What Never Was

About

In "What Never Was," explore your late grandfather's attic as Sarah Elizabeth Wright, discoving hidden adventures, relics, and an unexpected magical world. This story-driven game features puzzles and a control scheme similar to classics like Myst, with influences from Norse mythology and H.P. Lovecraft's folklore. Delve into your family history and uncover the secrets of your ancestor's past.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,710 reviews

story727 positive mentions

grinding11 negative mentions

Beautiful graphics and atmosphere that create an engaging experience.
Intriguing story that leaves players wanting more and hints at a larger narrative.
Fun and simple puzzles that are enjoyable without being overly challenging.

Extremely short gameplay, often completed in under 30 minutes.
Some repetitive voice lines and interactions that can detract from immersion.
Movement controls can feel sluggish and imprecise at times.

story
1,431 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
48%
1%
The story of "What Never Was" is a charming and engaging narrative centered around a granddaughter exploring her late grandfather's attic, uncovering memories and mysteries through puzzles. While the game is notably short, lasting around 20-40 minutes, it effectively sets up a larger story that many players are eager to see expanded in future installments. The combination of beautiful graphics, good voice acting, and a heartfelt storyline leaves players wanting more, making it a promising introduction to a potentially deeper narrative.
- “The story was interesting enough to keep me hooked until the end.”
- “What never was is a charming and thought-provoking experience that's well worth playing for its compelling story and immersive atmosphere.”
- “The story is engaging and the visuals are really beautiful.”
- “The story was very thin since the developer simply didn't provide enough screen time for it to unfold.”
- “The story was well done, but I really didn't like the controls (playing on a computer).”
- “I was disappointed that the story stopped so abruptly.”
graphics
454 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
23%
2%
The graphics in the game have received widespread praise for their beauty and detail, with many reviewers highlighting the stunning visuals and immersive atmosphere created by the art style and lighting. Players appreciate the high-quality graphics, especially considering it is a free indie title, and note that the visuals significantly enhance the overall experience, despite some minor issues in specific areas. Overall, the graphics are considered one of the standout features of the game, contributing to its engaging storytelling and enjoyable gameplay.
- “While it's a short game, the stunning visuals and meticulously crafted environment drew me in immediately, and the voice lines are incredibly well-done, adding so much life to the story.”
- “The graphics are beautiful, the story is interesting, and I can't wait to see more.”
- “The graphics are lovely--you can almost feel the sunlight on your face.”
- “There are also a few spots, like the ground outside of the window, or overly dark shadows, where the graphics are distractingly bad.”
- “The graphics are nothing to write home about but they get the job done; just enough to convey the story that needs to be told.”
- “The graphics overall are pretty decent, but it's obvious that there were some cut corners if you look closely enough (like outside).”
gameplay
198 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
64%
2%
The gameplay is generally described as short and simple, often lasting around 20 to 60 minutes, with many players noting its casual, puzzle-solving mechanics and engaging story. While the graphics and voice acting receive praise, the limited gameplay depth and ease of puzzles leave some players wanting more complexity and length. Overall, it serves as a charming introduction to a potentially larger narrative, though many hope for a more substantial sequel.
- “Short but sweet - love the atmosphere, gameplay, and voice acting.”
- “The gameplay is intuitive and traditional, and as expected, you have to do some problem solving.”
- “The mechanics are fun and immersive.”
- “The gameplay isn't interesting enough to talk about.”
- “However, the actual gameplay mechanics were so difficult to deal with I almost quit playing multiple times.”
- “While the artwork is decent and the music is nice for the first two minutes or so (afterward it becomes monotonous as hell), the story seems like a work in progress rather than a final draft, there's a huge bug with movement (let's slide around forever!), and the gameplay itself is clunky.”
music
191 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
38%
2%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the atmosphere, with many players praising its beautiful, calming, and nostalgic qualities. While the soundtrack features a mix of haunting melodies and uplifting themes, some users noted that it can become repetitive over time. Overall, the music is considered a significant asset to the game's immersive experience, complementing the visuals and storytelling effectively.
- “The soundtrack deserves special mention, as it perfectly complements the game's atmosphere, shifting seamlessly between haunting melodies and uplifting themes that tug at the heartstrings.”
- “The music was beautiful as well as the art.”
- “The music is soothing, the few puzzles make you go 'ah ha!' when you finally figure them out, the graphics are stunning, and the voice acting was captivating.”
- “Music is limited to two compositions, and they honestly feel out-of-place.”
- “The music is on too short of a loop and getting stuck trying to mess with the interface made the repeating notes really irritating.”
- “As for the music... I found it a bit repetitive.”
atmosphere
171 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
82%
16%
2%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and captivating qualities, enhanced by beautiful graphics, a fitting soundtrack, and effective voice acting. Many players describe it as a short yet enchanting experience that evokes a sense of wonder and curiosity, often likening it to a demo or prologue that leaves them eager for more. Overall, the combination of visual artistry, sound design, and narrative elements creates a charming and atmospheric environment that resonates with players.
- “The soundtrack deserves special mention, as it perfectly complements the game's atmosphere, shifting seamlessly between haunting melodies and uplifting themes that tug at the heartstrings.”
- “The game excels in its immersive atmosphere, thanks to the beautifully rendered attic and its captivating sound design.”
- “The atmosphere is top notch and the puzzles aren't that difficult, making it a good game for beginners.”
- “Also doesn't have the atmosphere I was looking for.”
- “The problem was rather all those decisions taken while making this game which killed all the immersion and atmosphere for me.”
- “If you want a narrative game with a bit of atmosphere, Marie's Room is better than this and it's still free.”
emotional
60 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its emotional depth and heartfelt storytelling, effectively evoking feelings of nostalgia and loss through the protagonist's journey in uncovering family secrets. While some reviews note the gameplay is short and the puzzles are simplistic, the overall experience is described as charming, touching, and visually appealing, leaving players eager for more narrative exploration. Despite its brevity, the game successfully resonates with players, making it a memorable and wholesome experience.
- “The game's strength lies in its narrative depth and emotional resonance.”
- “It's a testament to the power of storytelling in video games, proving that even the smallest indie titles can pack an emotional punch.”
- “The protagonist is very lovely, and I had to shed a tear halfway through a narration.”
grinding
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
13%
73%
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, with many describing the puzzles as lacking depth and overly simplistic. The controls and mechanics contribute to a sense of monotony, making the experience feel more like a chore than an engaging challenge. While some appreciate the need for brainpower over instant gratification, the consensus leans towards the grinding being a significant drawback.
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
- “Too grindy.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Dialogue and voice acting were both clunky and the puzzles felt more tedious than clever.”
- “It was awful; all I did was tedious tasks and play with a clock. I hated my life and spent time that I will never get back. So, so, so upset :(”
humor
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating the sarcastic wit of the character Sarah and finding the writing amusing at times. While some jokes may feel forced, the overall comedic tone, combined with engaging narratives and charming elements like a laughing pig, contributes to a lighthearted and enjoyable experience. Players express a desire for more content, indicating that the humor enhances their enjoyment of the game.
- “I love how Sarah is kind of sarcastic when you do stupid stuff; it's very funny and I can't wait for Act 2!”
- “The best part was rolling around laughing when the ending credits came on, being in total disbelief that somehow the game was over.”
- “Sarah is charismatic and funny, and the art and soundtrack make you feel comfy in her grandfather's attic.”
optimization
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
80%
20%
Overall, the game's optimization is generally praised, with many users noting its smooth performance and impressive graphics, even on lower-end systems. However, some players have pointed out that the game is short and lacks optimization in certain areas, suggesting that there may be room for improvement before the final release.
- “It looks fantastic in UE4 and runs smoothly.”
- “Performance is great (especially since the game looks pretty).”
- “The narrative is really well accomplished and everything is very well optimized.”
- “The game is really short and lacks optimization.”
replayability
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
33%
33%
The game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the opportunity to pursue achievements and find it infinitely replayable, others criticize its short length and lack of compelling reasons to revisit after completion. Overall, those who enjoy the genre may find some replay value, but it may not appeal to everyone.
- “Short game with great replay value.”
- “For how quickly you can finish the game, at least it is replayable to try to get the achievements.”
- “Nice achievements to search for, allowing some replay value.”
- “Additionally, the lack of replayability means there's little reason to revisit once completed.”
- “Unfortunately, there is very little replay value.”
- “If point and click puzzle genre games are not your cup of tea, or if you're expecting replay value, then this isn't something for you.”
stability
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is notably problematic, with users reporting various bugs including issues with movement, freezing, and launching. While some minor visual glitches are acknowledged, the overall experience is marred by clunkiness and frequent interruptions, reflecting the challenges of a small development team. Despite these issues, some players appreciate the game's narrative and gameplay, indicating a mixed reception regarding stability.
- “Buggy movement when sitting down and moving, also when alt-tabbing.”
- “Unfortunately, as others on the forums have noticed, it's very buggy.”
- “This 'game' is clunky, buggy, and bland.”
monetization
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
80%
The monetization strategy of the game is mixed; while some players find it reasonable and worth investing in microtransactions for an enhanced experience, others view it as overly reliant on ads and a cash grab. Overall, it seems to balance freemium elements with engaging content, though opinions vary on its effectiveness.
- “The monetization model is fair and doesn't feel exploitative, allowing players to enjoy the game without feeling pressured to spend.”
- “I appreciate that the game offers plenty of free content, and the optional purchases are reasonably priced.”
- “The microtransactions are well-balanced, providing value without hindering the overall experience for free-to-play users.”
- “Do yourself a favor, and pump 20 bucks into a freemium game's microtransactions.”
- “It's a 20 minute advertisement for a future series.”
- “What never was meant to be a cash grab, but an unforgettable experience that leaves you longing for more.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
100%
Reviewers feel that the character development in the game is overly extensive for the limited gameplay time, suggesting that the depth of character arcs is not adequately explored within the short duration of a single level.
- “The character development is incredibly rich, making each character feel unique and deeply layered.”
- “I was amazed at how the story unfolded, allowing for significant growth and transformation of the characters throughout the game.”
- “The depth of character development kept me engaged, as I felt a genuine connection to their journeys and struggles.”
- “It had far too much build-up and character development to be limited to one level that takes less than an hour to complete (including obtaining all achievements).”