Whispering Willows Reviews

Whispering Willows is ranked in the 25th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
6.6 / 10.0
Jul 6, 2015

It is. It just didn't quite hit the necessary benchmarks for execution and the ultimate realization of the main concept. There are quite a few highlights but mixed in are a bunch of low points, and those low points only exist because there is, as I said above, little in the way of follow-through.

Read full review

6.8 / 10.0
Jul 7, 2015

If Loot Interactive and the developers at Night Light took away the hand-holding with puzzle solving and given us a speedier way to get around, Whispering Willows would've fared a lot better. As it stands, however, it's still a decent title for fans of the genre, mainly due to its effective presentation and unique abilities. It's not recommended to everyone, but if you're up for a ghost story, dig in.

Read full review

7 / 10.0
Jul 13, 2014

The game's positive elements shine through, but I can't help feeling annoyed at the poor attempts to diversify the content; made even more frustrating when the game ends at only 3 hours, with virtually no reason to replay it.

Read full review

GameSpew
Top Critic
7 / 10
Jul 10, 2015

The emphasis on puzzle and exploration coupled with the 2D side-scrolling presentation is reminiscent of traditional adventure games of the 90s

Read full review

7 / 10.0
Jul 12, 2014

Whispering Willows is an enjoyable experience, even though it's a bit disappointing that it doesn't live up to neither the gameplay nor the writing of old adventure games.

Read full review

7 / 10.0
Jun 30, 2015

Whispering Willows is a brisk narratively-driven adventure that takes an intriguing theme, turns it into a ghost story, and ties in characters with satisfying depth to create a game that's a little light on gameplay.

Read full review

Justin Celani
Top Critic
7 / 10.0
Jun 30, 2015

I wasn't left feeling dead cold after finishing, it and I appreciated the simplistic nature to the game. Minimal frustration, some nice exploration, and able to be finished in a single sitting if you have a few hours to spare. This ghost story isn't the most memorable, but it doesn't have to be. Whispering Willows was an enjoyable time, and for those that like a decent story, side scrolling exploration, and the idea of talking to ghosts, I'd recommend it.

Read full review

7 / 10
Jul 7, 2015

Whispering Willows is an enjoyable game with a good story, though much of it will rely on you reading all the letters scattered through the game. The puzzles aren't hard and while some of the atmosphere is creepy the game doesn't quite present the horror you expect. While Whispering Willows is an interesting experience it is a short one at three hours. There are also a couple of annoyances and the puzzles are incredibly simple to work out, but that keeps things moving at a steady pace. Overall Whispering Willows is for those who like adventure titles but also like to experience a story that unfolds without too much effort being put in, making it a solid debut from Night Light Interactive.

Read full review

7 / 10
Jul 5, 2015

Whispering Willows is modest in its scares and challenges, but is rich in heart.

Read full review

7.4 / 10.0
Jun 30, 2015

Whispering Willows is an engaging horror-themed graphic adventure starring a likeable hero and a haunted mansion. Unfortunately, the great presentation is undone by a predictable story and simple puzzles. Elena's journey may be full of ghouls and ghosts, but it fails to scare up much excitement.

Read full review

7.5 / 10.0
Jul 7, 2014

If we had to nit-pick, we'd grumble at the occasional bit of backtracking and the lethargic motions of the main character, but Whispering Willows had enough atmosphere and entertainment value to keep us intrigued.

Read full review

7.6 / 10.0
Jun 29, 2015

What Whispering Willows lacks in complicated hands-on gameplay, it makes up for in story and atmosphere.

Read full review

80 / 100
Jun 24, 2014

It's a game that players can sit down and play in one or two sittings, ending even more quickly if not looking for the hidden notes. The only thing more ghastly than its ghosts is finishing Whispering Willows and wanting more.

Read full review

Aug 7, 2014

Overall, Whispering Willows is a satisfying experience that's straight out of a Disney story-book. There's a happy ending, a brave tween looking for her dad whilst trying to help out ghosts, good graphics, simple but stimulating puzzles and a manageable play-time that all help to leave you with a smile on your face.

Read full review

Digitally Downloaded
Brad L.
Top Critic
Jul 7, 2015

Whispering Willows is a scary, scary game in a beautiful, beautiful world. The hand drawn, Legend of Korra style artwork is only a façade to the darkness that lies within, and is stripped down by the notes, diary entries and running commentary by Elena. Whispering Willows is a beautiful game, only marred by the short time it takes to finish, and when that is your only issue, I can still highly recommend it.

Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Jul 12, 2015

Whispering Willows wants you to learn its story, connect with its characters, and become engrossed in its world.

Read full review

9 / 10.0
Jun 13, 2018

If you're a fan of "Escape Room" type puzzle adventure games then Whispering Willows should be at the top of your list in 2018! The game is beautifully drawn on a foundation of puzzles that aren't a free ride, but certainly, don't hinder your progress or make you feel inadequate.

Read full review

90 / 100
Oct 2, 2018

Whispering Willows is a cool little indie horror game that focuses on exploration and puzzle solving. The game isn't necessarily scary, but the parallel story and atmosphere are definitely eerie. The ghost form mechanic is fun, and the game allows you to collect some items early, which is nice as well.

Read full review

Chinh Tran
Top Critic
Unscored
Jun 30, 2015

Whispering Willows proves that simplicity, atmosphere, and a strong narrative can go a long way to creating a memorable gaming experience.

Read full review

Unscored
Jul 21, 2015

Whispering Willows is a super-interesting story, bundled up with a gorgeously-rendered but tiresome adventure game.

Read full review