shower kinda messing things up for everyone, forcing them underground. Shell’s got this tiny drill to… well, start her adventure. Simple, right? But wait, it gets wild. Underground is where it all happens. Picture this: different characters—like a girl missing her dog or a hustling snake. Maybe it’s me, but solving their dramas is part of progressing. I mean, Shell needs upgrades like a stronger drill. Trust me, being nice? Really pays off.

The real deal? Exploring in Everdeep Aurora is kind of a ride. You get these funky hats, gems for your drill, and even some bunch of lore-y stuff. It’s old-school 2D, very Game Boy Color-ish, but there are these random bits where you’re throwing dice or doing puzzles on computers. Sorta wish you knew which path leads where though—it’s like, wait, do I go there or… oh, never mind. And the multiple endings? Love that.

But, ever got lost? Like, really lost? And no breadcrumbs to help you find your way? Yep, that’s Everdeep Aurora for you. I’m not complaining… well, maybe a bit. A radar would’ve been nice, you know? And remembering which character needed what was a puzzle in itself—no notepad, come on! Oh, and if you’re playing on Switch, expect the screen to stutter a bit. Not game-breaking but c’mon, even old tech can do better, right?

Now, here’s the kicker. Mixing bag sort of sums it up. The music? Sweet. Graphics? Oh, spot on. Characters? Really interesting. But not knowing where to go next? Drags it down, sometimes makes you wanna pull your hair out. All it needed was a little direction. Still, if you like wandering around and can stand a bit of confusion, maybe it’s for you. If you get dizzy in mazes, brace yourself.

So here it is, really: Everdeep Aurora isn’t about fighting or flashy stuff. It’s about being chill, digging deep, literally and metaphorically. Some might find it calming. Others might just scream into a pillow. Go figure.