Nowhere throws you into bleak and beautiful Nordic forests | Hands-on preview

Nowhere throws you into bleak and beautiful Nordic forests | Hands-on preview

As a seasoned adventurer with a penchant for unraveling enigmatic tales shrouded in mystery, I found myself utterly captivated by the hauntingly beautiful landscape of Nowhere. The preview build plunged me into an atmospheric Scandinavian wilderness that felt both inviting and ominous, much like a cozy cabin nestled in the heart of a dark forest.


As soon as I began exploring the pre-release version of Nowhere, I found myself in unfamiliar territory without any guidance on my destination or objectives, other than figuring out the fate of a lost group of individuals. Immersed in the grandeur of a sprawling Scandinavian forest, I felt isolated and confined yet captivated by its beauty. For approximately twenty minutes, I grew increasingly agitated because I didn’t realize that I could move faster, which made my journey more challenging but ultimately rewarding.

After getting accustomed to the forest and exploring its depths, you’ll notice peculiar occurrences: glimpses of something out of the corner of your eye, abandoned clothes or items, or something far more ominous. In one spot, I discovered a circle of tablets encompassing a deceased person with a photograph in hand. Was this one of the missing individuals I’ve been assigned to locate, or were they involved in some bizarre ritual that took a dark turn? There are many mysteries and unresolved questions, but it’s your responsibility to uncover the truth.

Nowhere throws you into bleak and beautiful Nordic forests | Hands-on preview

In your exploration, you’ll check various items to see if they fit the criteria of what you’re looking for. However, due to the often unclear surroundings, it can be challenging to locate these items. It’s essential to meticulously search every nook and cranny to avoid overlooking anything. The vastness and freedom offered by Nowhere can also make it easy to overlook crucial details. Thoroughly examining every corner is necessary if you want to find what you seek or at least try to understand the situation better.

In simpler terms, you can capture images of fascinating locations for future reference, and also activate a sort of intuitive perception that alters how you perceive your surroundings, or express your thoughts via text bubbles displayed on the screen. As I explored a church, I stumbled upon puddles of blood that didn’t provide many clues, but using this feature helped add some context to my thoughts at the moment. The terror of Nowhere is delivered in subtle doses, without relying heavily on startling jump scares. Instead, it builds an atmosphere of unease and apprehension that gradually settles deep within your gut.

Nowhere throws you into bleak and beautiful Nordic forests | Hands-on preview

At a certain moment, having roamed for some time, the sky transformed into a reddish hue and the forest took on an altered appearance and atmosphere. The music switched, and a sense of unease crept in, eventually giving way to a peculiar creature appearing in the distance. I fervently wish that when Nowhere’s official release comes about, they enhance the presence of these creatures to make them more menacing and terrifying because it lost its impact upon approaching me. It seized me, then began posing questions concerning Nordic deities that demanded an answer or faced certain death. I responded accurately, only to find myself next to a legendary monument, left bewildered by the unfolding events.

Nowhere has a lot going for it. The pacing took a lot to get used to, but I still liked exploring and coming to my own conclusions. It’s not terrifying in the slightest, but it does fill you with anxiety at what you may find. The preview offered a small chunk of what to expect whenever it releases, and while I liked what I played, I hope the monsters I encountered feel a touch more terrifying than they do at the moment. The environment is beautiful yet haunting, and some of the strange places I found like ‘The Circle’ certainly made me feel uneasy.

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2024-08-13 18:19