NeverAwake
OpenCritic Rating
Top Critic Average
Critics Recommend
Critic Reviews for NeverAwake
While the levels are varied and challenging, and the story is serviceable for the kind of game NeverAwake is, they weren’t the things that had me blasting through levels to see what was next - it was the excitement of seeing what kind of horrible beastie was waiting for me around the corner. The game excels at turning the mundane into monsters and doing so manages to set itself apart as one of the more unique shoot ‘em ups out there. Add to that some demanding but entertaining boss fights and NeverAwake is a decent (yet depressing) time for any fan of the genre.
NeverAwake doesn't just have stellar graphics, it offers up some really special shmup gameplay with a surprising amount of content.
NeverAwake is a true shump to its core. Despite some repetition in enemy design, this twin-stick shooter takes on the concept of nightmares and blends it into its visual style and gameplay in a way that rewards players who come back for more.
Everything adds up to make NeverAwake one of the most inventive and interesting twin-stick shooters we’ve played in some time. From its meticulously-created enemies to its responsive controls, everything here has been tuned for your enjoyment. And so once you’ve started playing, chances are you’ll have a hard time pulling yourself away from it. If you’re a fan of twin-stick shooters, make sure you check this out.
Twin-stick shooter fans will certainly have some fun with NeverAwake. The short levels make it perfect for quick, on-the-go bursts of shooting, while the actual shooting and power-ups make for a fun and challenging experience. It looks and sounds great, while the presence of two different endings gives the game some replayability. That said, the story isn't all that compelling considering that we've seen it used before, and the game can start to feel like it's running on for too long due to the sameness in some levels.
I absolutely loved my time with NeverAwake so if you enjoy twin-stick shooters and are looking for a new challenge then I highly recommend it. Plus, the fact that it's as visually stunning and pleasing to the ears as it is makes it even more worthwhile.
Overall, I feel like NeverAwake did a really great job of encapsulating some of the best aspects of twin-stick shooters and bullet hell genres, all while wrapping it up in a nice package that tells a surprisingly meaningful yet dark story about a young girl and her troubles. The looping mechanic in the non-boss stages and the sheer amount of customization in the form of accessories is a great way to keep the game fresh all the way through. While the game may get tough at some points, there wasn’t a time where I thought the stages were particularly cheap. Even when frustration began to set in, clearing the stage made it all the more worth it in the end. Fans of twin-stick shooters and bullet hells alike are sure to get a blast out of NeverAwake.
