Eversion (video game)
A platformer where each eversion reveals a darker world.
Eversion is a side-scrolling platform game from British indie developer Zaratustra Productions, built for Microsoft Windows. It first came out as freeware in 2008, and a high-definition remake followed in 2010 on Steam and Humble Bundle. The player controls a flower-like character who collects gems across stages and reaches a flag to finish each level. At certain points, an "eversion" ability can be used to alter the stage—removing obstacles and adding platforms—which is essential for progress. The game has a simple story about rescuing a captured princess, starting with a bright, whimsical look. But as the eversion ability is used more, the visuals turn disturbing and nightmarish. A warning on the official website and inside the game states it is not "for children or those of a nervous disposition." The high-definition version adds a new ending and a time attack mode.
The game was created in 2008 by Zaratustra for the TIGSource indie community's Commonplace Book Competition. That competition was based on a notebook kept by author H. P. Lovecraft, where he wrote strange, disconnected story ideas. Eversion was inspired by one entry: "sounds - possibly musical - heard in the night from other worlds or realms of being."
Dan Salvato, creator of *Doki Doki Literature Club!*, has said *Eversion* inspired his game's horror elements.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Eversion
- Developer
- Zaratustra Productions
- Designer
- Guilherme S. Tows
- Released
- Microsoft WindowsWW · December 29, 2008Mac OS X, LinuxWW · August 15, 2012
- Genre
- Platform
- Modes
- Single-player
- Platforms
- Windows · OS X · Linux
- Composer
- Matthew Steele / Miroslav Malesevic
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Eversion was created in 2008 by indie developer Zaratustra as part of the TIGSource 2008 Commonplace Book Competition. The competition's name and concept were derived from a commonplace book kept by American author H. P. Lovecraft, in which he would jot down strange and often disjointed story ideas. Eversion was particularly inspired by an entry that reads 'sounds - possibly musical - heard in the night from other worlds or realms of being'.
The game's gameplay involves a flower-like avatar collecting gems and reaching a flag at the end of each stage. At specific points, the player can activate an 'eversion' ability that changes the state of the stage by removing obstacles and creating platforms. The game includes a bare-bones narrative about rescuing a captured princess, but as the eversion ability is used, the visuals become increasingly unsettling and nightmarish. A note on the official website and within the game indicates it is not 'for children or those of a nervous disposition'.
Reader's Guide
Eversion's significance lies in its early use of a mechanic that directly ties gameplay progression to a shift in tone and atmosphere, from whimsical to horrifying. The high-definition version released in 2010 added a new ending and a competitive time attack mode. The game's legacy includes being cited by Doki Doki Literature Club! creator Dan Salvato as a source of inspiration for his game's horror elements. This connection highlights Eversion's influence on later indie games that blend seemingly innocent genres with psychological horror, demonstrating how a simple gameplay mechanic can be used to subvert player expectations and create a memorable, unsettling experience.
Did You Know?
- Eversion was created for the TIGSource 2008 Commonplace Book Competition.
- The game was inspired by an entry from H. P. Lovecraft's commonplace book.
- The high-definition version includes a new ending and a time attack mode.
- Dan Salvato, creator of Doki Doki Literature Club!, cited Eversion as an inspiration.
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