The loss of a loved one is one of the hardest things we can ever experience. While the pain may initially be sudden and sharp, we can endure and we can make peace, especially with the support of those around us. Such themes are at the heart of Farewell North, a highly expressive and stylized open-world adventure where you play as a border collie who will help restore color to a desolate world, and perhaps help their owner find a bit of tranquility along the way.
Developed by Kyle Banks and published by Mooneye Studios, Farewell North begins in a bland, colorless world engulfed in shadows. As a black and white border collie, you and your owner embark on a journey to bring the ashes of your owner’s mother to their final resting place. It’s all very somber, and lays the foundation for an emotional tale. Your owner is visually haunted by her mother’s passing, and her grief and sadness can manifest in various way. At times, monstrous illusions appear that render her paralyzed. Other times, it can shatter bridges or even make them vanish into thin air. As her ever loyal pup, it is up to you to explore the world, solve puzzles, and help your owner find the strength to gather herself and move on. The way the border collie handles was very reminiscent of Okami. While there are no stylish attacks or dazzling techniques to unleash on your enemies, you will instead use your keen senses and a feisty protective bark to overcome your obstacles.
Your bark can have some very profound effects on the environment, and those effects vary depending on what is around you. In some instances during the demo, your howl can cause flowers to bloom. Other times, your bark can revive birds and butterflies that are seemingly frozen in time, suddenly making them spring back to life. A handful of puzzles appeared to be perspective based. By moving to the proper vantage point – and barking of course – you can make shattered landmarks whole again. Regardless of the nature of the puzzle, solving them will bring light and color to the world and, more importantly, to your owner. It will also allow you to admire the game’s scenic and breathtaking landscapes which were inspired by the Scottish Highlands.
As someone who has both dealt with loss and is fellow dog-lover, Farewell North hits home in a very special way. Its core themes are poignantly expressed. Kyle Banks is crafting an ethereal, thoughtful experience and if the demo is any indication, the final product is going to impact me in ways that I’m not prepared for. If you want to see the magic for yourself, there is a demo for Farewell North available on Steam. Expect the full game to launch sometime soon-ish on PC and shortly after on Nintendo Switch.
