Sometimes you stumble across games that don’t impress with complex mechanics or explosive action, but instead captivate through atmosphere alone. Gloomy Eyes falls squarely into that category. This puzzle adventure pulls you into a world that is gloomy yet oddly playful. Fans of Tim Burton’s work will feel right at home here, the stop-motion aesthetic, the melancholy yet endearing characters, and the darkest shades of romantic atmosphere are unmistakable. But does this mix of quiet puzzle gameplay and eerie comfort hold up when it comes to actually playing?
A Tim Burton-esque Tale
The story of Gloomy Eyes reads like a strange bedtime tale that Burton himself might have dreamt up on a particularly dark night. The sun has mysteriously vanished, leaving behind eternal night where the living and the dead walk side by side. Among the undead is Gloomy, a zombie child who serves as one of the game’s two protagonists. He’s joined by Nena, a fearless and curious girl drawn to Gloomy despite the danger. Their biggest obstacle is Nena’s uncle, a zealous preacher who sees it as his mission to wipe out the undead while also locking every child indoors “for their own safety.” Of course, Nena won’t stand for this. Together with Gloomy, she escapes her confinement to uncover the mystery of the missing sun. What follows is an unusual journey where two unlikely heroes defy the darkness and slowly grow closer.
Childlike curiosity, teenage rebellion, and a faint spark of affection guide their path. We as players walk alongside them, lending a helping hand through a world filled with zombies and fanatics. The setting isn’t groundbreaking, but its whimsical gothic charm keeps things engaging. One of the game’s greatest strengths is its narrative style. A narrator accompanies you throughout, unraveling the tale as you play. He’s not just a neutral voice-over, he’s the grave keeper, a character within the world who observes and comments with poetry, melancholy, and humor. His delivery feels alive, almost theatrical, adding layers of emotion to the adventure. The narration has a warmth and quality that it feels closer to a short Pixar film or, more aptly, a Burton-esque fairy tale.
Gameplay – Simple but Fitting
Anyone expecting wild combat or explosive sequences should temper their expectations. Gloomy Eyes focuses entirely on simple stealth, switch puzzles, and box-pushing mechanics. Innovation is scarce, but the gameplay is competently executed and matches the slow-burn narrative. The real twist lies in the dual-character system. Players can swap between Gloomy and Nena at any time, using their distinct strengths to progress. Gloomy can push heavy objects or throw stones but is fatally vulnerable to light. Nena moves faster and can walk in daylight, but must avoid lurking zombies at all costs. This back-and-forth creates a light but satisfying rhythm. One moment you’re clearing a path with Gloomy, the next you’re flipping switches with Nena to help him along. The puzzles never grow truly challenging, yet they serve their purpose, supporting the narrative rather than overshadowing it.
Beauty with Flaws
Visually, Gloomy Eyes is enchanting. Its stop-motion-inspired style, twisted trees, and grotesque architecture channel Tim Burton with remarkable flair. Some frames look like they’ve been lifted straight from The Nightmare Before Christmas. The world is staged like a miniature diorama, with lighting that resembles a theater curtain opening and closing across each scene. But while this style dazzles, it comes with drawbacks. The diorama design often makes it unclear where you can walk or what objects are interactive. The fixed camera compounds this, sometimes forcing you to stumble blindly until you find the right path.
A more flexible zoom or free camera would have alleviated much of this frustration. The technical side shows cracks as well. On my base PS5, some jagged edges and low-res textures frequently distract from the otherwise charming detail. This improves slightly later into the game, but the visuals still feel dated, reminding you this isn’t a game designed with cutting-edge hardware in mind. At least performance remains smooth, with only minor bugs – such as clipping into unintended areas – interrupting the experience. If the visuals pay homage to Burton, the soundtrack tips its hat to Danny Elfman. Expect glockenspiels, whimsical melodies tinged with menace, and playful shifts into darker tones. The score is rarely intrusive but adds just the right amount of emotional weight. Combined with the lively narration, it creates an atmosphere that’s both eerie and endearing.
Gloomy Eyes isn’t about innovation; it’s about immersion. Its strength lies in mood, not mechanics. The story of Gloomy and Nena unfolds like a gothic bedtime tale, carried by expressive narration and a striking audiovisual style. Gameplay remains simple, occasionally clunky due to camera issues, unclear level design, and technical blemishes, but it holds together just enough to support the narrative journey. This is a game for a very particular audience. If you love Tim Burton’s blend of macabre and romantic, if you enjoy dark fairy tales where atmosphere outweighs challenge, Gloomy Eyes is worth experiencing. It may not shine as brightly in gameplay, but in the dim light of its eternal night, it casts a charm all its own.
Disclaimer: Untold Tales provided a PlayStation 5 copy of Gloomy Eyes for review purposes.
