Indie developer Nautilus Games, in collaboration with publisher Ysbryd Games, has announced that its 2D narrative-driven adventure Everdeep Aurora will release for Windows PC via Steam and Nintendo Switch on 10 July 2025 for $19.99 USD or local equivalent.
Set in the aftermath of an apocalyptic meteor event that forced civilisation underground, the game follows Shell, a young cat who awakens alone on the planet’s surface. Spurred on by a letter from her missing mother, Shell descends into the mysterious depths of the Everdeep, armed only with a drill and her determination to reunite with her family.
Gameplay in Everdeep Aurora seeks to blend exploration and light puzzle-solving through procedurally generated stone tiles, enabling players to create platforming routes as they venture further underground. Along the way, players will encounter more than 20 unique characters, each with their own storylines and musical motifs. Completing quests for these characters will earn their trust and reveal more of the game’s layered world.
Shell’s journey is supported by an eclectic cast, including Viktor, a pawnbroker selling tools essential for navigation, and Mur, a mischievous yet endearing character whose motives remain ambiguous. While the game does not include combat, the focus on relationships, exploration, and narrative depth offers a meditative experience as Shell gradually builds emotional connections in her otherwise isolated world.
Everdeep Aurora draws aesthetic inspiration from the 8-bit era, embracing a minimalist colour palette, square interface, and sound design reminiscent of the Nintendo Entertainment System. These retro elements are set to be complemented by smoothly animated cutscenes and visual transitions that highlight the shifting biomes of the underground setting.
Commenting on the world-building behind the project, Mikel Ojea, co-founder of Nautilus Games, shared:
When thinking about how to stage Shell’s journey underground into the confines of the Everdeep, we were confronted with the task of dreaming up a whole original civilisation. We had to ask ourselves how its inhabitants would go about their lives in this new, unexplored home. We ended up creating an extraordinary world that we’re proud to soon share with new explorers.
