Experience the Enigma of Hauntii: A Review

by Frank McDougall
in Adventure, News, PC, Playstation, XBOX
on 14 June 2024

Hauntii, the adventure game set in the afterlife, offers a hauntingly beautiful experience that will captivate players. As you step into the shoes of a ghost, you embark on a journey to explore the ethereal world of Limbo. The setup and atmosphere of Hauntii immediately draw you in, with its dark and spooky landscape. The game introduces you to a white ghost who becomes your perfect match, and together, you work towards recreating memories from your life in the land of the living.

Hauntii presents two ways to interact with its world: by shooting your essence in a twin-stick shooter fashion or by haunting objects and creatures to obtain new abilities. The gameplay is dynamic and varied, constantly surprising you with the next ability or power you can control. From body slamming enemies to jumping from tree to tree as a bug, these abilities add depth and excitement to the game.

What sets Hauntii apart is its format and delivery. The gameplay mechanics resemble those of Super Mario Odyssey, with smaller maps that contain hidden stars for you to discover and collect. These stars serve as an upgrade currency, allowing you to enhance different aspects of your character. The team at Moonloop Games has done a remarkable job of creatively situating these stars throughout the game, leading to moments of triumph and excitement as you solve the challenges to obtain them.

While Hauntii excels in its gameplay and aesthetics, it falls short in terms of its narrative. The story takes a backseat and lacks resolution, and progression is gated by star collection, often necessitating backtracking. However, the atmospheric soundtrack, with its haunting flute solos and elegant piano arrangements, adds a layer of beauty to the overall experience.

Hauntii, though small in scope, offers a breathtaking adventure through its enigmatic underworld. The stunning artwork and orchestrated soundtrack make it a must-play for those seeking a visually appealing and immersive gaming experience. While the limited mechanics may leave some longing for more, Hauntii still manages to leave a lasting impression as a testament to the artistic potential of video games.

Some additional relevant facts about Hauntii are:

1. Hauntii was developed by Moonloop Games, a small independent game development studio.
2. The game is available for multiple platforms, including PC, PlayStation, and Xbox.
3. Hauntii received positive reviews from critics for its visuals and gameplay mechanics.

Key questions and answers about Hauntii:

1. What is the objective of Hauntii?
– The objective of Hauntii is to explore the ethereal world of Limbo as a ghost and recreate memories from your life.

2. How can players interact with the game world in Hauntii?
– Players can interact with the game world in two ways: by shooting their essence in a twin-stick shooter fashion or by haunting objects and creatures to obtain new abilities.

3. What are the upgrade currency in Hauntii?
– The upgrade currency in Hauntii are hidden stars that players can discover and collect throughout the game. These stars allow players to enhance different aspects of their character.

Key challenges or controversies associated with Hauntii:

1. Limited narrative and lack of resolution: Hauntii’s story takes a backseat and may leave players wanting more in terms of narrative depth and resolution.
2. Backtracking due to star collection: Progression in Hauntii is often gated by star collection, which can lead to backtracking and may be repetitive for some players.

Advantages of Hauntii:

1. Visually stunning artwork: Hauntii offers breathtaking visuals that captivate players and create an immersive gaming experience.
2. Dynamic gameplay mechanics: The ability to shoot essence and haunt objects and creatures adds depth and excitement to the gameplay.

Disadvantages of Hauntii:

1. Limited scope and mechanics: Some players may find Hauntii’s gameplay mechanics and scope to be limited, leaving them longing for more content.
2. Lack of narrative resolution: The story in Hauntii may feel unresolved, which could be a disappointment for players who enjoy strong narratives.