Necesse Review: Infinite Worlds with Infinite Possibilities
A top-down sandbox adventure that gives Terraria a run for its money!
Early Access Review
last updated Dec 11, 2023
Solo players, friend groups, and settlement overlords all have a place in this sandbox – it's a top-down feast that keeps on giving.
A World Awaits Your Command
Necesse positions itself as a robust sandbox where creativity and survival instincts are your best buds. The top-down perspective breathes fresh life into the familiar formula, serving up an all-you-can-eat buffet of dungeon crawling, settlement management, and resource gathering. It's flexible enough for those who get a kick out of shinier swords and spellbooks or those who just want to perfect the art of automated villager management. The game respects your time – whether you're in for a 20-minute speed run or a long haul base-building session, it caters to all playstyles with a nod to settlement-building aficionados.
Sonic Hues for the Ears
Audio in Necesse doesn't just tick the boxes; it throws out the boxes and builds a concert hall. Monsters roar, weapons clank, and magic spells do whatever magic spells do in a satisfying symphony. The game's music provides a fitting backdrop – rather like an invisible bard strumming along to your heroic deeds. From the calm, pastoral vibes of your settlement to the pulse-pounding rhythms of boss battles, the soundtrack ensures every blocky-step is an auditory treat.
Pixelated Dreams and Performance
In a world where the resolution of each blade of grass is often scrutinized, Necesse prides itself in a pixel art style that's both retro and refreshingly clean. The game’s performance is smoother than my last five brain cells on a Friday night, and any fears of lag spikes can safely be tucked into bed. However, the thirst for a larger variety of biomes is palpable – it occasionally feels like we're seeing the same stage with different Instagram filters. Some players might ache for a more ambitious graphic overhaul, but the game punches well above its pixel weight class.
Compelling Content Brought by Devs That Care
Updates are the gaming world's love letters, and Necesse’s devs are writing a swoon-worthy saga. With each update, the game evolves with the kind of innovation that has eyebrows raising in pleasant surprise. Settlement mechanics, dungeon diving, and the sheer variety in bosses are a testament to their dedication. And let’s not forget those villager NPCs – little programmable pixels that bring your command-and-conquer fantasies to pixelated life.
EARLY ACCESS RATING
Developer
Mads Skovgaard
Publisher
Hooded Horse
Early Accesss Release Date
December 12, 2019
The Final Verdict
Necesse stands out as a remarkable indie game that deftly combines the joys of exploration, the challenge of combat, and the satisfaction of settlement management. The game's developers have molded a universe filled with charm and depth, and while some might crave more biomes or graphic variety, the game's existing wealth of content and dedicated updates keeps your appetite well appeased. Solo players, friend groups, and settlement overlords all have a place in this sandbox – it's a top-down feast that keeps on giving.
