Haven Reviews
BAD - Haven introduces some nice ideas but fails to capture its core audience: people who are actually in relationships. If it can’t do that, I’m not really sure who this game is for.
Haven is an interesting game for those who want to enjoy a calm but not too elaborate romantic adventure. The idea is very well thought out but lacks in some aspects such as an exaggerated amount of transitions between scenarios, with long loads, or as repetitive exploration mechanics.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Armed with a charismatic artistic direction, excellent in every part, and supported by a varied gameplay which makes it impossible to get bored, Haven is, in conclusion, a refined game capable of entering the list of most succesful titles of the year and which blends will leave its mark for long. The Game Bakers’ work strikes for its delicate narrative with blends perfectly with the gameplay and the artistic compartament, all three almost creating a well balanced and light dance.
Review in Italian | Read full review
"Bonnie and Clyde escape the cops."
Review in Finnish | Read full review
Overall, Haven delivers an immersive and wholesome experience. The mature relationship between Yu and Kai hits the mark, the dialogue is great, the glide/flight mechanic is unique, and the soundtrack is vibrant. There is also a decent amount of gameplay (10-12 hours without too much exploration) with the right balance of difficulty whether playing solo or with a partner. It just all comes together to create a peaceful and enjoyable game. So come to Planet Source for a great getaway for two.
A very unusual Turn Based Combat game then, but one that is well worth spending some time playing.
One of the surprises of this 2020
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Haven won’t be for everyone, but I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a relaxing experience with some charming characters. The amazing soundtrack is the icing on the cake. I was not expecting this kind of release coming from the developer of the high-octane Furi, but I’m glad that we got it nevertheless.
A mix between an RPG and a visual novel. Simple, beautiful and relaxing.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Haven is a beautiful love story that develops with the participation of the player, and is complemented by mechanics from various games such as a personal relationship simulator, an exploration adventure, a role-playing game, and even a walking simulator. Not all the mechanics play their part at the same level, and we will even notice that the game could have saved some of them, such as the fighting, but what really stands out is the development of the relationship of our protagonists, and the environment created for them Origin, is ideal for this love story to happen and convince.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Haven tells a tale of love and freedom in an intriguing alien world, beautifully depicted and sided by a great electro soundtrack. A game to try, even if you'll need some patience to move past the first, too slow, couple of hours.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Haven is a game best enjoyed with someone else while making yourselves comfy on the sofa. While not without its flaws, a brave decision to focus on the story about a couple makes this a unique title worth immersing yourself in. The music is brilliant and the characters are just lovely. The story may go through the typical beats that I expect lovers to go through in a typical film. Its the talent of the voice actors and the accessibility of the gameplay for most audiences that keep you hooked till the end. Sometimes in life a game just hits you and ends up being better than you could possibly imagine. Haven to me is one of those game made even better because I got to share it with someone special.
Haven is a clever writed story about two fugitives living their lives on an alien planet. In this RPG made by The Game Bakers you won't find a world to save but just Yu and Kay. Their relation and everyday problems. This quite cozy and atmospheric game will appeal for almost everyone. Especially if you have someone to watch you playing.
Review in Polish | Read full review
Haven’s engaging storytelling and alluring world help make for a unique and enjoyable experience – I just wish there was a little bit more to do on Source. Sure, gliding around feels wonderful and the instances of combat can make for some fun sequences, but it doesn’t take long for a sense of repetition to kick in. It probably doesn’t help that the land itself can be a little bit vacant, making it more difficult to find the areas you need to reach to progress. It certainly has its flaws, but I still had more of a more positive experience with Haven than a bad one. With a bit of extra fine-tuning it could easily stand out as a really special little game, especially with its endearing take on relationships in the video game landscape and its outstanding presentation. As it stands though, it doesn’t always manage to replicate the same sparks that are flying between its two main protagonists.
Haven's gameplay might not keep you invested as much as the core relationship but the game tells a very real tale of two people in love. Paired with a synthetic lo-fi soundtrack and some beautiful visuals, it's hard not to fall for Kay and Yu's story.
A delightful central relationship gives this love story RPG wings, but generic survival beats and somewhat empty worlds leaves Haven not quite the essential indie experience we were hoping for.
When all is said and done, what sells Haven is its characters. If a deep rich character-driven narrative that centers around two exceptionally realized characters is something you believe is worth a few gameplay hiccups to experience then this game is worth every second of your time. It’s characters deliver in every way I could ask for. Crafting a tale that was the most emotionally impactful gaming experience I’ve had since I played Sea of Solitude last year. And to put a little perspective here, that was my game of the year last year. And while its gameplay shortcomings keep it from quite reaching that level of gaming perfection, its story is as close to perfect as I could ask for.
Despite its outerworldly setting, Haven’s message & writing highlights the pros and cons of a relationship that many couples, and even ex-couples, can relate to. Except for maybe the bit where you feed a marble cake to attract a giant alien manta ray to serve as your makeshift taxi cab.
It just doesn’t seem they put as much love and detail into the gameplay as they did the character writing and world building. In the end, while not a must play, Haven is still worth a glance if you’re looking for a feel-good experience.