Not all Halloween horror experience has to frighten players. Starting with well-known tales like mystery-solving cartoons to charming series such as Over the Garden Wall, numerous Halloween-themed staples are enjoyable without requiring causing fear. Additionally, a increasing selection of ghostly-adorable releases featuring autumn atmosphere, yet without the truly terrifying level of fear. Gloomy Eyes was released in recent months, and serves as an excellent relaxing alternative to the deeply scary releases of 2025.
An Original Collaborative Solo Adventure
Described as a single-player cooperative brain-teaser, Gloomy Eyes pairs up a undead youth called Gloomy and a mortal child named Nena as they begin an quest to restore sunlight to their shadowy realm. They look evokes Funko Pops combined with the figures from a Laika film. The fair-toned and baggy-eyed appearance is influenced by the visual style of Gothic fantasy movies, and the story is a classic all-ages journey. These two builds an strong bond over the course of the game’s 14 chapters as Nena attempts to show to her priest uncle that, you know, possibly the undead can be friendly.
Innovative Puzzle Mechanics
The innovative term originates from the game’s world-based challenges. When Gloomy and Nena meet, you’ll swap amidst the recent allies to overcome obstacles and advance through the stages. 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.
They have to work in tandem — well, players control them simultaneously — to complete stages. Nena may move or briefly disable lights to create passages for Gloomy, while the thoughtful youth will employ his undead power to rearrange items in the surroundings, revealing paths for Nena.
Engaging Environment Creation
The brain-teasers bring to mind a touch of The Gardens Between, in the fashion the stages are suspended, model-like constructions that the view moves across in coordination with your protagonists. Gloomy Eyes’ worlds are very enjoyable, leading the friends around a carnival and through a ghostly building, among other places. The game includes a “diorama view” feature that enables you to pull back and turn the levels, both to enjoy the artwork and look for ways that may not have been obvious.
Minor Hiccups and General Adventure
This represents one of the only difficulties with Gloomy Eyes. Like other games with a locked camera, it’s not always clear where the protagonists may or may not travel. Players might have to simply collide with a few random elements to determine which ones are interactive, as it’s not always intuitive.
Nonetheless, those slight speedbumps don't hinder of a spooky-cute enjoyable experience. Gloomy Eyes runs on the short side, with roughly three to five hours worth of challenges. Later levels blend together minor hidden movement and dynamic sequences with the puzzle solving, as Gloomy Eyes progresses to a fulfilling — and slightly unexpected — finale.
Accessibility and Final Thoughts
Those avoiding the frights of terrifying games should definitely try Gloomy Eyes. The game is out on Switch console, PS5, computer, and Microsoft console, and is available at a reduced price for a quarter off on game marketplaces.
This charming title is available on various systems and provides a pleasurable alternative for gamers seeking Halloween fun minus the terrifying moments.
