Farewell North – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Farewell North

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

game2024

91%

WISE Score

70%

IGDB

A stunning, soulful adventure through the Scottish Highlands where you play as a border collie bringing color back to a world processing grief.

Farewell North

game

2024

91%

WISE Score

70%

IGDB

A stunning, soulful adventure through the Scottish Highlands where you play as a border collie bringing color back to a world processing grief.

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Screenwise Verdict

Farewell North is a rare gem that manages to be both a relaxing 'dog simulator' and a profound meditation on loss. It’s set in a gorgeous version of the Scottish Highlands, and the core loop of exploring and restoring color is incredibly satisfying.

It’s the kind of game that proves digital media can be a tool for empathy. It doesn't lecture; it just lets you sit with a feeling while you run through the grass. If you’re looking for something to play with your kid that will actually spark a real conversation afterward, this is it.

Age Fit

Best for ages 7 and up. While the controls are simple enough for younger kids, the themes of grief and the slightly tense stealth sequences with 'shadow' creatures land better with a bit of maturity.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Playing as a loyal border collie helping its human navigate grief is the definition of wholesome. It models a deep bond between species and focuses on restoration over destruction.

Imaginative

The mechanic of restoring color to a monochrome world is visually striking. Playing from a dog's perspective naturally encourages a different kind of environmental curiosity.

Safe

A single-player indie experience with no microtransactions or social toxicity. 'Monster' encounters are more about atmospheric tension and stealth than graphic violence.

Enriching

It tackles the difficult topic of loss with grace. It’s a rare game that builds emotional intelligence and empathy rather than just testing reflexes.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Perspective shift that lets you experience the world as a dog—herding sheep, paddling through water, and sniffing out secrets.
Visual storytelling where your progress is literally measured by the return of vibrant color to the desolate islands.
Emotional depth that handles themes of farewell and memory in a way that’s accessible for kids but deeply moving for adults.
Peaceful pacing that rewards exploration and quiet observation rather than high-speed combat or stress.

⚠

What to Watch For

The 'monsters' are manifestations of anxiety/grief; they can be a bit spooky for very young kids, though they are mostly about stealth and avoidance.
The emotional ending hits hard. If your family has recently dealt with the loss of a pet or a loved one, this will be a heavy experience.
Some puzzles require a bit of spatial reasoning that might frustrate a 6-year-old playing solo.

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think the world lost its color in the first place?"
"How does the dog help its owner even when they aren't talking to each other?"
"What are some ways we remember people or pets when they aren't with us anymore?"
"If you were a dog, what would be the first thing you'd want to go sniff or explore?"

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