Not each Halloween horror experience has to scare players. From iconic favorites for example animated detectives to endearing shows such as Over the Garden Wall, numerous spooky-season titles are enjoyable without requiring increasing anxiety. Moreover, a increasing selection of eerie-charming games including spooky themes, yet without the sleep-with-the-lights-on intensity of terror. Gloomy Eyes debuted in September, and acts as an outstanding relaxing option to the intensely frightening games of this year.
An Original Collaborative Solo Adventure
Labeled as a solo collaboration brain-teaser, Gloomy Eyes unites a zombie boy called Gloomy and a living girl called Nena as they begin an adventure to bring the sun back to their shadowy realm. Their appearance is similar to stylized dolls combined with the characters from a stop-motion animation. Their fair-toned and baggy-eyed appearance borrows heavily from the look of Tim Burton’s films, and the narrative is a quintessential family-friendly adventure. These two forms an enduring friendship over the course of the game’s 14 chapters as Nena attempts to prove to her clerical relative that, look, perhaps zombies aren’t half bad.
Innovative Puzzle Mechanics
The innovative description stems from the game’s interactive problem-solving. After Gloomy and Nena cross paths, players alternate among the newfound friends to complete challenges and progress through the levels. Being a zombie, Gloomy can’t walk through the illumination of a streetlight, while Nena may be grabbed by wandering undead unless a light is directed on them.
They must collaborate effectively — well, players control them together — to advance through areas. Nena may move or briefly disable lights to open routes for Gloomy, while the open-brained youth will utilize his supernatural ability to rearrange items in the surroundings, opening up ways for Nena.
Immersive World Building
The puzzles remind me a bit of The Gardens Between, in the fashion the levels are hovering, diorama-like designs that the perspective rotates in coordination with your heroes. Gloomy Eyes’ environments are very enjoyable, guiding the companions around a fair and through a spooky mansion, among other locations. Players can use a “diorama view” button that permits you to zoom out and turn the stages, both for admire the visuals and search for paths that may not have been apparent.
Small Issues and Overall Adventure
This represents one of the sole difficulties with Gloomy Eyes. Similar to other games with a static view, sometimes it's unclear where the protagonists can and cannot go. Gamers could require to simply collide with a few random items to discover which ones are usable, as it’s not always intuitive.
Nonetheless, those minor speedbumps don't hinder of a spooky-cute fun adventure. Gloomy Eyes runs on the short side, with roughly three to five hours worth of puzzles. Advanced areas blend together minor sneaking and exciting moments with the puzzle solving, as Gloomy Eyes marches toward a rewarding — and moderately unexpected — ending.
Availability and Final Thoughts
Those avoiding the terror of terrifying games should definitely try Gloomy Eyes. You can find it on Nintendo Switch, Sony system, Windows PC, and Microsoft console, and is available at a reduced price for a discount on game marketplaces.
Gloomy Eyes is available on several consoles and provides a delightful choice for players looking for autumn enjoyment without the terrifying moments.
