The Midnight Walk Reveals Its Hidden Magic in VR ✨
A fascinating dream world to explore in both VR and traditional screen, although the story doesn't always have as much impact as one might hope.
With my son's school preparing an Alice in Wonderland play for the end-of-year performance, I decided it would be a good idea to watch a movie based on the story together to further motivate him. He didn't want to see the animated version (a shame), so we opted for the Tim Burton-esque sequel, in which Alice returns to Wonderland with no memory of having been there before. You didn't come here to read a review of a 2010 film, so I'll be brief: it's better than I remembered, although it combines visually stunning moments with some rather bland ones. To put it in perspective: it's like eating a delicious pizza with unevenly distributed toppings. The Midnight Walk shares many similarities with that film and, like that pizza, offers an uneven experience, for better or for worse.
A look at the world and gameplay of The Midnight Walk
The Midnight Walk, created by Moonhood (a new studio with connections to Zoink Games, developers of Fe and Lost in Random), is a first-person folklore horror adventure with stealth and gentle puzzle elements. It can be played in VR or on a conventional screen, putting you in the role of the mysterious Burnt One, who travels alongside his companion Potboy, a fiery pot. The main quest is to reach Moon Mountain so Potboy can fulfill his destiny, but the game also features scattered tales about fire and darkness.
Art and atmosphere
My opinion of The Midnight Walk is ambivalent, as I saw in this game the potential to become a classic of the genre, but in the end, it only manages to be a decent game. Nevertheless, the clarity of the artistic vision and the skill with which it was created are undeniable. The characters, objects, and environments were modeled by artists and scanned for the game, generating a spectacularly achieved stop-motion-style gothic fantasy atmosphere. Beyond my criticisms, The Midnight Walk is a truly enchanting audiovisual experience, with exceptional voice acting and music that perfectly complements a dark world with glimmers of hope.
Emotions and narrative
Upon finishing The Midnight Walk, I felt little emotional connection. The ending achieves a moving and sincere moment rarely seen in video games; however, the overall story doesn't quite grab me. There's sadness, loneliness, grief, and regret, especially reflected in Potboy, but also light in the darkness, warmth in the flames, and interesting reflections, such as the way they confront certain "monsters." Even so, I hope to feel a stronger connection with the main narrative, as well as with the Burnt One, Potboy, and the curious character Housy, a mobile house. These three are the real reason to continue this brief four- to five-hour journey, as the rest of the story passes by without much fanfare.
Game mechanics and use of fire
The Midnight Walk stands out for its simple gameplay. Fire is a central element: light matches to ignite candles, use Potboy to burn obstacles, and move forward while avoiding Terrifying monsters. Sound is also crucial, as many puzzles require closing your eyes and listening carefully, something that works very well with headphones and especially in VR. This eye-closing mechanic transforms the environment and enemies, allowing you to discover clues to progress, such as a key that appears after blinking in front of the glowing eye of a frog statue.
Stunning visuals and VR experience
In the second half of the game, the graphics reach their most impressive point, with enormous and impossible structures that create a feeling of an infinite world. The view is mesmerizing, but here the gameplay starts to feel repetitive: collecting objects to open paths, light fires to unlock Routes and avoiding monster attacks are key. In VR, these aspects are more forgivable, as the simplicity facilitates management and the scale of the immersive world invites you to admire every detail, even if the experience can tire your neck after several hours. However, the VR implementation has its limitations, and certain actions are easier with a traditional controller. Ultimately, while you can play both ways, I recommend VR for a superior immersion.
Conclusion: a visual journey with narrative highs and lows
Like a pizza, where you expect a satisfying experience with every bite, The Midnight Walk offers brilliant moments but often leaves room for improvement. The fire, atmosphere, and characters are strong points, but the story and gameplay often fall short of their full potential. However, Potboy's smile is reason enough to join him on this long, dark walk. Do it for him, as the motivational posters in the game suggest, and live this unique experience! 🔥🎮
A copy of the game was provided by the publisher for review.
