Pecketh the Raven, One Eyeball at a Time: a Review of Nevermore
Forget quoting the raven, how about going to head to head in a card-drafting spell-flinging all out duel to the death? Because that’ll really get your feathers flying.
Nevermore hails from Smirk & Dagger Games and is a fast-paced card drafting game in which you try to outwit your friends to rise to the top. The game fledges somewhere between Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven and The Crow supernatural superhero comic series, with magic users attempting to defeat one another, turning each other into ravens by attacking or flinging spells while trying not to be turned into ravens themselves.
In a raven-peck-raven world, how do you come out on top?
There are multiple ways to win: to gather enough victory points to win while ending the game as a human, to be the last human player standing, or to peck all of the other players to zero health turning them into ravens while in raven form. You have hover stay on top of everything to be sure no one is sneaking anything past you and to make certain none of your opponents have the upper hand. But then again it always pays to keep up on the highest branches; there’s less shit to deal with up there.
Flights of cards: structuring game play
Each round, all of the players are dealt 5 cards. They try to build their hands around the suits: hearts (healing), swords (attack), cups (victory), and Light Magick (spells). Whoever has the most of any given suit in a round gets to activate that suit’s power for the round, the effects of which differ depending on what suit it is. A fifth suit, the raven cards, can either go all out and win the round (if your hand consists of 5 ravens) or cause you to lose other cards in your hand to their incessant pecking. Skulking Ravens (extra raven cards that remain after all other cards have been pecked away) earn Shadow Magick (dark spells). So the bird in the hand can be worth more, but only if you can manage to get enough of them to do something useful.
The challenge comes from having to pass cards and dealing with flung Light and Shadow Magicks. It’s not just the luck of the draw but requires attentive planning to be sure that you don’t pass cards to your neighbor that would give them an edge. And to keep cards that you think will gain an advantage when paired with the unknown cards coming your way from your neighbor to the other side. You have to pay attention to what goes and comes around to get ahead in this peck-or-be-pecked world.
Nevermore is pretty simple to learn and it’s easy to get the hang of play. And even when you are losing, you can still make a comeback and win the game while in raven form (for all that you are very limited in your ability to do), so there are many different strategies depending on how things are going and what the other players are up to. As a result, Nevermore is less frustrating than some of those drafting games where you know well in advance who is out in front while you just keep watching them fly further and further into the lead with nothing you can do to thwart them. This game offers options, like those shiny baubles you want to collect and hoard in your nest.
I give Nevermore 4.0 Cthulus.
(4 / 5)
It’s a great game to pull out from time to time and get your Edgar Allan Poe and/or Eric Draven fetish on. But Nevermore is a bit simple to keep long term interest, kind of like a shiny bauble in your nest-hoard. Sure, it’s sparkly, but there’s just not much else to it. Every game plays out more or less the same with differences depending on the players and the draw of the cards. But let’s face it, sometimes that’s just what you needed – something to glimmer at you as you peck everyone else’s eyes out.
Gaming
Lovecraft Meets Junji Ito in WORLD OF HORROR
WORLD OF HORROR is a cosmic horror roguelite game developed by Paweł Koźmiński and published by Ysbryd Games.
WORLD OF HORROR is a cosmic horror roguelite game developed by Paweł Koźmiński and published by Ysbryd Games. The game is available on macOS, Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5. This review will cover the Steam (Windows) version of the game.
You must explore the strange goings on around Shiokawa, Japan. It appears that eldritch forces have influenced the town in incomprehensible ways. So, attempt to comprehend these forces and maintain your sanity to save the town. Plan your investigations, choose between cases, and fight for your life.
There are a few game modes but three difficulty spikes. The easiest is a specific case with some random events. This mode teaches you the basic mechanics of the game. The harder difficulties give you access to an apartment and choices on which case you investigate. Completing objectives earns you customization options for the customized mode.
What I Like About WORLD OF HORROR
Running on GameMaker Studios, the pixelated aesthetic shows influences from Lovecraft and Junji Ito, though the latter more so than the former. WORLD OF HORROR haunts its viewers with its aesthetic, allowing the pixels to evoke those horror legends.
Random generation remains a key feature of the game, with various options and choices giving a massive variety. Your character also has some limited customization to access perks and further development. I will bring up some weaknesses later, but it is surprisingly vast. Adding to this variety, WORLD OF HORROR provides mod accessibility.
The combat allows for a great deal of thought and planning. You select your character’s actions within an action bar and perform the tasks (or combos) to beat an opponent. This JRPG style provides variety in action that makes it engaging and unique.
The random generation and variety make each playthrough different. You might acquire a devastating katana in one playthrough only to bleed out unceremoniously in another.
While not a terrifying gaming experience, WORLD OF HORROR strives to provide an eerie and intense experience. At this, the game is a success. The weird and unnerving collide to invest the player in this strange world.
Tired Tropes and Triggers
Body horror deserves a mention, but the aesthetic and pixels doesn’t particularly evoke realism. Regardless, many designs evoke body horror.
Aside from this, here are some points of consideration. First, WORLD OF HORROR uses JRPG turn-based combat, which seems a point of division among some gamers. However, there are enough interesting mechanics and complexities beyond clicking an action and waiting your turn.
Second, WORLD OF HORROR isn’t a cult detective. You’re experiencing events and choosing how your character responds. Some sage wisdom I heard for WORLD OF HORROR is to focus on the whole campaign instead of a single case. Failing a case isn’t a game over, so prioritize your character’s longevity.
What I Dislike About WORLD OF HORROR
Only a few issues hindered my experience. Some scenarios replay on a single case, let alone a playthrough, which becomes repetitive. Some scenarios have multiple solutions to add variety or require perks to access new options, but that’s not always true. This issue makes the randomization taxing at times.
This next issue is likely a bug or an oversight. After losing my reason (sanity), I found myself still able to investigate despite the game claiming that means death. An unrelated event finished me off, but I can’t help but assume this is a bug.
Final Thoughts
WORLD OF HORROR has its quirks but earns massive replay value and surprising depth. It’s a unique and ambitious indie title worth the price. If Junji Ito’s style or cosmic horror is your particular brand of horror, WORLD OF HORROR delivers an experience you’ll likely enjoy. Though this combination synergizes well, few games combine these elements successfully.
(4.5 / 5)
Step into the mind-bending world of Eldritch Automata as we sit down with Game Designer Nick Francia at GenCon 2024!
Uncover the secrets behind this Lovecraftian mecha-masterpiece and get a glimpse of what’s to come.
In this exclusive interview, Nick Francia shares:
• The intricate game development process • Inspirations behind the eerie Lovecraftian elements
• Unique mecha-infused gameplay mechanics Calling all Lovecraft fans! Dive into a world where eldritch horrors meet steam-powered marvels.
Eldritch Automata promises an unforgettable gaming experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
👉 Ready to embrace the madness? Check out our playable demo at a con near you! #EldritchAutomata #GenCon2024 #LovecraftianGaming #IndieGameDev
Prepare for a spine-chilling experience as Jim Phoenix delves into the shadows with Trick or Treat Studios at GenCon 2024!
In this exclusive interview, we uncover the terrifying secrets behind their latest bone-chilling creations: “House of 1000 Corpses” and “Halloween II” board games.
These games aren’t just about rolling dice – they’re about immersing yourself in the blood-curdling atmosphere of beloved horror films. With unique survival (and kill!) horror mechanics and cooperative gameplay, you’ll feel the terror coursing through your veins with every move!
But wait, there’s more! With the Kickstarter to House of 1000 Corpses shipping soon, we have an in-depth review coming up for that game, Halloween II–AND…Chucky. BOOMMM!!!
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