Everdeep Aurora is a 2D exploration game where players control a cat named Shell and must burrow into the surface of the planet to find their mother. Developed by Nautilus Games and published by Ysbryd Games, the game impresses with responsive platforming and a vibrant aesthetic, in addition to the wise use of screen space to keep players out of menus and focused on the gameplay.
While the introduction is very light on exposition, the landscape is dominated by a partially destroyed moon, which sets the surface evacuation into motion. In order to ensure her safety, Shell will need to reach a shelter underground. After meeting a particularly generous frog named Ribbert, Shell obtains a drill that allows her to dig into the earth. The drill runs on a limited resource, but running out of fuel is an unlikely prospect early on, thanks to the refueling stations dotted throughout the underground, oftentimes accompanied by one of many varied characters.
These characters also bring about changes in the soundtrack and color pallet and occasionally offer a quest. After meeting a handful of characters, the quests start to link together in a vaguely Zelda-like trading minigame, where each character holds an item coveted by another; players just need to find the special MacGuffin that would set off this chain of requests. While these quests give some direction, they also provide insight into the myriad denizens of the underground, making the world and its inhabitants feel more fleshed out.
Despite Shell’s forays into treacherous locales, it’s quickly apparent that there are no hostile creatures to be discovered. Even a mean old bee that tossed Shell in a dungeon provided no substantial threat. This, along with the ability to call Ribbert for rescue if ever Shell runs out of fuel and gets stuck, creates a fun and stress-free atmosphere that puts the spotlight solely on exploration and relaxation.
The music is also partially responsible. It’s charming and completely suited to the gameplay, so it never becomes particularly intense. There are, however, special rooms dedicated to platforming puzzles with their own aesthetic flavor, giving a brief and sometimes challenging respite from the usual exploration. They’re completely optional if players prefer to focus on exploring the primary locale, but their inclusion is welcome nonetheless.
One of Everdeep Aurora’s more subtle but very appreciated features is the square gameplay space in a widescreen format. While it initially seems like an odd decision, the extra space soon fills with an inventory, item descriptions, and even a minimap later on. This makes it so there is never a reason to pause, except to literally pause the game. There is no searching through a full inventory or double-checking the map on a separate screen to stay on course. All the relevant information players need is always present, and perhaps more importantly, it isn’t distracting.
Everdeep Aurora’s style and design philosophy are sure to make this into a breakout hit.
Everdeep Aurora is coming in 2024 to PC and Nintendo Switch.
