It’s crazy to announce it here in writing, but I can proudly say that my wife and I are expecting our first child. Am I excited? Of course. Am I also terrified? You bet. When Goodnight Universe came my way, I couldn’t resist the subject matter and felt compelled to give this one a shot.
For what it’s worth, Goodnight Universe is certainly an experience that’s somewhat removed from reality as far as its little protagonist is concerned, but it hits so many of the right beats in terms of crafting an engaging and, at times, tear-jerking narrative, that it ultimately feels that much more effective in delivering its message.
That being said, Goodnight Universe isn’t so much of a game in the traditional sense, but more of an interactive experience that rarely relies on any sort of skill or reaction, and more so on choice and consequence. While I’m awaiting some of these relevant challenges that lie ahead, there’s no doubting that what’s here is something anyone can bond with and relate to on one level or another.
Six Months In
Players take control of a baby boy named Isaac, with the core of the narrative taking place when he’s six months old. While Isaac does have the inner monologue of an adult, he seems like a normal baby being raised by a normal baby at first. But you soon find out that things couldn’t be more different.
Isaac is imbued with special abilities, including telekinesis to move things about and telepathy to read the thoughts and minds of those around you. As you can imagine, an ordinary family not only dealing with the regular challenges of life is certainly pushed to the limits here, but there are also some darker forces at play, in the form of a tech company trying to get a hold of Isaac to exploit and study these powers.
A fair amount is going on, but the less I say, the better. That being said, there’s so much that Goodnight Universe does right as far as its core themes are concerned that it’s hard not to fall in love with it. As bizarre and chaotic as the story can feel at times, it never loses sight of the basic themes of family, love and general growing pains that come with raising children at this stage in their lives. Early on in the story, there are plenty of regular moments that you observe that are so well written and even better performed, thanks to some fantastic voice acting across the board, that I was admittedly a little choked up.
Overall, Goodnight Universe isn’t that long; you’ll be done with it in around 4-5 hours. While there are certain choices you can also make in terms of how you respond to situations and questions, these choices only affect that particular moment, rather than determining the ultimate ending of the story. Either way, it’s a fantastic and heartfelt ride that I won’t forget anytime soon.
The Toys of the Trade
As far as the gameplay goes, Goodnight Universe doesn’t really have that much to offer. When played with a controller, you’ll be able to look around and, occasionally, tilt the left stick up or down to deliver a positive or negative response to a situation, respectively. Your inner monologue will pose questions with multiple answers, and you can choose one.
Aside from that, Isaac will also be able to use his special abilities to move things about the environment. This is done by holding R2 or the right trigger and flicking the right stick left or right. Isaac can also read others’ minds by simply looking at someone and holding R2 or the right trigger and tilting the left stick in a particular direction to find a sweet spot.
The most exciting parts of Goodnight Universe come from these moments that rely on Isaac using his abilities, and while it rarely presents a challenge, it makes for some charming and occasionally tense moments, particularly towards the end of the narrative.
While it’s not the most exhilarating experience when played with a controller, it’s worth noting here that Goodnight Universe can also be played with a webcam on PC. While support for the Switch 2 camera is on the way, PC users can also use a webcam in place of a traditional controller for certain controls and mechanics. While I understand some input is still required from a traditional controller, I just think that’s a really cool way to incorporate and implement these mechanics. Unfortunately, the PlayStation 5 version of Goodnight Universe has no camera support, so I can’t really speak to it in more detail.
While I wish Goodnight Universe gave you a little more to do at any given moment, I can’t deny that it makes sense. Aside from your unique powers, you are still a baby, which makes observing these situations seem much more natural and understandable. Even so, the shorter runtime allows these mechanics to carry you through without ever feeling stale or bland.
Look the Part
I simply love the art style for Goonight Universe. There’s a fantastic level of detail in this more stylised approach to both characters’ designs and broader environments. Even while Isaac is using his special abilities, you, as a player, are treated to a tapestry of a strange series of colours and patterns that, as random as they are, strangely encapsulate the feeling of wielding a set of powers you’re not quite supposed to fully grasp just yet.
There’s even some fantastic sound design here, in the way the game prompts you to respond to certain scenarios and when and where to use your powers. I mentioned how great the voice acting was across the board, but I would also like to take the time to give the soundtrack a huge shoutout, packed with plenty of sombre and emotional pieces that complement the game’s warmer moments so nicely.
Final Thoughts
For as basic and minimal as the gameplay feels at times, Goodnight Universe knocks it out of the park when it comes to its narrative structure and emotional storytelling. Despite its shorter runtime, it’s incredibly well-paced and begs players to engage and understand it on a deeper level, which is made so accessible thanks to its fantastic writing and voice performances.
While I wish I had got to try out the webcam controls, there’s no doubt that the team at Nice Dream have practically mastered the concept of taking unique and outlandish ideas and applying relatable, human elements for the ultimate gut punch.
FOUR STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Highlights: Incredible, well-written and heartwrenching narrative; Unique art style; Fantastic score
Lowlights: Very minimal and basic gameplay experience
Developer: Nice Dream
Publisher: Skybound Games
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, Windows PC
Available: Now
Review conducted on PlayStation 5 Pro with a launch code provided by the publisher.
Featured header image also provided by the publisher.
