Witchhazel Woods
- August 12, 2022
- Rachel Wigell
Witchhazel Woods is a first-person narrative-driven game where you play as a detective investigating the mysterious disappearance of a local author. Explore the woods, gather clues, and make decisions that impact the story's outcome in this atmospheric and immersive experience. Solve puzzles, interact with characters, and immerse yourself in the beautifully crafted world of Witchhazel Woods.
Reviews
- Charming graphics and engaging dialogue create a delightful atmosphere, making it a relaxing experience.
- The game features a variety of characters with unique personalities, and the humor in the writing adds to its charm.
- Short playtime with multiple endings and replayability due to branching choices keeps the gameplay interesting.
- The game is very short, which may leave some players wanting more content.
- Some mechanics, like the control options and certain interactions, can be confusing or not well explained.
- There are minor bugs and issues, such as the brightness setting not functioning and potential crashes.
- story24 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The game's story is characterized by a whimsical and engaging narrative that allows players to interact with various characters, influencing the progression through multiple choices despite its linear structure. With charming graphics and a blend of humor and eccentricity, the storyline offers a delightful experience that encourages replayability to explore different outcomes. Overall, players appreciate the heartfelt storytelling and unique character interactions, making it a worthwhile adventure for fans of story-driven games.
“Choosing how to interact with each creature (or human) will determine how the game progresses: the storyline is linear, but available selections ensure that there is more than one way to reach the end, and the inherent humor in the writing ensures that it's worth going back after finishing and trying out the alternatives.”
“I loved all the eccentric characters I came across and enjoyed the variety of ways I could progress the story.”
“A whimsical storyline and some great music to boot; I think it's worth a play if you are looking for something relaxing and more story-driven.”
“If you looked at this game from a very shallow, 'market' perspective, you would see something you could call a pixel-art game with very simple mechanics and a linear, easily predictable story.”
“This game is a quaint experience moving from small problem to small problem, with the main story being completed in a sitting.”
“More old gods, more of the bizarre (the bird and the moon animation), more story on the darker side of things.”
- music12 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its great soundtrack and ability to complement the game's atmosphere, creating a relaxed and enjoyable experience. Players appreciate the whimsical and charming tunes that enhance the storytelling and art direction, although there are minor critiques regarding specific tracks. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature that adds depth and enjoyment to the gameplay.
“The music and sounds complement the world really well.”
“Great soundtrack and relaxed vibes.”
“A whimsical storyline and some great music to boot; I think it's worth a play if you are looking for something relaxing and more story-driven.”
“The music feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“The soundtrack doesn't match the game's tone, which detracts from the overall experience.”
“The sound effects are poorly mixed, often overshadowing the music and making it hard to appreciate.”
- graphics10 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their aesthetic appeal and charm, effectively complementing the overall tone and story. Reviewers highlight the impressive artwork and music, noting that the visuals contribute significantly to the game's personality and emotional depth. Overall, the graphics are considered a strong point, showcasing the creator's dedication and creativity.
“This game has great graphics and music as well as simple yet interesting dialogue from all of the characters that each have their own personality.”
“The graphics and story are charming, with a dash of weirdness.”
“Personally, I think that the graphics are aesthetically pleasing and that they work just fine with the overall tone of the game.”
- humor8 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by clever and engaging dialogues, particularly highlighted in the interactions between characters like the two female crows, which resonate well with adult players. The writing is filled with witty moments and unexpected twists, creating a lighthearted and heartwarming atmosphere even in a creepy forest setting. Overall, the humor is well-crafted, appealing to an older audience while maintaining a playful tone throughout the gameplay.
“The writing is filled with humor; you absolutely must play out the entire conversation between the two female crows when you find them – it's incisive and funny – every adult female who plays this game will identify with their discussion.”
“No pressure, no stress – you have a goal to accomplish, but you advance towards it peacefully, meeting all the joyful (and maybe one creepy) fellows of the forest, discovering their stories and giving them a helping hand, for which they too will repay you with kindness - most of the time via neatly written, clever, funny, and engaging dialogues.”
“This game is full of witty humor and unexpected twists and turns.”
- gameplay6 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay features a 2D side-scrolling format enhanced by effective parallax scrolling for a pseudo-3D effect, complemented by simple mechanics and a linear narrative. Players can manually save their progress, and the game combines light-hearted elements with engaging art, music, and point-and-click puzzle mechanics, making it accessible and enjoyable.
“A light-hearted game with some really interesting art and music combined with point-and-click style puzzle gameplay.”
“If you looked at this game from a very shallow, 'market' perspective, you would see something you could call a pixel-art game with very simple mechanics and a linear, easily predictable story.”
“The mechanics are indeed very simple and easy to grasp.”
“Gameplay is presented in a 2D side-scrolling fashion, with effective pseudo-3D achieved using a well-presented parallax scrolling technique.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express that the game evokes strong emotional responses, blending nostalgia with heartwarming moments, such as cuddling a pet dog. The storyline resonates deeply, reminding players of childhood fairytales and eliciting feelings of joy and humor, even in unexpected settings like a creepy forest. Overall, the game leaves a lasting emotional impact, prompting players to share their experiences.
“Finally, this is literally my first ever Steam review. I don’t usually write them, but I just couldn’t walk past this game without saying how it made me feel.”
“As a gamer and a person, this game made me feel nostalgia. It reminded me of the fairytales I used to hear as a kid, and at certain moments, it made me feel like a kid again.”
“I didn't know a creepy forest could be so funny and heartwarming.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game offers a fun and spooky atmosphere, but its short length—completable in just 10 minutes—leaves some players feeling that it doesn't justify the full price.
“A fun little spooky atmospheric game that immerses you in a unique experience.”
“The atmosphere is captivating, drawing you into its eerie world.”
“The game creates a haunting ambiance that lingers long after you've finished playing.”