OMG you get to play as a DOG in this game! It’s from solo indie game developer Kyle Banks inn Edinburgh and it launched in August 2024.
It’s one in a growing series of indie games set in Scotland. Players take control of a border collie (Chesley) and bring colour back to the landscapes in what turns out to be a relaxing, moving story of friendship and loss.
BECOME a Border Collie in Farewell North
Okay, so this is available on Steam (PC), Nintendo Switch, and Xbox. It also reminds us of two excellent games, the first being the beautiful A Highland Song (2023).
The other is the cult classic Ōkami (2010), which involves bringing the Japanese countryside back to life with painting and the like.
Farewell North merges much of those two together and does a fine job of it, creating its own voice with a unique and heartfelt story. With its sedate pace you explore, restore, and uncover an archipelago. All whilst your loving owner Cailey watches on and talks to herself (and you).
It is, then, ultimately a story of friendship—a woman and her doggy. One with some seriously beautiful artistic flourishes, from those maudlin colours to sudden and spirited colours. It really catches your eye.
We’re not going to drop spoilers with the story, but it is surprisingly hard-hitting. Cailey is on a journey of grief as she deals with the passing of one of her parents.
She’s able to process grief with her beloved pet, whilst basking in the joys of nature.
Again, it’s another indicator of the mature themes video games are happy to embrace and run with. All in unique ways other mediums can’t replicate. Farewell North does this all convincingly and has been critically acclaimed.
It looks amazing but, also, there’s a great indie game score from composer John Konsolakis. Embedded as it often is in traditional Scottish music to recreate the sense of the Highlands.
It’s a game you take your time with, exploring at leisure with no real time limits or excessive challenges. It’s an exploration game, with that story wrapped around it.
If you’re after a relaxing and thoughtful title then you can’t go wrong with Farewell North. With four hours of gameplay and many sights to see, it’s moving but memorable for all the right reasons.
Kyle Banks’ Dev Notes on Farewell North
The only thing we really know about video game develop is… it’s bloody difficult. Very time-consuming and intricate with a lot of skill involved.
Farewell North is Kyle Banks’ first indie game and he’s done an immense job here, as above highlighting how he went about achieving the game’s impressive looks. That was using the iconic Unity game development software.
On his YouTube channel, Banks included many videos on his develop processes and progress. Well worth a look if you’re a budding gaming dev in need of some tips and encouragement.
