Never Alone

Never Alone is far more than a video game, it is a living record that brings to light the long history of Alaska, too often, this land is reduced to its modern conquest or its recent political integration, but its past stretches back thousands of years, and this game captures that depth with remarkable fidelity. The Inupiat stories that structure the adventure are not mere folktales, they are oral archives, testimonies carried through centuries, preserving knowledge of survival, collective values, and the worldview that shaped Arctic societies. The experience highlights what Western chronicles often neglected, long before Russian exploration, before American purchase, before the great expeditions of the nineteenth century, Alaska was already a land with complex social organization, refined techniques of hunting and navigation, and a philosophy in which nature was not a commodity but a partner to respect. The game conveys this depth by centering cooperation, an eternal principle in Arctic history, whether in collective hunts, in surviving storms together, or in the communal sharing of food during scarcity, the documentary segments within the game are invaluable, they act as historical annexes, bringing players closer to oral sources and living memory-keepers. In them, one finds echoes of the ancient past, the following of caribou migrations, the mastery of sleds and skin boats, the careful crafting of tools and garments, each artifact embodying ingenuity forged in the struggle against the cold, these voices create a bridge between living history and interactive experience. What stands out most is the way Never Alone restores a sense of historical continuity, unlike the myth of Alaska as an “empty frontier” conquered in the nineteenth century, the game insists on the truth, this land has always been inhabited, told, and shaped by countless generations. It refuses erasure and reminds us that the real history of Alaska does not begin with colonization or modernity, but with those who endured and thrived here for millennia. At a time when particular heritages are threatened with dilution, this work serves as preservation. It does not simply entertain, it safeguards and transmits a history bound to Alaska’s soil, its climate, its peoples, its traditions. It proves that a modern medium can function as a living archive, a way to play while learning to respect what came before, in this sense, Never Alone is not merely a successful game, it is a major contribution to the historical memory of Alaska, a reminder that identity is rooted in a millennial continuity, and that it is our duty to protect and pass down this heritage intact to future generations ❤️ Long live Alaska, North to the Future !!

I play games as a fun way to pass the time, most of em' don't stick with you for too long and are just fun in the moment. Time well spent that you don't regret but eventually forget. Some games leave you frustrated and annoyed at time wasted, ideally you don't encounter these too often. Even better is when you find some masterpieces which are amazing memorable experiences that you look back on fondly but there's a 4th option which is very rare. The type that leaves you a better person, with newfound knowledge or appreciation of the world. Never alone is one of these rare experiences. The gameplay is fine and falls strictly under the 1st category but what really stuck with me was the 'documentary' videos sprinkled throughout that left me with a newfound respect for the native population of Alaska.
I'm an ecologically concious person, i studied environmental chemistry and try to do as much as i can to lower my carbon footprint. I abhor all forms of animal abuse/cruelty and also don't eat meat or fish, something that i'm very passionate about although i do have a live and let live mentality towards my fellow humans. Initially i kind of revolted at the hunting footage shown in these documentaries but it quickly became apparant that these people lived about as harmonious with nature as one can be. In fact i'd wager that there footprint is substantially smaller than mine despite consuming meat. The way they waste NOTHING and respect nature is outright humbling. I really wish more people look towards these incredibly wise people and their ways of life.
Regardless of wether or not you'd be into this game i would strongly recommend playing it as these videos will leave you enriched and hopefull. There are ways to live with nature and we can learn so much from other cultures. And just incase you're still hesitant about picking up the game for only this reason. Let me reassure you that Never alone is also a very fun game, something you won't regret spending time on. From a wonderful soundtrack to uniquely beautiful visuals and fun gameplay it has it all. The story is heartwarming and inspired by folklore, full of symbolism and life leasons. I was suprised but incredibly excited to hear a sequel coming and i hope they can build upon this game in unexpected ways. I'm gonna pick it up either way as this game is special in a very unique & memorable way!

Cute game, beautiful visuals, and a nice story, but a warning: Do not buy this game looking for a good platformer. Every complaint I have about this game is about the platforming and movement mechanics, or the visual guidance in terms of what should be done at any point or whether things can even be reached with a jump. If you are okay with ramming your head against a wall for an hour at least on little aspects of the design they screwed up on, it's a good story to play through. Just don't expect the game mechanics to be clean.

Cool idea for a game, its like an interactive documentary with puzzle platforming. Nothing outstanding, and the characters would get bugged sometimes, but I had a fun few hours and learned about the Native people of Alaska.

I'm surprised this has mixed reviews as of recently. Played this expecting to be crap 'cause of all the whining, and I actually enjoyed the game.

Never Alone (Kisima Ingitchuna) is a beautiful and heartfelt puzzle-platformer that explores Inuit culture and storytelling. Its stunning visuals and emotional journey make it a truly unique experience.

Never Alone didn’t evoke any strong emotions in me, but I wouldn’t say I disliked it either.
If you’re considering playing it, think of it as a folklore-based story game that offers insight into Inuit culture, and don’t expect much more than that.
At its core, it’s a platformer, but the mechanics are quite simple and unsophisticated. The controls can feel a bit clunky and buggy at times, though I didn’t encounter any major issues.
You can play it in co-op (which I did), and I recommend doing so - it makes the gameplay more engaging, as you’ll need to help each other.
What I appreciated most were the video insights about Inuit culture and history. They taught me a lot about Alaska and added depth to the overall experience.