Hohokum

71%
Game Brain Score Based on 103 reviews
  • music
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Hohokum Game Cover
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.
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"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."

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Play​station Vita
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

71%
Audience ScoreBased on 103 reviews
music19 positive mentions
stability2 negative mentions
  • The game features incredibly vibrant and stunning 2D environments, making for a visually captivating experience.
  • It offers a relaxing and chill atmosphere, with delightful music and sound design that enhances the overall enjoyment.
  • The gameplay encourages exploration and discovery, providing a unique and playful experience as players interact with various worlds.
  • The lack of clear direction and instructions can lead to confusion, making it difficult for players to understand their objectives.
  • Some players have reported game-breaking bugs and softlocks that hinder progress and enjoyment.
  • The game may feel shallow and lacking in depth for those seeking a more structured or goal-oriented gameplay experience.
  • music27 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its stellar quality, playful and relaxing nature, and its ability to enhance the overall atmosphere and aesthetic. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a delightful and calming accompaniment to the vibrant visuals, making exploration enjoyable and immersive. Many recommend using headphones to fully appreciate the charming and cute sound design that complements the game's various worlds.

    • “The music in this game is great as well, it's very relaxing and fun.”
    • “Fun but chill music plays as you explore many worlds, and this soundtrack just adds to the game's atmosphere and unique aesthetic.”
    • “Mesmerizing, colorful, calming, psychedelic, amazing stress relief game, with spectacular music that makes your soul soar with the groove.”
    • “The music is constantly playful.”
    • “The catchy music complements the action.”
    • “The presentation is top-notch; the visuals pop colorfully off the screen and the music is constantly playful.”
  • gameplay19 mentions

    The gameplay of this game is generally perceived as shallow and lacking depth, with many reviewers noting its short length and minimal challenge. While some appreciate the imaginative level design and relaxing atmosphere, others find the mechanics repetitive and uninspired, making it less suitable for players seeking a complex or completion-focused experience. Overall, it offers a visually appealing and auditory enjoyable experience, but may not satisfy those looking for substantial gameplay.

    • “Really enjoy the game, amazing soundtrack and visuals with compelling gameplay to match.”
    • “[wildly imaginative level design, open gameplay rewards experimentation, catchy music complements the action].”
    • “Gameplay: 8/10”
    • “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.”
  • graphics19 mentions

    The game's graphics are widely praised for their stunning visuals and beautiful aesthetic, earning high scores from users. The combination of vibrant colors and a relaxing soundtrack enhances the overall atmosphere, making exploration enjoyable. However, some players have noted the presence of graphical bugs, particularly at higher refresh rates, suggesting a need for future updates to improve performance.

    • “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.”
    • “[Presentation is top notch. Visuals pop colorfully off the screen and music is constantly playful.]”
    • “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)”
    • “There’s no lasting impact, meaningful message, or even resolution to its shallow core mechanics, but a playful aesthetic and relaxing music make being in its spaces enjoyable for a time.”
  • story12 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 centered around a game of hide-and-seek with worm friends, with each level presenting unique themes and interactions. Overall, while the storytelling is compelling, the brevity and limited gameplay elements may leave some players wanting more.

    • “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 (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.”
    • “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.”
  • emotional8 mentions

    The game is praised for its emotional depth, delivering a touching story that evokes strong feelings, even leading some players to tears due to its beauty. While it offers a pleasant and wholesome experience at a relaxed pace, it is criticized for being short and lacking in gameplay variety. The inclusion of side objectives adds a layer of engagement, but the primary focus remains on its heartfelt narrative.

    • “The game does suffer with it being incredibly short and not offering much in terms of gameplay and more of a short, touching story.”
    • “Genuinely made me cry from its beauty at multiple points.”
    • “Pleasant and wholesome, do-it-at-your-own-tempo, and very nice-looking.”
  • atmosphere8 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, many players find that frustration with gameplay detracts from the intended "chill" vibe, leading to a mixed reception of the overall atmosphere. While the initial experience is visually appealing, the gameplay can quickly become tedious, undermining the playful ambiance.

    • “Fun but chill music plays as you explore many worlds, and this soundtrack just adds to the game's atmosphere and unique aesthetic.”
    • “The surreal atmosphere is visually stunning, creating an engaging backdrop for exploration.”
    • “The playful atmosphere invites you to lose yourself in the experience, making every moment feel whimsical and enjoyable.”
    • “Spending a few minutes cluelessly dithering around and feeling a tad dumb takes away from the playful atmosphere of it all.”
  • replayability3 mentions

    The game offers a decent level of replayability due to its nonlinear structure, allowing for varied experiences in each playthrough. However, some players feel that once all content is discovered, the replay value diminishes significantly.

    • “The game offers a decent amount of replay value as it is nonlinear, and every playthrough will be a bit different.”
    • “The game provides a good level of replayability due to its nonlinear structure, ensuring that each playthrough feels unique.”
    • “[It's easy to get lost; not much replay value once you've found everything]”
  • stability2 mentions

    The game has been reported to experience significant stability issues, particularly with cutscene glitches that can lead to softlocks, preventing progress during repeat playthroughs.

    • “Unfortunately, on repeat playthroughs, I have encountered some cutscene glitches that have even softlocked the game from continuing in some cases.”
    • “Unfortunately, on repeat playthroughs, I have encountered some cutscene glitches that have even softlocked the game from continuing in some cases.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

67% average critic score

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