The Spooky-Cute Puzzler Functions as the Excellent Alternative to Frightening Flicks

Not all Halloween horror journey has to terrify you. From iconic favorites for example mystery-solving cartoons to delightful stories including Over the Garden Wall, many autumn-inspired staples are enjoyable without needing increasing anxiety. Moreover, a increasing selection of ghostly-adorable games with Halloween vibes, though lacking the keep-you-awake intensity of fear. Gloomy Eyes debuted in September, and stands as an excellent cozy option to the deeply scary titles of the current season.

A Unique Self-Coop Adventure

Described as a single-player cooperative brain-teaser, Gloomy Eyes pairs up a undead youth named Gloomy and a mortal child known as Nena as they embark on an mission to restore sunlight to their gloomy world. They look resembles stylized dolls mixed with the figures from a stop-motion animation. Their light-complected and tired-looking appearance is influenced by the look of Gothic fantasy movies, and the story is a archetypal all-ages tale. The duo builds an strong connection over the course of the game’s 14 chapters as Nena strives to show to her religious guardian that, hey, maybe zombies are actually good.

Innovative Gameplay Systems

The “self-coop” label comes about from the game’s environmental puzzles. When Gloomy and Nena encounter each other, gamers switch between the budding companions to complete challenges and progress through the areas. Since he's not alive, Gloomy can’t walk through the illumination of a lamppost, while Nena may be grabbed by wandering undead unless a beam is directed on them.

They have to cooperate closely — in practice, gamers operate them together — to complete stages. Nena may move or briefly disable lights to clear paths for Gloomy, while the thoughtful boy will utilize his supernatural ability to move objects in the surroundings, revealing ways for Nena.

Engaging Level Design

The puzzles remind me a bit of The Gardens Between, in the way the levels are suspended, miniature designs that the perspective rotates in sync with your characters. Gloomy Eyes’ worlds are very enjoyable, guiding the companions around a amusement park and through a haunted house, amid other places. Players can use a “diorama view” option that allows you to pull back and turn the areas, simultaneously to enjoy the artwork and hunt for routes that may not have been obvious.

Minor Challenges and Overall Gameplay

Here lies one of the sole hiccups with Gloomy Eyes. Like other games with a static view, sometimes it's unclear where the characters may or may not travel. You may need to just bump into a several various elements to discover which ones are usable, as clues aren't consistently provided.

Nevertheless, those minor speedbumps don't hinder of a spooky-cute enjoyable experience. Gloomy Eyes has a compact length, with approximately several hours worth of puzzles. Subsequent stages integrate minor stealth and action elements with the problem-solving, as Gloomy Eyes marches toward a fulfilling — and somewhat unexpected — conclusion.

Release and Final Thoughts

Players steering clear of the scares of fear-inducing games should definitely try Gloomy Eyes. It’s available on Nintendo Switch, Sony system, computer, and Xbox Series X, and is currently on sale for a discount on online stores.

Gloomy Eyes is out now on several consoles and delivers a pleasurable choice for fans looking for autumn enjoyment without the intense scares.