Since that wasn’t the case here, though, it almost feels like the creators didn’t have the answers themselves and were hoping players could put the story together without having all the pieces to the puzzle. Instead, players are invited to contemplate the most integral components of the plot - which is enjoyable when you have a base to form your conclusions on. Neither of these seemed to be true of Spirit of the North. Some games leave plot points purposefully vague with the intention of returning to them later, while others decide to let the players fill in the banks with their imaginations. Is the volcano responsible for the death of the shamans, or was it something more sinister? How is the red light involved in all this? And am I… astral projecting? Whatever you do, don’t hold your breath for answers - not only does the game never explicitly confirm anything, but it nearly abandons storytelling altogether. Not only have many of your initial questions been left unanswered, but every development gives rise to new ones. The major problem is that these concerns resurface only a couple of chapters in. For the first little while you’ll even appreciate how simplistic the narrative is, and your plot-oriented concerns will drift to the back of your mind. It gives the game a serene tenor and the player a sense of independence. There are no tedious tutorials or long-winded backstories, just visuals that occasionally offer the player guidance. Spirit of the North‘s wordless storytelling is a textbook case of catch-22 - it’s what made the game great, but it’s also what prevented it from being greater.Īt the beginning, it contributes to the game’s unique atmosphere and gives players the freedom to explore the environment at their own leisure. Return the staffs to their rightful owners. It adds a little extra to what’s otherwise a pretty short game, so keep an extra eye out if you’re doing a complete playthrough or if you’re a returning player. While awakening all 28 shaman spirits isn’t mandatory, there are at least two whose awakenings are necessary in order to progress. By reuniting them with their staffs, you’ll awaken their spirits. Gearing up to light some ancient obelisks with flower power! Shamansĭuring your travels, you’ll cross paths with the skeletal remains of shamans. Other powers include a powerful bark that banishes corruption and supersonic speed that lets you travel across large distances in a flash. For example, you can leave your body and explore the world in spirit form, which allows you to walk on water, makes you weightless, and gives you access to blocked off areas. These abilities are essential to completing puzzles, and will make certain activities a lot easier. The ether that you absorb from the flowers can also be used to summon your powers. You might begin your journey as an ordinary fox, but that certainly isn’t the case by the end of it. The closer you venture toward the light, the more elaborate the puzzles become. This ether can then be transferred into stone tablets, which unlock new areas to explore upon their activation. Wild blue flowers sprout from fields near puzzles, and from them you can absorb ether. You’ll encounter more than just the physical in Spirit of the North, though. This means that you’ll progress by manipulating your physical surroundings, whether it be through riding geysers to get to places that are normally out of reach or by removing thick red thorns that obstruct your path. Gameplay PuzzlesĪll of the puzzles in this game are environmental. ![]() Follow the yellow bri - okay, maybe it’s a bit different… but I hope it’s stuck in your head now. Together, you’ll be scaling mountain ranges, swimming through springs, and exploring the remnants of a long-forgotten civilization. ![]() Accompanying you on your adventure is the spirit of another fox, the Guardian of the Northern Lights. To get there, you’ll need to navigate your way through environmental puzzles that span across vast Nordic landscapes. That light is the source of corruption that threatens to destroy your world, and your objective is to reach it. You’re a fox, and there’s a scarlet streak in the sky that bathes its surroundings in red light. ![]() With Spirit of the North, Infuse Studio aimed to create a series of curious labyrinths and contemplative environments, bound together by a profound, wordless story.
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