Short but most definitely sweet AND gorgeous

HOA 

REVIEW BY J. D. ESTRADA,

PLAYED ON THE NINTENDO SWITCH

Initial release date: August 24, 2021

Developer: Skrollcat Studio

Engine: Unity

Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X and Series S

Publishers: PM Studios, Beijing Zhongdian Boya Technology Co., Ltd.

Genres: Platform game, Puzzle, Adventure game, Indie game, Casual game, Adventure

WHAT DOES THIS GAME DOES WELL: If you’ve ever wanted to play a feature length Ghibli film, that’s an accurate way of describing Hoa. It is whimsical, the art direction is stellar, it’s not emotionally heavy like some of the lighter Ghibli films (Think Kiki’s Delivery Service or Ponyo), and it has charm from start to finish. 

Sometimes you want a game that will challenge you as a gamer. Something where your reflexes and timing are pushed to the max and where one small mistake means starting over again. If that’s your MO, then look elsewhere, because this is not one of those games. For the most part, Hoa is not a difficult game and really only pushes you in its last chapter and more due to mechanics that are a big leap in skill when you see where you were coming from.

Developed by Skrollcat Studio and published by PM studio, this is a pretty straightforward platform in terms of controls for almost the entire game. That means you run, jump, double jump, tap, press, pull, and platform in ways that aren’t meg challenging by any stretch of the imagination. The narrative deals with Hoa, a sprite that was rescued once upon a time by several forest creatures that you will meet in your brief but beautiful travels. 

WHAT A LOOKER: Graphics-wise, this is one of the most beautiful games I’ve ever played. When I say it’s like playing a Ghibli film, that comes with a very high artistic bar and I don’t say it sparingly. Animations are crisp, backgrounds are lush, and the attention to detail is among the most impressive things I’ve ever played. Artistically, it’s a masterpiece and each section has its own feel to it. After having played a few games that border on monochromatic or visually homogenous, seeing a game like this is truly inspiring and I’d recommend the game to art students and artists of all likes because it is that gorgeous. The Ghibli aesthetic will be a common theme because the characters have that quirky charm, with smooth line drawings that always draw you in. Light sourcing and graphic touches abound and it is truly a game crafted with love. You can probably take a screenshot most anywhere, print it, and it’d look great on your wall. 

All savage beasts will be soothed.

The Ghibli comparisons also reach into the soundtrack department. It is a magical score full of light and wonder, texture, variety, subtleties, and is worth owning on vinyl. No notes are out of place and moments can be awe inspiring or shine in its quiet respect for the beauty of silence and space between notes. 

HOW IT MOVES: I mentioned before that the controls are your typical platformer fare which is easy to learn and even master. Some jumps are tricky but not impossible by any means. In the entire game, I only had one moment of slowdown and my controls were always responsive. That said, the last chapter is a BIG step up in regards to control. Before that sequence, I could recommend the game to be played by even the most novice of gamer. Now that last sequence requires you to rewire your brain a bit, since the control axis is reversed, your controls are mirrored when you’re upside down, and mechanics require you to pay attention to several details to find the solution. Having gamed for a while, I was able to decipher it, but if you’ve ever played Mario Galaxy and been a bit woozy because of what the controls do on the screen, then be ready for that final chapter, is all I’m saying. Beyond that comment, everything responded and moved ho it was supposed to and controlling Hoa was responsive and satisfying.

Some small buts or areas of opportunity

Hoa is a short game, running at less than 3 hours. It is impeccable though it feels like you could have done so much and a couple of things could have been added to extend playtime and challenge the player a bit. Collectibles or extra items would have been welcome as well as being able to access new sections in past areas with new hours. It’s something that drags in other games, though in Hoa would have been welcome if only to explore a bit more of the gorgeous areas. Another area of opportunity would be the sequence right before the last chapter. I was kind of disappointed that a chase sequence was automated because it could have been thrilling to experience and actually push the player a bit. Instead, you watch as the scene unfolds and instead of facing that type of challenge, you’re met with a final chapter that throws some mechanics and graphics curve balls that I definitely appreciated, though makes me wonder if they couldn’t have done a couple more stages where they introduced new more dynamic elements as well. It’s just that the last part is such a departure of all else you play that you can’t help but wonder if there were more ideas that didn’t make it into the final game. 

WORTH THE PRICE OF ADMISSION: Hoa is an artistic achievement in many ways and in part I picked up a copy because if any of my money can give companies the idea of putting out MORE games like this, then I’m all for it. Having played the game and finished it relatively quickly, I still think the sale price of $10.99 and even the full $14.99 are more than fair because in the end, I truly mean it: this is like playing a Studio Ghibli film without ever feeling derivative or a copy, but a proper homage.  

GET THE GAME ON NINTENDO SWITCH HERE 

PLAY IT ON STEAM HERE

GET IT ON PLAYSTATION HERE