Hauntii

Hauntii is an impressive debut from Moonloop Games, and it’s challenging to find any major flaws with it. I’m eagerly anticipating the future plans from this talented indie studio.

In the invitingly artful, mostly monochromatic world of Hauntii, a tiny, faceless Druid-esque being finds out he has died and energetically embarks upon a trek to search for his lost love. The game muses upon what the afterlife means, and the vignettes of silent stick figures have considerable emotional impact.

Hauntii is certainly stunningly gorgeous and can make you feel incredibly smart whenever you find and solve one of its many puzzles. Unfortunately the game demands you to find and solve almost all of those puzzles which isn’t always easy to do. The map doesn’t offer a lot of help and it can lead to pointless and frustrating roaming around. The slower Twinstick-Shooter gameplay on the other hand is not too challenging but offers somewhat relaxing action moments.

Hauntii has some flaws, but it's short enough with enough unique ideas that I'd say it's worth experiencing. The opening alone is a brilliant example of the type of artistic expression that games are capable of producing. Even if the majority of the rest of the game doesn't quite hit its lofty heights, it's still an enjoyable way to pass a weekend.

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 full of character on an artistic level, while it turns out to be less centered and brave in terms of gameplay. Often confusing and unpolished from a technical point of view, Hauntii is a swinging experience, beautiful during the exploration phases, while frustrating in the fights and in the resolution of many puzzles.

Even when its style doesn't get in the way, like its diaphanous hero it's lacking in substance. [Issue#399, p.123]