Not every spooky season experience has to scare gamers. From iconic favorites like animated detectives to endearing shows like Over the Garden Wall, many spooky-season favorites are enjoyable without needing raising your heart rate. There’s also, a increasing selection of ghostly-adorable games featuring spooky themes, though lacking the truly terrifying level of horror. Gloomy Eyes was released in recent months, and stands as an superb relaxing choice to the intensely frightening titles of the current season.
A Distinctive Collaborative Solo Adventure
Described as a “self-coop” brain-teaser, Gloomy Eyes pairs up a undead youth called Gloomy and a living girl called Nena as they start an adventure to return daylight to their dark, dark environment. They look evokes stylized dolls mixed with the puppets from a Laika film. Their light-complected and tired-looking style borrows heavily from the visual style of Tim Burton’s films, and the narrative is a classic family-friendly tale. These two builds an strong connection over the course of the game’s numerous levels as Nena tries to demonstrate to her priest uncle that, you know, possibly the undead aren’t half bad.
Original Gameplay Systems
This unique description stems from the game’s world-based challenges. After Gloomy and Nena cross paths, gamers switch amidst the newfound friends to solve puzzles and advance through the areas. Being a zombie, Gloomy cannot pass through the light of a lamppost, while Nena will get snatched up by wandering undead unless a light is shone on them.
It's necessary for them to work in tandem — actually, you’ll use them simultaneously — to finish levels. Nena could adjust or temporarily shut off illumination to clear paths for Gloomy, while the intellectually curious youth will use his zombie strength to move items in the world, revealing routes for Nena.
Engaging Environment Creation
These challenges bring to mind a bit of The Gardens Between, in the way the areas are suspended, miniature constructions that the view moves across in sync with your protagonists. Gloomy Eyes’ worlds are very enjoyable, taking the companions around a fair and through a ghostly building, including other locations. The game includes a “diorama view” option that enables you to zoom out and spin the areas, simultaneously to admire the artwork and look for routes that may not have been obvious.
Minor Hiccups and Complete Adventure
Here lies one of the only difficulties with Gloomy Eyes. Similar to other games with a locked camera, sometimes it's unclear where the characters are able to move. Gamers could require to randomly encounter a several various items to discover which ones are interactive, as the game doesn't always indicate.
However, those small obstacles don't hinder of a ghostly-charming good time. Gloomy Eyes is relatively brief, with roughly three to five hours worth of puzzles. Subsequent stages blend together minor hidden movement and action elements with the problem-solving, as Gloomy Eyes progresses to a rewarding — and slightly unforeseen — ending.
Release and Final Thoughts
Players avoiding the scares of terrifying titles ought to experience Gloomy Eyes. It’s available on Nintendo platform, PS5, computer, and Xbox Series X, and is available at a reduced price for 25% off on digital platforms.
Gloomy Eyes has been released on several consoles and offers a enjoyable alternative for gamers in search of spooky entertainment without fear factor.
