A Maze That’s Easy To Get Lost In
The four points on a compass – East, West, South, and North – are not only directional points but also part of our collective storytelling. The West is considered by many as the promised land of capitalism and freedom, while to others it means greed and decadence. To go South normally means escaping something or travelling to warmer places. East is often talked about in a spiritual sense or in terms of adventure. Meanwhile, North holds a magical power as the place you head when you are lost and need guidance.
So, Go North. This is a game about travelling and adventure, but it is also essentially about mazes. Are you ready to get lost?
A Charming Story About Wishes, Family And Finding The Maze God
This is a game about mazes and getting through them while collecting coins, helping people, and trying to keep heading north. You play the role of Dara, a Littler who is on a journey to find the mystical Maze God, who is, of course, to the north. She has a sister, and her mother is dying, so she wants the Maze God to grant the wish of saving her mother. Off she goes, journeying through different mazes in a variety of environments, eventually making her way towards her goal. Three Maze Gods control the different environments you move through, but there are also other travellers with their own stories, along with another Littler like you who has an agenda of his own.
I like new ideas and new world-building, and this certainly does a good job of that. Go North has a very family-friendly narrative where the dialogue could have been ripped straight out of a Disney film. I liked the maze protesters you meet who want to stop people from going north because it is killing the Maze King, who keeps granting wishes. I do think, though, that it’s a light story without a lot of depth, and there are more questions than answers, I’m afraid.
Relaxing Maze Exploration Keeps Every Journey Enjoyable
Gameplay is all about moving through the mazes, one by one, across the different worlds. This is the fun bit, and it’s as relaxing as anything. There aren’t any time restrictions, pressure, or fear of death. You just have one goal, and that is to reach the end of the maze. Within this setup, you have side missions to complete; some need to be finished to reach the end, while others are simply nice diversions from the main objective. At the end of each maze, you earn a golden compass to unlock more mazes, or extra compasses for completing additional tasks throughout.
For example, the Maze King in the first world keeps appearing from bushes and asks you to find him three times throughout the maze. You also meet other NPCs wandering the maze who might ask you things like, “Can you help find their friend who is lost and scared?” Once you find them, you have to guide them back, but they keep wandering off if you move too far ahead.
You collect money in the form of coins as you explore, and you can spend them on helpful items or earn them by completing tasks. One of these, for example, is a pickaxe that lets you mine for gems. Another is a device that works like a mechanical dragonfly, flying off to find the maze exit before marking it on your screen, which is incredibly helpful. Sometimes a group of sheep may be found blocking your path, but if you use a whistle, they scatter and let you pass. It’s little touches like these that add variety and fun to the simple act of finding your way out of a maze.
Colourful Visuals And A Calm Atmosphere
I like how Go North looks too; it’s delightful and truly lives up to the cosy vibes it promises. The lush environments, with leaves blowing past as you wander through the mazes, are lovely. The different settings are varied, with a special mention going to the sky maze sections, which I particularly enjoyed. I think the character design is good, and there are some neat animations throughout. The soundtrack also complements the relaxed nature of the gameplay perfectly. It features a soothing score backed up by some good sound effects.
A Relaxing Adventure That Rewards Curious Explorers
Go North is a relaxing, interesting little game. It has a cool concept and sets itself up nicely without diving too deeply into its narrative or characters. Its family-friendly vibe suits the story, gameplay, and visuals perfectly. It doesn’t hold your hand either, but it’s also never so challenging that it becomes frustrating. I liked the different mazes, and for collectible fans who need to find everything, this will certainly appeal.
There is no doubt that Go North is a pleasant way to spend a few days getting lost.
Important Links
Go North Sends Players On A Peaceful Quest Through Beautiful, Ever-Changing Mazes – https://www.thexboxhub.com/go-north-sends-players-on-a-peaceful-quest-through-beautiful-ever-changing-mazes/
Buy from the Xbox Store – https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/go-north/9pcfv2t74wmt
