The Neverhood (1996)

Long ago, a mysterious being known as Hoborg created a world called the Neverhood, made entirely of an odd substance known as "Klay." However, Hoborg was lonely and, using a mystical "life ... See full summary »

Director:

Douglas TenNapel

Writers:

Dale Lawrence, Mark Lorenzen,

Stars:

Mark Lorenzen, Douglas TenNapel

1 win.

Cast

Credited cast:
Mark Lorenzen	...	(as Mark A. Lorenzen)
Douglas TenNapel

Storyline

Long ago, a mysterious being known as Hoborg created a world called the Neverhood, made entirely of an odd substance known as "Klay." However, Hoborg was lonely and, using a mystical "life seed", created a "Klay man" that he called Klogg. Klogg was evil, however, and stole Hoborg's mystical crown,which was his secret to life; without it, he fell into a deep sleep! Luckily, Willie Trombone and his pal, Big Robot Bill, used a "life seed" to create Klaymen. Now, Klaymen must journey throughout the mysterious world that is the Neverhood, solve puzzles, dethrone Klogg, revive Hoborg from his long sleep, and save the Neverhood!

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Plot Keywords:

clay animation | full motion video | surrealism

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Taglines:

Embark on a clay adventure that really breaks the mold.

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Genres:

Animation | Adventure | Mystery | Sci-Fi

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Details

Official Sites:

official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 October 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Klaymen Klaymen

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Neverhood

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Did You Know?

Trivia

The game has been slated to be made into a movie, but Douglas TenNapel has announced that the film is on hold.

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Goofs

Looking down on the Neverhood from the asteroid with the pin will show the combined bridge/staircase in "bridge mode", although it was actually in "staircase mode" when you left.

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Quotes

Frenchie the TV: Hey Klaymen, say "knock-knock"!

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Connections

Spoofs 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

User Reviews

The Neverhood is a must.

Only two words can describe this fantastic frenzy of a fun and frisky form of gaming: "Wow" and "Excellent".

I can't describe it to its full extent. The creators of this game put so much time, effort, and ability into creating Klaymen's world that, although I have played through the game literally five or more times over, I am still amazed. While the game lacks a solid story when you start, it builds up as if the storyline stretches out to the past and the future. Klaymen learns of the past as he continues ahead (on to his and the Neverhood's fate).

When Klaymen's ultimate journey begins, there is no plot. There is no story. There is no big bad guy. There is exploration and there are puzzles, and plenty of them. These puzzles are not extremely hard, as in a similar game, Riven. They are challenging but not beyond total confusion. One puzzle links to something elsewhere within the world, and when Klaymen figures it out, everything fits together.

The plot is excellent (once it quickens), the characters are deep and intriguing, and the gameplay is excellent. Not to mention the cinematic sequences every so often. In all, the Neverhood is a must.