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.
Reviews
- Incredible atmosphere and sound design that captures the essence of classic survival horror games.
- Impressive for a solo-developed game, showcasing a strong dedication to the genre.
- Engaging story with multiple endings and replayability, making it worth the price.
- Combat can feel clunky and unresponsive, particularly with melee weapons.
- Some areas are overly large and empty, leading to tedious backtracking.
- The story lacks depth and clarity, leaving many questions unanswered.
- story246 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The story of the game is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating its intriguing premise and atmospheric world-building, while others find it lacking depth and coherence. Some reviews highlight the engaging character arcs and environmental storytelling, but many criticize the narrative for being vague, linear, or underdeveloped, leaving players wanting more clarity and connection. Overall, while the story has potential and evokes classic survival horror vibes, it often feels incomplete or overshadowed by gameplay mechanics.
“The story is well told and that ending!!!”
“Great little horror game that draws inspiration from Silent Hill, but also does its own thing and tells a captivating story through good characters and traditional survival horror gameplay.”
“The story, atmosphere, gameplay, and locations are all excellent.”
“The story doesn't hook at all.”
“What I got instead was a game with generic elements--including monsters, puzzles, and story--all of which could have appeared in any survival horror game.”
“The story was hardly there.”
- atmosphere225 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and haunting qualities, effectively capturing the essence of classic survival horror titles like Silent Hill. Reviewers highlight the exceptional sound design, eerie visuals, and a strong sense of tension that keeps players engaged, despite some criticisms regarding gameplay depth and enemy variety. Overall, the game is celebrated as a compelling homage to the PS2-era horror genre, making it a must-play for fans of atmospheric storytelling.
“The atmosphere and vibe of the game is so on point and is an accurate representation of Britain in the current year or our Lord 2024.”
“The voice acting is serviceable, but the music and audio design is superb and produces an oppressively haunting atmosphere that never relents.”
“It's incredible to me how a single developer can capture the exact same atmosphere and gameplay that the original Silent Hill games had; every time I entered a close area like a house, it sent chills down my spine.”
“Even though the world lacked proper depth, it has a rotten, dead atmosphere.”
“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.”
“Once I realized how little danger I was actually in, the atmosphere lost its edge.”
- gameplay111 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 66 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Hollowbody" is a nostalgic homage to classic survival horror titles like Silent Hill, featuring straightforward mechanics, simple puzzles, and a fixed camera system that some players find clunky. While the atmosphere and aesthetic are praised, many reviewers note that the gameplay can feel linear and lacks challenge, with easy enemies and minimal variety in combat. Overall, it offers an enjoyable experience for fans of the genre, but it may not meet the expectations of those seeking more depth or innovation.
“Absolutely nailed the atmosphere and the gameplay was good!”
“The gameplay segments and each location was impressive and a lot of thought was put into them and how it can increase suspense and tension.”
“Solid gameplay backed up by an incredible atmosphere make for a great experience.”
“Gameplay is also 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.”
“The worst part is probably the gameplay, or better to say the deterioration of it with time progression.”
“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.”
- graphics107 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics of Hollowbody are widely praised for their nostalgic homage to the PS2 era, effectively blending retro aesthetics with modern lighting and sound design to create a haunting atmosphere. While some reviewers note that the visuals may not meet contemporary standards, they appreciate the game's ability to evoke a sense of nostalgia reminiscent of classic survival horror titles like Silent Hill. Overall, the art style and graphical presentation contribute significantly to the game's immersive experience, despite occasional glitches and a lack of graphical depth in certain areas.
“The graphics were also a highlight; I loved the mix of PS2-inspired models and texture work with modern lighting and effects to really sell the aesthetic.”
“Hollowbody really feels and looks like a PS2 horror game, and this is a massive achievement for a solo developer. In the end, we have something that has a strong, creepy atmosphere due to a very well-done combination of sound and visuals.”
“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.”
“Graphically, I'd compare it to a game from the early PS2 era.”
“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.”
- music71 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in "Hollowbody" has received widespread acclaim for its haunting and melancholic qualities, effectively enhancing the game's oppressive atmosphere and emotional depth. Many reviewers noted its strong resemblance to the iconic soundscapes of the "Silent Hill" series, with ambient tracks that evoke a sense of unease and nostalgia reminiscent of early survival horror games. While some minor issues with audio mixing and occasional cutouts were mentioned, the overall sound design and soundtrack were highlighted as standout features that significantly contribute to the game's immersive experience.
“If you like your horror sad, your visual art morbid, your music melancholic, your protagonist's lonely, and your narrative's devastating, then Hollowbody is right up your street.”
“The voice acting is serviceable, but the music and audio design is superb and produces an oppressively haunting atmosphere that never relents.”
“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.”
“I even found myself turning the music down all the way when outside for a bit because the silence and footsteps really drove it home.”
- replayability23 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability through features such as multiple endings, unlockable modes, and collectibles, making it appealing for players who enjoy exploring different outcomes. The inclusion of a New Game+ mode, various difficulty settings, and hidden secrets further enhances its replay value, despite its relatively short playtime. Overall, players appreciate the balance of length and replayability, reminiscent of classic games.
“There's also a new game+ with cool modes and multiple endings for replayability!”
“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.”
“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 7hrs 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 different endings and once you beat the game you unlock ng+ that allows you to select a harder difficulty mode 'punished' along with some other ng+ things so there is some minor replay value there.”
- stability16 mentions
- 6 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 94 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag, with many players reporting various graphical and audio glitches, occasional stuttering, and issues with camera mechanics that can disrupt immersion. While some users noted that these bugs were not game-breaking, they contributed to a sense of clunkiness and lack of polish. However, a few players experienced minimal issues, indicating that stability may vary depending on individual playthroughs.
“I only encountered some bugs related to audio skipping and UI, but the game was otherwise bug-free and ran fine.”
“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.”
- optimization14 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with players noting occasional graphics and sound glitches, stuttering issues, and performance drops in certain areas, particularly outdoors. While the visuals and voice acting are praised for their quality, many users hope for future updates to enhance performance and reduce the current rough edges. Despite these issues, the game's atmosphere and combat have been positively highlighted, suggesting a solid foundation that could benefit from further optimization.
“Hopefully further optimization can help performance in the future.”
“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 30ish.”
“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.”
“Currently the game has a stuttering problem, running toggle is buggy and it lacks polish as a whole.”
“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 30ish.”
“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.”
- 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 evoking genuine emotional responses. Notably, certain scenes have been described as deeply moving, showcasing the developer's ability to create impactful moments despite the game's brevity and simplicity. Overall, the game is recognized for its unsettling tone and emotional resonance, reminiscent of classic survival horror experiences.
“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.”
“What the actual heck, I haven't had this visceral emotional/fear reaction since playing SH1 and 2 in my bedroom at 3 AM (whilst crying, because I'm a little baby).”
“Sadly, the game is really short with very few highlights set in uninteresting locations, and it features a simple and boring story that doesn't even come close to its role models.”
- grinding8 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 88 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious, with long, repetitive treks through poorly designed areas and frustrating puzzles that lack challenge. Combat mechanics are also criticized for being cumbersome, contributing to an overall sense of monotony and dissatisfaction. The nostalgia for older games is overshadowed by these annoying design flaws, making the experience feel more like a chore than an engaging challenge.
“The grinding aspect of the game is surprisingly enjoyable, making the journey feel rewarding despite a thin storyline.”
“I appreciate that the grinding isn't tedious; it keeps the gameplay engaging without feeling like a chore.”
“While the combat may be just okay, the grind offers a satisfying way to progress and develop my character.”
“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.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of dark comedy and absurdity, with enemies that evoke laughter or tears and broken pathfinding in dogs that adds a humorous element to gameplay. While the atmosphere may lack consistent spookiness, the dialogue is noted for its wit and comedic moments, contributing to an overall lighthearted experience despite the game's darker themes.
“In fact, you don’t come across monsters for a good chunk of the first area of the game – you are off the streets and exploring an abandoned flat block when you first discover the shambling, once-human monsters that sound like they are either laughing or crying.”
“-2 enemies present throughout the whole game and a few dogs with pathfinding so broken that it's funny.”
“The dialogue was also really good and in some parts very funny (at least to me).”
- character development1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers praise the character development for its impressive design and attention to detail, highlighting the well-crafted world and inventory that enhance the overall experience.
“The character development is incredibly deep, allowing players to truly connect with their journey and choices.”
“I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, each decision feels impactful and shapes their personalities.”
“The backstories and growth of each character are so well written, making every interaction feel meaningful.”
