A few minutes into my initial experience with The Midnight Walk, I found myself questioning, "Wait a minute, is this really the game I’m playing, or just a cutscene?" It felt as if I were watching a stunning stop-motion animated short film unfold before my eyes. To my amazement, I realized that this mesmerizing footage was, in fact, the real-time gameplay, crafted by the talented folks at MoonHood Studios.
The resemblance of The Midnight Walk to a stop-motion movie, reminiscent of creations like Phil Tippett’s Mad God or the vintage Tool music videos, is spot on. This unique look is achieved because the game’s world is built using real, physical materials for its characters, monsters, and environments. Klaus Lyngeled from MoonHood explains that the team meticulously sculpted around 700 objects, 3D-scanning them to create polygonal models. To top it off, they animated these characters with that distinctive stop-motion jerkiness and used a shallow depth-of-field camera, perfecting the illusion.
This first-person narrative adventure, crafted by Lyngeled and writer Olov Redmalm, is described as a “cozy horror adventure,” populated by quirky characters and amiable monsters. It takes players through various chapters of fairy-tale-like narratives, all connected by a common thread: the interplay of warmth and darkness, and the pursuit of rekindling light in a shadowed world.
The journey begins with the game’s main protagonist, known as the Burnt One, clawing their way out of a grave and gradually piecing themselves together. Traveling down the Midnight Walk, they are accompanied by Potboy, a delightful and peculiar companion with a tiny brazier for a head. This little guide helps players illuminate their path by lighting torches with Potboy’s flame, assisted by matches, allowing them to fend off foes and brighten the Midnight Walk.
As you navigate the game, you’ll encounter an intriguing mix of puzzles and stealth elements. There’s even a unique button that lets you close your eyes and simply… listen. MoonHood recommends players use headphones to experience the game’s promised binaural audio to its fullest. And for a bit of “gunplay,” there’s an inventive twist: the Burnt One wields a weapon that shoots lit matches, offering a new range for tackling adversaries and solving puzzles.
While much of the game embodies its “cozy” vibe, thanks largely to Potboy’s endearing presence, it doesn’t shy away from horror. The monsters and bosses are bizarre and grotesque variations, from scampering, one-eyed mutants and spider-like horrors to leathery creatures with eyes sewn tightly shut, and aggressive slug-like beings with serious anger issues.
The developer’s inspirations are clear throughout; you can see elements from Over the Garden Wall, The Nightmare Before Christmas, David Lynch’s peculiar style, and even Half-Life 2. Yet, despite these nods, the distinct blend of influences and craftsmanship makes The Midnight Walk stand apart from its predecessors. I must admit, I hadn’t anticipated being this excited about MoonHood’s latest project until quite recently.
Thankfully, the anticipation won’t be long. The Midnight Walk is set to release on May 8, ready for PlayStation 5 (with PlayStation VR2 support) and Windows PC via Steam.
