When the creators at Foreign Gnomes announced Everhood 2, I wasn’t quite ready for it. But boy, is it a treat! This sequel whisks us back into its wonderfully quirky world, bringing with it an adventure wrapped in delightful surprises. While heavily influenced by Undertale, Everhood 2 doesn’t shy away from standing on its own. Having had the opportunity to review the original game back in 2021 on a Nintendo console, I was itching to dive into what this new installment had to offer.
One of the things that immediately stands out is how your decisions impact the storyline. The game starts by asking you what you cherish most in games: Story, Battle and Challenges, Unique Experiences, or Funny Stuff. Your next choice is about preferred difficulty: Story Mode, Easy, Medium, or Hard. Choose wisely as this sets the game’s challenge level.
Then comes the personal stuff – do you chat with every character in a room? Options are straightforward: Yes, No, or I Don’t Know. An array of questions follows, each one delving a bit deeper into your gaming personality, and soon, your soul’s color is revealed based on your responses.
Controlling your character is intuitive. Whether you’re using the left analog stick or the D-Pad, the A button facilitates interaction with the world. Managing inventory is a cinch; the X button opens your menu. And when combat calls, each battle in Everhood 2 takes a musical twist. Understanding the rhythm of each track is key as you deftly dodge attacks and counter them.
The combat mechanics might feel peculiar at first if you haven’t played the original game. You maneuver with the left stick or D-Pad and jump with either the up button or B. To absorb attacks, hit the ZR or A button, and to retaliate, unleash your power with ZL or Y. It’s a musical dance of dodges and strikes.
A novelty in Everhood 2 is the ability to absorb consecutive notes by holding down the ZR or A buttons. Accumulate enough energy and your attacks become devastatingly powerful! Keep in mind, getting hit costs your accumulated energy, so strategy is key. Same-colored energy must be absorbed for effective casting, and barriers will challenge your aim.
Exploration introduces battles reminiscent of classic titles like Earthbound. With every fight, you collect experience points, gain levels, and watch as your stats enhance. Treasure chests offer bonus experience points, making exploration rewarding. Level up for boosts in health and attack strength, as well as new character cosmetics!
Incorporated into the whimsical chaos, Everhood 2 doesn’t just ask for participation; it enhances the entire journey to be uniquely yours. You are an exceptional entity, able to traverse multiple realities. With guidance from Raven, you pursue your true potential by acquiring Soul Weapons and collecting Power Gems to amplify your abilities. These upgrades, like improving your Armor Break technique or increasing damage, grow costlier, but are essential to master the challenges ahead.
Mark your calendars—Everhood 2 hits the Nintendo Switch soon at $20.00. This sequel didn’t just meet expectations, it rewrote them, elevating what made its predecessor great. Both old fans and newcomers are in for a captivating blend of storytelling, rhythm, and a dash of otherworldly whimsy.
Note: This review is based on a copy of Everhood 2 provided by Foreign Gnomes for the Nintendo Switch.
