Gloomy Eyes is having a moment. The cozy horror adventure that quietly launched last month just dropped an accolades trailer showcasing all the love it’s been getting from critics and players. With a 91% positive rating on Steam, 4.8 out of 5 stars on PlayStation Store, and an 80% overall score from 25 reviews on OpenCritic, this charming puzzle game about a zombie boy and a human girl is proving that sometimes the best games are the ones you didn’t see coming.
What Makes Gloomy Eyes Special
Gloomy Eyes calls itself a self-coop adventure, which is exactly what it sounds like. You control two characters, Gloomy and Nena, switching between them to solve environmental puzzles. Gloomy is a sweet zombie boy who can throw objects, move heavy stuff, and walk safely among other undead creatures. His weakness is light, which will hurt him. Nena is a mischievous human girl who can jump gaps, press buttons, and navigate well-lit areas. Her weakness is zombie bites.
The premise is wonderfully weird. The sun got fed up with humanity’s stupidity and decided to hide forever, plunging the world into eternal darkness. This created a bitter divide between the living and the undead, who are now locked in endless conflict. Gloomy and Nena forge a forbidden friendship and set out on a quest to bring back daylight. The whole thing is narrated by Academy Award nominee Colin Farrell, who called it one of the most beautiful projects he’s been part of in twenty years.
The Tim Burton Aesthetic
If you’re a fan of The Nightmare Before Christmas or Corpse Bride, Gloomy Eyes will feel like coming home. The art direction leans heavily into that Tim Burton-esque gothic charm, with spooky visuals that manage to be creepy without being scary. There are no jump scares or gore here. It’s all whimsical darkness and macabre cuteness. Think haunted dollhouses and stop-motion animation brought to life in a video game.
The Gameplay Loop
Each level in Gloomy Eyes is designed like a diorama that you can rotate and view from any angle. This isn’t just a visual gimmick. Being able to spin the environment 360 degrees is crucial for spotting hidden paths, finding collectibles called Mementos, and figuring out how to progress. You’ll zoom out, survey the landscape, and rotate the camera to discover secrets tucked into corners you wouldn’t normally see.
The puzzles themselves are tactile and environmental. You’re constantly interacting with objects you find on the fly. Maybe Gloomy needs to hurl a rock at a light to redirect it, opening a path for Nena. Or Nena needs to shut off the power so Gloomy can move through an area without getting burned by light sources. The game constantly requires you to think about how both characters’ abilities complement each other.
Collectibles and Secrets
Beyond just getting to the end of each level, Gloomy Eyes rewards exploration. Mementos scattered throughout each stage provide additional story details and world-building. There’s also a character called The Gravekeeper hiding in each level. Finding him unlocks more narrative bits from Colin Farrell’s narration. These collectibles aren’t just tacked on busywork. They genuinely enhance the story and give completionists something to chase.
From VR Film to Full Game
Gloomy Eyes didn’t start as a traditional video game. It began life as a VR film experience that released in 2019, created by 3Dar, AtlasV, and Arte. The original VR version won multiple awards including the top prize at France’s NewImages Festival, the jury prize for storytelling at SXSW 2019, and the Cristal for best VR work at Annecy 2019. Colin Farrell narrated that version too, and his involvement carried over to the game adaptation.
Developers Fishing Cactus, working with Atlas V, 3Dar, and Arte France, expanded the VR experience into a full puzzle-adventure game. They kept the narration, the visual style, and the core story about forbidden friendship in a world without sunlight, but added gameplay depth with 14 stages of puzzles, boss battles, and exploration mechanics. It’s a rare example of a VR project successfully transitioning to a traditional gaming format.
Critical Reception
Critics have been consistently positive about Gloomy Eyes. COGconnected called it an engaging, enchanting experience where the complementary abilities of the two protagonists allow for interesting puzzles. They praised the story for having a lot of heart despite the gloom. Impulsegamer highlighted the game’s fun, low-risk nature and captivating story, noting it works equally well for adults and children.
Nintendo Life gave it a solid recommendation as a cozy horror experience with spooky yet charming aesthetics, haunting music, and engaging puzzle-solving throughout. They specifically called it a perfect Halloween primer for younger gamers. The Xbox Hub rated it 4.5 out of 5, praising how brilliantly the gameplay mechanics work from the start and only finding frustration in one stage across the five-hour playthrough.
Platform Performance
The game launched on September 12, 2025, across PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and Nintendo Switch. Reviews indicate the game looks best on PC and current-gen consoles, while the Switch version suffers from slightly blurry visuals and washed-out colors. The fixed camera angle can make depth perception tricky across all platforms, and some reviewers noted occasional clunkiness due to camera issues and unclear level design. But these technical hiccups haven’t stopped the game from earning overwhelmingly positive feedback.
Perfect Timing for Halloween
The accolades trailer dropped on October 28, 2025, just days before Halloween. That timing isn’t accidental. Gloomy Eyes is tailor-made for spooky season. It captures that Halloween atmosphere of being scary without being terrifying, creepy without being disturbing. It’s the video game equivalent of handing out candy to trick-or-treaters while watching Hocus Pocus. The gothic charm and macabre storytelling hit differently when leaves are falling and jack-o-lanterns are glowing on porches.
The game’s cozy horror label fits perfectly into a trend of horror-adjacent games that emphasize atmosphere and charm over scares and stress. It sits comfortably alongside titles like Little Nightmares and Inside, games that are dark and unsettling but not outright frightening. For players who want Halloween vibes without actual horror, Gloomy Eyes threads that needle beautifully.
Who Should Play This
If you’re a fan of puzzle-platformers with strong narratives, Gloomy Eyes is worth your time. The five-hour runtime makes it a perfect weekend game. The self-coop mechanic feels fresh compared to traditional co-op games where you need another person. Parents looking for something spooky but appropriate for kids will find this game hits the sweet spot. The lack of gore, jump scares, or genuinely frightening content makes it accessible for younger players while still maintaining enough challenge to keep adults engaged.
Fans of Tim Burton’s aesthetic will love the visual design. The diorama-style levels are meticulously crafted with devilish details that reward close examination. If you enjoyed the art direction in games like Coraline or Kubo and the Two Strings, Gloomy Eyes operates in that same visual space. Colin Farrell’s narration adds a layer of production value that elevates the entire experience.
FAQs
How long does it take to beat Gloomy Eyes?
The main story takes approximately five hours to complete. If you’re hunting for all the Mementos collectibles and finding The Gravekeeper in every level, expect to add another hour or two to your playtime.
Is Gloomy Eyes a multiplayer game?
No, it’s a single-player game. The self-coop mechanic means you control both characters yourself, switching between them as needed to solve puzzles. There’s no traditional co-op mode where a second player can join.
Is the game scary?
No, it’s classified as cozy horror. The visuals are spooky and gothic, but there are no jump scares, gore, or genuinely frightening moments. It’s appropriate for children and adults who want Halloween atmosphere without actual scares.
Which platform should I play it on?
PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S offer the best visual experience. The Nintendo Switch version is functional but suffers from blurrier graphics and washed-out colors compared to other platforms.
Is Colin Farrell really the narrator?
Yes, Academy Award nominee Colin Farrell narrates the entire game, reprising his role from the original 2019 VR film. He called the project one of the most beautiful things he’s been part of in his 20-year career.
Do I need to have played the VR version to understand the game?
No, the game is a complete standalone experience. While it’s based on the 2019 VR film, the full game expands and adapts the story so no prior knowledge is required.
What age rating does Gloomy Eyes have?
The game is rated for fantasy violence but contains no graphic content. It’s suitable for younger players, though some puzzle difficulty might require adult help for very young children.
Are there boss battles?
Yes, the game features boss battles interspersed throughout the 14 stages, breaking up the puzzle-solving with different types of challenges.
Conclusion
Gloomy Eyes proves that not every great game needs a massive marketing budget or blockbuster release. Sometimes a charming puzzle game with heart, gorgeous art direction, and clever mechanics is exactly what players are craving. The accolades trailer celebrating its critical success is well-deserved. This is the kind of hidden gem that thrives on word-of-mouth and positive reviews, and with Halloween timing on its side, more players are discovering what makes this unlikely friendship between a zombie boy and a human girl so special. Whether you’re looking for a Halloween game that won’t give you nightmares, a clever puzzle game with meaningful character switching mechanics, or just want to experience Colin Farrell narrating a gothic fairy tale about bringing back the sun, Gloomy Eyes delivers. At 25 dollars and five hours of gameplay, it’s a bite-sized adventure that leaves a lasting impression. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go find The Gravekeeper in the level I missed him on.