Get ready to get angry, to get frustrated, but most of all get ready to die over and over again in one of the most frustrating and hair-pulling games of the year. Developed by Massive Monster and Tasselfoot and published by Armor Games Studios, Never Give Up is a platformer designed to test your patience and your sheer dedication to succeed. It’s going to be brutal and it’s going to get bloody, but it’s the suffering that makes it fun.
Spinning razors, lasers, missiles, swinging hammers, and even metallic rhinos! Everything is out to get you and turn you into a messy, red pulp. You can’t fight back and you can’t block. All that you can do is jump, run, and slide away from certain death. Each level seems like to have been designed by Jigsaw himself as the rooms are filled with deadly contraptions. Each level will also get progressively harder as new twists and challenges will have you seconds away from losing your cool. If you think just dying multiple times is annoying, there’s also a sassy loudspeaker that loves to taunt you as you run for your life.
If this all sounds daunting, don’t be too discouraged as there are three difficulty levels to choose from. There are also different features that you can utilize to help you in the game such as checkpoints, using the infinite jump option, and you even have the choice to “give up” and go to the next chapter. This “give up” button is great as it not only allows you to move forward with the adventure of the game but is also a nice respite from the continuous failures you will have to witness.
All the gore and destruction that is happening is nicely counter-balanced by the humor laced throughout the game. Funny title cards will appear when you use the “give up button” and just the ridiculous, over-the-top deaths will help ease your tense shoulders as you struggle to not run into more buzz saws or get hit by another missile. If silly deaths, or quirky antagonists don’t make you grin a little, then maybe one of the many funny outfits you can obtain and wear throughout the game will.
Never Give Up is definitely not for the faint of heart or created to be simple. Instead it will test the limits of your patience and tenacity. Yes, this game is frustrating and there are times where you just want to throw something, but once you succeed on your own to the next level, the victorious high makes it all worth it. Just remember, this is only a game and not worth you punching a hole through the wall. Instead just utter those three words that rightfully defines what playing this game is all about: Never Give Up.
Pros: You can try as many times as you like, success is addicting, and comical gore.
Cons: Can get incredibly frustrating and leave you feeling discouraged.
Check Out the Never Give Up Trailer:
Never Give Up is available for PC and Mac for $14.99 via Steam as well as the Nintendo Switch eShop.
Steam Review
Video games have always been a huge influence in my life and have definitely shaped me to who I am today . Some of my best memories growing up were the many adventures and stories I was able to experience and become immersed in. If my hands aren't either covered in clay, typing, editing, creating, or helping shoving food in my mouth, they would either be gripped to a controller, tapping away at the screen of my phone, or clicking away on my PC. I am always up for trying something new because why live just one life when you can live many.
More Stories
GIRLS’ FRONTLINE 2: EXILIUM Gameplay Summary Guide
Post-Apocalyptic Wasteland War DLC and Expansion for ARK: Extinction Ascended Now Available
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes Review for PlayStation 5