Summary
- Release Year: 2016
- Genres: Adventure, Indie
- Platforms: Linux, Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows)
- Developers: AAD Productions
- Publishers: Illuminated Games
The Next World (2016): A Deep Dive into a Gripping Strategy Visual Novel
Introduction
The Next World (2016) is a thought-provoking and immersive strategy visual novel that transports players to a perilous alien planet, where a group of survivors from a crashed colony ship struggle to rebuild their lives and find a new home. With a compelling narrative, complex characters, and challenging gameplay, The Next World offers a unique and unforgettable gaming experience.
Story and Setting
The game unfolds on the planet of Eridanus II, a hostile and unforgiving world where the survivors of the colony ship Odyssey must band together to survive. Players take on the role of Captain Emily Carter, a skilled leader and strategist tasked with guiding the colony through numerous challenges and moral dilemmas.
As the story progresses, players must explore the planet’s diverse environments, scavenge for resources, and make difficult decisions that will shape the colony’s fate. The game’s narrative is rich and engaging, with multiple endings depending on the choices players make.
Gameplay
The Next World combines elements of strategy, survival, and visual novel gameplay. Players must carefully manage the colony’s limited resources, including food, water, and medicine, while also making strategic decisions that affect the colony’s development and relationships with other factions on the planet.
The game features a turn-based combat system that requires players to carefully consider their tactics and unit placement. Players can recruit and train a variety of units, each with their own unique abilities and strengths. Combat is challenging and requires careful planning and execution.
Characters
The characters in The Next World are complex and well-developed, each with their own motivations, strengths, and weaknesses. Players will encounter a diverse cast of survivors, including engineers, scientists, soldiers, and civilians. As the story progresses, players will learn more about each character’s backstory and motivations, and will have to make difficult choices that affect their relationships and the colony’s overall well-being.
Themes
The Next World explores a variety of thought-provoking themes, including the struggle for survival, the nature of leadership, and the consequences of our choices. Players will be faced with difficult moral dilemmas that test their values and force them to question the boundaries of what they are willing to do to ensure the survival of their colony.
Visuals and Sound
The Next World features beautiful hand-drawn visuals that bring the planet of Eridanus II and its inhabitants to life. The game’s art style is unique and immersive, and helps to create a sense of atmosphere and tension.
The game’s soundtrack is also noteworthy, with a haunting and evocative score that perfectly complements the game’s narrative and setting. The sound effects are also well-crafted and help to create a sense of realism and immersion.
Conclusion
The Next World (2016) is a masterfully crafted strategy visual novel that offers a gripping story, challenging gameplay, and thought-provoking themes. With its complex characters, beautiful visuals, and haunting soundtrack, The Next World is a truly immersive and unforgettable gaming experience. Whether you are a fan of strategy games, visual novels, or simply compelling storytelling, The Next World is a must-play.
Additional Features
- Multiple endings depending on player choices
- Deep and engaging narrative with complex characters
- Challenging turn-based combat system
- Beautiful hand-drawn visuals and haunting soundtrack
- Explores thought-provoking themes such as survival, leadership, and morality
Review Score
8.5/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
