As I began my journey into MoonHood Studios’ latest creation, The Midnight Walk, I found myself captivated within minutes. My first impression was one of awe and confusion: Was this breathtaking scene a part of the game, or just an introductory cutscene? The animation was so intricately done that it resembled a stunning stop-motion film. It took me a moment to grasp that this was, in fact, the game itself, unfolding in real time.
The Midnight Walk evokes the meticulous artistry of stop-motion classics like Phil Tippett’s Mad God or those iconic Tool music videos. The secret to this lifelike illusion lies in the game’s physical roots. Klaus Lyngeled, one of the minds behind MoonHood Studios, shared that the team meticulously crafted around 700 objects by hand. These were then 3D-scanned and transformed into polygonal models. This elaborate process, combined with stop-motion-style animation and a carefully controlled camera depth, captures a uniquely captivating visual style.
Described by Lyngeled and writer Olov Redmalm as a “cozy horror adventure,” The Midnight Walk immerses players in a narrative-driven world brimming with quirky characters and benevolent monsters. The story unfolds over several fairy tale-like chapters, each woven together by threads of warmth, stark contrasts, and the quest to bring light into a shrouded world.
The adventure kicks off with an intriguing scene: the protagonist, known as the Burnt One, emerges from their grave and begins to mend their fractured form. Along the journey along the Midnight Walk, they are accompanied by Potboy, an endearing creature with a brazier perched on its head. This whimsical guide aids players in lighting torches along their path, using an enchanting mix of Potboy’s flame and an arsenal of matches to fend off foes.
Puzzle-solving and stealth elements add depth to the gameplay, with a unique feature that allows players to close their eyes and simply listen, an experience best enjoyed with headphones as MoonHood boasts about its binaural audio design. The adventure isn’t short on action either; soon enough, the Burnt One acquires a rather unconventional weapon—a device that shoots ignited matches, perfect for dealing with enemies from a distance and solving light-based puzzles.
While the game embraces its cozy atmosphere through the presence of Potboy, it doesn’t shy away from moments of pure horror. The in-game creatures are nightmarish in their own right: scuttling cyclopean mutants, spider-like goliaths, grotesque beings with stitched eyes, and slugs consumed by fury, all contribute to an eerily beautiful environment.
Watching the game unfold, I could easily identify the inspirations MoonHood drew from, such as Over the Garden Wall and The Nightmare Before Christmas, as well as the atmospheric tension of David Lynch’s works and the immersive experience reminiscent of Half-Life 2. Yet, there’s a special blend within The Midnight Walk, a unique identity that allows it to stand apart from its influences.
I must admit, this wasn’t a game that had been on my radar until recently, but having seen it in action, my excitement knows no bounds. Fortunately, we won’t have to wait too long to delve into this enthralling journey. The Midnight Walk is set to release on May 8th, available on PlayStation 5 with support for PlayStation VR2 and on Windows PC via Steam.
