Not all Halloween horror experience needs to terrify players. Starting with iconic favorites like animated detectives to endearing shows like Over the Garden Wall, plenty of autumn-inspired favorites offer entertainment without increasing anxiety. Moreover, a growing library of spooky-cute titles featuring autumn atmosphere, but not the truly terrifying level of fear. Gloomy Eyes arrived in recent months, and serves as an superb cozy alternative to the deeply scary titles of 2025.
An Original Collaborative Solo Journey
Labeled as a solo collaboration brain-teaser, Gloomy Eyes pairs up a zombie boy named Gloomy and a human girl called Nena as they begin an adventure to restore sunlight to their shadowy realm. Their design evokes collectible figures combined with the puppets from a Laika film. The fair-toned and baggy-eyed aesthetic borrows heavily from the visual style of Tim Burton’s films, and the narrative is a archetypal family-friendly tale. The duo builds an strong connection over the duration of the game’s numerous levels as Nena strives to prove to her priest uncle that, look, maybe the undead aren’t half bad.
Original Puzzle Mechanics
This unique term originates from the game’s environmental puzzles. When Gloomy and Nena meet, gamers switch amidst the newfound friends to complete challenges and advance through the stages. As an undead, Gloomy is unable to traverse through the light of a light source, while Nena will get snatched up by wandering undead except if a lamp is focused on them.
They have to work in tandem — actually, you’ll use them in tandem — to finish levels. Nena may move or briefly disable lamps to open routes for Gloomy, while the open-brained boy will utilize his supernatural ability to rearrange objects in the world, revealing routes for Nena.
Engaging Level Design
The puzzles bring to mind a bit of The Gardens Between, in the fashion the areas are hovering, model-like constructions that the view moves across in coordination with your protagonists. Gloomy Eyes’ settings are very enjoyable, leading the friends around a fair and through a haunted house, including other locales. Players can use a “diorama view” option that enables you to view from afar and rotate the stages, both to appreciate the artwork and look for ways that may not have been clear.
Slight Issues and Overall Adventure
And that’s one of the only problems with Gloomy Eyes. Similar to other titles with a fixed perspective, occasionally it's confusing where the characters can and cannot go. Players might have to just bump into a few random items to figure out which ones are interactable, as clues aren't consistently provided.
However, those small speedbumps don't hinder of a eerie-adorable good time. Gloomy Eyes is relatively brief, with roughly three to five hours worth of brain-teasers. Advanced areas blend together subtle sneaking and dynamic sequences with the problem-solving, as Gloomy Eyes advances to a rewarding — and moderately unforeseen — ending.
Release and Summary
Those steering clear of the terror of intense horror titles should definitely try Gloomy Eyes. It’s available on Switch console, PS5, PC, and Microsoft console, and is presently discounted for 25% off on game marketplaces.
Gloomy Eyes has been released on various systems and offers a pleasurable option for fans in search of spooky entertainment minus the fear factor.
