Spirit of the North

Release Date: November 1, 2019

Adventure, TPP, indie games, animals, experimental/artistic, exploration games, PS Plus Premium, PS Plus Extra, singleplayer

85%

Steam

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An adventure game inspired by Nordic folklore. While playing Spirit of the North we control a fox that is crossing Iceland in the company of a spirit fox guardian. By solving environmental riddles and travelling through various locations, the protagonist learns the history of an ancient civilization that has disappeared in the midst of history.

Story
Mechanics
Technical issues

Spirit of the North is a Nordic folklore adventure game. The production was developed by the independent team of Infuse Studio.

Story

In Spirit of the North, the player takes on the role of a fox that travels through Iceland with a spirit fox, the guardian of the Northern Lights. Over the course of his adventure, our character not only discovers more information about his companion but also learns about the history of a lost, ancient civilization.

Mechanics

In Spirit of the North we observe the action from the third person perspective (TPP). While following a mysterious red trail in the sky, we travel through various locations (from tundra, through vast glaciers, to mountain peaks and ancient ruins) and solve environmental riddles. The latter allow us not only to overcome the obstacles we encounter along the way but also serve as a means to drive forward the story, which is conveyed without the use of words.

Technical issues

The three-dimensional graphics of Spirit of the North are of a very high quality - special attention should be paid to the variety of environments that have created with great attention to detail. The action takes place with the accompaniment of a calm, atmospheric soundtrack.

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Last updated on March 25, 2019

Videos and Screens

[0:37] Spirit of the North PS5 enhanced edition

[1:10] Spirit of the North trailer #1

85%

STEAM Score

All Reviews: Very Positive (4,313)

STEAM

User Reviews Summary generated by AI

The main pros of the game

Visuals and Art Style: Many users praised the stunning graphics and beautiful landscapes inspired by Nordic mythology, describing the game as visually captivating.
Soundtrack: The music is frequently highlighted as relaxing and atmospheric, enhancing the overall experience.
Relaxing Gameplay: The game is characterized as a chill experience with no combat, making it suitable for players looking for a peaceful gaming session.
Emotional Storytelling: While the story is presented without dialogue, many players found it touching and appreciated the emotional depth conveyed through the gameplay and visuals.
Intuitive Gameplay: The controls and mechanics are generally described as straightforward, making it accessible for both new and experienced gamers.

The main cons of the game

Clunky Controls: A significant number of reviews mentioned issues with controls, particularly with jumping and movement, which can feel unresponsive or awkward.
Repetitive Gameplay: Some players found the puzzles and overall gameplay loop to be monotonous and lacking in challenge.
Technical Issues: Users reported various bugs, including problems with saving, crashing, and minor graphical glitches.
Lack of Narrative Depth: While some appreciated the subtle storytelling, others felt that the narrative was too vague and could benefit from more context or guidance.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

Manual Save Options: Players expressed frustration over the absence of a manual save feature, as the game only auto-saves at checkpoints, leading to potential loss of progress.
More Challenging Puzzles: Some users desired more complex puzzles or gameplay mechanics to enhance engagement and challenge.
Improved Controls and Mechanics: Feedback suggested that the game could benefit from better control responsiveness and more polished platforming elements.
Diverse Sound Effects: Some players noted that the sound design, aside from the music, was lacking and could be improved for a more immersive experience.

Summary

Overall, "Spirit of the North" is seen as a beautiful and emotionally resonant indie game, but it struggles with technical execution and gameplay depth.

Summary generated on: November 25, 2024