Spirit of the North Vs Endling – Extinction is Forever

Logic and gaming are two words that mutually cannot co-exist. The essence of gaming is to give you a splendid and enjoyable experience, whether you are playing as a ten-foot-tall giant or an adorable furry creature. Now imagine playing as a sly fox.

If you ever considered reincarnation, the idea of coming back as a fox might not be the first thing on your mind. However, Infuse Studio and Herobeat Studios have decided that the sly and agile fox is the perfect protagonist for their games. With their adaptability and adventurous spirit, these cunning creatures can fit into almost any story. In Spirit of the North and Ending: Extinction is Forever, you get to step into the furry paws of these four-legged heroes. While both games share the same furry character concept, they each take a unique approach. Curious to know how? Journey with us and find out more below in Spirit of the North Vs Endling – Extinction is Forever – it's a foxy showdown!

What is Spirit of the North?

Spirit of the North is an atmospheric adventure game brought to life by Infuse Studio. The game leans heavily on minimalism gameplay and draws inspiration from Nordic folklore. With no dialogue or narrative except for a scenic environment and a soundtrack, this walking simulator has you playing as a fox traversing various regions in Iceland. At first glance, our furry protagonist may seem like your ordinary four-legged friend, with basic abilities like barking, tail-wagging, and jumping. However, it's the stunning animation that breathes life into this fox, adding a touch of realism that's truly extraordinary. For example, if left idle, the fox curls up for a peaceful nap, and when faced with an injury, it instinctively avoids putting weight on the hurt limb.

The game starts slow, but things soon become mystic when a spirit fox rescues you from exhaustion. The glowing fox, also known as the guardian of the Northern Lights, gifts the red fox with energy. With this newfound power, you can traverse the desolate Iceland to solve puzzles.

What is Endling– Extinction is Forever?

Endling-Extinction is Forever is a captivating adventure crafted by Herobeat Studios that offers a similar yet distinct experience. In this game, you assume the role of a resilient fox in a post-apocalyptic world, the very last of your kind. Following a harrowing forest fire, the brave fox escapes but is injured in a dramatic fall. Despite her suffering, this tenacious vixen seeks refuge and births a litter of cubs.

During the game's opening moments, you'll bask in the simple joys of motherhood, reveling in the bond between the mother fox and her precious offspring. Yet, the serenity is short-lived, as tragedy strikes when a human captures one of the vulnerable cubs.

As a determined and responsible mom, you set off to find your cub while protecting those still under your care. You must guide your cubs through a harsh environment and ensure their survival. Their journey is a perilous one, and the fox's determination to see her cubs reach safety is nothing short of heroic. If you shed a tear during The Lion King scene where Simba loses his father, Endling-Extinction is Forever will tug on your heartstrings, especially if seeing an animal in distress gets your waterworks flowing.

Gameplay

Spirit of the North has a mystic approach to its gameplay. Occasionally, you'll bump into magical objects that ease your journey. For example, barking at blue flowers lets you take in their energy. You can use this to alter environments by either lowering the water levels to cross a river. Or you can transcend into a spirit to get through barriers. Aside from the puzzle gameplay, you'll also experience platforming. The environment is characterized by moving platforms and steep drops. Although the gameplay sounds simple, the fox's reactions to your inputs are slower. Occasionally, you'll find yourself missing a step, which infuriates you.

Admittedly, for a game that lacks a narrative, you'd expect the gameplay to be top-notch. However, it's an adventurous bore that lacks consistency thanks to poor controls.

On the other hand, the true adventurous spirit of the fox stands out in Endling-Extinction is Forever. First, we must appreciate its proper form of nailing a relatable narrative. In a world where game hunting is a sport and extinction is the direct result of human actions, the game speaks a thousand words without dialogue. Moreover, you don't get any special abilities. You have to brave the desolate world and survive. The survival element is carefully thought out and put together. For instance, you must forage and feed your cubs, but not all meals you find satisfy them fully. Neglecting your cub's hunger ultimately results in their death. While it may be painful to watch, it's one less mouth to feed.

Plus, your actions directly affect the game's outcome. You must choose between making acquaintances or braving the journey alone with your cubs. Though it doesn't fit the typical simulation game mold, Endling-Extinction is Forever treats its survival aspects with utmost dedication.

Verdict

When all is said and done, choosing which game is better depends on preference. Spirit of The North is a relaxing game where you explore a fantasy environment in the company of your spirit companion. Aside from puzzle solving, you'll spend much time aimlessly traversing the Icelandic terrain. It's the kind of game you'd want to immerse in after a hectic day. It only calls for a little commitment. So you can easily drop it and pick up your progress days or weeks later.

However, if you're in for an enriching narrative that will get you hooked, Endling-Extinction is Forever is the ideal choice. Although the game's design can wreak havoc on your emotions, it's a pleasant journey of relentlessness and kindness. Plus, the moral lesson couldn't be more relatable. What would you do when the survival of those who matter to you is at stake? There's only one way to find out.

So there you go. Which of the two games, between Spirit of the North Vs Endling – Extinction is Forever, speaks to you? Do you agree with our verdict? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.