Hollowbody

89%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,039 reviews
  • story
  • atmosphere
  • gameplay
Hollowbody Game Cover
Hollowbody is the best horror game of the year, standing out with its remarkably good use of tension and incredible atmosphere. Clocking in at about three hours, your short time with this game will surely be memorable, tense, and terrifying.
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"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
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

89%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,039 reviews
story121 positive mentions
stability23 negative mentions
  • Incredible atmosphere and sound design that captures the essence of classic survival horror games.
  • Impressive for a solo developer, showcasing a strong understanding of the genre's mechanics and aesthetics.
  • Engaging story with multiple endings that encourages replayability.
  • Combat can feel clunky and unresponsive, particularly with melee weapons.
  • Some puzzles are overly simplistic and lack depth, leading to a straightforward gameplay experience.
  • The game is relatively short, leaving some players wanting more content and exploration.
  • story420 mentions

    The story of the game is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating its intriguing premise and atmospheric world-building, but criticizing its execution as often vague and underdeveloped. While the backdrop of corporate greed and societal collapse offers a compelling setting, the main narrative—centered on a quest to find a missing girlfriend—feels simplistic and at times meandering, leaving some players wanting more depth and clarity. Overall, the storytelling is seen as serviceable but lacking the emotional weight and complexity found in classic survival horror titles.

    • “The atmosphere, voice acting, and soundtrack are all great, and I loved the story too.”
    • “The story is engaging enough to keep you intrigued, especially with the recent updates that added more files.”
    • “The story is intriguing and I like the futuristic aesthetic.”
    • “The plot itself is very weird and meandering.”
    • “The story is the biggest weakness.”
    • “The story is painfully bare-bones.”
  • atmosphere354 mentions

    The atmosphere of "Hollowbody" is widely praised for its immersive and oppressive qualities, effectively evoking the classic survival horror vibes reminiscent of titles like "Silent Hill." Reviewers highlight the exceptional sound design, haunting music, and detailed environments that contribute to a thick, unsettling ambiance, making it a standout experience for fans of atmospheric horror. Despite some criticisms regarding gameplay mechanics and content depth, the game's ability to create a chilling atmosphere is consistently recognized as its greatest strength.

    • “The atmosphere is excellently creepy, the sound design is crackling, even the animations and character movement are great.”
    • “The atmosphere is top notch thanks to the Blade Runner/Silent Hill-esque mashup of visuals, with the addition of a droning and brooding soundtrack.”
    • “The atmosphere, sound design, and level design are superb and I really felt immersed in the story and the creepy areas it was all happening in.”
    • “However, I found that the atmosphere was quite fitting, so on the whole, it is the quality you might expect from an indie game, therefore a recommendation.”
    • “The puzzles are rare, the environments bland and repetitive, with a lot of empty rooms and pointless wanders, and enemies were not creating an oppressive atmosphere as I expected them to do.”
    • “Once I realized how little danger I was actually in, the atmosphere lost its edge.”
  • gameplay177 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is a nostalgic homage to classic survival horror titles like Silent Hill, featuring tank controls, exploration, and puzzle-solving elements. While many players appreciate the atmospheric design and mechanics reminiscent of early 2000s games, criticisms arise regarding the simplicity of puzzles, lack of enemy variety, and occasionally clunky combat, leading to a mixed reception overall. Despite its shortcomings, the game is generally seen as enjoyable for fans of the genre, especially those seeking a retro experience.

    • “The gameplay is solid, featuring a camera style reminiscent of Silent Hill.”
    • “The game has excellent implementations for combat mechanics—you can quickly switch between melee and ranged weapons during fights without pausing to navigate your inventory.”
    • “Brilliant, captures the atmosphere of survival horror classic but with welcome contemporary gameplay additions.”
    • “The gameplay is very stale... absolutely linear level design, boring and harmless enemies which can only harm you while the game is glitching, puzzles which are easier than 1+1 (besides the one in the graveyard, that one was actually ok) and some other design choices making the whole experience not even worth the small price of it.”
    • “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.”
    • “The worst part is probably the gameplay, or better to say the deterioration of it with time progression.”
  • graphics164 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their nostalgic homage to early 2000s survival horror titles, particularly reminiscent of the PS2 and PS1 eras, effectively capturing the eerie atmosphere of classics like Silent Hill. While some users noted technical issues such as texture clipping and occasional glitches, the overall aesthetic, including character design and environmental details, is considered a strong point that enhances immersion. The combination of retro visuals with modern lighting techniques creates a visually appealing experience that resonates well with fans of the genre.

    • “The atmosphere is top notch thanks to the Blade Runner/Silent Hill-esque mashup of visuals, with the addition of a droning and brooding soundtrack.”
    • “The graphics and music scream PS2 era, and I love it!”
    • “Hollowbody really feels and looks like a PS2 horror game, and this is a massive achievement for a solo developer. The combination of sound and visuals creates a strong, creepy atmosphere.”
    • “The graphical settings leave a lot to be desired.”
    • “Aesthetically, it's rather bland and grey, and while I understand that may be intentional given the setting, I struggled to find any differentiating or unique elements in its design or aesthetics.”
    • “The pacing, the graphics, they just didn't appeal to me.”
  • music116 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its haunting and atmospheric qualities, effectively enhancing the overall experience and immersing players in a tense, eerie environment reminiscent of classic survival horror titles like Silent Hill. Reviewers highlight the exceptional sound design, which includes a mix of ambient noise and thematic music that complements the visuals and narrative, creating a cohesive and unsettling atmosphere. While some minor audio issues were noted, the soundtrack's ability to evoke emotion and tension is consistently recognized as a standout feature of the game.

    • “The atmosphere is grimy and spooky, the voice acting and soundtrack is solid, and after exploring and learning more of the background plot, I like a lot of the ideas that it proposes.”
    • “The music and sound design is bonkers impressive.”
    • “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.”
    • “The music in some cutscenes randomly gets very loud and seems not to respect your audio settings; I had my SFX just above 'muted' and it was still blasting my and my friends' eardrums as I streamed it for them.”
    • “Blatant invisible walls everywhere, camera clipping through walls, music not looping properly, enemies without a head dropping one on death, dead enemies appearing alive when you revisit locations... the list goes on and on. These things ruin the only things the game does really well - immersion, visuals, environments, and music.”
    • “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.”
  • replayability29 mentions

    The game offers significant replayability through multiple endings, unlockable modes, and varying difficulty levels, encouraging players to explore different outcomes and secrets. Despite its relatively short length, the inclusion of features like New Game+ and collectibles enhances the overall experience, making it appealing for those who enjoy replaying games for new content. Overall, players appreciate the replay value as a strong aspect of the game, with many finding it worth revisiting.

    • “For a short game, it never feels repetitive, and there’s tons of replayability thanks to the multiple endings, which are absolutely worth experiencing—trust me.”
    • “There's a decent bit of replay value baked in with a new game + mode as well as post-game unlocks and multiple endings.”
    • “The bonus unlockables and alternate endings add that perfect replay value that the retro games which inspired this title utilized.”
    • “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.”
  • stability25 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with many players reporting various bugs and glitches, particularly related to audio, visual elements, and AI behavior, which can disrupt immersion. While some users noted that these issues were not game-breaking, they contributed to an overall sense of lack of polish. However, a few players experienced minimal problems, highlighting that the game runs relatively well despite its jankiness.

    • “No glitches that I can pinpoint.”
    • “I only encountered some bugs related to audio skipping and UI, but the game was otherwise bug-free and ran fine.”
    • “And then, there are bugs, glitches, and the game's overall lack of polish.”
    • “There were some audio glitches, especially when characters are speaking, and the ending was very abrupt.”
    • “Currently, the game has a stuttering problem, running toggle is buggy and it lacks polish as a whole.”
  • optimization21 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed feedback from users. While some players report smooth performance and appreciate the ongoing patches that address bugs and enhance gameplay, others experience significant stuttering and performance issues, particularly in outdoor areas. Despite these challenges, many find the game's graphics and voice acting commendable, suggesting that further optimization could improve the experience.

    • “Since the game's release, there have been a barrage of patches that add all sorts of improvements, ranging from general bug and performance fixes to quality of life enhancements, gameplay settings that can change the entire experience, tweaks to the game's difficulty, and many secrets and story additions waiting to be discovered in your next playthrough, with seemingly no end to future updates in sight.”
    • “Featuring fantastic graphics for the aesthetic it's going for and thoroughly polished gameplay with solid voice acting performances, it's easy to mistake this for a hidden gem overlooked from that era of gaming.”
    • “Other than a few optimization issues, I think the game was fantastic!”
    • “3 performance was horrid, I have a pretty beefy machine with a 7800X3D and a 7900XTX and the game stuttered like crazy.”
    • “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.”
  • emotional20 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate its ability to evoke feelings of unease and nostalgia reminiscent of classic survival horror titles, others feel that the character relationships and narrative depth lack urgency and connection. The sound design and voice acting are highlighted as standout elements that contribute to emotional moments, with some players reporting genuine emotional reactions, including tears. Overall, the game is praised for its atmospheric storytelling but criticized for its brevity and underdeveloped emotional arcs.

    • “The weird creatures, the droning ambiance, the darkness dashed with emotional catharsis, it is all here.”
    • “The atmosphere, tension, music, and emotional resonance all mesh cohesively into a charmingly macabre tale, from 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.”
    • “Sadly, the game is really short with very few highlights set in uninteresting locations, and the simple and boring story doesn't even come close to its role models.”
  • grinding10 mentions

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and uninspired, with puzzles feeling more like time-wasting padding rather than engaging challenges. While the game's short length mitigates some of the frustration, the overall experience is marred by overly large areas and glitchy mechanics that detract from enjoyment. The combination of tedious movement, lackluster combat, and poorly designed puzzles leads to a sense of annoyance rather than satisfaction.

    • “The grinding aspect of the game is surprisingly enjoyable, making the journey feel rewarding.”
    • “I appreciate how the grind is balanced; it keeps me engaged without feeling overwhelming.”
    • “Grinding in this game feels purposeful, as it allows me to develop my character and explore new strategies.”
    • “There are some decent puzzles, but they definitely start feeling very uninspired and tedious as you progress, feeling more like annoying padding to bloat the playtime.”
    • “Instead, the game clearly wants to focus on making you sad, and have you spend way too long walking around mildly unnerving areas, solving puzzles that are just tedious and time-wasting.”
    • “The level design needed a lot more attention, and several areas are overly large and little more than tedious jogging tracks.”
  • humor7 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of snarky dialogue and situational comedy, particularly through the protagonist Mica, who offers witty remarks that enhance the experience without detracting from the game's serious tone. While some players found the interactions with the environment amusing, the overall atmosphere was described as lacking in spookiness, leading to moments that felt unintentionally funny, especially with the game's quirky enemy behavior. Overall, the humor adds a lighthearted touch to the otherwise tense narrative.

    • “She wasn't overly dramatic but always reacts accordingly to the situation while also having to offer some snarky comments about the environment she's in, providing the game with a sense of humor without losing its sense of seriousness.”
    • “Mica is a great protagonist; I wish they leaned a little bit more into her funny/snarky side because there are a couple of interactions with the environment that show she has that side to her.”
    • “The dialogue was also really good and in some parts very funny (at least to me).”
  • character development5 mentions

    Character development in the game is notably lacking, with minimal dialogue and interaction between characters, particularly with sidekicks, which hinders emotional engagement. While the character design is praised for its aesthetic appeal, the narrative fails to provide a satisfying climax or meaningful growth for the characters throughout the gameplay. Overall, players express a desire for deeper character interactions and development to enhance the storytelling experience.

    • “There's little to no dialogue with the sidekick you have a chance to pick up on your journey, no thoughtful discussions or character development that you can gauge through small conversations or anything; they only share one line of dialogue once every so often.”
    • “Character design: both the main characters and enemies are well-designed, contributing to the game’s unique aesthetic and immersion.”
    • “I wish there was more of a climax and more character development in the ending.”
    • “At only one point near the game's middle do things begin to seriously develop, and this is the closest the game comes to a rising action before its climax an hour or two of gameplay later; my kingdom for some active character development.”
    • “There's little to no dialogue with the sidekick you have a chance to pick up on your journey, no thoughtful discussions or character development that you can gauge through small conversations or anything; they only share one line of dialogue once every so often - just walking!”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

73% average critic score

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Play time

5hMedian play time
4hAverage play time
5-6hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 5 analyzed playthroughs

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