Not each autumn fright experience needs to terrify you. Starting with beloved classics like animated detectives to endearing shows like Over the Garden Wall, many autumn-inspired favorites are enjoyable without needing causing fear. Moreover, a expanding collection of eerie-charming games including autumn atmosphere, yet without the sleep-with-the-lights-on degree of horror. Gloomy Eyes debuted in recent months, and serves as an excellent relaxing option to the deeply scary titles of this year.
A Distinctive Self-Coop Quest
Labeled as a “self-coop” brain-teaser, Gloomy Eyes unites a living-impaired child named Gloomy and a human girl known as Nena as they embark on an adventure to bring the sun back to their gloomy realm. Their design is similar to Funko Pops blended with the figures from a stop-motion animation. The pale-skinned and tired-looking aesthetic draws inspiration from the appearance of Burtonesque cinema, and the plot is a classic suitable for everyone journey. The duo develops an strong connection over the span of the game’s multiple stages as Nena strives to prove to her religious guardian that, look, possibly living-impaired beings can be friendly.
Creative Problem-Solving Features
The innovative term originates from the game’s environmental puzzles. When Gloomy and Nena encounter each other, players alternate amidst the budding companions to solve puzzles and progress through the levels. Since he's not alive, Gloomy is unable to traverse through the light of a streetlight, while Nena may be grabbed by loitering creatures except if a light is directed on them.
They must work in tandem — well, you’ll use them simultaneously — to finish levels. Nena may move or momentarily deactivate lights to open routes for Gloomy, while the intellectually curious character will utilize his supernatural ability to move obstacles in the world, revealing routes for Nena.
Engaging World Building
These challenges bring to mind a little of The Gardens Between, in the fashion the areas are suspended, model-like structures that the view rotates in conjunction with your protagonists. Gloomy Eyes’ environments are very enjoyable, leading the duo around a fair and through a spooky mansion, among other places. There’s a “diorama view” button that enables you to zoom out and rotate the levels, both to admire the visuals and hunt for routes that may not have been obvious.
Small Challenges and General Experience
This represents one of the few problems with Gloomy Eyes. Similar to other titles with a locked camera, sometimes it's unclear where the characters may or may not travel. Gamers could require to simply collide with a few random objects to figure out which ones are usable, as the game doesn't always indicate.
However, those slight challenges don't obstruct of a spooky-cute good time. Gloomy Eyes runs on the short side, with roughly several hours worth of puzzles. Advanced areas integrate subtle sneaking and dynamic sequences with the challenge completion, as Gloomy Eyes marches toward a satisfying — and somewhat unforeseen — finale.
Availability and Summary
Those shying away from the frights of terrifying releases should definitely try Gloomy Eyes. It’s available on Nintendo Switch, PS5, Windows PC, and Xbox, and is available at a reduced price for 25% off on digital platforms.
The spooky-cute adventure is available on various systems and delivers a delightful alternative for fans looking for Halloween fun without the fear factor.
