Hoa

Hoa is a beautiful but brief puzzle-platform adventure that's all chilling and no killing.

A gorgeous, non-violent puzzle platformer with big Studio Ghibli vibes, Hoa is a brief but brilliant tale about the healing power of nature, and the cutest rhinoceros beetles you ever did see.

Hoa is a lovely little game that pretty much anyone of any age can enjoy. It's not trying to do something new, but rather whisk you off on a short, beautiful adventure full of positivity.

Young players still green to the simple story ideas and to platforming fundamentals will find absolute magic in Hoa. The orchestral score and hand-painted backdrops have the power to whisk imaginations away like nothing else. The tried-and-true design of a modern platform game, while unsurprising to seasoned players, will delight budding gamers getting to know the genre. Apart from its closing stage, Hoa is a paint-by-numbers platformer – and the painting is exceptional, even if everything stays carefully inside the lines.

Hoa is a peaceful experience that makes sure not to overstay its welcome. The environments are gorgeous, the gameplay is neat, and the soundtrack is captivating. More than anything, it makes me excited for what we’ll get from developer Skrollcat Studio down the road. It’s the perfect game to pick up and chill out with if you’re stressed, anxious, or just want a breath of fresh air.

Despite a non-existent and samey plot, Hoa offers a great, beautiful experience with tiny details that engulfed me into its world.

As a sidecroller platformer, Hoa offers a cheerful journey through various natural landscapes with hand-drawn graphics in the flawless Ghibili style, peppered with a spectacularly good soundtrack that fits the game's mood at all times.

Hoa may not offer much gameplay or narrative, but for those willing to savor the relaxed experience, Hoa’s beautiful art and sweeping music can whisk you away for a short, lovely jaunt through a magical world.

Did I enjoy the game? I did. Do I want to play it again? Maybe; only for the settings and the soundtrack. And the question that leaves me reticent is this: Hoa would offer pretty much the same as a movie as it does as a game. The puzzles are minimal, the paths are linear, and the "game" component surrounding the narrative is basic. In practice, it is the art that saves Hoa. Still, for the beautiful journey it has to offer, I can't say I wouldn't recommend it.

After playing multiple high-octane adventures, I took a step back on my adventures with Hoa. Instead of incentivizing challenging endeavours or tricky puzzles, Hoa encapsulates natural beauty and fulfilling adventures. Does this offer a breath of fresh air? Or was I looking for something more rewarding? Find out in this Rapid Review.