Harold

53%
Game Brain Score Based on 24 reviews
  • graphics
  • gameplay
  • story
Harold Game Cover
Harold is certainly enjoyable to look at, and occasionally is fun to play. The high difficulty level and forced practice sections keep it a strictly middle of the road experience though.
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Harold is a singleplayer sidescrolling platformer with an emphasis on the high quality, hand-drawn style of classic animated films. You play as Gabe, the guardian angel responsible for guiding Harold through the multiple paths of each map, constantly saving your human charge from imminent death by manipulating obstacles in different environments. To edge out the other runners and prove your angeli…

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

53%
Audience ScoreBased on 24 reviews
graphics5 positive mentions
grinding3 negative mentions
  • The hand-drawn graphics and animations are stunning, rivaling those of TV and film, creating a vibrant and visually appealing world.
  • The game features a well-tuned difficulty curve that challenges players, making victories feel rewarding after overcoming tough obstacles.
  • The practice mode is engaging and allows players to learn the traps and timings, adding a puzzle-like element to the gameplay.
  • The gameplay is overly complicated and can feel tedious, with a high difficulty level that may frustrate many players.
  • The game lacks keyboard support and has limited control options, making it less accessible for those who prefer using a keyboard.
  • The combination of managing Harold's movements, sabotaging other racers, and navigating traps can lead to a chaotic and imprecise experience.
  • graphics10 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their remarkable quality, featuring stunning animations that rival those found in TV and film. Many reviewers highlight the beautiful hand-drawn art style and engaging visuals, which enhance the overall experience, even if the gameplay itself may not meet the same high standards. Overall, the graphics are a standout aspect that appeals to fans of vibrant and artistic design.

    • “Visuals are amazing.”
    • “Graphically it is lovely, music is catchy and the gameplay is very fluid.”
    • “The graphics are truly remarkable, featuring animations that rival even TV and film, yet are used to bring to life an ill-conceived system that feels more like an indie experiment than a full offering.”
    • “It’s not uncommon for a middling game to be carried by its graphics.”
    • “I really recommend this game if you want challenge and feel warm and fuzzy inside due to pretty graphics.”
  • gameplay9 mentions

    The gameplay of Harold is criticized for being frustratingly difficult and poorly designed, leading to a disconnect between its impressive graphics and the overall experience. While some users appreciate the fluidity and engaging design, the lack of keyboard support and the challenging mechanics detract from the enjoyment, making it a struggle to progress. Overall, the gameplay fails to match the visual appeal, resulting in a disappointing experience for many players.

    • “Graphically it is lovely, music is catchy and the gameplay is very fluid.”
    • “- interesting gameplay design, and engaging.”
    • “Harold is a special case, though, because it has one of the greatest gulfs between visual quality and gameplay quality I've ever seen.”
    • “All of this combines to make a big mess of gameplay that took me multiple tries just to pass the first race of a dozen.”
    • “Harold is a beautiful game, but that's not enough to make up for sloppy design and maddeningly difficult gameplay.”
  • story6 mentions

    The game's story is described as simplistic yet fitting within its overall theme, featuring an interesting background and a charming character named Harold. While some players appreciate the lighthearted and silly narrative, others find it overly complicated for the game's rewards and feel that certain elements detract from the experience. Overall, the story is enjoyable but not particularly deep or extraordinary.

    • “The story is also pretty good, simplistic yeah, but good; it fits well in the whole theme of the game.”
    • “Other than that, the game features enjoyable, but not bothersome music (background choir!), a nice not-everyday story (although nothing extraordinary or too deep), beautiful hand-drawn graphics, and funny animations.”
    • “The background story is actually interesting.”
    • “But way too complicated for the rewards of the game: cut scene/story.”
    • “Harold is enjoyable enough, but the omnipresent AI, kindergarten story, and the unshakable feeling of being unconquerable ruin the experience.”
  • music3 mentions

    The music in the game is generally described as enjoyable and catchy, enhancing the overall experience without being intrusive. It features a background choir that interacts with gameplay, providing a rewarding atmosphere as players achieve better ranks. Overall, the music complements the beautiful hand-drawn graphics and fluid gameplay, contributing positively to the game's charm.

    • “Other than that, the game features enjoyable, but not bothersome music (background choir!), a nice not-everyday story (although nothing extraordinary or too deep), beautiful hand-drawn graphics, and funny animations.”
    • “Graphically it is lovely, music is catchy, and the gameplay is very fluid.”
    • “The graphics, as you can see, are awesome (especially for someone who likes anime or cartoons), the music is beautiful and interacts with your way of playing (when you get a better rank, the choir cheers you up).”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Many users find the grinding aspect of the game frustrating, feeling that the beautiful art is wasted on a tedious experience that detracts from overall enjoyment.

    • “I find it frustrating that the breathtaking art is spent on something that’s going to be tedious for almost everyone that tries it.”
    • “The grinding feels endless and takes away from the enjoyment of the game.”
    • “It's disheartening to see such beautiful design wasted on repetitive tasks.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The game is praised for its humor, highlighted by funny animations that enhance the overall experience. While the story is considered enjoyable and unique, it doesn't delve into anything particularly profound.

    • “The game features enjoyable, but not bothersome music (background choir!), a nice not-everyday story (although nothing extraordinary or too deep), beautiful hand-drawn graphics, and funny animations.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

62% average critic score

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