Not all spooky season adventure has to scare you. From iconic favorites such as Scooby-Doo to delightful stories such as Over the Garden Wall, many autumn-inspired staples provide fun without needing causing fear. Additionally, a increasing selection of spooky-cute games including autumn atmosphere, but not the sleep-with-the-lights-on degree of fear. Gloomy Eyes was released in September, and stands as an outstanding cozy option to the truly terrifying games of 2025.
A Unique Collaborative Solo Quest
Labeled as a “self-coop” puzzle game, Gloomy Eyes unites a living-impaired child named Gloomy and a living girl called Nena as they begin an mission to return daylight to their dark, dark environment. They look evokes collectible figures mixed with the puppets from a stop-motion animation. Their fair-toned and tired-looking appearance borrows heavily from the look of Tim Burton’s films, and the story is a quintessential suitable for everyone tale. The pair forms an strong friendship over the duration of the game’s multiple stages as Nena attempts to demonstrate to her clerical relative that, hey, maybe zombies are actually good.
Creative Puzzle Mechanics
The innovative term originates from the game’s interactive problem-solving. When Gloomy and Nena encounter each other, gamers switch among the budding companions to overcome obstacles and advance through the levels. Being a zombie, Gloomy cannot pass through the brightness of a lamppost, while Nena can be captured by wandering undead unless a light is directed on them.
They must work in tandem — actually, you’ll use them together — to advance through areas. Nena may move or momentarily deactivate illumination to create passages for Gloomy, while the thoughtful youth will use his zombie strength to shift around items in the surroundings, revealing routes for Nena.
Engaging Level Design
The puzzles bring to mind a little of The Gardens Between, in the way the stages are suspended, diorama-like constructions that the perspective rotates in sync with your protagonists. Gloomy Eyes’ settings are very enjoyable, leading the companions around a fair and through a spooky mansion, among other places. There’s a “diorama view” button that enables you to pull back and turn the levels, both for admire the designs and look for paths that may not have been clear.
Slight Challenges and General Adventure
And that’s one of the only problems with Gloomy Eyes. Comparable to other releases with a static view, occasionally it's confusing where the protagonists may or may not travel. Players might have to just bump into a multiple different items to determine which ones are interactable, as clues aren't consistently provided.
Nonetheless, those minor speedbumps don’t get in the way of a spooky-cute good time. Gloomy Eyes runs on the short side, with about a few sessions worth of challenges. Advanced areas blend together subtle hidden movement and action elements with the problem-solving, as Gloomy Eyes advances to a satisfying — and moderately unforeseen — finale.
Accessibility and Summary
Those steering clear of the terror of intense horror releases won’t want to miss Gloomy Eyes. The game is out on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PC, and Xbox Series X, and is available at a reduced price for a discount on game marketplaces.
Gloomy Eyes is available on several consoles and delivers a delightful choice for gamers in search of Halloween fun without fear factor.
