This Ghostly-Charming Puzzler Functions as the Perfect Replacement to Halloween Horror

Not all spooky season experience must frighten players. Starting with well-known tales such as Scooby-Doo to charming series such as Over the Garden Wall, plenty of spooky-season staples offer entertainment without requiring causing fear. Moreover, a increasing selection of spooky-cute releases with spooky themes, but not the truly terrifying level of terror. Gloomy Eyes arrived in recent months, and stands as an superb relaxing alternative to the deeply scary releases of 2025.

A Distinctive Single-Player Cooperative Adventure

Known as a solo collaboration puzzle game, Gloomy Eyes unites a living-impaired child named Gloomy and a human girl named Nena as they start an quest to return daylight to their shadowy realm. Their appearance is similar to Funko Pops mixed with the characters from a stop-motion animation. The light-complected and baggy-eyed style draws inspiration from the look of Gothic fantasy movies, and the narrative is a classic all-ages tale. The pair builds an strong friendship over the course of the game’s numerous levels as Nena attempts to demonstrate to her religious guardian that, you know, perhaps zombies aren’t half bad.

Creative Puzzle Mechanics

This unique term originates from the game’s environmental puzzles. When Gloomy and Nena encounter each other, players alternate between the newfound friends to solve puzzles and move forward through the areas. As an undead, Gloomy can’t walk through the illumination of a light source, while Nena can be captured by idle zombies except if a beam is shone on them.

They must cooperate closely — actually, players control them simultaneously — to complete stages. Nena could adjust or briefly disable lamps to clear paths for Gloomy, while the thoughtful youth will employ his undead power to shift around items in the world, creating ways for Nena.

Captivating World Building

The puzzles bring to mind a touch of The Gardens Between, in the fashion the stages are floating, diorama-like constructions that the view rotates in conjunction with your heroes. Gloomy Eyes’ worlds are highly entertaining, guiding the companions around a fair and through a haunted house, among other locales. The game includes a “diorama view” option that allows you to zoom out and turn the stages, simultaneously to admire the artwork and search for paths that may not have been obvious.

Minor Issues and Overall Adventure

This represents one of the few hiccups with Gloomy Eyes. Similar to other releases with a locked camera, occasionally it's confusing where the heroes are able to move. Gamers could require to simply collide with a few random items to discover which ones are interactable, as clues aren't consistently provided.

However, those small challenges don’t get in the way of a eerie-adorable good time. Gloomy Eyes runs on the short side, with roughly several hours worth of brain-teasers. Advanced areas combine light stealth and action elements with the problem-solving, as Gloomy Eyes advances to a satisfying — and moderately unforeseen — conclusion.

Release and Summary

Those shying away from the frights of terrifying titles should definitely try Gloomy Eyes. It’s available on Switch console, PS5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X, and is available at a reduced price for a quarter off on digital platforms.

The spooky-cute adventure is out now on multiple platforms and delivers a delightful alternative for players looking for autumn enjoyment minus the terrifying moments.