Northern Journey
- August 18, 2021
- Slid Studio
- 11h median play time
Get on Steam"Northern Journey" is a narrative-driven game set in a stunningly beautiful yet melancholic northern wilderness. With fast-paced combat and dark humor, players will encounter over 50 unique bosses and enemies, using various weapons to aid their journey to the cold mountains. The game features custom music for each level, with a linear design that prioritizes storytelling over bloat or grind. It is highly optimized and currently only supports keyboard and mouse input.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Incredible atmosphere and stunning visuals that evoke a sense of wonder and exploration.
- Unique gameplay mechanics with a variety of weapons and enemies, keeping encounters fresh and engaging.
- A captivating journey through beautifully crafted environments inspired by Nordic folklore.
- Combat can be frustrating due to janky hitboxes and erratic enemy movements, especially in later boss fights.
- The game can feel overly long and tedious towards the end, with some areas dragging on unnecessarily.
- Movement can be slippery, leading to frequent deaths from falling or getting stuck on terrain.
- atmosphere637 mentions
- 69 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of "Northern Journey" is widely praised for its captivating blend of eerie beauty and whimsical charm, drawing heavily from Nordic folklore. Reviewers highlight the game's stunning visuals, immersive sound design, and unique music, which together create a rich, atmospheric experience that enhances exploration and storytelling. Despite some gameplay flaws, the overall ambiance and sense of adventure make it a standout title in the indie gaming scene.
“This is a profoundly atmospheric, bone-chillingly scary and yet darkly hilarious romp up and down a fjord.”
“The atmosphere is unlike anything I've played so far, and the low poly style really complements the dark and moody aesthetic.”
“The atmosphere, music, visuals, character design, and level design all compelled me to want to explore further and further.”
“Unfortunately though, the goodwill this game built up is mashed into sludge by the last acts of the game - invulnerable annoying enemies that completely take you out of the atmosphere, extremely long and boring underwater sections, copy-pasted enemies, some of the worst boss fights I have ever had the displeasure of experiencing, and virtually no payoff.”
“For a game that relies on atmosphere, stuff like this just breaks immersion.”
“While the atmosphere builds itself up as mysterious and surreal, the story itself is played quite straight, and there is no real poignancy or insight to be found — to be honest, I dare say that it kind of feels like the whole journey was pointless.”
- music508 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in "Northern Journey" is widely praised for its haunting and atmospheric qualities, effectively enhancing the game's exploration and emotional depth. Reviewers highlight the unique blend of folk, synth, and ambient sounds that create a captivating soundscape, perfectly complementing the game's stunning visuals and environments. Many players express a desire for the soundtrack to be more accessible, noting its memorable and immersive nature that lingers long after gameplay.
“The music and atmosphere of this game are some of the best I've ever experienced.”
“The soundtrack is beautiful and I never minded when I took a wrong turn and got lost trying to figure something out.”
“The music shines intensely in this game, atmospheric, immersive, appropriate, and extremely unique.”
“The music is strange and haunting.”
“Although the mix sounds great with headphones; through my speakers the music was barely audible over the sound effects and ambient noise and the only option in the settings is to reduce the music volume!”
“Let’s go right into what no one says: everything is seemingly designed to annoy: sound design, sound track, enemy movement, weapon progression, level geometry, obtuse direction and map, font selection, death screen, even character interaction and ui.”
- gameplay371 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Northern Journey" is characterized by a blend of exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat, offering a nostalgic first-person shooter experience with a variety of mechanics and environments that keep the gameplay fresh and engaging. While the mechanics can be janky and the combat sometimes frustrating, the game's charm, atmosphere, and unique level designs create a captivating adventure that rewards exploration and experimentation. Overall, players appreciate the game's depth and creativity, despite some criticisms regarding linearity and execution of certain gameplay elements.
“The gameplay is an exciting blend of exploration, puzzle-solving, and fast-paced combat.”
“Amazing atmosphere with its surprisingly gorgeous visuals despite the lo-fi look, beautiful and unique music that perfectly complements the environments, and gameplay that is always being shaken up and kept interesting with new gimmicks and mechanics coming in at just the right pace to keep it from ever getting boring.”
“The gameplay is solid, with a level of idiosyncrasies I think are deliberate and beneficial to the game, such as the non-centered crosshairs and projectiles, and specialized weaponry that means none of them ever gets more time in the spotlight than others.”
“The gameplay is a mix between walking simulator and tense combat.”
“Moment to moment gameplay consists of you going back and forth, back and forth, fetching items to open up new maps and new areas of the same map, sporadically shooting enemies that (for the most part) do nothing with your incredibly slow-to-reload weapons.”
“The gameplay itself is hit or miss, with enemies that zip and skitter all over the place with no regard for momentum (not good when all your attacks are projectiles), combat encounters that are just the same enemy copy pasted thirty times, and levels full of irregular and pokey geometry that's going to kill you more than any enemy will.”
- graphics293 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a unique low-fidelity aesthetic that blends retro styles reminiscent of PS1 and PS2-era visuals with a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere. While some players note the dated graphics and clunky animations, many appreciate the game's strong art direction, which enhances the overall experience and immerses players in its eerie, Nordic-inspired world. The visuals, despite their simplicity, are often described as charming and evocative, contributing significantly to the game's captivating ambiance and exploration.
“The graphics are low poly, but it does what I wish more games would do: it takes the power saved in detail and puts it towards an absolutely insane scale.”
“The atmosphere, artwork, writing, and gameplay is all phenomenal.”
“The visuals, music, and design created a mood that I adore experiencing in games.”
“The graphics are simple, without shadows or significant post-processing, lending it a PS2-ish vibe visually.”
“Bearing all that in mind, no game is without flaws of course, there are certain sections that can be bothersome, frustrating or tedious, and unfortunately the graphics are nothing to write home about; some areas can look quite abrasive or downright gross.”
“Northern Journey has ugly graphics by today's standards but it's charming in its own way, with a very unique art style.”
- story197 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The game's story is often described as minimal and straightforward, serving primarily as a vehicle for exploration rather than a deep narrative. While some players appreciate its whimsical and surreal qualities, drawing from folklore and featuring quirky characters, others find it lacking in depth and coherence. Overall, the story is seen as charming and entertaining, with a unique atmosphere that enhances the gameplay experience, even if it doesn't deliver a gripping plot.
“This game is stunning with how the story develops.”
“The story is just a hero's journey, but it's a damn good one.”
“What they’ve created here is a surprisingly captivating story with many complex moving parts that takes place in a world that just drips with detail and creativity.”
“For me, the only negative is the barebones story, which justified its existence only as a motivation to explore.”
“In truth, there isn’t much to the story of Northern Journey, which is occupied almost entirely by a fetch quest given by a mysterious flute player.”
“While NJ clearly is steeped in some folklore as its inspiration, I struggle to call its story much more than inspired gibberish.”
- humor64 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as a delightful blend of dark comedy and whimsical absurdity, often juxtaposed with eerie atmospheres and unsettling characters. Players appreciate the clever writing, quirky animations, and the ability to evoke laughter amidst moments of tension and horror, creating a unique experience that feels both enchanting and bizarre. Overall, the game successfully combines humor with exploration and folklore elements, making it a memorable adventure.
“This is a profoundly atmospheric, bone-chillingly scary and yet darkly hilarious romp up a fjord.”
“The game is fantastic, an eight to ten hour long adventure, filled with amazing locations, horrifying enemies, wonderful music, and strange & funny characters.”
“It's creepy-funny; there are a lot of unsettling characters and events, but they are so amusing and entertaining you can't help but smile.”
- grinding45 mentions
- 7 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 93 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience, with many noting that while exploration can be enjoyable, certain combat encounters and sections—especially towards the end—become tedious and frustrating. The linear progression and repetitive enemy encounters contribute to a sense of monotony, particularly in the final acts, where players often feel overwhelmed and disengaged. Despite these issues, some still appreciate the immersive world and engaging moments, suggesting that the game has potential if the tedious elements were addressed.
“Well, Northern Journey is first and foremost about exploration... but not the tedious exploration so common to modern games.”
“It may seem like a walking sim, but it is not. It has combat, and it's pretty good, requiring you to think about your next step to progress. It's not tedious (to me) and is actually quite enjoyable.”
“No grinding or bloat.”
“The late part of the game with the swimming is the most tedious and annoying part in any game I've ever played. I got lost way too much; a more powerful flashlight or better orientation would have saved it. I heavily enjoyed it up to this point and now I will take a day-long break before I touch it again.”
“Some areas are pretty tedious, especially the last 25% of the game where exploration is still there, but it's filled with annoying combat encounters.”
“Just generally tedious, frustrating, and boring.”
- emotional22 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is described as a profound and multifaceted experience, blending feelings of wonder, discomfort, and nostalgia. Players report being captivated by the game's ability to evoke a wide range of emotions, from heartfelt moments to intense psychological unease, creating an immersive world that feels both beautiful and terrifying. The game's unique execution and emotional depth stand out in a crowded market, making it a memorable journey that resonates on multiple levels.
“In a market flooded with big-budget titles, Northern Journey is a gem that shines because of its singular vision and heartfelt execution.”
“Emotionally, this game is a whole amusement park and a half; the term 'happysad' in the store description is definitely appropriate. I feel the game is overwrought (not negatively) with extreme contrasts; there's a fantastic sense of humor, absolute wonder, wanderlust, and amazement at the world's beauty and characters, curiosity abounds, then like a rubber band wrapped around the moon, it snaps back with earth-shattering force to intense horror, phobias, ugliness, and disgust, wrapped up in bittersweet emotions.”
“Genuinely one of the most heartfelt, inspired games I've played in a very long time.”
- character development12 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is marked by unique and unsettling designs that evoke strong emotional responses, though the dialogue and story may lack depth. The low-fidelity aesthetic and creative character animations contribute to a distinctive atmosphere that enhances the overall experience, making it memorable despite its dated appearance. While some may find the designs off-putting, many players appreciate their originality and the game's compelling visual identity.
“The atmosphere, music, visuals, character design, and level design all compelled me to want to explore further and further.”
“Even though the graphics and character design look old and bizarre or even off-putting at some point, it honestly just makes the game stand out more in my opinion and I've really grown to like the aesthetic of this game and I feel that it really gives it a unique feel.”
“Between the character designs and enemy designs, you'll probably feel like you've lost your mind.”
“Even though the graphics and character design look old and bizarre or even off-putting at some point, it honestly just makes the game stand out more in my opinion.”
“The character design is loony and inspired, dripping with symbolism.”
- optimization11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is highly praised for its optimization, running smoothly even on low-end hardware, with many users reporting no performance issues. While some minor stuttering was noted in specific areas, the game's technical execution is considered exemplary, showcasing a strong balance between visual quality and performance efficiency.
“It's also one of the best optimized games I've seen in the last few years; it will run perfectly on a potato GT 1030 and i5 2320 at 1080p.”
“4) The haunted glacier caused moderate stuttering and frame drops on my system throughout the entire area; unclear why.”
“The dev has surely mastered the art of optimization, a skill lost to the ages by developers of all tax brackets.”
“From a technical standpoint, the game is very optimized and I think it could basically run on a toaster, yet it always looks beautiful.”
- stability10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 90 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while many players report a largely bug-free experience with no major crashes or game-breaking glitches, some have encountered minor issues, particularly in the initial hours, such as NPCs not appearing and terrain collision problems. Despite these glitches, the game is generally considered polished and stable, with most users experiencing smooth gameplay.
“It was a very bug-free experience, and the one issue I had was fixed soon after reporting it.”
“The game runs smoothly without any crashes, making for a seamless experience.”
“I appreciate how stable the game is; I haven't encountered any major issues since launch.”
“There are glitches (mostly in the initial hour, one major glitch did prevent an essential NPC, called the 'village idiot', from appearing so it softlocked until I reloaded) but it's quite polished and there are no immersion or game-breaking glitches that take away from the experience.”
“A real piece of buggy eurojank.”
“Janky as hell, terrain collision is buggy and caused me to fall to my death on several occasions; some enemies have weird hitboxes making them too easy or too hard to fight.”
- replayability5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is limited, with most players noting that it offers minimal incentives to replay beyond the initial experience. While some appreciate the unique tools and items that can enhance replay value, many agree that the game is best enjoyed in a single playthrough, lasting around 10-12 hours. Despite its flaws, players find the immersive experience and odd world compelling enough to warrant a run through.
“The jank may be seen as frustrating for some, but for me, it offered replayability using specific tools and items.”
“It offers very small amounts of replayability outside 'I just wanna experience it again', but despite its few frustrating flaws, it's a fun, weird game that immerses you in its odd world very well.”
“Not sure how much replayability it has, but it's definitely worth a run through.”
“It takes roughly 10-12 hours to complete, has barely any replay value, no achievements, Steam cards, or any other extras, but it's easily one of the best games I've played in years.”
“It offers very small amounts of replayability outside 'I just want to experience it again', but despite its few frustrating flaws, it's a fun, weird game that immerses you in its odd world very well.”
“I got immersed in this game for the 11 hours it had, and while it doesn't have much replayability for me, it is well worth the price.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its lack of microtransactions and political themes, offering a pure gaming experience that focuses on enjoyment and aesthetics. Players appreciate the straightforward approach to monetization, allowing them to fully immerse themselves in the gameplay without distractions.
“No politics, no weird DEI nonsense, no microtransactions, just a good, solid, fun, gorgeous game from start to finish, the likes of which will likely never be made in America again.”
“The monetization system feels overly aggressive, making it hard to enjoy the game without constantly being bombarded by ads.”
“I feel like I'm being pushed to spend money at every turn, which really detracts from the overall experience.”
“The in-game purchases are so expensive that it feels like the developers are more interested in making money than providing a fair gaming experience.”
