Not each Halloween horror adventure needs to scare you. Starting with beloved classics such as mystery-solving cartoons to charming series like Over the Garden Wall, numerous autumn-inspired staples offer entertainment without needing causing fear. Additionally, a expanding collection of eerie-charming releases featuring autumn atmosphere, though lacking the truly terrifying intensity of fear. Gloomy Eyes debuted in recent months, and acts as an excellent cozy option to the intensely frightening titles of this year.
An Original Collaborative Solo Quest
Labeled as a “self-coop” puzzle game, Gloomy Eyes unites a undead youth called Gloomy and a mortal child known as Nena as they begin an mission to return daylight to their shadowy realm. Their appearance evokes Funko Pops blended with the figures from a stop-motion animation. The light-complected and baggy-eyed appearance is influenced by the appearance of Burtonesque cinema, and the story is a quintessential all-ages journey. The pair forms an unbreakable connection over the duration of the game’s 14 chapters as Nena strives to demonstrate to her priest uncle that, you know, possibly zombies are actually good.
Creative Problem-Solving Features
This unique label comes about from the game’s environmental puzzles. Once Gloomy and Nena cross paths, you’ll swap between the recent allies to overcome obstacles and move forward through the areas. Being a zombie, Gloomy cannot pass through the brightness of a lamppost, while Nena will get snatched up by idle zombies without a lamp is directed on them.
They must work in tandem — well, you’ll use them in tandem — to advance through areas. Nena may move or briefly disable lights to create passages for Gloomy, while the open-brained youth will utilize his supernatural ability to move obstacles in the surroundings, opening up paths for Nena.
Captivating Level Design
These challenges remind me a touch of The Gardens Between, in the manner the areas are floating, miniature constructions that the camera moves across in coordination with your protagonists. Gloomy Eyes’ environments are quite fun, guiding the companions around a carnival and through a haunted house, including other locations. Players can use a “diorama view” option that allows you to pull back and turn the levels, both for appreciate the visuals and look for ways that may not have been obvious.
Slight Issues and Complete Gameplay
Here lies one of the sole problems with Gloomy Eyes. Like other titles with a static view, sometimes it's unclear where the protagonists are able to move. You may need to simply collide with a few random elements to figure out which ones are usable, as the game doesn't always indicate.
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. Subsequent stages combine subtle sneaking and action elements with the problem-solving, as Gloomy Eyes advances to a satisfying — and slightly unforeseen — ending.
Release and Final Thoughts
Players avoiding the scares of fear-inducing titles won’t want to miss Gloomy Eyes. It’s available on Nintendo Switch, Sony system, Windows PC, and Xbox, and is currently on sale for 25% off on online stores.
The spooky-cute adventure is available on various systems and delivers a delightful alternative for players in search of autumn enjoyment minus the terrifying moments.
