Everhood 2 Review

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In an open and honest manner, I’d like to ask: Have there been any games that left you feeling intellectually outmatched? Not those demanding extreme mental gymnastics as in the case of ‘Lorelai and the Laser Eyes’, nor the monotony of managing data in ‘EVE Online’. Instead, I refer to games with a deeper meaning, yet ones that might require a slightly higher level of cognitive engagement than you are currently prepared or adept for. For me, Everhood 2 falls into this category.

Similar to games such as Undertale or Yume Nikki, Everhood 2 employs a dreamlike narrative structure where players frequently encounter humorous, absurd situations involving peculiar characters. The game delves deeply into philosophical themes like the nature of the soul, identity, and the mysteries surrounding life, death, and the unknown. While it touches on complex ideas that stretch the limits of my understanding, I’ll do my best to explain the essence of it. Let’s begin by discussing the early stages of the game.

In the beginning of Everhood 2, a sequence of questions is presented. These questions can be bypassed by expressing boredom to the game, but answering them may involve some sensitive topics like depression and self-harm. Fortunately, the game provides a warning before delving into such subjects, and skips them if you’re not comfortable answering. However, I’m not entirely clear on what purpose these questions serve (other than possibly adjusting the game’s difficulty).

Straight away, you find yourself plunged into a surreal sequence. Rooms coated in white, containing items you can’t manipulate, a chasm leading to an abyssal darkness, and an instant clash with a spectral figure that almost claims your life, only for a talking, intelligent raven to save you. Moments later, you’re hurled into a void bathed in neon lights, a looping street reminiscent of a hotel, and a hotel boasting infinite floors and combinations of numbers to investigate as you learn the intricacies of combat.

In simpler terms, the main battle mechanics in Everhood 2 aren’t overly complex; it’s similar to rhythm games like Guitar Hero or Rock Band, but instead of focusing on hitting every single note, you aim to connect specific colored notes together and avoid others. The strategy is mainly about memorizing the notes (the song will repeat if it’s allowed to go on long enough), pressing the absorb button at the right moment, and knowing when to dodge or use an air dash. If you get hit, your combo resets, and the higher your combo, the more damage you inflict.

As a captivated admirer, I can’t help but express my awe for the unique journey that “Everhood 2” offers beyond its battle scenes. What truly makes this game an extraordinary odyssey is how it presents its storyline. You find yourself as a nameless spirit, suspended between life and death in a state of limbo. To break free from this realm, you must demonstrate your worth by overcoming certain adversaries, such as the formidable “dragon.” However, the identity of the deity you seek to confront is not clear-cut; it’s debated among several characters. Yet, it becomes apparent that limbo isn’t a straightforward path – and I’m still trying to figure out where this narrative leads next. The game poses an intriguing question: who or what qualifies as a god? Are we gods in our own minds, or does death truly release us into the infinite expanse of consciousness?

In simpler terms, I believe those questions are some of the deeper themes the game is presenting. I’m not being sarcastic or belittling myself, but I must admit these ideas are difficult for me to grasp beyond a basic understanding. During my exploration of the hotel, I came across an art room where an NPC spoke at length about art, hallucinations, drugs, and their impact on artists and self-perception. The conversation was quite lengthy, and I must confess, I didn’t fully comprehend it. If the purpose was to stimulate thought about these subjects, it certainly succeeded, but I’m unsure if I truly understood them. Maybe understanding isn’t required, or perhaps I’m overanalyzing everything. Since leaving that room, as far as I know, there’s no way to go back and revisit the conversation. Could you possibly help me make sense of it?

In this sequence of events, you journey through time to an alien world initially plagued by enslavement. Upon arrival, you liberate numerous aliens. As the story unfolds within the game, their civilization advances: from a society resembling our modern era, where they develop technology for transdimensional travel, to a futuristic utopia marked by hyper-optimization and the creation of an AI deity that instigates a mass extinction. This is followed by a post-apocalyptic landscape, populated by aliens who are genetic creations of the AI god. Finally, you encounter a nearly barren planet where the surviving aliens have combined their life energies into a powerful weapon, which you can acquire for your journey. The emotional impact is profound, yet its role in the broader narrative of the game remains ambiguous (apart from providing you with the soul weapon).

I find this incredibly intriguing! It’s not just about making you ponder; there are also elements that are absurdly funny, like hitting a mushroom that lets out a fart or encountering a mushroom version of moistcrit1kal who makes his iconic “WOOO” sound. And let’s not forget about Dunkey (yes, the famous Dunkey!) who threatens to fight but never actually does. There’s also the ability to turn sentient combat vegetables into paste, and many other unexpected moments. It has a similar vibe to games like Undertale and Deltarune, yet it’s not an exact match.

Reviewing this game presents a challenge because I don’t fully grasp its complexities beyond its superficial themes and familiar tropes. Technically, I can evaluate the game – the combat hit detection is occasionally inconsistent, even on Story Mode difficulty, which can be annoying but not so much as to claim it’s faulty or malfunctioning. The translation has some flaws, with sentences that seem nonsensical or incorrectly constructed. Occasionally, the battle scene transitions and psychedelic effects cause audio/video synchronization issues, but they quickly correct themselves. Despite these problems, the game is responsive, enjoyable, features excellent music, stunning visuals, and overall was a delight to play.

Despite its technical aspects, I’m not confident enough to provide an accurate review for this game, titled Everhood 2. It seems to tackle metaphysical ideas in a humorous, sometimes enigmatic manner, but these deeper layers elude me. While the gaming aspect of Everhood 2 is enjoyable and visually stunning, being just fun and looking good isn’t enough for a game. A review should take into account all elements that contribute to making a game what it is.

If you’re curious whether Everhood 2 suits your taste, there’s a demo available to give you a glimpse of its unique blend of tones and challenges. However, if even after trying it out, you’re still uncertain, I’m not sure if any description would accurately convey the experience. Everhood 2 is an eccentric mix of humor, emotion, frustration, bewilderment, intellectual and lowbrow elements, and everything in between. It stands out as a game that has left a lasting impression on me, but whether this is a positive or negative aspect, I can’t quite decide. I often find myself pondering if a deeper understanding of the themes this game explores would have enhanced my enjoyment, but unfortunately, that isn’t the case for me.

8

Versions tested: PC/Steam

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2025-03-03 21:26