Short review of Gloomy Eyes

I was eagerly waiting for the full release after discovering and playing the demo. For me, it seemed like the perfect game to play when you just want something kinda cozy and relaxing.

I expected a series of simple puzzles with quirky characters. But two things surprised me:

• Puzzles based on interaction between two characters can be pleasantly challenging.
• Beyond the nice visuals, the game actually has a charming story.

The experience feels a lot like watching a stage play or an animated short film, thanks to its stylized art and dramatic lighting setups. The camera frequently takes interesting angles, and levels are designed to look visually stunning rather than realistic. Essentially, each level is a floating "island" which only strengthens the theatrical feel, like crafted stage sets. But you quickly forget they’re sets because you get immersed into the simple yet heartfelt story about bringing the sun back to the world.

This game isn’t frustrating at all. There’s no intense challenges, it’s simply enjoyable to spend time participating in the journey of these two characters. The artists who worked on it clearly had fun creating these levels.

Pros:

• Visuals (the main highlight is the stylization that ensures games like this stay timeless for years)
• Gameplay (simple puzzles, gradually increasing in complexity without ever becoming confusing or overwhelming)
• Story (very straightforward in motivation, but well-paced and emotionally satisfying)

Cons:

• A vignette blur effect around the edges of the screen, used for stylistic purposes, sometimes gets in the way and I’d love an option to disable it.
• Game might feel short for some players.

Overall, I finished it with warm, positive feelings. I wouldn’t mind a sequel, even better if it featured local co-op. Playing something like this with a partner would be a nice experience.