The Spooky-Cute Puzzler Functions as the Ideal Substitute to Spooky Scares

Not each spooky season experience must frighten players. Including beloved classics such as Scooby-Doo to charming series including Over the Garden Wall, numerous Halloween-themed staples are enjoyable without requiring causing fear. There’s also, a increasing selection of ghostly-adorable titles with autumn atmosphere, but not the keep-you-awake degree of fear. Gloomy Eyes arrived in recent months, and acts as an excellent relaxing option to the deeply scary releases of 2025.

The game visual
Visual: ARTE France, ATLAS V, 3DAR, Be Revolution/Untold Tales

A Distinctive Self-Coop Journey

Labeled as a single-player cooperative problem-solving title, Gloomy Eyes teams up a undead youth called Gloomy and a mortal child called Nena as they begin an mission to restore sunlight to their gloomy world. They look resembles collectible figures mixed with the characters from a stop-motion animation. Their pale-skinned and baggy-eyed aesthetic is influenced by the appearance of Tim Burton’s films, and the narrative is a quintessential all-ages adventure. The pair forms an enduring connection over the course of the game’s numerous levels as Nena strives to demonstrate to her religious guardian that, you know, maybe living-impaired beings can be friendly.

Original Problem-Solving Features

This unique label stems from the game’s interactive problem-solving. After Gloomy and Nena cross paths, gamers switch among the recent allies to complete challenges and advance through the stages. As an undead, Gloomy is unable to traverse through the brightness of a streetlight, while Nena will get snatched up by wandering undead except if a beam is focused on them.

They must cooperate closely — actually, you’ll use them in tandem — to finish levels. Nena might relocate or briefly disable illumination to clear paths for Gloomy, while the thoughtful boy will employ his undead power to move objects in the surroundings, creating routes for Nena.

This adventure visual
Image: ARTE France, Studio, 3DAR, Be Revolution/Untold Tales

Engaging Environment Creation

The brain-teasers evoke memories a little of The Gardens Between, in the way the levels are hovering, miniature designs that the perspective rotates in coordination with your heroes. Gloomy Eyes’ worlds are very enjoyable, taking the companions around a fair and through a ghostly building, including other locations. Players can use a “diorama view” button that allows you to view from afar and turn the levels, simultaneously to enjoy the artwork and search for paths that may not have been obvious.

Slight Challenges and Overall Experience

Here lies one of the only problems with Gloomy Eyes. Similar to other games with a locked camera, occasionally it's confusing where the heroes are able to move. Players might have to simply collide with a several various items to figure out which ones are usable, as clues aren't consistently provided.

Nonetheless, those minor obstacles don't obstruct of a spooky-cute fun adventure. Gloomy Eyes is relatively brief, with about three to five hours worth of challenges. Advanced areas combine subtle hidden movement and exciting moments with the challenge completion, as Gloomy Eyes marches toward a rewarding — and moderately surprising — finale.

Release and Final Thoughts

Gamers shying away from the scares of terrifying games should definitely try Gloomy Eyes. The game is out on Switch console, PlayStation 5, PC, and Xbox, and is presently discounted for 25% off on online stores.

The spooky-cute adventure is out now on various systems and delivers a delightful choice for gamers in search of autumn enjoyment without the fear factor.

Jared Gilmore
Jared Gilmore

Eva is een ervaren ondernemerscoach en schrijft over zakelijk succes in Almere.