Hoa

I love that kind of games, easy in a good way, without real dangers, stress-free, just something to experience in a beautiful world. The only thing out of that are some uncomfortable moments in the last chapter, but it's part of the good things at the same time, and overall very satisfying to play. The things that are not told but you can glimpse if you're a little sensitive add a touch of depth to the story. I don't usually have the feeling of wanting to play a game again and with this one I could because I feel it wouldn't be less satisfying the second time. Apart from that it's also a good thing that the game is saved at any time just when you exit. The next time you'll be in the exact spot with the same achievements done. It should be a feature of all games in my opinion. It's annoying having to repeat something or not being able to stop when you want or need. So very happy with that. And a strange thing is you also have access to every chapter from the beginning. I appreciate the lack of restrinctions. If you need difficult challenges to feel fulfilled I don't recommend it to you, but this game is not about that and they have managed not to make it boring by any means. I love it!

Just know what you're getting into: The game is gorgeous, but the gameplay is very simple. Don't expect a light metroidvania just because you unlock new abilities (progression is very linear and unlocks are necessary to linearly advance the story, but do open up the gameplay variety). Do expect a short, calming and pleasing experience, tho, not to be rushed through. A big con for me was the lack of control remapping (for KB at least, but there isn't any control options in the menu). I'm not used at all to play platformers with the default controls, but the simple mechanics made it not a huge issue. (controls: AD > movement, S > "stomp", L > push blocks, K > hovering, M > map) Hoa does have different language options (appreciated) and minimal graphic options (fullscreen/windowed and low-mid-high graphics -I enhanced antialiasing with Nvidia options). Overall, it's a great little game, as long as you don't demand too much from it.

This game starts with an animated title and scene that is so beautiful, it looks like Studio Ghibli. And then it transitions....and you realize you're looking at gameplay! It's just so nice throughout the entire game. Even on my 2013 Macbook I was amazed. Absolutely the most beautiful side-scroller I've played. It plays with zooming in, zooming out as well to cool effect. The actual gameplay and mechanics of this work well too, with the character learning new abilities as to not overhwelm the player. The little hooded person bounds lightly with a good "feel" when moving. The soundtrack is perfect, and there are some really "wow" moments just looking at the environments. That little character is instantly likeable as well. Great game! And I don't want to spoil anything but the last level brings the creativity to a new level with some really inventive and creative gameplay. Nintendo, hire this team!

I was very disappointed with this one. It's true that it looks like Ghibli production. But unlike their famous movies there is almost no story through 99% of game. All is released in a nice cutescene at the end of the game when it doesn't really matter. Bizzared decision, to my taste. Because of that througout most of it I felt bored. Btw - all Ghibli movies I've seen so far were much more mature and interesting then most of this game. The second big problem is that many game designs feel like created for very young kids. Apart from the final area and story revealed as final cuscene all seemed childish. Repetitive goals of finding butterflies, marked on most simplistic map I've ever seen, quickly get boring. Finally arcade aspects of this game are not very fun as character movemenet is very stif. It makes rather difficult to beat some of platform challanges but raises more of irritation than ambition to solve them. And yes, it's very short. If you like to try it anyway I recommend buying it on good discount.