Eerie Stardew Valley style RPG Neverway is the coolest take on the genre yet

The life sim has, perhaps, become one of the most saturated genres out there. Everyone wants a slice of Stardew Valley's success, with games like Disney Dreamlight Valley injecting some Magic Kingdom sparkle, while Witchbrook puts a fantastical, playful horror spin on the genre. Yet, despite my attempts to stick with them in the same way I did Animal Crossing, I've never really found myself becoming #obsessed with any of Stardew's spiritual successors. Then Neverway appeared, and it's exactly what I've been waiting for.

Part life game and part RPG, Neverway thrusts you into the shoes of Fiona, a woman who's recently quit her job. After hopping on a boat and setting sale to a remote island, she takes up residence in a local farm and, rather unfortunately, quickly becomes the immortal conduit for a dead god – tough break. You're tasked with keeping your life on track while searching for the titular Neverway, an eerie cosmic realm that's slowly leaking into your own.

As shown during the Day of the Devs showcase, time progresses in three different stages: morning, afternoon, and evening, with coder and narrative writer Isadora Sophia stating that this is to "let you set your own pace, so you can choose when you fight, or when you want to have a break and see your friends."

Speaking of fighting, combat plays out similar to other life sims, but with its own unique twist. You'll be able to craft various weapons and change out your sword for the likes of a grapple hook, and befriending the locals will net you upgrades to help you really customize your battle style.

Socializing is key, so you'll be able to befriend and romance over ten different characters, each with their own specific routines and traits. They have their own cutscenes, as well as likes and dislikes, so you'll have to win them over if you want to settle down or, more selfishly, claim their powers for yourself. Will you lie and cheat, or be an honest partner? With the Neverway slowly but surely planting its tendrils into our realm, you'll likely have to make some difficult choices.

For me though, what really makes Neverway unique is the artstyle. Those moody purples and vibrant greens make it feel like a warped twist on Stardew, taking the pixel vibes we know and love and turning them on their head.

While Coldblood hasn't revealed the Neverway release date just yet, I can't wait to dive on in. If you, like me, are intrigued, you can wishlist it here.

In the meantime, we have a list of all the best horror games if Neverway's spooky Lovecraftian feel is what drew you in, as well as a rundown of all the best management games if you prefer tending to a quaint little homestead that isn't infested with dead gods.

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