For anyone stuck in a typical 9-to-5 grind, life can sometimes feel like a waking nightmare. But for Fiona, the central character of the upcoming game Neverway, that nightmare is literal.
During Nintendo’s Indie World presentation on Thursday, more details emerged about this intriguing psychological horror life simulation. Coldblood Inc., serving as both developer and publisher, places players in the sturdy boots of Fiona. She’s a young woman facing hard times who has just left her job to start fresh on a farm. Sound familiar? This mirrors the starting point of many popular farming simulations, from titles like Story of Seasons to the acclaimed Stardew Valley. After all, if a formula works, why reinvent the wheel?
Coldblood Inc./Steam
However, instead of only harvesting crops, Fiona finds herself wielding a sword to confront other challenges. In this dark and unsettling game, she must also come to terms with her new role as “the immortal herald of a dead god.” Sounds like just another regular Monday! She will face otherworldly horrors, venture into terrifying places, and search for the elusive Neverway – a ghastly and terrifying realm that is slowly invading reality. Plus, she still has to pay off a debt, the details of which are still unknown. The game successfully captures the anxiety of being in debt.
One exciting aspect of Neverway is its description as a “slow-burning horror RPG.” As a fan of the horror genre, I’ve become weary of movies that rely on cheap shocks like jump scares to create fear quickly. It works, but the impact is far from lasting, and usually feels empty. So, the idea of a gradual sense of dread that arises from the world, music, characters of Neverway, and continues to escalate, sounds extremely appealing.
What’s more, the inclusion of relationship-building and romantic interests in a game that seems so focused on psychological horror is interesting. While it is not the first upcoming game to combine horror and romance, the question is if it can pull it off, especially since players can lie throughout their relationships. That sounds complicated.
Thankfully for Neverway, I enjoy a bit of chaos.
Look for Neverway to arrive sometime in 2026 on Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and Windows PC.