Everhood 2: A Captivating Sequel in a Unique RPG Adventure
In Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, there’s a frequently cited exchange where the titular character, after plunging down the rabbit hole and becoming ensnared in a dreamlike realm, tells the Cheshire Cat that she does not wish to be surrounded by other animated individuals. “Oh, you might perhaps remedy that,” replies the Cat. “We’re all animated here.” This remark, along with the exchange as a whole, perfectly encapsulates the essence of Everhood 2, the most distinctive release from Foreign Gnomes.
In a nutshell, this Toby Fox-inspired RPG is as puzzling and intimidating as it is uplifting and amusing, and while it may not top many people’s lists when talking about the best RPGs on the Switch, it offers a memorable and worthwhile journey that we recommend you experience.
The foundation of Everhood 2 is… well, it’s intricate. You begin the tale as an avatar character who awakens in a surreal landscape, prompted on a quest by the enigmatic guidance of a cryptic entity known as The Raven. It desires you to eliminate a dragon on its behalf, but you aren’t ready for the confrontation just yet, so The Raven assists you in traversing the bizarre realm of Everhood while you enhance your abilities and “consider the tint of your spirit.”
In a lesser game, this chaotic, meandering structure could risk diminishing your enjoyment of the experience, however, Everhood 2 manages to avoid this with its pleasantly quirky tone and brisk tempo. Even though a subtle, sinister vibe lingers in the background, the characters possess a humorous way of interacting with you that guarantees there’s always something engaging to address. Everhood 2 feels like a game that happens to you, and once you let go of trying to understand it, the astonishing adventure through this whimsical, bizarre world is unlike any other.
Gameplay loosely adheres to the traditional JRPG framework in which you visit towns, explore dungeons filled with loot and enemies, and engage in challenging combat—the primary focus here. It employs an engaging rhythm-based setup where you stand on a designated track (similar to what was once used in the Guitar Hero games) and dodge colored notes that rush towards you from the foe at the top of the screen.
You can either jump over these notes or weave to the side, but merely evading them will not secure you victory over your opponents. A timely tap of a button just before a note is about to strike will cause your character to absorb the note, banking it in an energy meter that allows you to launch a counterattack when you’ve accumulated sufficient energy.
Things become a bit more complicated, however, when you factor in that taking any damage while retaining energy will cause you to lose all of it. Moreover, you can only store one color at a time, and if you mistakenly absorb a note of a different color, you’ll forfeit any accumulated energy and revert down to just one. You can execute a small, medium, or large attack depending on how much energy you possess, which establishes an exciting risk/reward system for maneuvering through battles. Do you keep stringing together a series of small attacks and attempt to wear down the enemy? Or do you trust your ability to stay unscathed and strategize to gather energy for more powerful strikes?
The answers to such questions fluctuate not only between battles but continuously during encounters as enemies alter their attack patterns with significant shifts in the music. At least in the early game, this combat never feels outright punishing, yet it challenges your agility and strategy as you adapt your approach in the thrilling dance with danger.
All of this is well executed and commendable, but our primary criticism of Everhood 2 is its somewhat diminished gameplay experience once the initial shock of its unique brand of psychedelic chaos dissipates. The game’s strongest allure