This Spooky-Cute Puzzler Serves as the Ideal Replacement to Halloween Horror

Not each autumn fright experience has to scare gamers. From iconic favorites like mystery-solving cartoons to endearing shows including Over the Garden Wall, many spooky-season staples offer entertainment without requiring causing fear. There’s also, a expanding collection of spooky-cute releases including autumn atmosphere, but not the sleep-with-the-lights-on intensity of fear. Gloomy Eyes arrived in recent months, and acts as an superb comfortable choice to the truly terrifying titles of 2025.

A Unique Self-Coop Quest

Labeled as a solo collaboration brain-teaser, Gloomy Eyes unites a living-impaired child called Gloomy and a human girl known as Nena as they start an mission to bring the sun back to their dark, dark world. Their design is similar to Funko Pops mixed with the figures from a stop-motion animation. Their light-complected and heavy-lidded style is influenced by the appearance of Burtonesque cinema, and the plot is a classic all-ages journey. The pair forms an enduring connection over the duration of the game’s numerous levels as Nena attempts to demonstrate to her priest uncle that, you know, possibly living-impaired beings can be friendly.

Innovative Problem-Solving Features

This unique term comes about from the game’s interactive problem-solving. Once Gloomy and Nena meet, you’ll swap between the budding companions to complete challenges and move forward through the levels. As an undead, Gloomy is unable to traverse through the brightness of a light source, while Nena may be grabbed by loitering creatures except if a light is shone on them.

It's necessary for them to cooperate closely — well, you’ll use them simultaneously — to advance through areas. Nena could adjust or momentarily deactivate illumination to create passages for Gloomy, while the open-brained boy will employ his undead power to move objects in the environment, creating routes for Nena.

Engaging World Building

The brain-teasers remind me a touch of The Gardens Between, in the fashion the levels are suspended, diorama-like constructions that the perspective moves across in sync with your characters. Gloomy Eyes’ environments are very enjoyable, leading the friends around a amusement park and through a ghostly building, among other places. There’s a “diorama view” option that enables you to view from afar and spin the areas, both for enjoy the visuals and look for paths that may not have been clear.

Small Issues and Complete Gameplay

And that’s one of the only problems with Gloomy Eyes. Similar to other games with a locked camera, occasionally it's confusing where the protagonists are able to move. Players might have to randomly encounter a few random items to determine which ones are interactive, as it’s not always intuitive.

Nonetheless, those small challenges don’t get in the way of a ghostly-charming fun adventure. Gloomy Eyes has a compact length, with approximately a few sessions worth of puzzles. Advanced areas blend together subtle hidden movement and dynamic sequences with the challenge completion, as Gloomy Eyes progresses to a fulfilling — and moderately surprising — ending.

Accessibility and Final Thoughts

Those shying away from the scares of fear-inducing games should definitely try Gloomy Eyes. You can find it on Nintendo Switch, Sony system, computer, and Xbox, and is available at a reduced price for 25% off on online stores.

The spooky-cute adventure is available on various systems and offers a delightful alternative for fans seeking autumn enjoyment without fear factor.