Not all autumn fright journey has to frighten you. Including beloved classics such as mystery-solving cartoons to endearing shows including Over the Garden Wall, numerous spooky-season favorites provide fun without requiring increasing anxiety. Additionally, a growing library of ghostly-adorable titles with spooky themes, yet without the truly terrifying level of terror. Gloomy Eyes debuted in the fall, and serves as an superb relaxing choice to the intensely frightening titles of this year.
An Original Self-Coop Journey
Labeled as a solo collaboration problem-solving title, Gloomy Eyes unites a living-impaired child called Gloomy and a human girl known as Nena as they begin an mission to return daylight to their shadowy world. Their design resembles stylized dolls mixed with the figures from a animated feature. The light-complected and tired-looking appearance is influenced by the look of Burtonesque cinema, and the narrative is a classic all-ages adventure. The pair forms an unbreakable bond over the course of the game’s numerous levels as Nena attempts to prove to her religious guardian that, you know, possibly the undead aren’t half bad.
Original Puzzle Mechanics
The “self-coop” label stems from the game’s world-based challenges. Once Gloomy and Nena meet, players alternate amidst the budding companions to complete challenges and progress through the areas. Since he's not alive, Gloomy cannot pass through the light of a lamppost, while Nena will get snatched up by idle zombies except if a beam is shone on them.
They must work in tandem — well, players control them in tandem — to finish levels. Nena might relocate or temporarily shut off lights to clear paths for Gloomy, while the thoughtful youth will use his zombie strength to move items in the surroundings, creating paths for Nena.
Engaging Environment Creation
These challenges bring to mind a touch of The Gardens Between, in the way the stages are floating, miniature structures that the perspective moves across in sync with your heroes. Gloomy Eyes’ worlds are quite fun, leading the friends around a fair and through a haunted house, among other locations. There’s a “diorama view” option that enables you to zoom out and spin the areas, both for admire the designs and hunt for routes that may not have been clear.
Slight Issues and Overall Experience
This represents one of the sole hiccups with Gloomy Eyes. Comparable to other titles with a locked camera, sometimes it's unclear where the heroes are able to move. Players might have to randomly encounter a few random objects to discover which ones are usable, as clues aren't consistently provided.
Nonetheless, those slight speedbumps don't hinder of a eerie-adorable enjoyable experience. Gloomy Eyes has a compact length, with roughly several hours worth of challenges. Later levels blend together subtle sneaking and action elements with the challenge completion, as Gloomy Eyes marches toward a fulfilling — and moderately unforeseen — finale.
Availability and Final Thoughts
Those shying away from the frights of terrifying titles won’t want to miss Gloomy Eyes. It’s available on Switch console, PS5, Windows PC, and Microsoft console, and is presently discounted for 25% off on game marketplaces.
This charming title is out now on several consoles and provides a pleasurable option for gamers seeking autumn enjoyment minus the fear factor.
