This Spooky-Cute Brain-Teaser Functions as the Excellent Replacement to Spooky Scares

Not all Halloween horror experience needs to frighten gamers. From iconic favorites like animated detectives to delightful stories including Over the Garden Wall, many spooky-season favorites are enjoyable without causing fear. Moreover, a growing library of ghostly-adorable releases featuring spooky themes, but not the sleep-with-the-lights-on intensity of fear. Gloomy Eyes debuted in recent months, and stands as an excellent cozy alternative to the intensely frightening games of this year.

An Original Collaborative Solo Adventure

Described as a solo collaboration problem-solving title, Gloomy Eyes unites a undead youth called Gloomy and a mortal child known as Nena as they begin an quest to return daylight to their shadowy world. Their design is similar to stylized dolls mixed with the figures from a Laika film. The pale-skinned and tired-looking aesthetic borrows heavily from the visual style of Tim Burton’s films, and the narrative is a quintessential all-ages journey. The duo develops an strong connection over the span of the game’s 14 chapters as Nena tries to show to her priest uncle that, hey, possibly zombies aren’t half bad.

Original Gameplay Systems

The “self-coop” label stems from the game’s environmental puzzles. After Gloomy and Nena meet, you’ll swap between the budding companions to solve puzzles and move forward through the stages. As an undead, Gloomy can’t walk through the illumination of a streetlight, while Nena may be grabbed by loitering creatures except if a lamp is shone on them.

They have to work in tandem — in practice, gamers operate them simultaneously — to advance through areas. Nena could adjust or briefly disable illumination to open routes for Gloomy, while the thoughtful youth will use his zombie strength to shift around items in the world, creating ways for Nena.

Engaging World Building

These challenges bring to mind a little of The Gardens Between, in the manner the stages are hovering, miniature constructions that the perspective moves across in conjunction with your characters. Gloomy Eyes’ worlds are very enjoyable, leading the companions around a fair and through a ghostly building, among other places. Players can use a “diorama view” feature that permits you to pull back and turn the levels, both for admire the visuals and look for paths that may not have been obvious.

Slight Challenges and Complete Gameplay

And that’s one of the sole hiccups with Gloomy Eyes. Comparable to other releases with a locked camera, occasionally it's confusing where the heroes are able to move. Players might have to simply collide with a multiple different objects to figure out which ones are interactable, as the game doesn't always indicate.

Nonetheless, those slight speedbumps don't obstruct of a eerie-adorable fun adventure. Gloomy Eyes has a compact length, with roughly several hours worth of brain-teasers. Subsequent stages blend together light stealth and action elements with the puzzle solving, as Gloomy Eyes advances to a rewarding — and somewhat unforeseen — finale.

Release and Summary

Players shying away from the terror of fear-inducing titles should definitely try Gloomy Eyes. You can find it on Switch console, PS5, computer, and Microsoft console, and is available at a reduced price for 25% off on online stores.

This charming title is out now on various systems and provides a enjoyable option for fans looking for Halloween fun minus the terrifying moments.