Howl

Howl is a turn-based tactical folktale set in medieval times. A sinister "howling plague" has ravaged the land, turning all who hear it into feral beasts. You play a deaf heroine plunging into danger in search of a cure.

81%Game Brain Score

graphics, music

story, grinding

100% User Score Based on 37 reviews

Critic Score 79%Based on 12 reviews

Platforms

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About

"Howl" is a turn-based tactical game set in medieval times where you play as a deaf heroine on a quest to find a cure for the "howling plague." This plague has turned people into feral beasts, and you must outmaneuver them using up to six steps of advanced planning and a variety of abilities. As you progress, you'll upgrade your skills and unlock more action slots, while also shaping your own prophecy through your choices in battle.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

100%

Audience ScoreBased on 32 reviews

graphics7 positive mentions

grinding1 negative mentions

The game features beautiful art and a charming storybook atmosphere, enhanced by soothing music and narration.
It offers enjoyable and challenging puzzle mechanics that encourage strategic thinking without becoming overly complex.
The game has a well-balanced length, providing a satisfying experience without overstaying its welcome.

The story is relatively shallow and lacks depth, with minimal narrative development throughout the game.
There is limited replay value, as the puzzles are predictable and the mechanics do not offer much variety.
Some players may find the final level frustrating due to random elements that disrupt the otherwise algorithm-based gameplay.

story
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
63%
19%
The game's story is generally considered straightforward and simplistic, lacking depth and replay value, yet it is presented in a charming, storybook style with engaging visuals and narration. While some players appreciate the unique premise and representation of a deaf protagonist, others find the narrative lacking in substance and complexity. Overall, the story serves as a basic framework for the gameplay rather than a compelling driving force.
- “The story is relatively straightforward, but nicely narrated as if it were a bedtime story.”
- “Howl is a short and sweet little game with a very interesting story premise: a plague that turns people into beasts if they hear another beast's howl.”
- “Having the hero be a deaf woman in a world overrun by werewolves whose very howls turn you into a beast is a story setup I absolutely adore.”
- “There's not really any story or anything else to keep you going.”
- “The story is relatively straight-forward, but nicely narrated as if it was a bed-time story.”
- “I was not impressed by the story.”
graphics
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
17%
25%
The game's graphics are widely praised for their charming, hand-drawn art style that evokes a storybook ambiance, enhancing the overall atmosphere alongside a well-composed soundtrack and narration. Players appreciate the soothing and somber visuals, which effectively complement the gameplay and narrative, creating an engaging experience. Overall, the combination of appealing graphics and music significantly contributes to the game's allure.
- “The art style and ambiance in this game are soothing and somber, like a well-loved fairy tale, and the music/narration add so much as well.”
- “The graphics have a very pleasant and unique 'hand-drawn' art direction, like you're looking at mobile ink on paper.”
- “I immediately liked the game's storybook visuals and was intrigued by the promise of challenging tactical gameplay.”
- “The graphics are outdated and lack the detail expected from modern games.”
- “The character models look stiff and lifeless, which detracts from the overall experience.”
- “The environments feel bland and uninspired, making exploration less enjoyable.”
music
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, described as soothing and fairy tale-like, with beautiful soundtracks that complement the art style and gameplay. Reviewers note that the music and narration are integral to the experience, creating a captivating ambiance that draws players in. Overall, the combination of music, art, and gameplay contributes to a unique and immersive experience.
- “The art style and ambiance in this game are soothing and somber, like a well-loved fairy tale, and the music/narration add so much as well.”
- “The music perfectly suits the vibes of the game; the faint strums of guitar strings are exactly the kind of music I want for a puzzle/tactics game like this.”
- “I really enjoyed the gameplay, music, and art; everything lends itself to a beautiful, fairytale-inspired atmosphere.”
gameplay
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
33%
25%
The gameplay is characterized by its charming art style and minimalistic, turn-based mechanics that encourage elegant solutions to puzzles. While the tactical depth is appreciated, some players note limitations in combat and enemy mechanics, leading to a lack of replay value. Overall, the game offers an enjoyable experience with a beautiful aesthetic and engaging soundtrack, making it a worthwhile purchase for its price.
- “Very enjoyable puzzle game, not too many mechanics, but uses them elegantly.”
- “It has beautiful art, a lovely soundtrack, a unique premise and fascinating gameplay.”
- “Intuitive mechanics, charming presentation, and just long enough to feel fully realized without overstaying its welcome.”
- “The fight/hide mechanics are rather limited, but there are multiple ways to use them in a particular level and with an ever-increasing number of enemies on each level it's not easy to get through the game, especially if you're in for all achievements and don't use assist mode.”
- “There's not much to the story, it could have done a better job of explaining its enemy mechanics, and it probably doesn't have much if any replay value, but it was definitely worth the five bucks I paid for it.”
- “The aesthetic and the setting work well together to carry the gameplay, and the soundtrack and narration keep you interested.”
atmosphere
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
80%
60%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its engaging narration, stunning visuals, and enchanting music, all of which work together to create a charming, storybook-like experience. The folk tale elements and dark adventure tone enhance the overall ambiance, making it appealing even to those less familiar with strategy and tactics games.
- “All with wonderful narration and stellar art that complement one another perfectly to create a super charming storybook atmosphere.”
- “I really enjoyed the gameplay, music, and art; everything lends itself to a beautiful, fairytale-inspired atmosphere.”
- “The folk tale atmosphere drew me in as the player character’s letter-writing voice-over narration set the tone for a dark adventure.”
- “The game’s atmosphere felt flat and uninspired, lacking the depth needed to immerse players in its world.”
- “Despite the beautiful graphics, the atmosphere was lifeless and failed to evoke any real emotion or tension.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
100%
Overall, the game has limited replayability due to its simplistic story and lack of depth in enemy mechanics, with players noting that while the puzzles are enjoyable, they do not offer enough variety to warrant multiple playthroughs. However, many feel the experience is still worth the low price.
- “The game offers a variety of challenges that make each playthrough feel fresh and engaging.”
- “With multiple paths and outcomes, the replayability factor is high, encouraging players to explore different strategies.”
- “Each session reveals new elements and surprises, making you want to dive back in for another round.”
- “There's not much to the story, it could have done a better job of explaining its enemy mechanics, and it probably doesn't have much, if any, replay value.”
- “While each puzzle is entertaining to figure out, there's not much replay value.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate that the game's grinding elements are visually appealing and provide a solid challenge, striking a balance that avoids becoming tedious or stressful.