NeverAwake

87%
Game Brain Score Based on 148 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • graphics
NeverAwake Game Cover
Even if you’re an avid fan of twin-stick shooters, chances are you’ve not played anything quite like NeverAwake before.
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"NeverAwake" is a single-player Fantasy Shooter game with a good plot, ingenious mechanics, and splendid visuals. Play as Rem, a girl stuck in endless sleep, fighting vegetables, dentists, and other hated entities in high-quality hand-drawn levels. With 80+ levels, dozens of bosses, unique retry mechanics, and adjustable difficulty, this game suits beginners and experts alike. Combine weapons and accessories to battle monsters, uncover the ending, and help Rem wake up.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

87%
Audience ScoreBased on 148 reviews
gameplay20 positive mentions
  • NeverAwake features stunning graphics and a unique art style that enhances the gameplay experience, immersing players in a dreamlike atmosphere.
  • The game offers a dynamic difficulty system and a variety of equipment and modifiers, allowing players to tailor their experience and experiment with different strategies.
  • With over 80 levels and engaging boss battles, NeverAwake provides a substantial amount of content and replayability, making it a worthwhile experience for both casual and hardcore players.
  • Some players have noted that the game can feel repetitive, with certain levels and mechanics lacking depth, leading to moments of frustration.
  • The reliance on a looping level system can be tedious, as players may have to replay earlier loops of bosses to reach later challenges, which can detract from the overall experience.
  • While the game has a compelling story, some reviews mention that the narrative elements are underdeveloped and presented in a way that may not resonate with all players.
  • gameplay48 mentions

    The gameplay of this shmup is characterized by its simple yet engaging mechanics, featuring 10-stage worlds with three bosses each, and a unique loop system that enhances replayability. While the controls are smooth and the visuals are stunning, some players feel the game lacks depth and suffers from occasional frustrating mechanics. Overall, it offers a fun experience with a variety of challenges, though it may not fully satisfy those seeking a more complex gameplay experience.

    • “Taking place in the dreams of one troubled young girl, you end up fighting mundane yet ridiculous childhood fears to legitimate traumas, represented as various terrifying monsters... and in one banger of a shmup too, possessing unique mechanics and accessibility options for those having a hard time making it through the levels!”
    • “The luscious graphics and innovative level-looping gameplay instantly hooked me and separates it from the crowded shoot 'em up genre.”
    • “Neverawake doesn't just have stellar graphics, it offers up some really special shmup gameplay with a surprising amount of content.”
    • “The increase in difficulty as you progress is accomplished via cheap shots and wonky new level mechanics (one level in particular requires you to move boxes into place to stop incessant laser beams from hitting you as you move with the screen. Good idea, but awful execution).”
    • “Very unique shmup that has a surprising amount of levels, but not as much mechanical depth as I was hoping for.”
    • “If the gameplay and story matched the colorful, child nightmare-esque visuals, this game would be an easy recommendation.”
  • story39 mentions

    The story of "Never Awake" is a poignant exploration of heavy themes such as depression and personal struggles, centered around the character Rem and her nightmarish experiences. While the narrative is delivered through simple diary entries and can feel underdeveloped at times, it effectively captivates players with its emotional depth and engaging plot, complemented by striking visuals and a fitting soundtrack. Overall, the game offers a unique blend of action and storytelling that resonates, particularly with younger audiences, despite some critiques regarding its presentation.

    • “Neverawake is a twin-stick shmup that tells the story of Rem, a girl who finds herself 'sleeping' and having nightmares about experiences in her life.”
    • “Every aspect of this game is very well thought out; its plot is heavy and intrigues the player, who will want to finish the game to find out what will become of Rem.”
    • “The best surprise, though, was the thoughtful story that tackles tough topics with sensitivity and elegance.”
    • “The story elements are completely underbaked and presented in a repetitive, text-based way.”
    • “If the gameplay and story matched the colourful, child nightmare-esque visuals, this game would be an easy recommendation.”
    • “The game's theme is a bit dark; Rem suffers from depression, the people around her don't seem to understand her, and one girl seems too perfect in her eyes, so be prepared for a story with heavy topics that was very well crafted.”
  • graphics39 mentions

    The graphics in "Never Awake" are widely praised for their unique and polished hand-drawn art style, which combines gothic horror aesthetics with vibrant, child nightmare-esque visuals. Reviewers highlight the game's superb atmosphere, creative enemy designs, and smooth performance, noting that while the technical aspects may not be groundbreaking, the artistic creativity significantly enhances the overall experience. The visuals are considered a standout feature, contributing to the game's charm and immersive storytelling.

    • “Never Awake is a short game with a great story and great visuals that gave me R-Type vibes.”
    • “The graphics are truly spot on with easy to read bullets and some great patterns.”
    • “If the gameplay and story matched the colourful, child nightmare-esque visuals; this game would be an easy recommendation.”
    • “The luscious graphics and innovative level-looping gameplay instantly hooked me and separates it from the crowded shoot 'em up genre.”
    • “A shooter with a remarkable art style and the level/enemies/bosses design is unique.”
  • music32 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its stellar original soundtrack and sound effects that enhance the overall experience. The variety and quality of the music are highlighted, with some calling it the best work from the composer, while others appreciate how well it complements the game's visuals and gameplay. However, a few critiques mention a desire for more diversity in the music to match the variety of the stages.

    • “The game's OST and even the sound effects are stellar!”
    • “Phenomenal soundtrack, excellent variety from top to bottom, great mechanics like soul collecting that open up levels to a variety of ways to play, great visual design, surprisingly chunky amount of content, and a light but touching story.”
    • “The game is an audiovisual tour de force, featuring a gothic style that almost makes it seem like it was designed by Tim Burton, and an awesome soundtrack that wouldn't be out of place in Plaid's discography.”
    • “Great presentation overall, I just wish the music was as varied as the stages themselves.”
  • replayability14 mentions

    The game offers significant replayability due to its variety of perks, special weapons, and challenge objectives that encourage skill testing. Players appreciate the bite-sized levels that facilitate multiple play sessions, although some express a desire for even more replay value. The ability to start from any loop reached on individual levels could enhance replayability further, allowing for deeper exploration of the game's mechanics.

    • “The variety of perks and special weapons, as well as challenge objectives for each of the stages, can really test your skills and greatly enhance this game's replayability.”
    • “Lots of replay value and bite-sized levels make this easy to pick up and put down in multiple sessions, with the main game taking me about 9 hours.”
    • “I think this system gives the game a lot of replayability since you can always try to get further into a boss or stage.”
    • “Lots of replay value and bite-sized levels makes this easy to pick up and put down in multiple sessions, with the main game taking me about 9 hours.”
  • emotional4 mentions

    The game features a captivating emotional narrative that resonates particularly well with younger audiences, complemented by a phenomenal soundtrack and impressive visual design. Its engaging mechanics, such as soul collecting, enhance gameplay variety, while the story remains light yet touching, contributing to a rich overall experience.

    • “It is an emotional story that may captivate young audiences.”
    • “Phenomenal soundtrack, excellent variety from top to bottom, great mechanics like soul collecting that open up levels to a variety of ways to play, great visual design, surprisingly chunky amount of content, and a light but touching story.”
  • atmosphere4 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its superb visuals and ethereal sound effects, which together create a captivating dreamlike experience. Reviewers emphasize that these elements significantly enhance the overall immersion and energy of the game.

    • “The sound effects convey an ethereal energy that adds greatly to the game's dreamlike atmosphere.”
    • “I'd also like to add that the visuals and atmosphere are flat-out superb.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The game features beautiful graphics and smooth performance, contributing to an enjoyable gameplay experience. However, it struggles with the nuances that distinguish high-quality bullet hell mechanics from lesser implementations.

  • humor2 mentions

    The game features a lighthearted tone with amusing bosses that contribute to its overall charm, making it an enjoyable experience for players who appreciate humor in gameplay.

    • “A fun little shooter with hilarious bosses.”
    • “A fun little shooter with hilarious bosses.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

85% average critic score

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