Not every autumn fright adventure must terrify players. From beloved classics such as Scooby-Doo to charming series such as Over the Garden Wall, plenty of spooky-season favorites are enjoyable without raising your heart rate. Additionally, a expanding collection of ghostly-adorable releases with autumn atmosphere, though lacking the truly terrifying intensity of terror. Gloomy Eyes debuted in recent months, and stands as an outstanding cozy option to the intensely frightening games of this year.
An Original Collaborative Solo Quest
Described as a “self-coop” puzzle game, Gloomy Eyes unites a undead youth called Gloomy and a living girl known as Nena as they embark on an adventure to return daylight to their gloomy environment. Their design is similar to collectible figures combined with the characters from a stop-motion animation. The fair-toned and tired-looking aesthetic borrows heavily from the visual style of Tim Burton’s films, and the narrative is a classic family-friendly journey. The duo develops an enduring bond over the course of the game’s multiple stages as Nena tries to demonstrate to her clerical relative that, look, maybe zombies aren’t half bad.
Innovative Gameplay Systems
The innovative label stems from the game’s world-based challenges. When Gloomy and Nena cross paths, players alternate between the budding companions to solve puzzles and progress through the stages. Being a zombie, Gloomy cannot pass through the light of a streetlight, while Nena can be captured by loitering creatures unless a beam is focused on them.
They must cooperate closely — actually, you’ll use them in tandem — to finish levels. Nena might relocate or momentarily deactivate illumination to open routes for Gloomy, while the open-brained character will employ his undead power to shift around obstacles in the world, revealing routes for Nena.
Engaging Level Design
These challenges evoke memories a little of The Gardens Between, in the way the stages are suspended, model-like constructions that the view moves across in sync with your heroes. Gloomy Eyes’ environments are highly entertaining, leading the friends around a amusement park and through a spooky mansion, amid other locales. Players can use a “diorama view” option that allows you to pull back and turn the stages, simultaneously to enjoy the artwork and look for ways that may not have been obvious.
Small Hiccups and Complete Gameplay
This represents one of the few hiccups with Gloomy Eyes. Like other games with a static view, it’s not always clear where the heroes are able to move. You may need to just bump into a few random items to discover which ones are usable, as clues aren't consistently provided.
However, those small challenges don't hinder of a ghostly-charming good time. Gloomy Eyes runs on the short side, with about several hours worth of brain-teasers. Advanced areas integrate minor stealth and action elements with the puzzle solving, as Gloomy Eyes marches toward a satisfying — and slightly unforeseen — finale.
Release and Conclusion
Players shying away from the frights of fear-inducing releases ought to experience Gloomy Eyes. You can find it on Switch console, Sony system, Windows PC, and Xbox, and is currently on sale for 25% off on digital platforms.
This charming title is out now on several consoles and offers a delightful option for gamers in search of Halloween fun without terrifying moments.
