The Heilwald Loophole
- March 26, 2021
- Jamathan
- 3h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"The Heilwald Loophole" is a challenging puzzle-platformer where you manipulate time to solve intricate levels. Use your wits to navigate through deadly traps, outsmart enemies, and reach the exit portal. With its unique time-bending mechanics and atmospheric visuals, this game offers a captivating and brain-teasing experience for players who enjoy a good mental workout.
PC
Windows
PlayStation
Reviews
- The game features a unique atmosphere and intriguing story that captivates players, blending horror with dark humor.
- The gameplay mechanics, particularly the time loop and exploration elements, encourage players to experiment and discover new paths, making each encounter feel fresh.
- The sound design and retro PS1 graphics create an immersive experience that enhances the overall horror vibe of the game.
- Some players find the initial encounters frustratingly difficult, leading to a steep learning curve that may deter them from progressing.
- There are reports of bugs and soft-locks in certain areas, which can disrupt the gameplay experience and require restarts.
- The pacing can feel uneven, with some sections dragging on and the ending leaving many questions unanswered.
- story114 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The game's story is described as intriguing and layered, often delivered through bits of lore that players piece together, creating a thought-provoking experience. While some find the narrative confusing or esoteric, many appreciate its depth, atmosphere, and unique character designs, with a mix of suspense and psychological horror elements. Overall, the story is seen as a standout feature, though some players wish for more clarity and expansion.
“The story is given to you in bits of lore as you play the game, which you then piece together for yourself and it proves to be quite thought-provoking.”
“A game that does a lot that no other games do, there is so much tragedy and nuance to this deceptively ocean-deep story, hitting very close to home for many.”
“This game is a masterpiece, the story is really good and original, it's psychological horror and it fulfills its function of making you believe how crazy a person can become.”
“I will confess, I did not understand the story... the significance of the eponym.”
“The story was a little confusing and some puzzles were a bit weird, but the game, in general, is fantastic.”
“It felt like it needed to be about twice the size it was to tell the full story.”
- gameplay78 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay is a mix of intriguing mechanics and retro-inspired design, offering a unique loop system that encourages exploration and experimentation. While some players find the stealth elements and instant fail conditions frustrating, many appreciate the captivating atmosphere, well-crafted sound design, and the rewarding nature of the gameplay. Overall, it combines interesting story elements with engaging mechanics, making it a standout in the indie horror genre.
“The gameplay was decidedly unlike what I was expecting, but captivating nonetheless!”
“Fun and well thought out gameplay, and every part of the game has so much love and detail put into it.”
“Exploring and experimenting with these locked away areas is the core mechanic that this game is built around, and it makes 'dying' more fun and rewarding than it's ever been in a video game.”
“The actual gameplay can be a bit basic and frustrating, in that you are doing stealth with an AI that is like walking back and forth where you need to go and there are a lot of instant fail conditions.”
“Which brings me to my main criticism: I have nothing against the loop mechanic per se, but there are so many parts of the game and the pretty slow dialog that you can’t skip, making it repetitive and ultimately a bit tedious since you have to wait for the characters to finish jabbering before you can make a run for it.”
“Near the end of the game, the puzzles become more convoluted and you get lost easily; however, overall the game still gets a passing grade. I would give it a 6/10 for the atmosphere and the unique game mechanics.”
- graphics78 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their retro PS1 aesthetic, which effectively enhances the eerie atmosphere and overall horror experience. The distinctive pixel art style is noted for its ability to evoke nostalgia while maintaining a fresh and unsettling vibe, making it a standout feature for fans of horror games. Overall, the visuals are considered a perfect complement to the game's sound design and narrative, creating a cohesive and immersive experience.
“Heilwand Loophole offers a truly unique and unsettling experience with its distinctive art style, characterized by pixel graphics that enhance the overall mood, making it both disturbing and mysterious.”
“The graphics give the game an eerier vibe than a high definition game would have done.”
“Visually, the game's style is brilliant and a proper ode to old school graphics while still feeling fresh in the superb enemy and NPC designs.”
“Easy to get lost; if you want to play a proper old-school game with similar graphics, pick up Nightmare of Decay and steer clear of this crap.”
“The graphics give the game an eerier vibe than a high-definition game would have done.”
“From the very start, the game mimics incredibly well the PSX type of gamestyle: the graphics are well done, while not being too pixelated or wonky as other games (especially the Puppet Combo's ones, which hurt my eyes, to be honest).”
- atmosphere74 mentions
- 62 % positive mentions
- 34 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its unique and unsettling qualities, effectively blending horror with dark humor through masterful sound design and character voices. Players appreciate the immersive environments, which evoke personal experiences and create a deeply engaging exploration experience. Overall, the atmosphere is described as creepy, beautifully crafted, and integral to the game's identity, making it a standout feature that enhances the overall gameplay experience.
“The peculiar and unsettling voices of the characters contribute significantly to the eerie atmosphere, creating a blend of horror and dark humor that sets it apart from traditional horror games.”
“The atmosphere is masterfully crafted.”
“One of the most aesthetic, atmospheric and downright unnerving things I've ever played, such a cool concept, and some surprisingly sad moments as well.”
“Just a creepy atmosphere and not knowing what your enemies can do.”
“This game's audio creates an absurdly horrifying atmosphere.”
“A game that may not take itself too seriously but still delivers an unsettling atmosphere despite its goofy and very random nature.”
- music40 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its haunting composition and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, contributing significantly to the horror experience. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as "top tier," with unique sound design that complements the game's visuals and narrative, creating memorable moments that resonate with players. Many express a desire to purchase the soundtrack, underscoring its impact and quality, while praising the developer's talent in crafting such an immersive auditory experience.
“The heilwald loophole is something worth playing, with a quality style and extremely memorable music and sound design; this will stick with you.”
“The atmosphere and music are incredibly well composed and fit together well.”
“Tight, dark corridors, accompanied by creepy voices, ambient sounds, and a haunting musical score, contribute to a genuine horror feeling.”
“The commendable, well-crafted, and sometimes chilling music, self-programmed by the developer, adds a unique layer to the game, showcasing a remarkable level of talent from a single developer.”
“I expected to fall in love with the game and its aesthetics and tone, with dark, slow, brooding waltz and oompah on the soundtrack throbbing in the grimiest heart of 20th century Germany; I didn't expect it to make me cry.”
- humor36 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in "Heilwald Loophole" is described as a unique blend of dark comedy and horror, effectively balancing genuinely frightening moments with bizarre and funny character interactions. Players appreciate the game's ability to evoke laughter amidst tension, with many noting its peculiar voices and odd humor that enhance the eerie atmosphere. Overall, it offers a refreshing take on horror games, making it a memorable experience for those who enjoy both scares and laughs.
“Despite being a horror game, Heilwald manages to also be weird as all hell, funny, and oddly tragic at points.”
“The peculiar and unsettling voices of the characters contribute significantly to the eerie atmosphere, creating a blend of horror and dark humor that sets it apart from traditional horror games.”
“Heilwald loophole is anything a horror buff could ask for; it's a unique experience with a beautifully strange sense of humor.”
- character development14 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 21 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The character development in "Heilwand Loophole" is highly praised for its originality and depth, contributing significantly to the game's psychological horror atmosphere. Reviewers highlight the unique character designs and their ability to evoke tension and humor, enhancing the overall narrative experience. The integration of character design with sound and environment further enriches the storytelling, making it a standout feature of the game.
“The characters in 'Heilwand Loophole' are not only interesting but also showcase the developer's genius in character design.”
“This game is a masterpiece; the story is really good and original. It's psychological horror and it fulfills its function of making you believe how crazy a person can become. The character designs are quite original, and every sound makes the environment a better experience. At first, you can get confused with the story because you no longer know where you are missing something, but soon everything takes its place in the story and you understand better. I highly recommend this game!”
“Instead of relying on jump scares, the horror in this game comes from the nicely blending character design, world, and sound.”
“The characters in 'heilwand loophole' are not only interesting but also showcase the developer's genius in character design.”
“Very tense moments, unique character designs, and has a lot of humor that still leaves you feeling unsettled.”
“This game is a masterpiece, the story is really good and original, it's psychological horror and it fulfills its function of making you believe how crazy a person can become, the character designs are quite original and every sound makes the environment a better experience. At first, you can get confused with the story because you no longer know where you are missing something, but soon everything takes its place in the story and you understand better.”
- grinding10 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while the story and collectibles are engaging, the repetitive nature of the loop mechanic and slow, unskippable dialogue can lead to tedium. The necessity for backtracking and keeping track of various elements adds to the grind, making some moments feel tedious despite the overall enjoyment of the gameplay.
“The story and gameplay are fascinating, the secrets and collectibles are fun while not being tedious.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“I have nothing against the loop mechanic per se, but there are so many parts of the game and the pretty slow dialogue that you can't skip, which makes it repetitive and ultimately a bit tedious since you have to wait for the characters to finish talking before you can make a run for it.”
“Keeping track of certain elements and discovering the multitude of paths in the game does take a little bit of tedious back-and-forth work.”
- emotional8 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players report that the game effectively evokes strong emotions, particularly fear and unease, enhancing their engagement with the story. Many found it to be a unique experience that not only terrified them but also provided a cathartic release from sadness. The ability to review collected knowledge documents added to the emotional depth, offering a sense of empowerment amidst the horror.
“What it used for horror made me feel unsettled and very interested in the story.”
“Also, it was the first horror game that actually made me feel terrified and scared!”
“It immediately made me feel better by basically scaring my sadness away.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is noted for its strong replayability, with multiple interesting paths that encourage players to explore different outcomes. While some users mention it is a bit short, the variety in choices enhances the overall replay value.
“The different paths are very interesting and allow for plenty of replay value.”
“Very creepy and good game, a tad bit short but offering good replayability.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Users have reported that the trash collector feature in the game exhibits some bugs, affecting its stability and functionality.
“The trash collector who you give trash to and he gives you something is a little buggy.”
