Hollowbody
- September 12, 2024
- Headware Games
- 5h median play time
Get on Steam"Hollowbody" is a single-player Adventure game with exceptional graphics, atmospheric music, and perfected game mechanics. As Mica, an unlicensed black market shipper, players must navigate through a dangerous exclusion zone to find their missing partner, Sasha, who went in search of answers 12 days ago. Players must manage resources, solve puzzles, and fight for their lives in this suspenseful and immersive gaming experience.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Hollowbody captures the atmosphere and gameplay of classic survival horror games, particularly Silent Hill 2, with its eerie environments and sound design.
- The game features a compelling story with strong voice acting, immersing players in a dystopian world filled with tension and intrigue.
- The inclusion of multiple endings and a New Game+ mode adds replayability, encouraging players to explore different choices and outcomes.
- The melee combat feels clunky and inconsistent, making it frustrating to engage with enemies effectively.
- Some puzzles are overly simplistic, lacking the depth and challenge expected from survival horror games.
- The game can feel short, with some players completing it in under 5 hours, leaving them wanting more content and variety.
- story185 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The game's story has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its atmospheric and immersive world-building, while others criticize it for being shallow, confusing, or lacking depth. Many noted that the narrative is enhanced by environmental storytelling and collectibles, but some felt it didn't fully develop its intriguing concepts or character arcs, leaving them wanting more. Overall, while the story has its moments and can be engaging, it often feels incomplete or overly simplistic compared to classic survival horror titles.
“Fantastic atmosphere and an interesting story that doesn't outstay its welcome.”
“The story is intriguing and I like the futuristic aesthetic.”
“The ambiance and tone, the pieces of environmental storytelling thrown about, every nook and cranny of a scene that's just asking to be explored.”
“The story makes no sense, and I was glad to be finished.”
“The only downside to me is that the story was very linear without any big twists or anything interesting happening; it was just like 'go save this person' and that's it.”
“The game lacks any real depth; it’s very shallow and feels unfinished at certain parts. The story is thrown at you but doesn’t stick at all.”
- atmosphere176 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of "Hollowbody" is widely praised for its immersive and eerie qualities, effectively capturing the essence of classic PS2 survival horror games like "Silent Hill." Reviewers highlight the game's exceptional sound design, haunting visuals, and a strong sense of foreboding that keeps players on edge, although some note that the tension can diminish over time. Overall, the game is celebrated as a compelling homage to the genre, with a rich atmosphere that enhances the storytelling and exploration experience.
“Brilliant, captures the atmosphere of survival horror classics but with welcome contemporary gameplay additions.”
“Hollowbody is saturated with morbid atmosphere, dredging up those creepy vibes that so few modern horror games truly seem to nail.”
“The atmosphere is intense.”
“There's not a lot to find in these expanses of open space either, so instead of being tense or rewarding a lot of exploration, it's more mind numbing and works against the tense atmosphere the game seems to so badly want to create.”
“But sadly the oppressive atmosphere from the beginning and the tech noir setting doesn't last long which was a bit disappointing.”
“I do think some of the atmosphere dies out as the game goes on.”
- graphics86 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are a nostalgic homage to the PS2 era, effectively capturing the aesthetic and atmosphere reminiscent of classic survival horror titles. While some players appreciate the charming retro visuals and sound design, others note that the graphics may not reach modern standards, leading to a mixed reception regarding their overall impact on gameplay. Despite this, many agree that the visuals contribute significantly to the game's immersive experience, particularly in creating a haunting and gritty atmosphere.
“Still, really great game, fantastic visuals and killer atmosphere.”
“The graphics, environments, and creature designs all looked like something that would have come out at the start of the 6th console generation.”
“The visual aesthetic and art direction of this game is superb and is a large contributor to why I finished the game in the first place.”
“The graphical settings leave a lot to be desired.”
“Overall, a very mediocre game outside its visuals and sound.”
“A lot of repeating visuals can make the game feel repetitive.”
- gameplay84 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this title is a nostalgic homage to classic PS2-era survival horror, featuring intuitive controls and atmospheric design, but it often falls short in challenge and variety, with many puzzles being overly simplistic and combat lacking depth. While some players appreciate the throwback mechanics and aesthetic, others criticize the game for its clunky execution and minimal impact of player choices, leading to a mixed reception overall. Despite its flaws, the game is recommended for fans of the genre looking for a retro experience, though it may not satisfy those seeking modern gameplay innovations.
“This game has multiple endings and a NG+ mode allowing for extended gameplay and enjoyment.”
“Brilliant, captures the atmosphere of survival horror classics but with welcome contemporary gameplay additions.”
“Solid gameplay backed up by an incredible atmosphere make for a great experience.”
“No real sense of urgency or horror due to the walking sim nature of the game; it doesn't hold a candle to the originals in terms of gameplay or challenge.”
“The gameplay is a bit lacking; the shotgun is ineffective, and it makes me sad. The main story is also lacking a bit.”
“The gameplay is relatively simplistic, but that too is a throwback to the old survival horror games of yore, going back even before the PS2 era.”
- music60 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music and sound design in the game have received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers highlighting its ability to create a haunting atmosphere reminiscent of classic survival horror titles like Silent Hill. The ambient soundtrack is described as both impressive and unnerving, effectively enhancing the game's emotional resonance and tension, although some noted occasional issues with audio mixing and looping. Overall, the combination of excellent voice acting and a compelling soundtrack contributes significantly to the game's immersive experience.
“The atmosphere, tension, music, and emotional resonance all mesh cohesively into a charmingly macabre tale, from a ravaged Britain.”
“The music, the sounds, the combat... it's all so perfect.”
“Hollowbody's music is evocative of Silent Hill: less a conventional soundtrack and more a collection of eerie, droning soundscapes that will burrow into your mind and follow you home at night.”
“Though the sometimes odd pacing and prolonged moments of silence in parts of the game made me bump some music in the background to bypass the brief slogs.”
“Audio mixing needs a little fine tuning; sometimes the dialogue would get drowned out with music/environmental audio.”
“Also, there is a bit of jank here and there, quite a few invisible walls, and the music would cut off for a split second, I think to reset the loop or something. I don't mind these things, but some might find them annoying.”
- replayability20 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability through multiple endings, unlockable modes, and collectibles, making it appealing for players who enjoy exploring different outcomes and challenges. While the main story is relatively short, the inclusion of features like New Game Plus and various difficulty settings enhances its replay value. Overall, players appreciate the blend of retro-inspired elements and modern gameplay mechanics that encourage repeated playthroughs.
“It's shorter than I expected, but it clearly has plenty of replayability with multiple endings and unlocks.”
“The bonus unlockables and alternate endings add that perfect replay value that the retro games which inspired this title utilized.”
“With achievements, difficulty settings, collectibles, and multiple endings – this game is practically built for replayability.”
“Hollowbody feels like a game that has a ton of potential, a ton of great ideas and worldbuilding, but doesn't quite know how to fit the pieces together to create a replayable experience.”
“Game is not very long (took me about 7 hours to complete) but I feel this is a good length for the money and there is also some replayability with alternate endings and a secret weapon for those willing to backtrack.”
“That being said, there are at least a couple of different endings and once you beat the game you unlock New Game Plus that allows you to select a harder difficulty mode 'punished' along with some other New Game Plus features, so there is some minor replay value there.”
- stability13 mentions
- 8 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 92 % negative mentions
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with players reporting numerous visual and audio glitches, camera issues, and inconsistent animations that detract from the overall experience. While some users noted a lack of significant bugs, the majority highlighted a general sense of jankiness and a need for polish, impacting immersion and gameplay. Overall, the game struggles with stability, featuring a mix of minor and major technical issues that hinder its potential.
“I only encountered a few bugs related to audio skipping and the UI, but the game was otherwise bug-free and ran smoothly.”
“The game maintained a stable performance throughout my playthrough, with minimal issues.”
“I experienced very few glitches, and the overall stability of the game was impressive.”
“My biggest issues are the strange visual glitches in the menu and the janky physical attacks with your weapons.”
“Currently the game has a stuttering problem, running toggle is buggy and it lacks polish as a whole.”
“There are glitches, such as every melee weapon I have used with the exception of the starting one sometimes glitches out animation-wise and will stop swinging in a wide open area, mid-swing, causing me to get hit.”
- optimization13 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with players noting impressive graphics and solid voice acting but also experiencing significant performance issues, particularly in outdoor areas where frame rates drop considerably. While some users found the gameplay polished and enjoyable, others reported stuttering and bugs that detracted from immersion, indicating a need for further optimization to enhance overall performance.
“Hopefully further optimization can help performance in the future.”
“Some polish or optimization could see that fixed as I'm not sure how it will be on Steam Deck, but so far very promising.”
“A little janky and performance is rough around the edges (100fps in outdoor sections with a 4070s/12600k/16gb 3600mhz DDR4 @ 1440p), but otherwise I'm enjoying!”
“Game also works on ally x once the settings are tweaked and put on performance mode, although the outside/rainy areas do see slowdown dropping from 60/70 fps to around 30.”
“Currently the game has a stuttering problem, running toggle is buggy and it lacks polish as a whole.”
“On the good side of things, the atmosphere is good, the combat is quite good for a horror game and the music is nice, but it's not easy to be immersed while the game is stuttering.”
- emotional11 mentions
- 91 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game receives mixed reviews; while some players struggle to connect with the main character and find the story lacking depth, others praise its atmospheric elements, sound design, and voice acting for creating genuinely moving moments. Notably, a few players report experiencing strong emotional reactions, including tears, due to impactful writing and unsettling scenarios. Overall, the game is recognized for its unique ability to evoke unease and emotional resonance, despite its brevity and some narrative shortcomings.
“The atmosphere, tension, music, and emotional resonance all mesh cohesively into a charmingly macabre tale, set in a ravaged Britain.”
“Within the first three hours, there was a scene that literally made me cry because of how it was written and the heartfelt and emotional voice acting.”
“What the actual heck, I haven't had this visceral emotional/fear reaction since playing Silent Hill 1 and 2 in my bedroom at 3 AM (while crying, because I'm a little baby).”
“Sadly, the game is really short, with very few highlights set in uninteresting locations. The story is simple and boring, failing to come close to its role models.”
“The emotional depth of the characters is lacking, making it hard to connect with their struggles and triumphs.”
“Despite its attempts at emotional storytelling, the game feels superficial and fails to evoke any real feelings.”
- grinding5 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be frustrating, citing issues with camera control, level design, and combat mechanics that make movement and engagement feel tedious. Many feel that the nostalgia for older games is overshadowed by outdated mechanics and glitchy puzzles, leading to a lack of enjoyment and a sense of wasted time. Overall, the grinding experience is characterized by excessive repetition and a lack of meaningful challenge.
“The level design needed a lot more attention, and several areas are overly large and little more than tedious jogging tracks.”
“The worst part is the old game nostalgia also brought with it the wave of annoying problems and tedious pause-equip type mechanics those old games had.”
“The puzzles are genuinely just complete wastes of time, not difficult or challenging, just tedious.”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by the presence of quirky enemies and poorly pathfinding dogs, which add a comedic element to the gameplay. While the atmosphere may lack consistent spookiness, the dialogue is noted for its wit and humor, providing moments of genuine amusement.
“The enemies are so poorly designed that their antics are hilarious, especially the dogs with their broken pathfinding.”
“While the atmosphere could use improvement, I found myself laughing as I ran around, enjoying the absurdity of it all.”
“The dialogue was genuinely entertaining and had some very funny moments that really resonated with me.”
