Gloomy Eyes: Cozy Horror’s Unearthed Puzzle Gem

Introduction: A Dark Fairy Tale Awakens

I’ll admit it—I’m drawn to games that wear their inspiration on their undead sleeves, especially when that inspiration feels lifted from a Tim Burton storyboard. So when Gloomy Eyes landed on my radar as a “cozy horror adventure” channeling Corpse Bride and The Nightmare Before Christmas, I was intrigued. But is it just another nostalgia cruise, or does it stand on its own? After spending time with the demo and looking into its roots, I’m convinced Gloomy Eyes could carve out a fresh corner of the cozy-creepy genre.

From VR Experience to Puzzle Adventure

Before it was a game, Gloomy Eyes was an award-nominated VR movie showcased at top festivals and narrated by Colin Farrell. That pedigree suggests more than surface-level style—there’s storytelling expertise and visual polish here. Transitioning from a passive VR film to a fully interactive adventure is no small feat; the team aims to stretch the world with genuine exploration and meaningful puzzles rather than just slap on another controller scheme.

Understanding “Self-Coop” Puzzles

At the heart of Gloomy Eyes lies its “self-coop” mechanic: you control two protagonists—Gloomy, a melancholic zombie boy, and Nena, a rebellious human girl. By hot-swapping between them, you solve environmental challenges in miniature dioramas. It’s like Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons meets Coraline’s handcrafted sets. Each switch isn’t just for variety; it leverages each character’s unique abilities and perspective, so puzzles serve both gameplay and narrative.

Art Direction and Atmosphere

Rather than resorting to jump scares or graphic gore, Gloomy Eyes opts for an eerie fairytale tone. Think stop-motion dioramas come to life: every creaking hinge, moss-covered ledge and warped painting invites inspection. This handcrafted aesthetic can be risky—if the puzzles feel shallow, it’ll read as style over substance. But the developers’ VR background and emphasis on narrative hooks suggest they’re aware of that trap.

Release Information and Specs

Gloomy Eyes is slated for release on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch in 2025. A free demo is already live on Steam, so you can judge its gloomy charm firsthand.

Feature	Details
Publisher	Untold Tales (with Atlas V, Fishing Cactus, 3DAR, ARTE France)
Release Window	2025
Genres	Cozy Horror, Puzzle Adventure, Narrative
Platforms	PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch

Why Gloomy Eyes Matters

If you’ve grown weary of formulaic jump scares and cookie-cutter indie gloom, Gloomy Eyes offers something different: a measured, atmospheric journey that rewards curiosity and teamwork—albeit with yourself. Its success will hinge on whether that self-coop interplay and environmental storytelling blend smoothly with the art style’s ambitions. For now, though, it’s a promising reminder that the best ghost stories make you want to stay a while, not just survive the night.