Unique visual style, intriguing puzzles and possession mechanics, philosophical plot, and plenty of room for imagination — all in the review of Hauntii.
At Gamescom 2023, I had the pleasure of meeting Leo Dasso, founder and CEO of Moonloop Games, who was showcasing his new ghost-themed game - Hauntii. During the interview and gameplay demonstration, it felt like a heartfelt, charming game with a deep philosophical undertone. Naturally, Hauntii went straight to my wishlist. Now that it’s released and I’ve had the chance to play it on the Nintendo Switch (it’s also available on PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, and PS5), I want to share my impressions! To avoid spoilers, I’ll keep this review as vague as possible.
Story
The game tells the tale of a little ghost named Hauntii. From the very start, players witness the hero's journey from his home planet. Hauntii then attempts to reach a higher dimension among angels but something pulls him back. This means he must navigate the intermediate dimension - Eternity - on his own.
A significant part of the gameplay involves exploring the character’s story and the world he finds himself in.
There’s no traditional narrative with dialogues and loads of text. You absorb the story visually, emotionally, on a deeper level. This allows you to form your own opinions about what’s happening, interpret events your way, and let your imagination run wild.
I appreciated how the game skillfully balances between slightly melancholic, philosophical musings with a blend of humor. This creates an unusual cocktail of emotions, leaving a lasting impression.
Overall, I enjoyed Hauntii’s story. It might be “another tale of a ghost trying to get to heaven,” but the interpretation by Moonloop Games is commendable.
Setting & Visual Style
They used a technique called sketch graphics. All objects, from characters and enemies to trees, puzzles, structures, and the background, have only external outlines with minimal details, as if drawn by an artist making sketches.
This unusual style is complemented by an even more unique design approach - there are very few colors in the game. No, it’s not black and white. But each level features just a few primary colors, occasionally spiced up with special effects, like Hauntii’s abilities. Each minimalist palette creates a unique atmosphere.
Famous film directors use similar techniques, to add cinematic quality, they deliberately use a limited color palette, from costumes to backgrounds and decorations. Great examples are the movie "The Grand Budapest Hotel" and the series "Loki."
World Exploration
The world is divided into locations of various sizes, often corridor-like with a few alternative routes. Almost every location is filled with puzzles and secrets, with interesting references and fun ways to interact with the environment.
Exploration is a significant part of the gameplay. Hauntii must collect stars, pieces of his memory, to form constellations and move closer to his ultimate goal — ascension.
Stars aren’t just lying around. No arrows or markers on the map lead to them. Most stars must be found through experience, searching every corner, passing challenges, solving puzzles, and completing mini-quests. Occasionally, the camera will give a hint of the next star’s general location. Here, you have complete freedom, no rushing, no strict sequence of actions — you explore the world your way, at your own pace.
Character Development
As Hauntii progresses through locations, he not only advances the story but also gains access to upgrades. You can increase the number of dashes, reduce weapon "overheat," and increase health.
Although upgrades seem sparse and not critically necessary, they make you feel more secure and confident, especially if you lack experience in such games.
Character development also includes fun hats purchased with a separate currency. And don’t forget to collect purple droplets — energy that allows interaction with objects.
Possession Mechanics
Hauntii is a ghost, in case you forgot :) Ghosts often possess objects or even people, causing either cute or terrifying mischief. Hauntii can possess objects in the locations, helping him complete mini-quests, solve puzzles, or extract resources.
Possess a dog and return it to its owner, possess a tree and shake out a star, possess a puzzle element and manipulate it to solve a task. This mechanic adds freshness to the gameplay and makes the world more tangible.
Combat
The second part of the gameplay, after exploring the world, is shooting enemies or objects. It’s a kind of twin-stick shooter — you choose the direction with a stick, and Hauntii fires projectiles.
If you hold the button too long, "overheating" occurs, and you’ll have to wait a bit. This constantly forces you to shoot thoughtfully, especially when surrounded by multiple enemies.
The isometric camera adds a bit of inconvenience. It’s not always easy to predict where the projectiles will go. But you get used to it, and it doesn’t cause significant discomfort.
The Tough Life of a Ghost
Interestingly, Hauntii can die. Otherwise, the shooter mechanics wouldn’t make sense. It’s explained by enemies draining his energy. After respawning, the hero loses a small amount of resources, which can be quickly re-farmed by returning to any level — resources fully respawn after loading.
Hauntii can be killed not only by enemies but also by darkness that envelops lit paths and platforms. Stepping out of the light causes mysterious dark creatures with glowing eyes to start pulling you in. A few seconds, and you’re back at a checkpoint.
Sound and Music
The soundtrack is excellent. Combinations of saxophone, piano, ambient, and meditative melodies are mesmerizing, making you want to add the soundtrack to your relaxation playlist.
The sounds are mostly cartoonish and very amusing. They charm and bring genuine pleasure to your ears. Simply running around and collecting droplets is delightful.
Conclusion
Hauntii is a wonderful indie adventure that left a mark on my consciousness. I will surely remember Hauntii’s adventures in the strange and enchanting Eternity. It’s a slow-paced, highly meditative, and atmospheric game, perfect to play after a hard day’s work or when you want to escape from everything. I highly recommend it!
Right now you can get it with a summer sale Save 20% on Hauntii on Steam (steampowered.com), you can also download a free demo.
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