Let’s dive into NeverAwake by Neotro Inc. and published by Phoenixx Inc. I’ve logged over 80 levels and dozens of bosses. Players praise its replayability and soul-gathering loops. For example, one Steam user wrote, “This game has some of the best enemy and boss design I’ve ever seen.” Additionally, I love how collectible souls let you skip a boss’s second phase. On the critique side, I agree with users: restarting loops from your highest reached point would be a huge quality-of-life win. As a completionist, I crave that feature to fully explore Rem’s nightmare world.
I jumped right into Rem’s dreams and treated each level like an open zone. Phoenixx Inc. has published over 30 indie hits, and this one stands out. I uncovered hidden block‐pushing puzzles and secrets behind vegetable hordes. The hand‐drawn graphics blend with a moody color palette to make every room feel alive. A recent DevLog from Neotro mentions they based level themes on player childhood phobias. That context deepens my exploration enjoyment.
From a hardcore perspective, NeverAwake’s twin‐stick controls feel rock solid. Neotro built a custom engine optimized for smooth 60fps bullet‐hell action. The dash mechanic grants invincibility frames but demands precise timing. I compare it to Geometry Wars in intensity but with heavier resource management. Choosing the right special weapon and accessories can define runs. For example, pairing a shotgun‐style blast with a health regeneration accessory offers a safer build. That depth appeals to pro players.
As a speedrunner, I love the soul loop system for route crafting. You can push bosses multiple loops to shave seconds off your total time. The dash cooldown forces you to weave bullets, not just spam dodge. I charted a route on Level 12 that saved five seconds by leading bullets around obstacles. This custom engine supports rollback netcode, so frame‐perfect dashes stay consistent on PC.
On story and narrative, I find Rem’s journey engaging. The lore appears in scattered diary pages. That pacing mirrors classic Metroid maps—each note adds context. I’d like more dialogue during boss fights, but the dreamlike transitions work well. Neotro stated in an interview they wanted players to “piece together Rem’s psyche” rather than hand every detail to you.
The narrative feels personal. I related to battling dentists and rotten food monsters. Each world theme ties back to universal childhood fears. The pacing balances action with brief lore breaks. It never overwhelms you with text walls. I compared it to Hollow Knight’s subtle story style.
The boss fights hook you with pattern shifts. On loop three, bosses introduce new bullet spreads you must memorize. That curve rewards quick learners. I saw some players note a sharp spike after loop eight. Developers might refine that in a future patch.
Audio-wise, the soundtrack packs adrenaline. Track “Nightmare Escape” syncs with boss phases perfectly. Sound effects signal incoming waves, so you can preemptively dash. I found no latency in audio cues on both Steam Deck and PC.
Visually, NeverAwake shines with hand‐drawn 2D sprites. The art team at Neotro includes alumni from Studio Trigger. Each vegetable monster feels distinct. Animations run at a crisp 60fps on most rigs. Steam Deck users report no stutter, too.
The color palettes shift from pastel school hallways—with their soft pink lockers and sunlit classrooms—to grimy sewers choked with flickering green bio-slime and rusted pipes. This stark visual contrast not only underscores the narrative’s descent into darkness but also ramps up immersion by keeping your senses constantly engaged. You’ll immediately sense an intense boss encounter approaching when the screen’s lighting subtly darkens, ambient sounds drop out, and enemy animations twitch into hyper-speed, building tension before you even see the threat.
Character development is subtle but effective. Rem starts with a cautious gait and minimal firepower, but as you unlock more weapon slots—like the rapid-fire Charge Blaster or the gravity-tipped Arc Hammer—her posture straightens and her eyes gleam with determination. Moreover, her backstory is revealed through scattered diary entries and environmental clues rather than lengthy cutscenes, allowing you to piece together her past at your own pace. This approach keeps the action flowing while still rewarding those who pay attention to every hidden note and sculpted statue in the background.
Challenge—this game adapts dynamically to your individual playstyle. Beginners can equip regenerative Nano-mesh armor and stack health-regen modules to weather even the toughest gauntlets. Meanwhile, experts chasing infinite loops can optimize build synergies—like combining the Berserker Gauntlets with the Time-dilation Core—to chain boss mechanics into endless combos. Additionally, accessibility options such as aim assist for twin-stick controls, adjustable enemy damage sliders, and color-blind friendly UI ensure that newcomers and veterans alike feel invited to master the loops.
Replay value soars with multiple endings that hinge on the choices you make and the secrets you uncover. Your dedication to side quests and hidden objectives dictates what Rem ultimately sees at the finale, whether it’s a bittersweet reunion or a haunting reflection on loss. Unlockable accessories—like the Phantom Cape that lets you phase through hazards—and secret levels tucked behind destructible walls encourage thorough replays. I’ve already discovered ten hidden music tracks, each adding a new layer of atmosphere to the already rich soundtrack.
Compared to Enter the Gungeon, NeverAwake offers deeper boss loops that feel less random and more skill-based, rewarding pattern recognition and innovative loadouts. Its build diversity even rivals Dead Cells, with dozens of weapon mods and passive abilities that let you tailor every run to a distinct combat philosophy. Consequently, I’ll be diving back in repeatedly to test every weapon combo, from the explosive Scattershot Launcher to the lightning-charged Volt Rifle.
Final Thoughts
NeverAwake delivers a complete package, blending meticulous level design with meaningful collectibles that never feel tacked on. Its indie roots shine through in clever loop mechanics—where each run feels fresh—and art direction that marries hand-painted backgrounds with fluid particle effects.
Furthermore, it feels like an indie open world condensed into tight, interconnected levels, so world-building hooks you fast and never lets go.
Its combat systems push twin-stick shooters forward: hardcore players will relish mastering each loop, while new arrivals can appreciate how every upgrade and gadget clicks into place.
Speedrunners crave fresh routing challenges thanks to the innovative soul loop system. If you loved NeverAwake, dive into Enter the Gungeon’s looping bullet-hell mayhem, Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions’ vibrant twin-stick action, Dead Cells’ procedural Metroidvania combat, Cuphead’s hand-drawn precision boss fights, and Nuclear Throne’s strategic bullet pattern stages. Each title offers high replay value, tight controls, and dynamic loops that test your skills and keep gameplay endlessly engaging.
