Just a few minutes into my first glance at “The Midnight Walk,” I found myself wondering, “Am I actually seeing the game already? This can’t be just a cutscene?” What I initially mistook for a stunning stop-motion animated short turned out to be actual gameplay from MoonHood Studios. The artistry on display had me captivated from the start.
“The Midnight Walk” wonderfully mimics the style of stop-motion films—think Phil Tippett’s “Mad God” or those classic Tool music videos. This unique visual experience is partly because MoonHood Studios has taken an extraordinary approach by crafting the game’s characters, monsters, and environments from real physical materials. Klaus Lyngeled revealed that the team meticulously sculpted around 700 objects, then 3D-scanned these creations to transform them into stunning polygonal models. The animations carry that characteristic stop-motion stutter, and they’ve used a shallow depth of field with the camera to perfect the illusion.
Lyngeled, along with writer Olov Redmalm, describes their game as a “cozy horror adventure,” blending narrative-driven puzzles with a cast of eccentric characters and amicable monsters. As you progress through each chapter, a common thread emerges—each fairy tale revolves around the themes of warmth versus darkness, and the effort to bring light to a shadowy world.
The game kicks off with our main character, known as the Burnt One, clawing their way out of a grave and piecing themselves back together. Their quest along the Midnight Walk—a seemingly otherworldly highway—is peppered with encounters alongside Potboy, a delightful companion with boundless charm. This quirky guide sports a small brazier atop its head. Players will rely on Potboy’s flame and a handful of matches to light torches, dispel darkness, and fend off foes.
Gameplay incorporates some clever puzzle-solving and stealth elements, along with a mechanic that invites players to simply close their eyes and listen—MoonHood suggests experiencing “The Midnight Walk” with headphones for an immersive binaural audio experience. And for those moments when you need a little more firepower, a weapon that launches lit matches extends your reach to engage adversaries and untangle puzzles.
While the game indeed upholds its “cozy” moniker, thanks in large part to Potboy’s endearing presence, it doesn’t shy away from the creepy side of things. Players will encounter an array of nightmarish creatures, each more bizarre than the last—expect to see scurrying one-eyed mutants, enormous spider-like monstrosities, leathery guardians with stitched-shut eyes, and enraged slug creatures looking to cause trouble.
Drawing inspiration from treasures like “Over the Garden Wall,” “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” David Lynch’s surreal worlds, and “Half-Life 2,” the game pulls from a rich tapestry of influences. However, it crafts something truly unique from this diverse mix, leaving “The Midnight Walk” with its own unmistakable identity. I must admit, this title wasn’t even on my radar until a week ago, but now, I can’t wait to dive in.
Luckily, the wait isn’t long. “The Midnight Walk” releases on May 8 for PlayStation 5, complete with PlayStation VR2 support, and Windows PC via Steam.
