Many negative statements can be said of 2014 for the games industry, but it did have one shining feature, it’s Renaissance-like period of great horror titles. Games such as the ill-fated P.T, the Hollywood inspired Alien Isolation, and Shinji Mikami’s The Evil Within, were just some of the best of the bunch. But because of the near over saturation, there were a lot of games that simply fell through the cracks. Now, nearly two years later, one is making return on Playstation 4. It’s simply a case of Neverending Nightmares.
Gameplay:
Upon playing Neverending Nightmares the first time, you’ll find that it’s not only a lot more original than most horror games, but also a lot more grounded. And this isn’t a case of winning the indie lottery either. The game served as a channel for the creators most twisted thoughts during a tough time in his life, and it truly makes for not only an entertaining but also uneasy experience. Yet this isn’t fully present in the gameplay. Most of the time you’ll be simply exploring, and while a shortlasting stamina meter adds some tension, it really rests at the heart of the story and design.
Story & Design:
Neverending Nightmares may start off with a simplistic plot, but that doesn’t halt it from truly teetering into the dark side. There’s some truly intense scenes in this game, and while it doesn’t make up for the game’s somewhat lackluster ending(s), it is still worth the experience. A lot of this is due to the main character’s physical flaws, offering a more realistic side to a normal horror experience.
Presentation/ Visuals & Audio:
Not only did Neverending Nightmares take cues from psychological symptoms, but it also relies heavily on a gothic art style. While this ends up most prominently in the bottom side of the screen, it’s also exemplified in some more than frightening figures. Like many other horror games, the game is either black or red, and while Neverending Nightmares uses this trope to good use, it can still feel cheap. Lastly, the sound design easily sucks you into the experience, with some strong voice acting serving to supplement this positive.
Conclusion:
Neverending Nightmares may not be the best horror game I’ve played, but it’s still a damn good one. By being inspired by more personal experiences, the game flourishes in a demented way instead of being hindered. It’s only part of the rich experience at hand, and is the overwhelming reason to why Neverending Nightmares is so unique.
Neverending Nightmares gets a 8/10 (Very Good)
We’d like to thank Spoke and Wheel Strategy for sending us a code!
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