Not every autumn fright adventure must scare gamers. From beloved classics for example mystery-solving cartoons to delightful stories including Over the Garden Wall, many spooky-season favorites are enjoyable without causing fear. Moreover, a increasing selection of spooky-cute titles featuring spooky themes, though lacking the sleep-with-the-lights-on level of horror. Gloomy Eyes arrived in September, and stands as an excellent cozy alternative to the truly terrifying releases of 2025.
A Unique Collaborative Solo Journey
Known as a solo collaboration problem-solving title, Gloomy Eyes unites a zombie boy called Gloomy and a human girl named Nena as they start an mission to bring the sun back to their shadowy environment. Their appearance is similar to collectible figures mixed with the characters from a Laika film. The light-complected and tired-looking aesthetic draws inspiration from the visual style of Gothic fantasy movies, and the plot is a quintessential all-ages journey. The pair develops an enduring friendship over the span of the game’s 14 chapters as Nena strives to prove to her clerical relative that, look, perhaps the undead are actually good.
Innovative Puzzle Mechanics
This unique description stems from the game’s world-based challenges. After Gloomy and Nena meet, you’ll swap between the recent allies to overcome obstacles and move forward through the stages. Since he's not alive, Gloomy can’t walk through the illumination of a lamppost, while Nena may be grabbed by wandering undead without a light is shone on them.
They have to cooperate closely — in practice, gamers operate them simultaneously — to finish levels. Nena may move or momentarily deactivate illumination to clear paths for Gloomy, while the intellectually curious character will employ his undead power to rearrange items in the world, creating routes for Nena.
Engaging World Building
These challenges evoke memories a little of The Gardens Between, in the way the levels are floating, model-like constructions that the perspective rotates in conjunction with your characters. Gloomy Eyes’ environments are very enjoyable, taking the companions around a amusement park and through a spooky mansion, among other locations. Players can use a “diorama view” option that enables you to zoom out and rotate the levels, simultaneously to admire the visuals and search for paths that may not have been apparent.
Slight Issues and Complete Experience
Here lies one of the few hiccups with Gloomy Eyes. Similar to other titles with a static view, it’s not always clear where the heroes are able to move. You may need to simply collide with a few random items to discover which ones are interactable, as clues aren't consistently provided.
However, those minor speedbumps don't obstruct of a ghostly-charming good time. Gloomy Eyes runs on the short side, with about a few sessions worth of challenges. Advanced areas combine minor hidden movement and action elements with the challenge completion, as Gloomy Eyes progresses to a satisfying — and moderately surprising — ending.
Release and Final Thoughts
Gamers shying away from the scares of terrifying titles won’t want to miss Gloomy Eyes. The game is out on Nintendo Switch, Sony system, PC, and Xbox Series X, and is available at a reduced price for 25% off on digital platforms.
The spooky-cute adventure has been released on multiple platforms and offers a delightful alternative for gamers seeking autumn enjoyment minus the fear factor.
