Not each autumn fright experience needs to frighten players. From beloved classics like mystery-solving cartoons to endearing shows including Over the Garden Wall, many Halloween-themed titles are enjoyable without requiring increasing anxiety. Additionally, a increasing selection of eerie-charming games including autumn atmosphere, yet without the keep-you-awake intensity of horror. Gloomy Eyes debuted in the fall, and serves as an outstanding relaxing option to the deeply scary games of the current season.
A Unique Collaborative Solo Journey
Described as a solo collaboration puzzle game, Gloomy Eyes unites a undead youth called Gloomy and a human girl named Nena as they embark on an mission to restore sunlight to their dark, dark world. Their appearance evokes collectible figures combined with the puppets from a stop-motion animation. Their light-complected and baggy-eyed style is influenced by the visual style of Gothic fantasy movies, and the narrative is a classic suitable for everyone tale. These two develops an unbreakable bond over the course of the game’s multiple stages as Nena strives to show to her clerical relative that, you know, maybe zombies are actually good.
Original Puzzle Mechanics
The “self-coop” description comes about from the game’s environmental puzzles. After Gloomy and Nena cross paths, players alternate among the newfound friends to solve puzzles and progress through the levels. Since he's not alive, Gloomy cannot pass through the brightness of a streetlight, while Nena may be grabbed by wandering undead without a lamp is directed on them.
They have to collaborate effectively — well, you’ll use them together — to complete stages. Nena may move or temporarily shut off lamps to create passages for Gloomy, while the open-brained character will use his zombie strength to rearrange obstacles in the environment, revealing paths for Nena.
Captivating World Building
These challenges evoke memories a touch of The Gardens Between, in the way the levels are hovering, model-like structures that the view moves across in sync with your protagonists. Gloomy Eyes’ worlds are very enjoyable, leading the companions around a amusement park and through a haunted house, among other locations. There’s a “diorama view” button that allows you to zoom out and rotate the areas, both for enjoy the artwork and look for ways that may not have been clear.
Minor Issues and General Gameplay
Here lies one of the only problems with Gloomy Eyes. Similar to other releases with a locked camera, it’s not always clear where the protagonists are able to move. You may need to randomly encounter a few random elements to figure out which ones are interactable, as the game doesn't always indicate.
Nonetheless, those minor challenges don't hinder of a ghostly-charming good time. Gloomy Eyes has a compact length, with roughly a few sessions worth of challenges. Advanced areas blend together light sneaking and action elements with the challenge completion, as Gloomy Eyes marches toward a satisfying — and somewhat unexpected — ending.
Release and Final Thoughts
Those avoiding the frights of fear-inducing titles should definitely try Gloomy Eyes. The game is out on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Microsoft console, and is presently discounted for a quarter off on digital platforms.
This charming title has been released on various systems and provides a enjoyable alternative for fans looking for spooky entertainment without the fear factor.
