Never Alone: Kisima Ingitchuna
Never Alone (Kisima Ingitchuna) is an atmospheric puzzle platformer and the first game to be developed in collaboration with the Iñupiat, an Alaska Native people, drawn from a traditional story that has been shared across the generations. Nearly 40 Alaska Native elders, storytellers and community members contributed to the development of the game. It features two characters, and it can be played in single-player mode or play cooperatively with a friend as you trek through frozen tundra, leap across treacherous ice floes, swim through underwater caverns and face enemies both strange and familiar. You'll explore awe-inspiring environments, perform heroic deeds and meet legendary characters from Iñupiaq stories — all narrated by a master storyteller in the spoken Iñupiaq language.
What it feels like
The genuine collaboration with Alaska Native elders and storytellers infuses the game with sincere cultural respect and emotional authenticity. Awe-inspiring environments and legendary characters from Iñupiaq stories create a sense of discovery and marvel. The atmospheric, story-driven experience invites reflection on themes of cultural heritage and survival against natural forces.
What it's about
The epic quest of Nuna and Fox to find the source of the eternal blizzard anchors the narrative as a transformative pilgrimage. The game draws directly from Iñupiaq traditional stories, legends, and cultural mythology shared through generations. Survival against a hostile frozen environment and the eternal blizzard threatens the community's existence.
How it plays
Jumping, leaping across ice floes, and navigating treacherous frozen terrain form the core challenge. Puzzles are woven into the game world—solving environmental challenges to progress through tundra and caverns. Swimming through underwater caverns is an explicitly mentioned traversal mode, though not the dominant mechanic.
How it looks and sounds
A side-scrolling platformer perspective defines the core visual presentation and movement through levels. The game features illustrated 2D art with a distinctive visual style that complements its cultural narrative roots.
How it's structured
A bounded, authored story arc with a definite beginning, middle, and end structured around the central quest. Every environment is carefully authored to reflect Iñupiaq cultural settings and storytelling traditions. Designed for cooperative play on the same machine with split-screen support as a core feature.
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