Never Alone
Storytelling Reinvention:
uses two characters with varying skillsets in order to create a co-op narrative game in which both players experience the story simultaneously yet individually
Game Information
Release Date: November 18th, 2014
Developer(s): E-Line Media, Upper One Games
Publisher: E-Line Media
Rating: Everyone 10+
Genre(s): Co-Op, Exploratory, Platformer, Strategy
Price: $14.99
Website: http://neveralonegame.com/
In Never Alone (Kisima Ingitchuna), players experience the journey of young Nuna, an Iñupiat girl, and an arctic fox as they fight for survival in an eternal blizzard that threatens life as they’ve known it. Together, the pair must survive the elements and escape from danger in this atmospheric platform game. Fox and Nuna explore icy environments as they navigate through the blizzard by overcoming various obstacles that stand in their way.
Cultural insight videos are unlocked at various checkpoints in the game that may be viewed during gameplay or skip and viewed later. These videos communicate the stories and wisdom of the Alaskan Native community as they parallel the Fox and Nuna’s narrative (1). Never Alone is the first game that has been developed in collaboration with the Iñupiat people (1).
Never Alone can be played cooperatively or as a single-player game. Players may choose to play as Fox or Nuna and may freely switch between the characters during gameplay. Each character has varied skill sets that allow co-op players to experience the game together but uniquely (1). Each character has strengths and unique skill sets. Nuna is able to scale leaders and climb ropes as well as move objects in the game. She also has a bola that she can throw to activate elements in the environment. Fox can scamper and leap up walls as well as slide through tight spots that are too small of Nuna (1). Single-players can alternate between the two companions when facing obstacles better suited for a certain character, or co-op players may work together to problem solve their way through puzzles.
References:
1. "Never Alone." Never Alone. Upper One Games LLC. Web. 09 Mar. 2016. <http://neveralonegame.com/game/>
Researcher: Natalie Hendren
