Haven Reviews
Haven isn't the big RPG revolution but definitely one of the most beautiful games of the year. If you are looking for an emotional title for in-between with an amazing soundtrack to relax or some co-op fun with your partner, you will still get a great experience.
Review in German | Read full review
Haven is a charming and unusual sci-fi RPG about love prevailing above all else, although between its thrilling gravity boot rides and respectable combat are long spans of monotonous resource gathering and clean-up.
Along with being one of the most gentle and soothing games of the year, Haven is also gaming at its most compassionate.
Haven captivates with an adventure that mixes light RPG and survival elements. It is exciting to glide through an exotic planet with areas that invite exploration. The combat surprises with its depth and variety in tactical battles that require rhythm, coordination and a lot of attention. At the center of this is a charismatic couple of protagonists whose relationship is explored in countless fun scenes full of complicity. Some elements in the exploration are a little obtuse and break the fluidity, but they are circumventable. In the end, Haven turns out to be a remarkable and memorable journey.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Haven is slow-paced, but it’s beautiful and captivating. If you want something to enjoy while tucked under a warm blanket, this might just be the comfort you need.
The Game Bakers have done a wonderful job creating a unique world and telling a love story that's believable and intriguing. I was fully invested in Kay and Yu and shaping their relationship. Though the game is all about the story, the game's turn-based combat is truly unique and demands your attention. What seals the deal is Havens's fantastic soundtrack providing some of the best electronic music I've heard in a while. For those looking for a different type of game, Haven is a great alternative for those looking for a great character-driven and emotional. experience.
Haven finds a groove in its exploration and character-building, but the combat and big narrative beats throw it off
The endearing love story and vibrant art style of Haven can't save it from being a derivative and forgettable RPG adventure.
There is banter, love, fight for survival and it all revolves around two very likable protagonists and has a nice art style. This is not one of those dark dystopian futuristic rebel stories, it is about two people trying to have their own piece of freedom and it is a nice change of pace between all these dour same-y sci-fi games and movies. The gameplay could’ve had more range to it but all in all it’s good enough for the game it is trying to be.
Review in Persian | Read full review
Haven took me by complete surprise with its relatable characters and emotional love story. Gliding from island to island is endlessly fun and is a great way to take in its bright art direction. While there are some performance issues, the overall story and exploration had me hooked from beginning to end. If you’re looking for a romantic and fantastic narrative Haven has a beautiful world ready to explore.
Haven has good premises and touch of freshness as it strives to convey humanity, even though most of its mechanics and plot would've deserved more deepening
Review in Italian | Read full review
Lovers in a Shattered Land
There are flaws in Haven's gameplay, but its endearing protagonists, unique atmosphere, and superb soundtrack make it an interesting and engaging journey to an alien planet. Its portrayal of an adult relationship is something to be admired, and it's hard not to care about the plight of Kay and Yu by the end of what is ultimately quite a touching love story.
I could probably write a dissertation on everything Haven does right, but the truth is, Haven is something you must feel. Your relationship with Haven will change over time, the nuances left on you only realized long after the controller has been put away. Haven is the game every game developer wishes they could make and every gamer wishes they could play for the first time every time. It cannot be understated how beautiful Haven is in every sense of the word. Please don’t just play Haven — feel Haven.
Cutting out the parts that became tedious would quicken the narrative enough to undermine it, but those parts became so laborious that they dragged it down instead. Perhaps I missed the point entirely by playing it alone – it is eminently obvious where a second player would fit in to its design – but if I had a lover here right now, I don’t think this is the game I’d choose to play with them. I’ve been in my own haven for far too long.
Despite some snags both stylistic and design, Haven still manages to tell a traditional but effective love story relying precisely on those parts that other means of expression usually hide, or leave behind: the myth of Yu and Kay is built in battles with alien and corrupt creatures, but is deconstructed while we see them cooking, going to the bathroom or playing UNO (yes, we're not kidding!).
Review in Italian | Read full review
Despite its charming story and truly endearing characters, Haven does not deliver the adventure it once promised. Between its cryptic mecanics, redundant environments and rough battles, it seems like the game does not want to player ton pursue the adventure or have a pleasant time. Too bad, because Danger's soundtrack and the story of Yu and Kay should have need a better treatment.
Review in French | Read full review
Haven is a charming and endearing story of two people who have found and cultivated a meaningful and intimate relationship. By the end of the story, you’ll more than likely have grown attached to Kay and Yu; it’s easy to sympathize with what they’ve been through and the troubles they face on Source. Adding to the effectiveness of the characters is some truly fine writing and voice work to match.
Even with iffy combat, Haven ends up being a dose of pure joy, letting you experience a well-written whirlwind romance with lovable characters, or just letting you hover around a planet at fast speeds, enjoying satisfying gameplay as you swiftly gather up more Flow or escape corrupted creatures.
It won’t really make any game of the year lists, but that doesn’t mean that Haven should be forgotten. If anything, it’s the game I’ve played in 2020 that without a doubt has the most heart in its writing and characters. That’s saying a lot, considering some of the heavy hitters to come out this year.