Hohokum
- July 28, 2022
- Honeyslug
There isn't much to the bottom line here. Hohokum is a great art project, but taken as a game it falls seriously flat. For the right price and mindset, possibly enjoyable, I just got very little out of it.
"Hohokum is a vibrant exploration-based adventure game where players navigate as a space worm, rescuing people in distressed cities. Created by Honeyslug and artist Richard Hogg, this indie game offers a unique experience, now refined and expanded for players to discover and enjoy."
Reviews
- The game features mesmerizing visuals and a stunning soundtrack that create a calming and immersive experience.
- It encourages exploration and experimentation, offering a unique and playful atmosphere that many players find delightful.
- Despite its short length, the game provides a satisfying and enjoyable experience, making it perfect for those looking for a relaxing adventure.
- The lack of direction and clarity in objectives can lead to confusion and frustration for players, especially those who prefer goal-oriented gameplay.
- Technical issues, such as bugs and softlocks, can hinder the overall experience and may require players to restart or seek external guides.
- Some players find the gameplay repetitive and lacking depth, which may not appeal to those looking for a more intricate gaming experience.
- music12 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its mesmerizing, calming, and psychedelic qualities, enhancing the overall atmosphere and aesthetic. Players find the soundtrack to be a delightful blend of fun and relaxation, perfectly complementing the vibrant visuals and gameplay. Many recommend using headphones to fully appreciate the stellar sound design that elevates the gaming experience.
“Mesmerizing, colorful, calming, psychedelic, amazing stress relief game, with spectacular music that makes your soul soar with the groove.”
“Fun but chill music plays as you explore many worlds, and this soundtrack just adds to the game's atmosphere and unique aesthetic.”
“The music in this game is great as well; it's very relaxing and fun.”
- gameplay8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Hohokum is generally perceived as simplistic and lacking depth, with many reviewers noting its short length and minimal challenge. While some players appreciate the game's focus on exploration and its artistic elements, others find the mechanics repetitive and uninspired, suggesting it may not satisfy those seeking a more intricate gaming experience.
“Gameplay: 8/10”
“Really enjoy the game, amazing soundtrack and visuals with compelling gameplay to match.”
“For me personally, it didn't bug me at all but if you're expecting a really deep, intricate game with some clever gameplay mechanics and such, Hohokum isn't the game for you.”
“If you play games for completion or expect significant gameplay depth, then you won't get much out of this.”
“The game does suffer from being incredibly short and not offering much in terms of gameplay, focusing more on a short, touching story.”
“This gameplay mechanic sucks all the fun out of exploring the worlds, creating a boring and repetitive experience.”
- graphics8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are highly praised for their beauty and aesthetic appeal, earning a perfect score from some users. While the visuals contribute significantly to the immersive experience, there are reports of minor graphical bugs, particularly at higher refresh rates, which may require future updates to resolve. Overall, the combination of stunning visuals and a captivating soundtrack enhances the game's atmosphere.
“The game offers some nice graphics and a really beautiful aesthetic; it is pleasant all the same.”
“I played this game on the PS4 for at least fifty hours, just crying at the beautiful graphics and storytelling.”
“Really enjoy the game, amazing soundtrack and visuals with compelling gameplay to match.”
“Very pretty and relaxing, but seems to have a few graphical bugs. I'm keen to return to this after it's had a bit of time to be fixed.”
“(Lock this game to 60Hz via graphics settings - there are some softlock bugs on higher refresh rates.)”
- story6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's story is praised for its emotional depth and beautiful graphics, though it is criticized for being short and lacking in gameplay variety. Players engage in a touching narrative that unfolds through themed levels, where they interact with the environment to find hidden worm friends, creating a unique and heartfelt experience. Overall, the storytelling is compelling, but the brevity and limited gameplay may leave some players wanting more.
“The game does suffer with it being incredibly short and not offering much in terms of gameplay, but it delivers a short, touching story.”
“I played this game on the PS4 for at least fifty hours, just crying at the beautiful graphics and storytelling.”
“Each level has its own theme and story, such as a wedding where you pick the groom and serve the guests drinks, and a village in the sky where you help the people there fly their kites.”
“The only things to do are find all the portholes, open all the eyes, complete the optional missions some maps have (which reset if you leave), and acquire all the achievements.”
“While not entirely obvious, the story of Hohokum is that you play a game of hide-and-seek with your worm friends.”
“Each level has its own theme and/or story (for example: a wedding where you pick the groom and serve the guests drinks and a village in the sky where you help the people there fly their kites) and as you interact with things you find a worm friend hiding in each level.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its emotional depth, featuring a touching story that evokes strong feelings, even leading some players to tears. While it offers a pleasant and visually appealing experience, it is criticized for its brevity and limited gameplay, focusing more on the emotional journey than on extensive interaction.
“The game does suffer with being incredibly short and not offering much in terms of gameplay, but it tells a touching story.”
“Genuinely made me cry from its beauty at multiple points.”
“Pleasant and wholesome, allowing you to play at your own pace, and it is very nice-looking.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by a surreal and unique aesthetic, complemented by a fun and chill soundtrack that enhances exploration. However, some players find that frustration with gameplay detracts from the intended relaxed vibe, leading to a mixed reception regarding the overall experience.
“Fun but chill music plays as you explore many worlds, and this soundtrack just adds to the game's atmosphere and unique aesthetic.”
“At first, the surreal atmosphere looks awesome; however, the gameplay quickly makes Hohokum very boring.”
“Spending a few minutes cluelessly dithering around and feeling a tad dumb takes away from the playful atmosphere of it all.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game offers a decent level of replayability due to its nonlinear structure, ensuring that each playthrough presents unique experiences and variations.
“The game offers a decent amount of replay value as it is nonlinear, ensuring that every playthrough feels unique.”
“With multiple paths and choices, each run through the game provides a fresh experience.”
“The variety of character builds and strategies keeps the gameplay engaging, encouraging players to return for more.”
“The game lacks significant replayability; once you've completed it, there's little incentive to go back.”
“While the game offers some choices, the overall experience feels too linear to warrant multiple playthroughs.”
“After finishing the game, I found that the story and gameplay didn't change enough to make me want to replay it.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users have reported stability issues, including cutscene glitches that can lead to softlocks, preventing progress in the game during repeat playthroughs.
“Unfortunately, on repeat playthroughs, I have encountered some cutscene glitches that have even softlocked the game from continuing in some cases.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly impossible to enjoy the experience without constant interruptions.”
“I've experienced multiple instances where the game freezes during key moments, forcing me to restart and lose progress.”
Critic Reviews
Hohokum Review
There isn't much to the bottom line here. Hohokum is a great art project, but taken as a game it falls seriously flat. For the right price and mindset, possibly enjoyable, I just got very little out of it.
35%Hohokum review: all sizzle
Hohokum is beautiful but shallow
60%Can beauty overcome ambiguity? -- Hohokum review
There is no doubt about the fact that Hohokum achieves exactly what it wants to, the game is a relaxing and gorgeous adventure that can take a few hours from you. It does a wonderful job at helping you clear your mind and just focus on the magic happening on your television screen. Unfortunately, that relaxation can turn to confusion as you wander around attempting to figure out what to do next. Hohokum’s visuals, music, and controls are spot on, but it is missing that little hand holding experience that many games need. Despite the occasional frustration it brings, Hohokum is an absolute treat to behold.
80%