There is a natural appeal to life-sim games like Stardew Valley and Fields of Mistria; escapism, to a place where we can experience mundane but alluring fantasies, such as an idyllic rural lifestyle or uncomplicated home and land ownership. These sorts of games are often given the apt moniker ‘Cozy Game’, although the title is somewhat broad and all-encompassing when you think too much about it. Neverway, from developers Coldblood Inc., glances at this now well-trodden, renowned formula and seeks to twist it into an eldritch, psychological, enigmatic form akin to the finest in the horror genre.
I had taken an interest in Neverway after its initial appearance last year; while I am not as familiar with life-sim games as some others, its approach to the genre as a whole intrigued me, so I was more than happy to get the chance to play the prologue. What struck me in Neverway’s initial trailers was the breathtaking visual style, crafted by Pedro Medeiros, whose work can be seen in Celeste and Towerfall. A far cry from those games aesthetically, Neverway also sets itself apart from its genre contemporaries with a gloomy palette, bleak environments, and character portraits that are distinctly less than friendly.
Honestly, that makes them just as appealing to me on a personal level. It gives the game a really distinctive look, and the rather melancholy aesthetics just add to the psychological vibe Neverway seems to be going for. It’s so very different from anything else I’ve seen from the genre, and that extends to the overall narrative tone as well. The protagonist of Neverway, Fiona, is deeply troubled in a way that feels relatable, and her mental health struggles could lead to truly compelling storytelling beyond this initial prologue if the devs play their cards right.
Even beyond the more deeply relatable subject matter, mysteries teased within this early glimpse of the game hint at the fact that there could be so much more going on underneath the surface in this game, and I personally cannot wait to see what hidden lore lies beneath the depths of this game’s narrative. I also think it’s compelling to put yourself in the shoes of a player character who is just as in need of escapism as the player. Dealing with severe depression, crumbling relationships, and unemployment, Fiona has direct reasons for wanting to leave and start a new life, making her immediately easier to connect to as a protagonist.
What will be interesting to see is how deep the rabbit hole goes in terms of the game’s horror aspects. From this prologue, the bent is mostly psychological in nature, the horrors of your own head. There’s a brief appearance of the titular Neverway, and the shadowy creatures that lurk within, and there’s definitely some other moments that show some of the game’s more eldritch leanings as well. All in all, the groundwork here for the mood and atmosphere is largely excellent and very promising.
The prologue also gives a limited, but encouraging look at the gameplay systems in Neverway. The initial half mostly sets up the story, while getting you used to the controls and stamina management systems. We also get a glimpse into what seems to be a larger stat system, where you gain experience just by doing your regular tasks. This is just a small taste of these elements, though, so I’m very interested to see what these add to the game in the full release.
Combat and crafting are introduced in the second half of the prologue, and, although only a small sampling is provided, they seem very intriguing to me. Combat especially seems like a focal part of the Neverway experience; it’s relatively simple, all things considered, but I ended up finding it quite challenging as well. Management of your stamina seems pretty crucial to keeping yourself alive since you won’t be able to even swing your weapon if you’re running on empty. On top of that, you need stamina to utilize your special combat abilities, earned through interacting with the other inhabitants of your newfound community.
Neverway already seems to be brimming with promise and potential, as this early glimpse into the game shows off a lot of the game’s strengths. From its highly stylized, striking pixel art to its intriguing exploration of mental health through the lens of a life-sim protagonist, Neverway will hopefully continue to make this incredible first impression in the full release. I think what i’m really interested in seeing are the complexities of the farming sim elements, the weird and wonderful places this story is going to go and ultimately I can’t wait to meet some more of the characters in the game as we don’t get to see very many of them in this preview, but perhaps that is best left saved to the full experience. Either way, this little slice of Neverway was more than enough to keep my interest piqued for now. I’m excited to see more of it in the future.
Neverway is coming to Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam in 2026.
