Hauntii Reviews
A highly original indie action puzzler, with some wonderfully minimal visuals and a uniquely beguiling atmosphere.
Though Hauntii offers simplistic shooter pleasure, my favorite moments didn’t involve blowing targets to smithereens. The voice-less story of the ghost gradually regaining precious memories only to be faced with surrendering them to crossover touched me at points. I enjoyed interacting with the kooky, amusing ghosts, like a paranoid scientist concocting hair-brained schemes to capture your angel friend like a Team Rocket villain. I never tired of soaking in the swelling musical score as the camera panned out to reveal a jaw-dropping backdrop. The beautiful ending sequence stands out as a highlight of the year. Hauntii transforms the understandable anxiety and fear surrounding death into an alluring and comforting reflection of the joy of life.
While its lacking narrative and world-building comes off a missed opportunity that, despite momentary hints, never properly materializes, Hauntii and Moonloop Games' admiration and understanding of collectathon-styled adventures is what keeps this latest journey through the afterlife feeling anything but lifeless. The two-tone aesthetic and use of light-and-dark contrast, specifically in the context of level design, is where the game is at its most cleverly-orchestrated. Despite its minimalist appearance, this is a game whose subtle suggestions to maybe venture off the beaten path now and again is never too far away. Complimented along the way by a possession-based mechanic that plays host to challenges, mini-games and even a couple of set-pieces providing just the right amount of variety. It may not go down as the most memorable or indeed the most fulfilling example of its genre or indeed this style of game, but Hauntii still proves that even flawed creations can still bear a welcome level of enjoyment.
Hauntii is so beautiful that it's heartbreaking not to be able to recommend it right now. We can tell that it's made with love, but love isn't enough to overlook its flaws. We hope that the developers manage to fix the issues in the long term, because underneath them is something truly magical – but for now, it's just a ghost of what it could be.
A puzzler and twinstick shooter that's just as pretty to discover as it is to look at. There's a hint of Super Mario Odyssey in there, too, if you're into that.
Possess ladybirds and rollercoasters in Moonloop Games' quirky, inventive take on the afterlife
A uniquely styled adventure, with game mechanics that are not new but used in a constructive and entertaining way. Narration, direction and soundtrack contribute to a rich experience that will steal your heart away.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Hauntii is absolutely one of a kind, despite the familiarity players may latch on to. Moonloop Games creates a title focused on exploration that is visually riveting and packed with attention to detail. Incorporating puzzles both obtuse and clever, frustration and satisfaction may go hand in hand. But enough narrative heft and creative depth mean Hauntii is no mere specter that will fade into memory.
When reflecting on my time with Hauntii, I think about the music and the art, and less so on how it played. Hauntii is a breathtaking experience, but it just doesn't do enough with it. This game makes a compelling case for videogames as art, but it stops short when it comes to the actual mechanics.
A wonderful adventure inspired by 3D Super Mario games. It's full of secrets which are well hidden and are meant to be discovered without any help. And it looks gorgeous too.
Review in Russian | Read full review
Hauntii is moving and thought-provoking without being forced. The game may not be particularly challenging, but it doesn't have to be, because the focus is clearly elsewhere: beautiful images, a great soundtrack and an interesting story take you on a great journey into eternity.
Review in German | Read full review
Hauntii is an adorable ghostly tale that may not terrify you but it will haunt you for a long time, with its incredible lasting impression.
Those who aren't into unusual indie games probably won't enjoy Hauntii. Although it falls short in executing each genre it aims to combine, it does provide a relaxing experience that might be enjoyable for short periods. It is a gratifying experience to participate in activities such as collecting stars and making constellations, and you won't regret entering Hauntii's realm or solving riddles to earn more stars.
Hauntii is a beautiful game that often gets in the way of its own contemplated brilliance. It is the game’s quieter moments that will stick with me long after the credits have rolled. At its best, the game presents an interesting, meditative alternative to the usually chaotic twin-stick shooter and challenging puzzle genres.
Hauntii offers a wonderful collectathon escapade that’ll keep players hooked in as they seek out the many stars hidden across the world to reunite with their newfound friend. The emotional storytelling is touching, the world design is creative and beautiful, it’s a ton of fun hunting down all of the stars scattered across the land, whilst the twin-stick shooting adds a fun little twist to exploration. It does have some imperfections with its tedious boss fights and uneven difficulty balancing, but Hauntii still stands out as an enjoyable adventure that I certainly won’t be forgetting anytime soon.
Despite some very minor bugbears holding back the experience, it's hard to come away from Hauntii without feeling thoroughly delighted. The game is a testament to how much fluid and detailed art and animation and a great soundtrack can carry an experience. The game's central haunting mechanic is enjoyable to experiment with, and has plenty of clever implementations as you scour Eternity searching for hidden stars. If you're seeking a more chill collectathon with gorgeous artwork and musical score, Hauntii is certainly worth seeking out.
Hauntii is an indie title that goes beyond a simple twin-stick shooter, offering a rich experience of exploration and puzzle solving in an immersive world. The little ghost's unique ability to possess objects and creatures brings creativity to challenges, instilling curiosity in uncovering all the secrets. The minimalist visuals and soothing soundtrack complement the game's meditative atmosphere, making the journey both a visual and an emotional adventure. However, the experience is marked by a rhythm that can be frustrating due to the slow movement and difficulty in navigating between areas. Despite these points, Hauntii captivates with its melancholic narrative and charismatic characters in a journey that balances challenge and contemplation, offering a unique and beautiful experience.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Hauntii is a short and sweet unique indie experience that provides a decent outing with its presentation, creepy cute visual style, and heartfelt story. It provides a decent enough challenge to explore and traverse its ethereal world. While collecting its stars to form constellations to tell the protagonist's visual tale is enticing, I wish it was done a little bit more organically. Overall, its brief original experience really is something to be experienced to be believed. I enjoyed solving puzzles and interacting with the creepy cute world, and it's a decent indie to pick up in between the larger titles this year to spend the time.
Pairing the bullet hell twin-stick shooting with a slow contemplative story and emphasis on puzzles is a strange combination, but Hauntii makes it work. It has its flaws, but the hauntingly beautiful visuals make the Hauntii a game that is worth experiencing to the end.