The Midnight Walk review: Let your light shine

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The tale behind the development of The Midnight Walk is captivating on its own. As MoonHood, the creator, explains, each item within the game was initially sculpted by hand using real clay. These crafted pieces were then incorporated into the game environment and animated. This dedication to detail is evident not only in the game’s breathtaking visuals but also in its robust world-building and immersive atmosphere.

A hand-crafted world

As soon as I started playing this new game for the first time, I was captivated not only by how stunningly detailed the clay figurines appeared at close range, but also by how cinematic the gameplay itself seemed. Navigating the game’s world filled with clay feels like strolling through a claymation movie from my childhood. The stop-motion visuals have a film-like quality, and the eerie ambiance evokes memories of Little Nightmares. This game is called The Midnight Walk.

In “The Midnight Walk,” you’ll journey through a world shrouded in eternal night, taking on the role of The Burnt One. Along the path called The Midnight Walk, you’ll piece together the world bit by bit as you meet and hear the stories of its various inhabitants, learning how their lives have been affected by the unending darkness. Accompanying you on this journey are Potboy, a small, adorable fire creature who helps light your way in the dark, and Housy, a two-legged sanctuary from the terrors outside. Despite neither of these companions speaking, I found myself growing attached to them during the nine hours I spent with them.

There’s comfort in the horror

The gameplay of The Midnight Walk is similar to that of an immersive exploration experience. Unlike many games, it lacks combat and its mechanics are relatively straightforward. Among these mechanics, you’ll discover the use of Potboy and matches for igniting fires scattered across the world, and a unique feature where you can close your eyes to concentrate on the ambient sounds. You’ll employ both mechanisms to decipher puzzles and reveal the enigma of the path before you. Although The Midnight Walk’s puzzles aren’t exceptionally challenging or revolutionary, the narratives connected with them make solving them a rewarding experience.

MoonHood’s dark fantasy game doesn’t aim for groundbreaking gameplay; instead, its allure lies in its distinctive atmosphere. The game skillfully blends elements of a tranquil walk through meticulously designed scenery and a genuine horror experience, featuring subtle jump scares, chase scenes, and hiding mechanics. Its remarkable art direction harmoniously enhances these aspects to create a seamless fusion of comforting and chilling experiences. I frequently paused to appreciate the surroundings, while other times I had to compose myself after an encounter with one of the numerous terrifying creatures within.

…But it’s still horror

As someone who loves playing horror games, I found myself genuinely startled by some of the frightening scenes in this game. This is largely due to its exceptional visual and audio design, which turns the monsters into living nightmares. There were instances where I’d round a corner only to be met with a massive monster charging towards me, causing me to shut my eyes in fear until it vanished. Another creature would appear once I entered its line of sight, giving me a moment before it spotted me and let out a blood-curdling screech while charging at me at an unnatural speed, forcing me to frantically search for a hiding place. It’s safe to say my partner and her Overwatch team heard my screams from the other room – I apologize again.

In a somewhat grueling journey filled with dreadful paths, the lovable and fiery sidekick, Potboy, makes the ordeal less daunting. It was comforting to find shelter in a secluded closet with him hiding too, or to sneak past terrifying creatures while Potboy followed my lead by tiptoeing along. Moreover, being able to command him to ignite a fire that aided our progress made him seem less like an artificial companion and more like a reliable ally, Potboy and I navigating the perils of The Midnight Walk together.

Take the walk

In many games, there are numerous hidden items scattered throughout different locations. These items can include audio clips, figurines of characters and creatures encountered during gameplay, musical records, and tapes. Each item provides additional details about the game’s world and lore, and they can all be viewed within Housy, which is accessible from the main menu at any time. Collecting these items greatly enriched my gaming experience because this is where you learn a lot about what shapes the game’s world.

The Midnight Stroll – A Claymation Horror Adventure

The Midnight Stroll is a chilling claymation horror game that focuses more on creating an immersive atmosphere than offering complex gameplay mechanics. Instead of relying heavily on gameplay, it captivates players with its unique world design and distinctive art style. The intricate visual and audio elements create a captivating environment that easily draws you into MoonHood’s dark fantasy narrative.

Though horror games may not be everyone’s cup of tea, there are folks like me who find solace in them. The Midnight Stroll skillfully balances the line between comforting and terrifying experiences, making it an enjoyable journey for those with a taste for both cozy games and horror adventures. So, come experience the eerie atmosphere, and you’ll find yourself staying to explore more as you venture along The Midnight Stroll.

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2025-05-08 18:12