Hauma: A Detective Noir Story
- September 11, 2023
- SenAm Games
- 5h median play time
Get on Steam"Hauma - A Detective Noir Story" is a visual novel set in Munich, where you play as Judith, a former detective, uncovering a conspiracy among the city's elite. The game features real-life locations, puzzles, item collection, and immersive noir-style storytelling, with a prologue already available for play.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a stunning comic book art style that enhances the overall experience.
- Voice acting is top-notch, bringing the characters to life and adding depth to the narrative.
- The gameplay includes intuitive puzzles and an engaging storyline that keeps players invested.
- There are multiple game-breaking bugs that can hinder progress, leading to frustrating experiences.
- The story is often criticized for being convoluted and lacking depth, with many plot points feeling contrived.
- Some puzzles are overly obscure and require guesswork, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the game.
- story59 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The story of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its engaging premise, beautiful art style, and strong voice acting, while others criticize it for being straightforward, predictable, and at times convoluted. Many reviewers noted that the narrative feels underdeveloped, with plot devices that seem contrived and a lack of depth in character backstories. Overall, while the game offers enjoyable gameplay and intriguing elements, its storytelling leaves much to be desired, often feeling like a missed opportunity for a richer narrative experience.
“The fantastic artworks, interesting story, and great voice acting really managed to absorb me!”
“Amazing game with a beautiful art style and engaging story & voice acting.”
“Beautiful visual novel with an intriguing story.”
“The storytelling in this game is atrocious.”
“Very lazy storytelling.”
“The story was too straightforward, bland, and predictable.”
- graphics28 mentions
- 79 % positive mentions
- 18 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received a mixed but generally positive reception, with many praising the unique comic book art style and beautiful visuals that enhance the storytelling experience. While some reviews noted that the art style and voice acting were standout features, others felt that these elements alone could not compensate for the game's shortcomings. Overall, the visuals are described as engaging and fitting well with the game's tone, contributing to an enjoyable experience.
“The comic book art style is fantastic, and the cut-scenes gain a lot from it.”
“I adore the art style of the game very much and how they really managed to get across that comic book feel!”
“Amazing game with a beautiful art style and engaging story & voice acting.”
“Even the art style doesn't save it, not worth buying, 3/10.”
- gameplay13 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The gameplay is primarily a point-and-click experience that emphasizes deduction and puzzle-solving, featuring an innovative inventory mechanic that allows players to connect clues and thoughts. While the gameplay is engaging and the investigative elements are praised, some users noted issues with balance in the puzzles and a lack of narrative closure. Overall, it offers a fun and immersive experience, despite some minor flaws.
“The gameplay is simple point-and-click, and I like how the numerous items and notes all build upon the mystery.”
“I honestly loved the gameplay and deduction dynamic.”
“It lacks some literary substance and gameplay polish to make this visual novel go from merely okay to being good.”
“The gameplay is point and click (you gather clues and connect them) and takes around 5 hours.”
“Gameplay-wise, there are a few puzzles to solve and an interesting but simple investigative deduction minigame (the mindboard) that allows us to progress the story and unlock new locations to visit.”
- music4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating its quality and ability to enhance the overall ambiance of the story. While the selection may be limited, it complements the visuals and voice-overs effectively, contributing to a positive experience.
“Overall, Hauma was a pretty good visual novel with nice visuals, full English voice-overs, and a great soundtrack.”
“The music is pretty good and the art style is visually pleasing.”
“Music was really good and added a nice ambiance to the story.”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a compelling noir aesthetic, enhanced by a dense ambiance and professional voice acting that effectively builds underlying tension. Reviewers appreciate how the art style contributes to this immersive experience.
“+ noir atmosphere.”
“I really like the art style and atmosphere the game builds.”
“Really like the dense atmosphere, the professional voice acting (which is crucial for this type of game) and the underlying tension.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game has limited replayability due to its linear narrative and the presence of only one true ending, which discourages players from engaging in multiple playthroughs to explore different outcomes.
“Not a lot of replayability as I think there is only one true ending - I wasn't offered repeat playthroughs to get other endings.”
“The story was also very linear with no apparent multiple endings, which limits replayability.”
