Hoa is unfairly gorgeous. The game was announced last year with a late 2020 release on Switch, but has since been moved to an April 2021 launch, and this is the first time we've seen gameplay.
Charmingly narrated by Art Director and Co-Founder of Skrollcat Studio, Son Tra, the video shows off various mechanics, like making friends with snails and larvae who can help you reach new areas. More than anything, though, it shows off the deliciously adorable art, which has all been hand-painted, and the breezy orchestral soundtrack.
The Ghibli inspiration is easy to see in Hoa's art, and yet it looks like something all of its own - the tiny main character can change the world with some kind of magical glow ability that allows them to jump higher, further, or even wake up bosses.
Check out the eShop page here if you want to add it to your wishlist ahead of the April release.
What do you think about Hoa? Let us know in the comments below!
[source youtu.be]
Comments 30
Goodness, this game looks amazing. I'm not sure yet if it's something I'd want to buy just yet. It's got great visuals but I need to know more about gameplay before I bite.
It's got my attention though.
Those are impressive visuals!
Nice graphics, great audio but I wouldn't call the gameplay interesting.
It actually looks like a movie is being played. How can it look so good??
The fact that the developer put so much time and effort into making a moving work of art means that I’ll most likely buy and support this reviews be darned. It’s so beautiful and peaceful.
Call me fussy, but the animation leaves a little to be desired. E.g. when jumping on a leaf, the leaf is very stiff and inorganic-acting. If you're going to the effort of making the scenery look nice, you need to match it with the animation in my book.
She has a very soothing voice :]
Looks great, gameplay wise there seems to be a lot of just walking? Maybe that’s just as you get started
Aww.
It's rather twee for what was going on, but man, the music is lovely. Defo one to keep an eye on
Too cute, hopefully there's a way to run eventually...
I hope its genuine relaxing... I brought Planet Alpha thinking it would be chilled and it stressed me right out! Especially those stealth bits!
Oh look trees, that's just like a Ghibli movie.
@Clyde_Radcliffe planet alpha did the same for me, i thought would love the art work, and the art was impressive. But the game play was not nearly as good.
As others commented, the walking, bouncing and interacting seems slow. I love to support art, like Gris. But Gris, along with beauty, has some interesting gameplay.
I will wait for reviews on this one.
Art project game
Style over substance for the time being. Hopefully they can get it going somewhere. I'll keep a look out.
Woah, certainly looks the part.
It'll be interesting to see how gameplay changes. Right now it just seems like a gorgeous interactive storybook.
Like the gameplay mechanics shown here were simply walking and jumping, the pace very much constant with no control to the player. It does seem really relaxing but not necessarily fun.
Making elements interactive could have added challenge, like maybe the player could have had to spawn that mushroom/cause it to grow to reach the high branch somehow. Maybe the player could have used their magic to spawn the leaves in the right place. Maybe the leaves could have succumb under pressure after x seconds causing an idling player to fall through. That could have added platforming/puzzle challenge to the game.
I need to see more. But i think from this demo their goal is narrative and pacing for a calm relaxing experience. Which is great for those it interests. Just not me.
@Bydlak Tentatively agree, but this is just the first level, so I expect it gets more interesting later on.
@dugan Yeah, it's a shame as Planet Alpha has an amazing atmosphere. I was on the fence on Gris so might check it out next time it's on sale. 😃
This game was developed by a Vietnamese studio. The more people in more places making interesting games, the better it is for everyone.
This looks amazing and fun.. on my list of must haves!!
This is exactly why I care more about Indie games than any other type of game right now. This is a day one for me.
Each animation looks like it will charming once.
I have been captivated
Gosh, what a beauty!
It looks stunning but very simple in the gameplay.
I like this very much. It's a trailer-demo ppl! It's just showing the simplest most basic ideas of the gamea base concept. Awaken/light up bugs and they help you in some way or another. It's clearly not a preview of the games most impressive moments. Anyone else remember "Majora's mask" first look rofl. Judge it by that and you'd think the WHOLE game was a deku scrub wandering around a tiny town area playing hide and seek with children.
@Tangerine i had to see if anyone made this comment before i did. She has an enchanting, beautiful voice, IMHO.
Unfairly gorgeous? What's that supposed to mean? Gorgeous wasn't extreeeeeme enough?
Gorgeous visuals but super simplr platforming. Maybe style greatly over substance? Nees reviews.
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