Not each spooky season journey needs to frighten players. From beloved classics like Scooby-Doo to charming series such as Over the Garden Wall, plenty of autumn-inspired favorites are enjoyable without needing raising your heart rate. Additionally, a expanding collection of spooky-cute titles with spooky themes, though lacking the keep-you-awake intensity of terror. Gloomy Eyes was released in recent months, and serves as an superb relaxing option to the intensely frightening games of the current season.
An Original Single-Player Cooperative Adventure
Known as a “self-coop” puzzle game, Gloomy Eyes unites a living-impaired child known as Gloomy and a mortal child known as Nena as they start an adventure to bring the sun back to their dark, dark world. Their appearance is similar to stylized dolls blended with the figures from a stop-motion animation. Their fair-toned and tired-looking aesthetic borrows heavily from the look of Tim Burton’s films, and the narrative is a archetypal family-friendly journey. The pair develops an unbreakable bond over the span of the game’s 14 chapters as Nena strives to show to her religious guardian that, you know, possibly zombies aren’t half bad.
Creative Problem-Solving Features
The “self-coop” description originates from the game’s environmental puzzles. After Gloomy and Nena encounter each other, players alternate amidst the newfound friends to overcome obstacles and move forward through the levels. Being a zombie, Gloomy is unable to traverse through the light of a light source, while Nena may be grabbed by idle zombies without a lamp is shone on them.
It's necessary for them to collaborate effectively — in practice, gamers operate them simultaneously — to advance through areas. Nena may move or briefly disable illumination to clear paths for Gloomy, while the intellectually curious boy will utilize his supernatural ability to move obstacles in the environment, creating routes for Nena.
Immersive Environment Creation
The puzzles evoke memories a little of The Gardens Between, in the manner the areas are floating, model-like designs that the view moves across in coordination with your protagonists. Gloomy Eyes’ environments are highly entertaining, taking the duo around a amusement park and through a spooky mansion, among other places. There’s a “diorama view” button that enables you to zoom out and turn the stages, both to enjoy the artwork and look for ways that may not have been obvious.
Slight Challenges and Overall Gameplay
Here lies one of the few problems with Gloomy Eyes. Similar to other releases with a static view, occasionally it's confusing where the protagonists can and cannot go. Players might have to simply collide with a multiple different items to discover which ones are interactable, as the game doesn't always indicate.
However, those minor speedbumps don't obstruct of a eerie-adorable good time. Gloomy Eyes is relatively brief, with approximately several hours worth of puzzles. Advanced areas integrate light hidden movement and action elements with the problem-solving, as Gloomy Eyes marches toward a fulfilling — and somewhat unforeseen — ending.
Accessibility and Conclusion
Gamers shying away from the frights of intense horror games won’t want to miss Gloomy Eyes. It’s available on Switch console, Sony system, PC, and Xbox, and is presently discounted for a discount on online stores.
The spooky-cute adventure has been released on various systems and delivers a delightful option for gamers seeking spooky entertainment minus the terrifying moments.
