Haven

84%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,081 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
Haven Game Cover
Haven respects your time, and encourages healthy couple gaming.
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Buy Haven on PS4 and PS5. Glide through a mysterious landscape and fight against what’s trying to tear two lovers apart in this RPG adventure.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

84%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,081 reviews
story587 positive mentions
grinding41 negative mentions
  • The game features a beautiful and engaging love story between the main characters, Yu and Kay, showcasing a realistic and relatable relationship.
  • The art style and soundtrack are stunning, creating a captivating atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
  • The game allows players to choose between different gender pairings for the couple, promoting inclusivity and representation.
  • The combat system can feel repetitive and lacks depth, making battles less engaging over time.
  • The co-op mechanics are poorly implemented, with one player often feeling like a third wheel rather than an active participant.
  • Some players may find the pacing slow, particularly in the early stages, which could lead to boredom.
  • story1,348 mentions

    The story of "Haven" centers around the relationship between two protagonists, Kay and Yu, who escape a controlling society to explore a vibrant alien world together. Players are drawn into their heartfelt journey, characterized by genuine dialogue and emotional depth, as they navigate both the challenges of their environment and the complexities of their love. While the gameplay may feel repetitive at times, the rich storytelling and character development make it a compelling experience for those who appreciate narrative-driven games.

    • “I love the story, I love the characters, I love the atmosphere, I love how real these conversations feel, and how the interactions are just so intimate.”
    • “Haven is a story that you experience with the characters.”
    • “The story is wonderful - I love the character's attraction to each other and the affection they show.”
    • “The story didn't feel fleshed out, and it makes the game feel like a few scattered chapters in an amateur romance novel.”
    • “The gameplay was fun enough, but pretty quickly I found it getting in the way of the story that was what really kept me around.”
    • “The story is pretty linear, not too complex, but also not too boring that you lose interest after a while.”
  • gameplay665 mentions

    The gameplay in "Haven" is characterized by its simplicity and focus on exploration, with players gliding across islands to collect resources and engage in light combat. While the mechanics are generally easy to grasp, many players find the gameplay loop repetitive and lacking depth, often overshadowed by the game's strong narrative and character interactions. Overall, the gameplay serves more as a backdrop to the romantic story between the protagonists, making it a relaxing experience rather than a challenging one.

    • “The gameplay is super fluid and relaxing, with a fantastic OST playing throughout.”
    • “The gameplay loop consists of exploring the world to gather food, purifying corrupted islets, and enhancing the relationship between the characters.”
    • “The central gameplay loop of exploring a beautiful sci-fi fantasy world, bopping to the amazing soundtrack, cleaning the small islets of corruption, discovering the secrets of the previous civilization, and then returning home at night to develop your relationship generally works well.”
    • “The gameplay is mind-numbingly repetitive.”
    • “The gameplay gets repetitive fast and the combat becomes mostly just an annoyance you need to get through to continue with the story.”
    • “The gameplay itself can get a little bit boring for the person not steering, but the overwhelmingly staggering amount of positives I feel this game has bypasses that.”
  • music605 mentions

    The music in "Haven," composed by Danger, is widely praised for its beautiful, atmospheric quality that enhances the game's emotional depth and overall experience. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack's ability to evoke feelings of relaxation and nostalgia, with many recommending it as a standalone purchase. While some note that certain tracks can become repetitive over time, the overall consensus is that the music is a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's charm and appeal.

    • “The music is fantastic - danger did a really great job at matching the feel of the music to the feel of the game and the story.”
    • “The soundtrack is absolutely top tier.”
    • “The music is amazing and the story is very touching.”
    • “Sadly though the game rather sadly repeats some of these tracks quite a bit making some of them a bit dull by the time credits roll, I would far from say this is a result of the work done by Danger but instead the implementation. What I mean is that the music could have been better served by some silence, not much but maybe just tuning out if the play starts walking during gameplay and just slowing down to a quieter pace with the player.”
    • “By the end of the game, most of the background music had gotten pretty repetitive.”
    • “The soundtrack rocks but at the time when I played this game some songs were repeated pretty often which is why I played the soundtrack myself in the background and muted the in-game music.”
  • graphics272 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their vibrant and unique art style, which many players find stunning and aesthetically pleasing. While some reviews note that the visuals can be simplistic or occasionally clunky, the overall impression is that the artwork effectively enhances the game's emotional narrative and immersive atmosphere. The combination of beautiful graphics, engaging character designs, and a fitting soundtrack contributes to a captivating gaming experience.

    • “The art style is remarkably well done and shines in most of its uses within the game.”
    • “The game takes place in a vibrant and ethereal alien world, and the art style is just breathtaking.”
    • “The graphics are gorgeous and the story is so adorable.”
    • “Although the graphics are a bit clunky in my opinion, the storyline is relevant and amazing.”
    • “I can tell the devs were going for an aesthetic, but all these bright saturated colors are really hard on the eyes, and it makes it hard to tell what you're looking at sometimes.”
    • “The graphics are a little on the simplistic side, but overall still very enjoyable with great color choice.”
  • emotional223 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its heartwarming and relatable storytelling, focusing on the deep bond between the main characters, Kay and Yu. Players report experiencing a range of emotions, from joy and laughter to sadness and introspection, as the narrative explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the complexities of relationships in a beautifully crafted world. Overall, the game is described as a touching and wholesome experience that resonates deeply with players, making it a standout in emotional storytelling within the gaming medium.

    • “For their love which has no bounds, it's truly a heartwarming and oh-so-special feeling that really can't be described until you experience the story for yourself.”
    • “A beautiful and wholesome game about love, freedom and the cost of those things -- and how, even if sacrifices have to be made, it's worth it.”
    • “It's the most beautiful, touching, immersive, emotionally investing game I've ever played, and I was hyped for Haven the moment I saw the trailer.”
  • humor85 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever writing and engaging character interactions, often blending light-hearted moments with deeper emotional themes. Players appreciate the witty dialogue and funny scenarios that arise between the main characters, Yu and Kay, making their relationship feel relatable and genuine. While some found the humor to be hit-or-miss, many highlighted it as a standout feature that enhances the overall enjoyment of the game.

    • “The humor and writing is easily a standout that makes the game a genuine joy to play.”
    • “I found myself laughing out loud at many of their interactions as a couple, such as the shower not draining, because it's clogged with Yu's long hair, or going through a spicy picture book in an attempt to liven up the bedroom, or commenting on each other's quirks, because it's so human.”
    • “Their banter is funny, the little meals and talks they have are touching and their story is just bursting with optimism and joy.”
    • “Some jokes are hilarious, while others are just lightly cringey, and a few might even impact the story.”
    • “The humor often falls flat, with many jokes feeling forced or out of place.”
    • “While there are a few funny moments, most of the humor feels stale and uninspired.”
  • atmosphere48 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its captivating and immersive qualities, enhanced by a fantastic soundtrack and unique art style. Players appreciate the intimate character interactions and the overall relaxing vibe, making it a charming experience. However, some reviews note that while the atmosphere is strong, the gameplay can feel repetitive or boring at times.

    • “I love the story, I love the characters, I love the atmosphere, I love how real these conversations feel, and how the interactions are just so intimate.”
    • “The atmosphere and the music really add and complement the overall experience like no other.”
    • “The atmosphere is captivating and the music is phenomenal: it rarely takes center stage but it truly lets the dialogue shine and it sets the tone for the different stages of the game really well.”
    • “Unlikable characters, average voice acting, and dialogue that takes away from the atmosphere.”
    • “It's something that I can play to unwind from other more competitive games, and it fulfills me with a distinct sense of allure and affectionate atmosphere that I sincerely feel is only ever truly experienced in the likes of immersive stories - fantastic game.”
    • “They really enhanced the atmosphere of Haven and my everyday life!”
  • grinding45 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, often detracting from the overall experience. While some enjoy the exploration and side objectives, many express frustration with the combat and crafting systems, which can feel monotonous and slow. The game is noted for its engaging story and art style, but the grinding elements may not appeal to those who prefer a more dynamic gameplay experience.

    • “The side objectives were fun and not tedious, nor was the game littered with them.”
    • “If I have one gripe, it's that the central gameplay loop can feel somewhat tedious.”
    • “In conclusion, the game fails to deliver on its promises of cooperative fun, burdened by its flawed mechanics and tedious gameplay loops.”
    • “The gameplay gets very repetitive really fast, and if you want to explore and clean every area of the game, it's super tedious and boring.”
  • character development27 mentions

    Overall, the character development in the game is highly praised, with many reviewers highlighting the depth and richness of the relationships, particularly between the main characters, Yu and Kay. The dialogues and interactions are noted as meaningful and integral to the story, contributing to a compelling narrative about love, rebellion, and personal growth. While some critiques mention weaknesses in gameplay and story, the strong character development and engaging design make it a standout feature that resonates with players.

    • “It's really interesting as the characters comment on most things you do, giving a really rich character development.”
    • “However still this game has a quite unique approach in relationship and character development especially because it tells how to persevere in difficult situations and to sacrifice your ego, convenience, etc. for the sake of the one you love.”
    • “The other is an arbitrary, unsatisfying, and disheartening conclusion that I believe does not fit the character development overall for Yu and Kay and serves to be the obligatory bad ending.”
    • “This game lacks slightly in story and gameplay, but is made up for ten-fold with the character development.”
    • “However, this game has a quite unique approach in relationship and character development, especially because it tells how to persevere in difficult situations and to sacrifice your ego, convenience, etc. for the sake of the one you love.. and they each know that it is worth it.. good job for the developer.”
  • replayability14 mentions

    Overall, the game is noted for its limited replayability, primarily due to a linear storyline and minimal impact from player choices. While some players mention the potential for alternative endings and different dialogue options, these do not significantly enhance the replay value. The gameplay and narrative experience are appreciated, but once the story is completed, there is little incentive to replay.

    • “Replay value here, measured in uniqueness.”
    • “As with many story-driven games, I would say Haven has little replay value (unless you play it with someone else the second time, then it'll be a blast).”
    • “The one downside is that it doesn't offer a lot of replay value outside an alternative ending and a few other dialogue options.”
    • “It's not really replayable once the storyline is completed, but the gameplay itself and the storyline make up for the non-replayability.”
    • “The downside of Haven is that there's no replayability factor to it, and despite having dialogue options for you to choose occasionally through the game, your choices don't have an impact on either option.”
  • stability11 mentions

    Overall, the stability of the game received mixed reviews. While several players reported a flawless experience with no significant bugs or glitches, others encountered occasional issues, particularly in co-op mode and during remote play, which affected gameplay. Despite these inconsistencies, many players still found the experience enjoyable, highlighting that the stability issues were not severe enough to detract from the overall enjoyment.

    • “The game was fun, had a good story, and was not buggy.”
    • “The stability of the game allowed for a smooth and enjoyable experience.”
    • “I appreciated how stable the game was; it never crashed or glitched.”
    • “The gameplay, however, wasn't that good and was often buggy for me.”
    • “Game play can be buggy at times, especially in co-op.”
    • “Remote play is buggy and laggy hosting off of one another making the game almost unplayable.”
  • optimization10 mentions

    The game suffers from notable optimization issues, including microstuttering on high-end systems and significant stuttering during dialogue sequences, which detracts from the overall experience. While performance on the Steam Deck is generally smooth, some users report bumps that affect gameplay, particularly during remote play.

    • “🛠️ Steam Deck performance: smooth sailing.”
    • “The voice performance by our main protagonist, Yu & Kay, will leave you wanting more.”
    • “Kay and Yu's relationship is also super well developed, and is only showcased more with incredible vocal performances from Janine Harouni and Chris Lew Kum Hoi.”
    • “There are some optimization issues - I had some microstuttering despite having a high-end rig (7900XTX and 7800X3D).”
    • “The game on its own was really good, but for some reason there was a serious stuttering problem with gameplay anytime I entered dialogue, which really took me out.”
    • “Steam remote play did not do this game any favors unfortunately, and the person I was streaming this game to had a few performance issues.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game is perceived as underrated, with users suggesting that increased advertising could enhance its visibility and potentially boost revenue.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

76% average critic score

Buy Haven

Play time

11hMedian play time
11hAverage play time
10-15hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 14 analyzed playthroughs

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