History VideoGame / NeverAwake

''[=NeverAwake=]'' is a twin stick Main/ShootEmUp developed by Neotro. It was released for PC on September 28, 2022 and January 19, 2023 for UsefulNotes/PlayStation4, UsefulNotes/PlayStation5 and UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch.

* HealTheCutie: [[spoiler:The diary entries that can be unlocked post-Route A detail Rem coming to terms with her grief over her grandmother's death, finding joy in making art, and making friends in school.]]

* TheFiveStagesOfGrief: [[spoiler:The diary entries show Rem going through them after the death of her grandmother. She got put into a coma while she was at the "depression" stage, with her reaching "acceptance" being what allows her to wake back up.]]

* GuideDangIt: A small example. The Omoide Challenge tied to boss fights requires the player to beat a boss without filling the Soul Gauge. However, because of a shoddy translation, the game tells the player to beat the boss without collecting a Soul. This can confuse a lot of first time players.

* AbusiveParents: [[spoiler:Some of the diary entries don't try to hide how Lisa is a horrible mother towards her own daughters. Her husband is only portrayed as slightly better by virtue of him not harshly reprimanding Rem constantly, but diary entries following the death of Rem's grandmother show that he was also inattentive to Rem's grief. In Route A's ending, they seem to get better, as the photos during the credits and diary entries that can be unlocked afterwards have them becoming more attentive towards her.]]

* AbusiveParents: [[spoiler:Some of the diary entries don't try to hide how Lisa is a horrible mother towards her own daughters. Her husband is only portrayed as slightly better by virtue of him not harshly reprimanding Rem constantly, but diary entries following the death of Rem's grandmother show that he was also inattentive to Rem's grief. In Route A's ending, they seem to get better, as the photographs shown of the aftermath shows them being more loving and attentive towards Rem.]]

* AbusiveParents: [[spoiler:Some of the diary entries don't try to hide how Lisa is a horrible mother towards her own daughters. Her husband is only portrayed as slightly better by virtue of him not harshly reprimanding Rem constantly, but diary entries following the death of Rem's grandmother show that he was also inattentive to Rem's grief.]]

* AbusiveParents: [[spoiler:Some of the diary entries don't try to hide how Lisa is a horrible mother towards her own daughters and on terrible terms with her husband.]]

* BigSisterWorship: Rem alternates between this and expressing envy in her diary entries, represented in the dream world by Theta being a boss yet also also an angelic being, unlike the other enemies that are hideous monsters.

* AbusiveParents: [[spoiler:Some of the diary's entries don't try to hide how Lisa is a horrible mother towards her own daughters, as well as her husband.]]

* {{Foreshadowing}}: Every time you finish a world or beat a boss, Rem usually tends to react negatively to her own memories, becoming very cynic as the game goes on. [[spoiler:It's one big clue towards her inner self's true nature.]]

* Foreshadowing: Every time you finish a world or beat a boss, Rem usually tends to react negatively to her own memories, becoming very cynic as the game goes on. [[spoiler:It's one big clue towards her inner self's true nature.]]

* VillainsWantMercy: If you try to defeat a boss the traditional way, they will do absolutely nothing but bleed and cower in fear during the last phase, giving you a chance to finish them off.

* DepravedDentist: The final boss of World 3.

* LightIsGood: Unlike everything else in her nightmares being hideous monsters, Rem's older sister, Theta, is always imagined as a beautiful humanoid in blue and white.

* FluffyTheTerrible: The final boss of World 2, Cute Little Mel, is a horrifying cyclops dog that shoots fireballs and circular projectiles at you.

* DarkIsNotEvil: Rem's inner self may look menacing, but her only purpose is to help her real self to wake up. [[spoiler:Played straight in Route B.]]

The game is divided into seven worlds. Unlike most shmups where the player must fight a boss to end the stage, the player must fill the Soul Gauge by killing enemies and collecting their Souls. Souls are also used as currency to buy secondary weapons and accessories that grant new abilities.

* AntiFrustrationFeatures: If you die in a stage, the game will give you a hint telling the player how to proceed. Dying repeatedly on the same level also unlocks accessories in the shop for purchase, including Shield upgrades.

''[=NeverAwake=]'' tells the story of Rem, a small young girl in a comatose state. Unable to wake up, Rem's inner self, represented by a horned black-hooded girl with her right arm shaped like a dragon's head, manifests in order to save her, all while uncovering her memories, her past and the cause of her condition.

* NintendoHard: As usual for a shmup. Don't expect to rely on accessories without consideration for the rest of the game, and the later worlds will punish you for it. And then there are the Omoide Challenges, which are required to unlock [[spoiler:Route B]].

* AntiFrustationFeatures: If you die in a stage, the game will give you a hint telling the player how to proceed. Dying repeatedly on the same level also unlocks accessories in the shop for purchase, including Shield upgrades.
* DarkIsNotEvil: Rem's inner self may look menacing, but her only purpose is to help her real self to wake up. [[spoiler:Played straight in Route B.]]