Not every spooky season experience needs to terrify players. Starting with iconic favorites like animated detectives to charming series including Over the Garden Wall, plenty of spooky-season favorites offer entertainment without requiring causing fear. Moreover, a increasing selection of spooky-cute titles including Halloween vibes, though lacking the truly terrifying intensity of horror. Gloomy Eyes was released in the fall, and serves as an excellent cozy alternative to the intensely frightening releases of the current season.
An Original Self-Coop Adventure
Described as a solo collaboration problem-solving title, Gloomy Eyes unites a zombie boy known as Gloomy and a living girl known as Nena as they begin an mission to bring the sun back to their dark, dark realm. Their appearance evokes collectible figures blended with the figures from a animated feature. Their light-complected and tired-looking style draws inspiration from the visual style of Tim Burton’s films, and the story is a quintessential all-ages adventure. The pair develops an unbreakable bond over the course of the game’s numerous levels as Nena attempts to demonstrate to her clerical relative that, look, perhaps the undead are actually good.
Original Problem-Solving Features
This unique label comes about from the game’s interactive problem-solving. Once Gloomy and Nena cross paths, you’ll swap between the budding companions to overcome obstacles and move forward through the stages. As an undead, Gloomy is unable to traverse through the light of a streetlight, while Nena will get snatched up by idle zombies except if a beam is directed on them.
It's necessary for them to collaborate effectively — actually, players control them simultaneously — to complete stages. Nena might relocate or temporarily shut off lights to open routes for Gloomy, while the thoughtful boy will employ his undead power to move obstacles in the world, revealing ways for Nena.
Captivating Environment Creation
The puzzles remind me a little of The Gardens Between, in the manner the levels are suspended, model-like constructions that the perspective moves across in coordination with your protagonists. Gloomy Eyes’ worlds are quite fun, leading the friends around a fair and through a haunted house, amid other places. The game includes a “diorama view” feature that allows you to view from afar and turn the areas, both to admire the designs and look for paths that may not have been obvious.
Minor Issues and Complete Adventure
This represents one of the sole hiccups with Gloomy Eyes. Comparable to other games with a locked camera, sometimes it's unclear where the heroes can and cannot go. You may need to simply collide with a multiple different objects to determine which ones are interactive, as it’s not always intuitive.
Nonetheless, those slight speedbumps don't hinder of a ghostly-charming good time. Gloomy Eyes has a compact length, with about a few sessions worth of challenges. Later levels combine light sneaking and exciting moments with the puzzle solving, as Gloomy Eyes marches toward a rewarding — and somewhat unexpected — finale.
Availability and Final Thoughts
Those steering clear of the scares of terrifying titles ought to experience Gloomy Eyes. It’s available on Switch console, PS5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X, and is available at a reduced price for a quarter off on game marketplaces.
This charming title has been released on various systems and offers a enjoyable option for gamers seeking spooky entertainment without terrifying moments.
