The Complete Review of Northern Journey

[@BexxReviews]

Watch my full blind playthrough of the game here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIazdKWhiNiXotE Slid Studio's Channel: www.youtube.com/@slidstudio5116 Interview with Slid Studio: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKakZWylhMeihKM And please like, comment, and subscribe so I know what ya'll thought of this video! Thank you guys for watching!

[@henningeide8355]

As a Norwegian the familiar enviornments and folklore mixed with all the spontaneous zanyness was like a fever dream.

[@marcogavagnin771]

The algorithm seems to have blessed me, it's not often that it recommends smaller creators with actual content. Keep up the good work!

[@PewKittens]

I like to think the algorithm sent me this because she’s small creator with nice voice

[@shanetaylor761]

Honestly lately KZbin been doing that alot for me to success. It really seems like the more small channels I check out the more it recommends. You just gotta check out a little more than usual for a week or two and then the algorithm finally gives in.

[@thesidneychan]

According to the developer, The Flute Player is alluded to be Odin the Traveller, and the village idiot is a follower of Loki and a being not native to Deadwell. The wolf and raven are signature aspects of Odin.

[@alexconn7473]

Honestly wolves in Norse mythology also have connection to loki as well when you take into consideration that one of loki's children is the gigantic wolf fenrir

[@davidstrife165]

The chapter structure of this game more resembles a Nordic Saga rather then a modern video game, which i think plays into its appeal

[@BexxReviews]

Agreed.

[@cpt.straginski]

im three minutes in the video, you already dropping certified hood classics like Brigand: Oaxaca and showing the graphics of this game, you sold me this. The lost art of masterfully using photo textures, long forgotten since the PS2-era is a big selling point for me, i love this stuff

[@abirb9867]

I had found your channel because I was searching for videos on what Carnevil was about after not being able to play it at a local FreePlay Arcade, and I am so glad I did! I've watched each of your videos, and the structure you use for your full game reviews is very nice. I'm in a place medically where playing video games is pretty difficult, so getting taken along through the stories of games I won't be able to personally play is very appreciated. TL;DR thank you so much for your reviews! They're a bit of a comfort.

[@astrav8433]

I bought this game based on the first couple sentences you said in this video. Before the mandalore review even. Finally got around to playing and beating it, so now I can finally watch this video, and I have to say, thank you for helping bring such an effort to light. There was a magic to it and while I wanted to throw my keyboard out the window by the end, I had a great time overall.

[@jcrispy8318]

great review for a game i probably never would have heard of otherwise, keep up the great work!

[@sirrealism7300]

I find it really interesting that "Shipwrecked" starts their journey unable to swim and ends it by swimming down a thermal vent straight into hell... The fear of water is a frequent theme in this game. Heavily inspired by like kelpies/feywild ponds im thinking.

[@BexxReviews]

Well, Kelpies are Scottish and Felwilds are DnD. That in mind, the Nøkken are actually from Scandinavian myth, though they're not often portrayed as octopi. I would assume the big water fear inspiration came from the painting Nøkken by Theodor Kittelsen, as that is the painting the game's cover art mimics.

[@sirrealism7300]

​@@BexxReviews thats interesting, ill have to look at the painting, i just assumed it was like a typical Loch monster.

[@sirrealism7300]

Just looked at the painting, holy crap it looks identical to Northern Journey's Nokken, also love this guys art!

[@bigeg228]

I'm SO glad I found this game through your vid, its such a unique and beautiful experience

[@BexxReviews]

The more people check it out, the better!

[@thealteredmind9475]

Really enjoying your content. You do such a good job giving an in depth experience about these games

[@solomonkain]

Really good review. I'm coming to the end of the game and I have enjoyed every single second. Nearly unparalleled atmosphere, enchanting music and masterful level design make for incredible gameplay and an unforgettable experience. Been playing for days and thanks to this game, each nignt, terrible nightmares!

[@JimmyZSnow]

I’m not sure what brought me to your channel on the part of the algorithm. I haven’t played a single game you’ve done a review of, but yet I keep watching them, and continue wanting to try all the interesting games you highlight and recommend. Please keep up the good work!

[@Xmgb331X]

What a lovely and well made review. Thank you for this!

[@ChowderhoundGames]

28:57 good editing

[@lucaballarati9694]

I love your style of review, and I hope you do more reviews in the future

[@TheGlenn8]

Funny that you specify that Northen Journey is a medieval fantasy game after joking that it has laser sniper rifles, because I've got this theory about the setting. There either is or was some kind of highly advanced civilization in the setting that the flute player was a part of that would make the setting more sci-fi or post apocalyptic sci-fi. What makes me think this? Well, first it's the laser that shoots down your boat, but that could also be magic. But there are also clear signs of technology that's way more advanced than the medieval style would suggest. Crossbows became common place in Europe around the 13th century so we can assume that this is the time the game is "supposed" to take place in (though Christianity arrived to Norway in the 8th century so this 500 year gap is all time the game could take place in). The village doctor has a stethoscope which got invented in 1816 which already raises some question marks. Then there is the large underwater pipe in Nokkpond that looks like an oil line. The submarine used to navigate Nokkpond is specifically called a bathysphere which were invented in 1928. And off course the scuba diving gear complete with oxygen tanks are also more advanced than 13th century technology. And of course, the very sci-fi sounding "dimensional violator" looks to be some kind of teleportation device. This could all just be artistic liberty from the developer, but I do like the idea that there was more to the world of Northen Journey than we can see at first glance. Also, the child shooting the tax evader in the stoks is the Sheriff's son. The guys getting shot by the child is the tax evader :P

[@alexconn7473]

Honestly both the boy shooting the tax evader with a pea-shooter and the tax evader could both be the sheriff's sons with the tax evader being the eldest of the two

[@H0MEProductions]

Loved your video Bexx! Your indepth reviews are truly a joy to watch!

[@zacdemarest5493]

I love this channel so much

[@SillyPangolin]

What an excellent review, youtube actually recommending good content for once. Will definitely check out your other videos !

[@jrena9443]

Your long form videos rival the quality of a user with millions and editors on top of editors. Love these types of games very boomer shooter like, yet a hint of Skyrim and the music is horrifying somewhat reminds me of Minecraft, heavily makes you feel that you’re in a vast mysterious land where the only stranger is actually you

[@tychormthorp]

Thoughtful review of one of my favorites of last year. Already love your channel!

[@MonkYumon-mm1hm]

Just finished and oh boy its a great journey

[@TarkTheWild]

Found you by chance, love your reviews

[@Castrol6000]

Your channel came up randomly because of Carnevil, but I'm glad it did. You are great at extracting every point of these games.

[@user-go4su7cu7j]

Thank you for showing me this game! I have played it but hate the actual gameplay. Everything else I adore and can confirm as a Scottish person that all that happens in this game is highly accurate to northern life. Don’t trust nuckalavees they stole all my salmon teeth and blue clovers.

[@LBPreviews]

This girl's voice is so clean, I almost thought it was AI, until I heard mic blowing sounds at times. Great review.

[@rageagainstthewashingmachi2877]

I've watched all your videos today and looks like I saved the best for last. I wish you tremendous success in your KZbin career 😊

[@silvafox07]

Really hope you get way more subscribers. You are actually entertaining!

[@therealrat]

Big mandaloregaming intro vibes i love it!

[@BexxReviews]

I'll fully admit he is one of the major influences of what I'm going for with this channel, but I want it on the record that my Northern Journey video was first. lol

[@InktheImpassive]

I am new to watching you and I have to say that your intros arre gold. This one made me laugh the hardest.

[@Spikes_Not_Included]

This was a great review, I'll definitely be checking this one out!

[@chrisa.9071]

I came across your channel by accident, damn thats some really good stuff!

[@thesidneychan]

This review made me buy the game at full price.

[@JetSetPizza]

Thanks a bunch for the video it helped me a lot! I'd taken a long break from the game and was a bit lost so this helped me retrace my steps. I actually found out about this game from a steam recommendation via someone on my friends list- no idea who they are but they had great taste in games in the past and left a glowing review so I trusted it :'). This is a very charming style of video and felt like I had someone playing along with me, so props for the commentary! This game is very unique and really reminded me of the first dark souls when it came to world building- that intertwining world with mysterious people in it grips you. Story was pretty cool too. Hope whoever reads this enjoys the game, give it a shot.

[@MisogynyMan]

Theory. The human models and the way they move, the way they are modeled. It feels like they may have been inspired by Ivo Caprino. The Norwegian film director that made a lot of famous Norwegian childrens movies decades ago. Its supposed to be ancient Norway after all. Having grown up watching those movies and shorts, there is something really familiar about these humans, or should I say, puppets... They have the same creepy mannerisms. I wish I could include pictures and clips on a youtube comment. His work is fascinating in any case, worth looking at. Truly a unique guy.

[@badwolf0539]

Now this looks like the kind of game gilson b pontes would dream of making

[@jimmysbro-ju5pl]

6:00-6:08 sounds about right, help a stranger, he stabs you in the back.

[@douggibson2030]

This is a great review, very comprehensive. One thing I would have liked to see from this game is more thorough integration of the gimmick weapons. I wish they were a little more telegraphed rather than mostly being right next to the boss you use them for. IIRC you can find a few goat heads in sour wood before getting the staff, but its not quite as many as I would like. I'd love if you had to find bundles of goat heads at various locations around the sourwood, then have a few spread around the actual maze so it isn't too punishing. That way there's some more build up to getting the cool laser staff. The snake rod is better at this, but some more enemies (maybe worms) before the grand mother so you can test it more/get a feel for how it works would have helped it feel less akward to use in the bossfight. I have no complaints about the lightning rods, very cool to use and it seems like near where the flute player lives so it makes some sense to me that he would have these to give to you. One other thing I found interesting was how much you hated the ticks - I loved methodically clearing them out of the trees from a distance, and was genuinely a little sad when they were all dead. I'm sure you've already got a list of games you're planning to review, but if I may make a recommendation - Roadwarden has gorgeous music, charming pixel art environments, and has a very rich world that you can really make your mark on.

[@Ralphopotamus]

Just finished this game today. Greenslit has to be my favorite area in the game. The music and atmosphere is perfect. The ending of the game was a bit of a let down due to all the combat. But this is a game that wont be forgotten for a long time

[@BexxReviews]

I firmly believe this game will be remembered as an underappreciated gem for a long time. Playing it was such a great experience. The more people learn about this game, the happier I'll be.

[@MICKEYrenraw]

Just now finished Northern Journey, just now went looking to Wishlit Slid Studio next game but alas :)

[@DarkRebecca]

I don't like spiders, but great review!

[@ChazDragoon]

What a ride... i knew i should of brought a can of Raid with me...

[@orbistertius3686]

I think the small kid at the beginning is the police officers son, there is this strange choice of showing two names if the characters are next to each other, like „prisoner and police officer“. So the kid being the son and the other guy being the tax evader.

[@BexxReviews]

Probably. I've considered that since making this video and I would probably change that part if I could.

[@eworman42]

14:38 lmao i got jumpscared by the transition between these monster animations

[@maxoublue1]

Honestly, I kind of agree with the models. They're janky, uncanny and weird, but in a good way, if that makes sense, and that's why I kind of like them despite being bad.

[@marcusaaronliaogo9158]

Ah, spiders: the game or maybe its called spider hunter freedom unite

[@bubbly_ghost]

Haha, the little slippery warning sign and 'you bitch!'. Same.

[@spookyfrogs1874]

Nothing has ever triggered the spider avoid venomous creature instinct you were talking about, more than the enemies in Rain World. It's an amazing game I could totally see you covering in depth! But goddamn the procedural animation used on the *giant* bug enemies are awful dude, especially the dropwigs. Amazing game and I hate it.

[@JebediahKermanXVIII]

22:08 Actually, if I remember right, a fully powered rock sling hit one shots the sheep, but it's only fully powered after 3 swings (releasing on the 4th swing). The description is deceptive, as it doesn't count the first swing (probably since you can't release the rock on the first swing, or it's just a typo in the first line). Fully-powered sling hits do the same damage as the bow, just way slower.

[@matthewsimmons9277]

The boat broken at the beginning was likely Broken with bear crossbow shots.

[@superbad8008]

That Holy Music sound like it got ripped straight from the Invader Zim soundtrack.

[@Lubotehjackal]

For some reson I got big Cave Story vibes.

[@MugiwaraLP]

Since you've shown Illbleed for about five seconds, I'd like to hear your thoughts on what I consider the best B-Horror Movie like game of all time. Northern Journey looks like it'll fill the Illbleed shaped hole in my heart nicely, though.

[@BexxReviews]

It's low on the list, but I'll probably review it in full one day.

[@MugiwaraLP]

@@BexxReviews Looking forward to what else you have in stock for us, then, your taste in games is excellent.

[@grizzlybear5656]

👍

[@cantonnierbethcepourlavhy6343]

Wow, thanks the All-gorithm for recommending that video !

[@007kingifrit]

embarassing how many times i missed the ravenwatch key

[@crackcobain9845]

NORWAY MENTIONED!! 🇳🇴🇳🇴🇳🇴🇳🇴🇳🇴🇳🇴🇳🇴🇳🇴🇳🇴🇳🇴🇳🇴🇳🇴🇳🇴🇳🇴🇳🇴🇳🇴🇳🇴

[@crackcobain9845]

Ok I'm gonna get this game and play it before I watch it in its entirety. I have autism.

[@kubyon_theoutlander]

7:53 given how bizarre this game gets, I feel having objectively shit character designs actually help enhancing the atmosphere a lot, as you may have implied with how your personal enjoyment of them you are a stranger in a strange land, and not all things there are meant to be perceived through normal lens. also, I like how you keep making jokes on the game name (the freezy squeezy bit certainly made me loled)

[@dreambooktcg]

Hey I enjoy your reviews. Do you ever review Trading Card Games?

[@BexxReviews]

I haven't played any trading card games since I was in elementary. I plan to review Inscryption, but otherwise I don't have anything card related in my plans. Sorry. If I meet someone who reviews trading cards, I'll send them your way.

[@dreambooktcg]

@@BexxReviews Oh well we could send you some free product if you want to open it up and review it on your channel 👍

[@BexxReviews]

No thank you, but it was nice of you to offer.

[@crystalgemgirl731]

If you liked this one, you'll love Bramble: the Mountain King.

[@BexxReviews]

It's already on my list.

[@crystalgemgirl731]

@@BexxReviews Okie dokie Loki, can't wait.😊

[@TheIrishCrusader]

Hey just wondering since you play dinosaur games, have you ever played dino dday on steam?

[@BexxReviews]

No, but I've been meaning to eventually.

[@TheIrishCrusader]

@@BexxReviews wait until the steam summer sale it will be worth less than an euro or I guess in you case dollar idk, during the spring sale it was 67 cents

[@alexconn7473]

Honestly the demon priest handing the wooden eye to the player character was probably a way of saying okay I'll give you the eye now please make the music stop I beg of you

[@foilbaby6759]

O I got your troll hole

[@geberlan]

Soo... How was the player character looked like?

[@BexxReviews]

We only have the arms. He has a male voice, I think? You don't hear it often. Outside of that, I don't know what the player character looks like.

[@geberlan]

@@BexxReviews I hope not as ugly as islanders (:

[@maskonfilteroff3145]

15:10 Jesus, dude...

[@deliboy8895]

Mandalore ripped them off

[@Jarli477]

Since you ask for feedback i will give it. I really like your voice-over and script/pacing, no issue with it, good stuff! What i dont like is the choppy footage, it makes for an unpleasant and jarring viewing experience. Personally i am unable to play or enjoy a game with the kind of stutters your footage showcases. I really think you shouldt have settled for the choppy recording. You make a point of how the visuals are harsh for the youtube bitrate/compression, yet you say nothing about the choppy footage, or how it sabotages your video. Other modern gaming channels, hell KZbinrs as a whole are far past the point of choppy visuals being acceptable. Im sure there are techical reasons for it, but you have to not settle for stuttering footage, its only a negative for your video. This isnt a podcast, i want to look at the visual examples without these wholly unnecessary choppy distractions :)

[@BexxReviews]

Well, it was only in a single area of the game, so I thought it was fine. Since it seems to be a problem, though, I'll make sure to keep graphics on minimum settings until I can afford a better computer.

[@lloydbeatz4259]

What lead you to believe the player character is "English?" I mean.. they have like three fingered claws.

[@BexxReviews]

I said he was English?! When? He's clearly Scandinavian at the very least, and if I said he was English I need to post a correction.

[@corylair5090]

Maybe it’s because I’m tired but I don’t know they’re not that ugly. The Wolfman seems pretty good and the daughter seems kind of hot maybe it’s because I have such low standards and I’ve seen uglier. This is nothing to some of the crap I have seen the daughter is like a 10 on the I would go out or ask to marry me scale where there are worse designs than her. I’m putting this up for last, but yeah. Not half bad

[@BexxReviews]

The Wolfman's Daughter sounds like a long forgotten romance novel.

[@corylair5090]

I meant the witches daughter, but now that I think about the Wolfman’s daughter, sounds like a good idea but thank you that was funny and also keep up the good work. This Hass to be one of my favorite videos by you.

[@corylair5090]

What is surprise you if I said these were not the ugliest things I’ve ever seen like I’ve seen ugly, but this is not that ugly happens on the Internet what is horrifying to some is chicken feed to others😅