Game: Go North
Genre: Adventure, Casual, Indie.
System: Steam (Windows)
Developer|Publisher: gazuntype
Controller Support: yes
Steam Deck: Playable
Price: US $ 14,99 | UK £ 11,24 | EU € 12,74
Release Date: July 28th, 2026
Review code provided with many thanks to StridePR
Go North – Simple Yet Full of Heart
At first glance, Go North sounds almost too simple. It’s a game about walking through mazes and finding the exit. That’s it… or at least that’s what I thought before starting. After spending time with it, I quickly realised there’s far more going on beneath that straightforward premise.
Rather than trying to overwhelm you with endless mechanics or constant action, Go North takes one simple idea and builds around it with care. It wraps its maze exploration inside a charming adventure filled with colourful environments, gentle storytelling and just enough puzzles to keep things interesting without losing that wonderfully cosy atmosphere. It ended up being one of those games that simply made me smile.
A Journey Worth Taking
You play as Dara, a young girl setting out on a journey to travel ever northwards. Legend says that anyone who reaches the Maze God at the northernmost point of the world will be granted a single wish. Dara isn’t travelling for selfish reasons either. She has someone she wants to help, which immediately gives her adventure a little more heart.
Go North doesn’t spend hours explaining its world before letting you play. Instead, it introduces its characters naturally as you progress through each maze. The standout character for me was easily The Architect. This wonderfully cheerful, bearded maze maker somehow manages to appear throughout your journey despite creating these incredibly elaborate labyrinths. He’s warm, funny and oddly calming to talk to, adding plenty of humour whenever he appears. He quickly became my favourite part of the game.
Along the way you’ll also meet other travellers, maze workers and even a cheeky rival making the same pilgrimage north. Most conversations are fairly brief, but they do a lovely job of making the world feel populated by people following their own journeys rather than simply existing for yours.
Beautiful Mazes That Feel Alive
Presentation is where Go North really blooms. Yes, you’re exploring maze after maze, but they never feel like lifeless walls arranged into corridors. The environments are absolutely packed with little details. If you’ve read my reviews before, you’ll know I have a bit of a weakness for games filled with foliage, and Go North certainly delivers. Bushes, flowers, colourful plants and trees fill every corner. Butterflies flutter around the scenery, wildlife adds movement, and every area feels carefully handcrafted. It genuinely reminded me of going for a peaceful countryside walk. Sometimes I’d find myself stopping simply to admire the scenery rather than rushing towards the exit.
The soundtrack complements everything beautifully too. It’s calm, relaxing and never distracts from the atmosphere. Combined with the colourful visuals, it creates a wonderfully peaceful experience. Beautiful piano melodies that tickle the emotions before you even begins the game.
Mazes and Puzzles
Of course, finding the exit remains your main objective. Every maze gradually becomes larger and more complicated, introducing new puzzle mechanics as you progress. Some puzzles in Go North are wonderfully straightforward, while others ask you to pay much closer attention. One particularly enjoyable mechanic involves discovering passwords hidden throughout the environment. Sometimes they’re written on signs, while other times you’ll need to use your special camera to reveal hidden clues. Fortunately, every password is automatically stored inside your journal for quick reference later. Although I’ll admit I still found myself reaching for an actual notepad now and then. Old habits die hard.
The game also offers plenty of optional activities. You can search for pieces of hidden maps, discover cosmetic items, collect coins to spend at vendors and track down The Architect whenever he’s hiding somewhere inside a maze. None of these feel mandatory, which I really appreciated. If you’re someone who enjoys exploring every corner, there’s plenty waiting for you. If you simply want to find the exit and continue the story, that’s perfectly fine too.
Helpful Without Holding Your Hand
One thing I particularly liked was how accessible everything feels. The puzzles definitely become more involved later on, but the game also includes helpful accessibility options if you become stuck. Since Go North is clearly aiming for a relaxing experience, it makes sense that players aren’t forced into becoming frustrated. Movement itself is wonderfully simple. You walk, sprint and interact with objects, making it incredibly easy to pick up and play. I also loved Dara’s running animation, where she spreads her arms out while sprinting. It’s a tiny touch, but it gives her plenty of personality.
There are also various useful items to discover throughout the journey. One moment you’re speeding through a maze on a hoverboard, the next you’re using gadgets that gently point you towards the correct route. My favourite was going into a bubble which flies you up and helps you see the entire maze layout. Though flight takes additional forms the more you progress in the game.
A Few Small Repetitions
If I had one criticism, it’s that some optional objectives begin to repeat after a while. Searching for The Architect in every maze remains enjoyable, but eventually it becomes a familiar routine rather than an exciting surprise. Likewise, some maze themes naturally begin reusing similar layouts and environmental. Thankfully, the beautiful presentation does a lot of the heavy lifting here, so I never found it becoming repetitive enough to spoil the experience.
Ultimately, your enjoyment will depend on what you’re expecting. If you’re looking for a fast-paced action game or brutally difficult puzzles, this probably won’t be for you. If you’re happy to slow down, explore at your own pace and simply enjoy the journey, there’s a great deal to appreciate here.
Conclusion: A-Mazing
Go North feels genuinely refreshing. It’s proof that you don’t need huge open worlds or complicated systems to create something memorable. Instead, it takes one very simple concept, walking through mazes, and wraps it inside beautiful environments, charming characters and an atmosphere that’s incredibly easy to sink into.
More than anything else, it reminded me of taking a peaceful walk somewhere beautiful. Sometimes I’d be solving puzzles, sometimes I’d be chasing collectibles, and other times I’d simply stop and admire the scenery. That, I think, is where Go North finds its greatest strength. It isn’t trying to rush you. It simply asks you to keep heading north one step at a time. And honestly, I was more than happy to follow. A free demo is also available on Steam.
Final Verdict: I Like It A Lot
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