Gloomy Eyes Reviews
Ultimately, disappointing visuals aside, there’s a lot to like here. It definitely falls into the ‘cosy horror’ sub-genre, with spooky yet charming aesthetics, haunting music, and engaging puzzle-solving throughout. With Halloween on the horizon, it could be the perfect little primer for younger gamers.
Overall, Gloomy Eyes is an engaging, enchanting experience. The complementary abilities of its two protagonists allow for interesting puzzles, and its story has a lot of heart despite the gloom. I liked the VR film, but the game is an equally enjoyable take on a haunting little tale.
Gloomy Eyes provides a gently creepy experience that should appeal to younger gamers seeking a light puzzle/adventure challenge. Because of its short playtime and disappointing Switch visuals, however, consider its price (and perhaps other platforms) before exploring its gloomy, yes, but heartwarming world.
I had quite a bit of fun with Gloomy Eyes. There aren't any jump scares or frightening elements… it's all very "cutesy" "horror"… absolutely Tim Burton-esque… think The Corpse Bride or The Nightmare Before Christmas specifically. In fact I could easily imagine a line of toys of the characters and book nook versions of the dioramas… who wouldn't want a Gloomy or Nena plushie? But in all seriousness, Gloomy Eyes is a fun, low-risk game that provides a nice little bit of puzzle action with a captivating story told by a lovely voice (I believe the original narrator was Colin Farrell… I assume it is still him in the non-VR version… either way… lovely story-telling). It's certainly worth a play either for adults or children alike!
Gloomy Eyes is a low-cost, entry-level adventure game that’s perfect for kids who have just gotten into video games. It looks amazing, and it probably would have been better off as a film, but there is no denying that using two characters to solve puzzles is always fun, no matter how average they are.
Gloomy Eyes is one of those games that you really must play. Aside from a slight camera issue, it introduces the player to a wicked world, dark, foreboding, but full of charm.
Gloomy Eyes is a visually striking and atmospheric game featuring two cooperating characters and clever puzzles. Its story of outsiders finding their place in the world is charming and emotionally engaging, enhanced by Tim Burton'inspired design and music. However, technical issues and frequent bugs disrupt the experience, especially given the game's short length.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
Charming cozy horror experience inspired by the work of Tim Burton
Gloomy Eyes features an engaging narrative and creative puzzles. Even though it's a brief experience, its gameplay delivers enough to please those looking for a lighthearted adventure with a mysterious atmosphere.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
A macabre adventure about a zombie boy and his human friend, Gloomy Eyes is a single-player game that requires players to switch between two characters. It can be frustrating at times, but its wonderfully creepy art style and some enjoyable puzzles make it a decent way to spend a few hours.
The super-rewarding gameplay of Gloomy Eyes is brought to new heights with its thought-provoking story and exceptionally detailed visuals. 👀
Those who know and enjoyed the film, and were perhaps somewhat disappointed by the Oculus Rift app, can now get hands-on with the action on PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch. They can guide the two protagonists through increasingly larger areas filled with more and more switches and obstacles. Only towards the end does the game introduce an action element, which was perceived as a welcome change of pace, though it doesn't present a significant challenge. For the most part, Gloomy Eyes is a pleasantly relaxing puzzle game, which unfortunately currently lacks a German localization. While not particularly shocking, the extensive options allow players to further reduce the gore, and even those with dyslexia have been considered. Anyone who liked the film or enjoys Tim Burton's worlds with puzzle elements should find it enjoyable. The (as yet unknown) price will undoubtedly determine how successful this entertaining adventure is with consumers.
Review in German | Read full review
Gloomy Eyes is a relatively short game; you can beat it in around 3 to 6 hours if you don’t get distracted by the visuals constantly like I did. Such a short game might be a bit much for people to fork over $25, but I think it’s worth it for the immersive experience. If you like the style of Tim Burton, Gloomy Eyes is worth checking out.
Charming, spooky and just the right amount of cosy for the autumn period, Gloomy Eyes is a fun self-coop puzzler with an even better sense of style. It isn't without its flaws, like its gameplay being a little buggy and puzzles staying the same throughout, but the worldbuilding, visuals and tone are so inviting that you can't help but get lost in the gloom.
Gloomy Eyes is a charming game with a beautiful, simple story and a unique, Burton-esque artistic style. The game looks and sounds really good, although at times it is clear that there could have been room for something more. It can be criticized for a few technical shortcomings, repetitive puzzles based on the same mechanics, and a fairly high price. Nevertheless, Gloomy Eyes can enchant you with its atmosphere and make your evening spent with it exceptionally pleasant and enjoyable.
Review in Polish | Read full review
Gloomy Eyes is a cooperative single-player puzzle-adventure steeped in a Tim Burton–style aesthetic. Set in a world where the sun has vanished and the undead rise, players swap between a zombie boy, Gloomy, and a living girl, Nena, to solve environment puzzles across 14 diorama-style chapters. Its strong atmosphere, art direction, narration (voiced by Colin Farrell), and narrative cohesion stand out, though camera issues and its short length are drawbacks.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Gloomy Eyes is a decent puzzle game, but it can be frustrating and doesn't last long enough to help its story themes.
The puzzles are creative and challenging, with two characters who perform different tasks to achieve the same goal. Gloomy Eyes is a simple yet challenging and creative puzzle game set in a whimsical, haunting world, featuring a beautiful tale of forbidden love.
Gloomy Eyes spoke to me with its melancholic tone and Tim Burton-inspired style, but a lack of depth holds it back from being a truly great indie title. I’m sure plenty of gamers will get a kick out of what the game brings to the table visually; just don’t expect anything groundbreaking in the minute-to-minute gameplay. For those looking for a laid-back, slow-paced puzzler, Gloomy Eyes may be worth a look. What’s here is serviceable, if not at times enjoyable. Sadly, however, there’s just not enough meat on the bone to leave a lasting impression.
Gloomy Eyes definitely is not for everyone, but the beautifully moody visuals paired with a haunting, playful soundtrack can really shine if you can overcome the really basic gameplay.