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Everhood 2 is an Action, Adventure, RPG that was developed by Foreign Gnomes. This game is the sequel to the previous Everhood. At first, I thought this game was going to almost never reference the previous game, but they do. In a major way that I’m not going to spoil much of what I saw.
Yet, I will say this now, that if you have photosensitive epilepsy, you’ll have to avoid this game like the plague.
In the previous Everhood, Foreign Gnomes had us in the most emotional kung fu grip I have ever been in since Undertale. They started out with us learning how to dodge attacks and survive each encounter passively. Until halfway through when they rip the rug from under you and learn how to do something off script. Once that begins, we’re on the emotional rollercoaster until the very end. With what I’ve been dealing with now…my fingers and eyes are in pain from the things I’ve been doing.
I have a weird urge to make a boss fight using mambo number 5…who’ll beat me to the punch?
Gameplay
Normally, people would say that sequels are just the previous game with different characters and small design changes. But, holy crow did Foreign Gnomes break the mold when making Everhood 2. If Everhood was them cranking it to an 11, then Everhood 2 is them breaking the dial and having it spin like a fidget spinner. From the added weapons’ mechanics, the improved UI designs, and even allowing players to make their own worlds and battles. I would be very disappointed if there isn’t a Rick Roll battle in the next few months.
Earlier I mentioned the scaling being a fidget spinner, and boy do I mean it. It didn’t take long for me to reach a fight where my brain broke for a moment from the exposure. Being allowed to fight the dragon from the word go was honestly an excellent choice. Encouraging speed runners to really go through everything with zero weapons and relic, which I’ll attempt once this review is complete. Because the game is forgiving, but that’s up to you with how much you’re willing to withstand before you need a break.
I do want everyone to know that I play Everhood 1 & 2 in the most unorthodox way. That being my controller of choice is an arcade/fight stick. On a controller, I would have my hand in the claw position, which people know will cause cramping. I’ve legit pulled out my fight stick during my flight and played the game on my Steam Deck. And yes, I did have people confused about how I got that through and if it was necessary.
Graphics and Audio
Now, I would be quite linear with how the graphics of the game were, but how can I? When it changes to almost every known and capable video game design ever done. We go from a flat 2D overworld, to a 2.5D combat stage. But not only does the overworld change depending on which dimension we go into, but so do the enemies. Heck, depending on the fight, even the combat field itself will be affected because of them.
Then there’s dimensions we have access to from time to time. The environmental designs and character designs are on par with the type of humor this game always delivers without notice. For example, you reach a wasteland where a bunch of sentient vegetables control the kingdom. You later join the resistance, which is a bunch of fruits. And after that, well…you’ll need to play to get more context on what happens.
Now, the music that plays in both the in and out of battle is catchy and amazing as always. Honestly, getting to enjoy an amazing boss fight for their music and getting to fight them again thanks to a certain code. For example, I fought Fuego the tiger, who has the best use of the shamisen and fue that I wanted to fight him again just for that. I later find out that I can fight him again thanks to a code I get from an NPC later on.
Longevity
After you’ve beaten the game from just playing it normally and not trying to One-Shot everything you come across, there’s tons to do. Normally you can beat the game in about 12 hours, but for me…I haven’t beaten yet. The moment I got the first achievement from killing a random mob in one shot, it activated something primal. I have now been aiming to one-shot the mobs, and after an hour of a boss fight, of not beating them to just stop. I can always go back to the arena to fight them again with better stats and upgraded weapons.
The fact that my fight stick is getting a workout after the last time being a certain fighting game. I will use a mouse and keyboard when making a world and fight to have others try and beat, but that’ll be a bit. And with these tools given to us by Foreign Gnomes, there might be a tsunami of content from the community. Just please be kind and not break my eyeballs…please.
Final Thoughts
I got the chance to relive an experience that I enjoyed several years ago and go under some new tools and a fresh coat of paint. Foreign Gnomes made some amazing additions to their game for map/fight builder, speed runners and casual players. Yet, with all this, I feel like they did drop the ball on only one thing, being the manual input codes. I would understand that not having the codes being easy to revisit due to the story. But, at least they give us a key to the arena for easy access.
So, play it on PC or on Steam Deck if you have one, because boy oh boy will eyes be on you if they can see what you’re playing. Though, don’t break out the fight stick unless it’s necessary!
I give Everhood 2 the Thumb Culture Platinum Award
Disclaimer: A code was received to write this review.
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