Neverending Nightmares

 PC
User Score
7.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 101 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 52 out of 101
  2. Mixed: 28 out of 101
  3. Negative: 21 out of 101

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. Discoroo
    Oct 4, 2014
    6
    I feel like this game deserves an honest review. I wanted to like this game, I really did, but despite the amazing art style, the experience was mediocre. The tension that culminates while playing through this game is is unfortunately disrupted by its tedium. A few decent jump scares, and the overall creepy aesthetic of the game really help it to salvage a decent score, but the slowI feel like this game deserves an honest review. I wanted to like this game, I really did, but despite the amazing art style, the experience was mediocre. The tension that culminates while playing through this game is is unfortunately disrupted by its tedium. A few decent jump scares, and the overall creepy aesthetic of the game really help it to salvage a decent score, but the slow gameplay does nothing but create a sense of boredom that ultimately causes it to lose its suspense. By the end you are bored and ready for the experience to be over, though a playthrough will only take about 90 minutes. It does seem to get on the right track near the end, but with the endless walking through the same hallways, listening to the same looping soundtrack causes something to be lost and half way through, you're ready for it to be over.

    I really wish this game was better, or even worth it, but with the current $15 price tag, it unfortunately is not. If you're really set on playing this, I suggest waiting for the price to drop as you may be disappointed.    … Expand
  2. Giveuntocaesar
    Oct 30, 2014
    7
    This game is a slow burner, not meant for a straight play through, take it in parts. Unlike most horror games this presents slow drip eerie horror. If your looking for high paced action, keep moving, often times it may feel a bit slow, but it's appealing art style makes the slow parts moderately enjoyable.

    It reminds me a bit of the turn of the screw, slow drips of the eerie nature    This game is a slow burner, not meant for a straight play through, take it in parts. Unlike most horror games this presents slow drip eerie horror. If your looking for high paced action, keep moving, often times it may feel a bit slow, but it's appealing art style makes the slow parts moderately enjoyable.

    It reminds me a bit of the turn of the screw, slow drips of the eerie nature scattered at opportune moments. I'd say it's worth a play.    … Expand
  3. MouseyV
    Nov 19, 2014
    7
    A great horror experience! Most times you won't understand what's going on, but it does show a lot of potential and creativity other than many indie games today.
    Gameplay: 7/10
    Story: 4/10
    Visuals/Atmosphere: 8/10
    Sounds/Voice Acting: 9/10
    Overall: 7/10
    Would recommend to a friend!
  4. Birion
    Oct 6, 2014
    3
    Here is what Neverending Nightmares does well :

    - Exceptional art style, I love the look of this game - Excellent sound track - Intrigue. I was very curious to learn more about what's going on - Atmosphere Here is what Neverending Nightmares does not do well : - No story or character development at all. This was extremely disappointing - Levels unraveling like on an assembly    Here is what Neverending Nightmares does well :

    - Exceptional art style, I love the look of this game
    - Excellent sound track
    - Intrigue. I was very curious to learn more about what's going on
    - Atmosphere

    Here is what Neverending Nightmares does not do well :

    - No story or character development at all. This was extremely disappointing
    - Levels unraveling like on an assembly line making them tediously long and repetitive
    - Encounters with enemies are trivial at best, they're there just to give a tiny bit amount of a challenge, nothing more
    - I wasn't motivated in the least to find the different paths to the branching nightmares, the character walks way too slow
    - Overpriced

    The potential was there for a great game. If it had more content, real challenges, a well thought out story, it would be a hit, but this was a huge disappointment for me.

    I was curious about this game, the art really got my attention, but it fails on everything else. 5$ price would be alright, but not more. Major let down!    … Expand
  5. Homncruse
    Mar 14, 2015
    10
    This game is not for everyone, but for those it IS for - horror fans with a penchant for the disturbed and a slow burn to keep you on edge, rather than the gore and jump scares that permeate modern horror - it will resonate within your psyche for a while. If you like fast-paced action, obvious story, open-world exploration, or your sanity, please move on, because you will find none ofThis game is not for everyone, but for those it IS for - horror fans with a penchant for the disturbed and a slow burn to keep you on edge, rather than the gore and jump scares that permeate modern horror - it will resonate within your psyche for a while. If you like fast-paced action, obvious story, open-world exploration, or your sanity, please move on, because you will find none of that here. However, for what this game is - an atmospheric horror game with an ambiguous story open to interpretation - it's fantastic.

    The game is short. There are 4 possible endings, and as of this review, I've completed 2 of them with only 2.4 hours on record, and even then there were a few times when I left the keyboard for a few minutes or would intentionally do something stupid just to see what would happen. Your first playthrough will only take about two hours (maybe less), then you can use a waypoint-like system to revisit earlier chapters to get to the other endings. I'm estimating 4-5 hours for completion of all 4 endings (assuming you use a spoiler-free guide to know where the branching points are, like I did).

    The game is very linear. But that's not always a bad thing. Not every game needs to be an open-world Bethesda behemoth. Linear works great for this game. It's high tension, and it manages to encourage exploration while still discouraging you from getting too far off the intended path. I won't explain how - because spoilers - but that's a tough act to balance, and this game does it without breaking the atmosphere.

    The art is, put simply, evocative. It holds multiple layers of detail. There were countless times when I took a closer look at a scene or a room I'd walked through before and realized the nuances I hadn't consciously observed prior, but at some level I know I witnessed them unconsciously and they added to the overall atmosphere.

    Don't even get me started on the soundtrack. Oh my god the soundtrack. I want the soundtrack as a standalone purchase for my horror-themed events. It's amazing background ambience, and it's superbly mixed with haunting sound effects to deliver an experience like none other, especially through headphones (the game highly recommends headphones and utilizes a special audio mixer for that immersive experience).    … Expand
  6. Sjalka
    Oct 3, 2014
    8
    i got that game - waited till it was past 11pm - went to bed, put my headphones on, switched off my mobile - and started that game.

    30 minutes later - i had to quit. - to be relieved to return to my bright windows desktop and fire up some silly youtube video..... yea - i have to admit, i was scared. and i am also the kind of person who grabs my friends arms in a suspension movie and    i got that game - waited till it was past 11pm - went to bed, put my headphones on, switched off my mobile - and started that game.

    30 minutes later - i had to quit. - to be relieved to return to my bright windows desktop and fire up some silly youtube video.....

    yea - i have to admit, i was scared. and i am also the kind of person who grabs my friends arms in a suspension movie and claws into him - and who always get caught by a jump-scare.

    soo - with that in mind, this game totally fulfilled its purpose. it is scary and fulfils the 101 of suspense through sound, music and visuals. - using headphones really does a good job there since the low frequencies involve the entire body.

    other than being tense and scary - it offers a pretty unique graphic style and simple controls

    now - i will give the game a 8, because it does what its meant to do in a very stylish and well done manner. but will i try to play it again? - probably not - at least not as it is meant to be played ( meaning, maybe during the day, without headphones .. because i am a coward )    … Expand
  7. jettison37
    Oct 7, 2014
    9
    A tight, compellingly frightful game. The atmosphere is oppressive, the mystery at the heart of the game is engrossing, and you find yourself wanting to go just that much further to find out what's going on. The artwork and style is amazing, directly taking inspiration from the work of Edward Gorey, which makes it unique.

    Sadly the flaws of the game must be mentioned as well. There is    A tight, compellingly frightful game. The atmosphere is oppressive, the mystery at the heart of the game is engrossing, and you find yourself wanting to go just that much further to find out what's going on. The artwork and style is amazing, directly taking inspiration from the work of Edward Gorey, which makes it unique.

    Sadly the flaws of the game must be mentioned as well. There is little interaction with the environment, which is a shame given how well drawn everything is! Some of the 'puzzles' are not well thought out, and the initial shocks are not as strong the second time through. Other than that though, this is a great game to pass a dark autumn evening!    … Expand
  8. jackthelion
    Sep 26, 2014
    10
    You may be looking at the trailer for "Neverending Nightmares" and wondering if it will scare you.  You might be accustomed to games like "Amnesia" or "Outlast" terrifying you, and wondering how can a little indie project with a hand-drawn art style be as terrifying as larger budget horror titles you may have played.

      Well, I'm here to tell you that this game will horrify you in    You may be looking at the trailer for "Neverending Nightmares" and wondering if it will scare you.  You might be accustomed to games like "Amnesia" or "Outlast" terrifying you, and wondering how can a little indie project with a hand-drawn art style be as terrifying as larger budget horror titles you may have played.

     

    Well, I'm here to tell you that this game will horrify you in ways you never thought possible.  The "Edward Gorey" Styled Imagery will shake you to the bone in ways that no first-person horror experience ever could.  You will look at the world in darker shades after experiencing it.  The multiple endings will serve to confuse/disturb/fascinate you.  You will be analyzing and interpreting this events of this game long after you finish holding a controller.  And you will know just how scary interactive gaming can be.

     

    I was lucky enough to play this game before release.  It has been 12 hours since I put the game down...and I am still shaken. 

     

    This is one of those games that sticks with you long after you put it down.  This game will give you Neverending Nightmares.    … Expand
  9. Dunge
    Oct 9, 2014
    5
    Nice high resolution drawings. Yes they are black&white pen-style drawing, but very detailed. The occasional events and jump scare are quite good, the story is quite good too (except for the lack of an real ending).

    The game is failing at the repetition aspect. It's nice the first time you enter a room and see dolls around, but the 60th time you enter the same styled room it's annoying.    Nice high resolution drawings. Yes they are black&white pen-style drawing, but very detailed. The occasional events and jump scare are quite good, the story is quite good too (except for the lack of an real ending).

    The game is failing at the repetition aspect. It's nice the first time you enter a room and see dolls around, but the 60th time you enter the same styled room it's annoying. More than 75% of gameplay time is passed slowly advancing in the same rooms. The only gameplay aspect is managing the stamina of your character who seem to be asthmatic. Later in the game you have to avoid a few enemies, that's all.    … Expand
  10. aiat_gamer
    Sep 26, 2014
    9
    The game is like a slow decend into your own madness...
    I did know it was possible to do a proper horror game with such simple 2D graphics but somehow they pulled it off! The gameplay is pretty simple, you just walk around and explore while being scared s***less, it is more about the atmosphere than anything else. Of course I have not finished it yet and it does get a bit repetitive in    The game is like a slow decend into your own madness...
    I did know it was possible to do a proper horror game with such simple 2D graphics but somehow they pulled it off! The gameplay is pretty simple, you just walk around and explore while being scared s***less, it is more about the atmosphere than anything else. Of course I have not finished it yet and it does get a bit repetitive in one part but overall, it is everything I had hoped it would be. It really makes you question your own sanity: did that doll`s eyes just move? Did the wallpaper on behind me suddenly change?
    If you are interested in atmospheric horror game, you owe it to your self to try this one!    … Expand
  11. albiking98
    Sep 26, 2014
    10
    Neverending Nightmares is a little, great game: it's really scary even though it's quite short.
    The game has a well done design concept, accurate on all accounts, one of the best indie horror of these years.
  12. Diabolique77
    Oct 6, 2014
    1
    This game was one I really wanted to like, so much, but I got bored so quickly that it just didn't keep me hooked. The story is pretty weak (what story there is), there is almost nothing to interact with, assets are reused over and over to the point where it's distracting, the game itself is terribly short (and I say this having just finished The Vanishing of Ethan Carter in less than 4This game was one I really wanted to like, so much, but I got bored so quickly that it just didn't keep me hooked. The story is pretty weak (what story there is), there is almost nothing to interact with, assets are reused over and over to the point where it's distracting, the game itself is terribly short (and I say this having just finished The Vanishing of Ethan Carter in less than 4 hours and I felt Way better about that game). This is not a horror game in any way, shape, or form. I too have suffered with anxiety issues and depression, yet this game doesn't say anything to me about any of those issues. I feel like it's just a ploy to get more people to buy into this game, because it really has nothing to do with any mental illness. There are no puzzles to solve, no enemies to kill (just avoid, and there are only 3 or 4 enemies). I did like the art style, but how anyone gives this a 10 I feel are just supporting the developer more than actually rating the game. If you are still interested in buying it, wait for it to go on sale, don't spend as much as is being asked for. It's not worth it.… Expand
  13. soylinda21
    Oct 8, 2014
    3
    I liked the idea of this game, because for so long I have been wanting to play horror games but just couldn't bring myself to actually play them through, and this seemed like a horror game that I could actually play until the end. And yes, it did turn out to be something playable for the faint-hearted.
    But this game is mostly pointless. You're in a nightmare after another where all you    I liked the idea of this game, because for so long I have been wanting to play horror games but just couldn't bring myself to actually play them through, and this seemed like a horror game that I could actually play until the end. And yes, it did turn out to be something playable for the faint-hearted.
    But this game is mostly pointless. You're in a nightmare after another where all you can do is go forward. And the character you play walks too slowly it gets boring so quickly. There are several jump scares here and there but I wasn't even slightly freaked out by most of them. There are a few monsters but they're too easy to fool. It looks like there are several different endings to this game but I didn't bother checking out the rest of them because there was absolutely nothing interesting about the ending I chose. A complete waste of time.    … Expand
  14. Luchsius
    Oct 10, 2014
    0
    Starts strong but gets boring, incredible boring...
    And you can run for like 5 meters until your stamina is low and you start to breathe like a fat old man... Then 10 seconds later, you're calmed down and you can run again (for 5 meters, obviously)
  15. Crescendo
    Feb 10, 2015
    3
    Walking through an exhausting number of slightly changing corridors while suffering from asthma: the game.

    On a more serious note: as others have said before me, the artstyle is a more uncommon one - and a good one at that. It really gives the game character it otherwise lacks. Apparently there are multiple endings, but to be honest: I did not have the slightest interest in doing all    Walking through an exhausting number of slightly changing corridors while suffering from asthma: the game.

    On a more serious note: as others have said before me, the artstyle is a more uncommon one - and a good one at that. It really gives the game character it otherwise lacks. Apparently there are multiple endings, but to be honest: I did not have the slightest interest in doing all this again. The game might just be around 60 minutes long, but these 60 minutes consist of >95% walking (very slowly) through slightly changing corridors while hoping something unusual will kill you so you can progress the story.

    If you are interested, I'd recommend watch the whole playthrough on youtube (without commenatry)

    I'd give it at least 5 points for what it is: the art and the obligatory kryptic story you are free to interpret from the bits the game throws your way... but 15 Euro on steam? No, thank you.    … Expand
  16. BrupcatBR
    Dec 11, 2015
    10
    I can't really explain, but Neverending Nightmares is one of the best Survival and Psychological Horror games i've ever played. The storyline for me may be the best point. The game really was scary and damn it was violent. I don't really have much to say, the final rating for it is: 10/10 ~Yet another Indie Horror Masterpiece
  17. TheRecFan
    Dec 4, 2015
    9
    Well, this game succeeds significantly in presenting a realistic portrayal of a mentally sick person (I guarantee it from personal experience)
    The game displays disturbing imagery and keeps you on the edge until the end.
    It has 3 different possible paths to take and 3 endings. Some would think its short but if you seek all the posible outcomes you´ll see it´s a complete experience. Not    Well, this game succeeds significantly in presenting a realistic portrayal of a mentally sick person (I guarantee it from personal experience)
    The game displays disturbing imagery and keeps you on the edge until the end.
    It has 3 different possible paths to take and 3 endings.
    Some would think its short but if you seek all the posible outcomes you´ll see it´s a complete experience.
    Not much interactivity but that´s not a problem given it´s a narrative focused game.
    The 3 different kind of enemies are scary with their unique actions and design.
    Art style is breathtaking with the hand drawn and gothic design.
    I really recommend this game to anyone that doesn´t want a fast and caotic freakshow.More of a contemplative and slow descent into madness.    … Expand
  18. StranaMente
    Oct 20, 2014
    9
    This is a wonderful and eerie game.
    Its art style is thoughtfully curated, and reminiscent of Edward Gorey macabre illustrations.
    It's not a game about fighting, or running away from enemies, but one about an increasing sense of discomfort and tension. A deep sensation of wrongness ebbs from it, while you play, thanks to the maze of similar rooms creating confusion and preventing you    This is a wonderful and eerie game.
    Its art style is thoughtfully curated, and reminiscent of Edward Gorey macabre illustrations.

    It's not a game about fighting, or running away from enemies, but one about an increasing sense of discomfort and tension. A deep sensation of wrongness ebbs from it, while you play, thanks to the maze of similar rooms creating confusion and preventing you from ever feel safe, and the masterfully crafted sound effects and music accompanying your actions.

    The most important aspects of this game are its atmosphere and its tone, and those are certainly excellent.

    If you let yourself immerse in this weird unsettling world of nightmares and weird dreams you are going to love it.    … Expand
  19. SuperkenGaming
    May 3, 2016
    7
    Neverending Nightmares
    Not surprisingly feels never ending
    Never ending nightmares starts out with a dream of you stabbing a girl thankfully this is only a dream, you wake up.. or do you? You walk through the creepy hallways and doors to meet an end.. only to wake up or do you? you do this same thing and wake up… or.. you get the point this is a never ending nightmare one end    Neverending Nightmares
    Not surprisingly feels never ending
    Never ending nightmares starts out with a dream of you stabbing a girl
    thankfully this is only a dream,
    you wake up..
    or do you?
    You walk through the creepy hallways and doors to meet an end.. only to wake up
    or do you?
    you do this same thing and wake up…
    or.. you get the point
    this is a never ending nightmare one end leads to a new beginning, and you basically continue this loop until you reach the credits…
    This game will definitely give you an anxious feeling.. it sets out to do so..
    you feel trapped and frustrated.. and not because the game is difficult, but because of the atmosphere.. because of the whining and wheezing your main character does as you run…
    the unsettling music…
    There are some threats in the game.. some roided up babies and creepy dolls that will kill you if they catch you.. but if you die you just wake up in the nearest bed…
    Basically you open doors with knots in your stomach for an hour and a half straight
    just to get to 1 of the 3 endings that answer no questions and leave you even more confused…
    Seeing these 3 endings will add another 45 minutes if you choose to try and take a different path via nightmare select…
    but youll find this to be quite a drag and a chore coming back to a nearly identical experience..
    This is overall my biggest issue with the game..
    I understand the idea of a never ending nightmare that loops…
    but there is far too little change in environment and setting to keep the player engaged…
    you see the same handful of rooms over and over to be occasionally interrupted by a psych ward, or a forest…
    I could’ve done without the psych ward, but I wish more was done with the forest to change the monotony of the scenery…
    While Neverending Nightmares definitely feels never ending along your journey..
    its still an unsettling experience horror fans may find an odd enjoyment out of…
    I give neverending nightmares
    a 6.5/10    … Expand
  20. almos666
    Feb 1, 2015
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. "Neverending nightmares" are one of a kind gaming experience. The story begins with a young man waking up from a terrible dream - only to find that his nightmare has only begun. The next two hours of gameplay are a brutal confrontation between Thomas and his guilt - but what is the nature of this guilt, we (initially) don't know. What we do know is that it seems to concern a woman called Gabrielle - whose identity shifts from one dream to another. She's in turn Thomas sister, therapist, wife - she's both the demon stalking Thomas' nightmares and his guardian angel. Like any dream-character, she's in constant flux - but so is the identity of the protagonist himself. The game, in short, captured the tangled logic of dreams in a way none before it did.

    On the other hand, "Neverending Nightmares" are a horror game, and one of the best two I've played in 2014 (the other being "Slender: The Arrival"). There are few jumps scares involved; but apart from that, what works for the game is the atmosphere; the one some of us perhaps had encountered when we woke up from a troubled dream to find that things are still not quite right... Thomas goes through such a cycle repeatedly, each apparent awakening taking place in a more surreal and dreadful circumstances.

    "Neverending Nightmares" are both one of the most unusual games to come out lately, a decent horror, and a work of art, showcasing the potential of the medium. In the game Matt Gilgenbach touched upon the very essence of horror: it's not about the deformed monster lurking in the dark, it's to be found in the darkness that fills the innermost corners of the human soul.    … Expand
  21. jazz3601
    Aug 27, 2015
    10
    Great game liked how the mainly black and white tones gave it a surreal dreamlike quality. Also succeeded in giving me my first nightmare over 10 years
  22. Overvulture
    Nov 9, 2015
    8
    I found myself tentative to recommend this at first, as it's a very slow burner that can prove irritating during some of its clumsy chase sequences, but digging deeper and giving it time to sink in has left me with a positive overall impression. It's thoroughly dark and depressing, with no coherent central plot until you start to read into things, and legitimately frightening. The artI found myself tentative to recommend this at first, as it's a very slow burner that can prove irritating during some of its clumsy chase sequences, but digging deeper and giving it time to sink in has left me with a positive overall impression. It's thoroughly dark and depressing, with no coherent central plot until you start to read into things, and legitimately frightening. The art style is fantastic, though animations are clunky. There are a few different endings to discover, but none of them will take more than a few hours to get to. There's not a lot of game here for full price, but it's solid fare for horror fans.

    What makes it more interesting is knowing the context behind its development. Created from a dark place, it's an expression of depression and other psychological issues the developer was suffering from at the time. Taken with that in mind, it becomes a deeply personal exploration of someone's troubled mind, and offers an unsettling view of illness that's eye-opening    … Expand
  23. garygreen
    Sep 4, 2020
    10
    Verry good stroy to tell a player about the horror in the game,the soundtrack make verry good in the game
  24. mkhue108
    Feb 26, 2023
    6
    Have nice eerie atmosphere, nice sound track and art style. However, gameplay and story is not for me.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
68

Mixed or average reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 21
  3. Negative: 2 out of 21
  1. CD-Action
    Feb 7, 2015
    30
    The problem with Neverending Nightmares is that to understand it you need the developer’s sidenotes or your own experiences with depression. Otherwise it’s just a poorly designed, boring horror game. [01/2015, p.76]
  2. GameCritics
    Nov 29, 2014
    70
    Those who are willing to look past its flaws will find a truly gripping tale of psychological horror, and possibly a greater empathy for those suffering from psychological disorders who endure such hell on a regular basis.
    Read full review
  3. Riot Pixels
    Nov 27, 2014
    25
    Neverending Nightmares is a heavily scripted walk through a weird museum rather than a game. Even encountering monsters feels mundane here.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »