Developer: Nice Dream Games
Platforms: PC (Reviewed), PS5, Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S
Genre: Adventure
Publisher: Skybound Games
Goodnight Universe is a game where you play as a 6-month-old baby, Isaac, who is developing mysterious psychic powers. His greatest wish is to be accepted and loved by his family, which all takes a turn when a tech corporation wants to exploit his powers. Goodnight Universe is developed by Nice Dream Games and published by Skybound Games.
One of the most distinct features, something that was wonderfully developed, was the eyes and head movements, along with the facial expressions that worked in coordination with the game. The real-time actions that would be prompted for players to make a face or close their eyes till they heard a noise was such a fascinating game mechanic that I thoroughly enjoyed. These emotional interactions allow Isaac to manipulate his own environment and move psychically, to turn things on and off and even more. It is quite nice how the game does offer an option for you to not play with the interactive features; however, I think the game plays so much better with your camera turned on and the emotional response. The facial recognition 100% elevated the gameplay.
Goodnight Universe is a first-person narrative adventure game, where Isaac uses his powers around the house by helping people, interacting with objects, and completing chores that a baby would hardly ever do. Isaac is out of the ordinary, quite literally extraordinary. Moments where you get to tidy up blocks, turn off the lights to help your parents, are such a fun concept from a baby’s perspective. The emphasis of this game is far more than the gameplay and is more on the emotional storytelling. You can face certain choices throughout the game, which don’t dramatically change the story, but rather add different layers. I really enjoyed how the options would show up on the screen, and you could choose which you prefer as another interactive gameplay mechanic. These choices include such things as deciding Isaac’s feelings or asking different questions, which all change the tone throughout the game. What I enjoyed the most was that during certain instances, Isaac’s ability to shut his eyes felt so dreamlike. It roughly took four hours to reach full completion, so gamers are well able to play this through in one sitting.
Goodnight Universe’s key attraction is the art style! It is vivid, animated, and extremely expressive, which reminds me of a storybook or an animated film. Everything in the game is extremely detailed and well-animated. The strong use of contrasts with the cosy house interiors and the different lighting for emotional scenes truly sets each atmosphere. Each character in the game is crafted beautifully, their design showcasing their personalities and behaviours. The colour palette is often warm, which showcases the loving home life, but then shifts to a cooler palette in different psychic moments and spaces, which gives a stronger emotional sense to Isaac’s internal universe.
The soundtrack is beautiful, which shifts to match each tone of each sequence and goes hand in hand with the visuals of the game. The soundtrack showcases the delicate and light feel to the family moments, and later shifts to more intense music during psychic moments. The voice actors were brilliant in the game; it truly made me feel like I was in a movie. The narrator’s voice was majestic and truly carried the game throughout.
Goodnight Universe is an emotionally rich and deeply personal game that tugs on the heartstrings of many players, while exploring different themes of love, belonging, loss and movement of time. The face tracking narrative adds another layer to the narrative, which gives you a stronger connection to Isaac. This game is such a charm that’s crafted with warmth. It is a powerful narrative experience that is great for players who care about story, emotion, and psychic powers.
Overall: 9/10
