Gloomy Eyes Review (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch & PC)

When Gloomy Eyes was first released as a short film in 2019, it felt like a small, hidden treasure. It was unusual, a little strange, and stood out from most animated projects. In 2020, the story returned as a VR experience. That version was less about playing and more about sitting inside its dark world, soaking in the sights and sounds like an interactive movie. Now, in 2025, Gloomy Eyes has finally become a full video game. This time, the idea grows into a puzzle-based adventure that players can control and explore for themselves.

It’s a big step forward, but not one that always feels smooth. The game is stylish, featuring narration and visuals that leave a lasting impression. At the same time, it suffers from repetitive ideas and minor bugs. With that in mind, let us jump right into its review.

A World Without Sun

The premise of Gloomy Eyes is both strange and straightforward. In this world, the sun has grown so weary of humanity’s endless mistakes that it simply refuses to rise again. With no daylight left, the earth is swallowed in endless night, and the dead begin to crawl back up from their graves. But unlike classic zombie tales where the undead roam free, here they’re treated as outcasts. Zombies are hunted, outlawed, and forced into hiding, while humans tighten their grip with harsh regimes to keep what’s left of society under control.

Players experience this world from two perspectives. First, there’s Gloomy, a young zombie who doesn’t quite belong with the rest of his kind. He’s an outsider even among outsiders, searching for a place in the darkness. Then there’s Nenah, a human girl linked by blood to the leader of the regime that keeps zombies oppressed. Their paths inevitably cross, and what grows between them is framed like a forbidden love story, though it plays more like a twisted fairy tale. Notably, the narration, provided by Colin Farrell, gives their tale a dramatic, almost storybook edge.

The atmosphere is strong, but the narration leans heavier than it should. Instead of letting the visuals and setting speak for themselves, the voiceover often feels like it’s spelling out every theme. It doesn’t ruin the experience, but it does dull some of the magic. The story doesn’t land the emotional punch compared to the actual puzzle-solving and character-switching gameplay. 

The Forbidden Companionship

The biggest change in this 2025 version of Gloomy Eyes is that it finally plays like a real adventure game instead of something you just watch. At its heart, the adventure is built around switching between two characters, Gloomy and Nenah, each with their own set of strengths and weaknesses.

Gloomy, being a zombie, is strong and sturdy. He can lift and throw heavy objects, push through obstacles, and move freely among other zombies without being attacked. But his limits are just as important as his powers. He can’t climb ladders, he can’t jump across gaps, and touching light burns him instantly.

On the other hand, Nenah is the opposite. She’s quick and light on her feet, able to jump, climb, and interact with glowing switches powered by light. She feels much more agile, but she’s also fragile; wandering near zombies puts her in danger, so she depends on Gloomy to handle the tougher encounters.

Most puzzles are built around this contrast. Players are asked to figure out how their abilities work together. That happens in small steps that bring both of them closer to the glowing cluster of fireflies that marks the end of each stage. Now, the best moments come when you’re swapping smoothly between them, solving layered challenges that feel clever without ever getting too confusing.

The world itself is presented like a spinning diorama. You can rotate the environment at will, which isn’t just a cool visual trick; it also helps uncover hidden paths or collectables. Early on, this system feels fresh and engaging. But the longer you play, the more repetition starts to creep in. Some stages stretch out without adding new ideas, and making a small mistake can mean repeating slow, drawn-out tasks. When that happens, the game’s pacing hits a wall.

Beauty in the Darkness

One thing Gloomy Eyes gets right is the way it looks. Every level feels like a small model you could place on a shelf, complete with shadows and glowing details. The style is dark but also a little playful, giving the game a look that feels different from most big-budget adventure games. Instead of chasing realism, it goes for a storybook vibe, and that makes it stand out.

The characters fit this world perfectly. They look and move like figures from a stop-motion movie, almost as if they were carved out of wood or clay. The camera circles around each stage like you’re peeking into a tiny display case, adding to the feeling that you’re exploring a living diorama. It’s a simple design choice, but it works and makes the game feel handmade.

The music also sets the tone. Most of the soundtrack uses soft strings and piano, creating a dreamy background that matches the moody world. It usually works well, but sometimes it’s too calm. During more challenging puzzles, you expect the music to pick up and add tension, yet it often stays quiet, which can make those moments feel less exciting than they should.

Colin Farrell’s voice ties it all together. His narration is deep and weary, almost like someone telling you a story late at night. It adds atmosphere and helps build the world. However, it doesn’t always blend in smoothly. Sometimes it feels more like an extra layer sitting on top of the game rather than something that pulls players further inside.

The Rough Spots

For all its polish, Gloomy Eyes isn’t free from frustration. The biggest culprit is bugs. Getting stuck in environments happens more than it should. Now, with checkpoints spread further apart, a single mistake can mean redoing long, slow sequences. That’s never fun, especially in an adventure game built around deliberate pacing.

Camera issues also creep in. Since the stages are diorama-like, sometimes important details or paths are hidden by the angle. Consequently, rotating doesn’t always reveal them clearly. This leads to moments where you’re wandering in circles, not because the puzzle is difficult, but because the game isn’t showing you the information clearly.

The story itself, while atmospheric, doesn’t quite deliver on the emotional impact it promises. The ending is strong and does redeem some of the weaker sections. However, by then you’ve already sat through stretches that test your patience. Notably, these flaws don’t sink the experience entirely, but they do keep it from reaching the heights it clearly wants to.

What Works

Gloomy Eyes shines brightest when you see how much care went into its design. The puzzles are built around teamwork, and switching between Gloomy and Nenah feels natural. Each character has clear strengths and weaknesses, which makes solving challenges satisfying. When you finally guide them both to the glowing fireflies at the end of a level, it feels rewarding without being frustrating.

The rotating diorama-style stages are another highlight. Instead of just looking pretty, they encourage you to explore and think differently. Spotting hidden paths or secrets by turning the world around adds a playful vibe that keeps the game from feeling too flat.

Visually, the game is striking. It feels like walking inside a handcrafted model, with moody shadows and soft light giving everything a dreamlike glow. The art style sets it apart, making it memorable. Additionally, the music and narration, while sometimes quiet, add to that bedtime story atmosphere that fits the gothic world. Most of all, the game has heart. It’s not just about solving puzzles; it’s about spending time in a strange, beautiful place. That sense of adventure makes Gloomy Eyes worth the trip.

Verdict

Gloomy Eyes is a game that stands out for its atmosphere and style. The handcrafted diorama stages, soft lighting, and moody art direction make it feel like stepping into a living storybook. The puzzles, built around the strengths and weaknesses of Gloomy and Nenah, are rewarding when they flow smoothly. Switching between the two characters feels natural and adds variety to each level. For players who enjoy slower, thoughtful gameplay, these moments can be very satisfying.

But the game doesn’t always hold that momentum. Some puzzles drag on too long, repetition sets in, and small bugs can interrupt the flow. The heavy reliance on narration, while beautifully delivered, often feels like it’s spelling things out instead of letting the story breathe. As a result, the emotional weight of the tale doesn’t always hit as strongly as it should.

Despite the flaws, it’s hard not to admire what the game does well. It has charm and a unique identity in a market crowded with louder, flashier titles. For fans of atmospheric adventure games, Gloomy Eyes is worth the journey. Just know that while it shines in presentation, its execution doesn’t always hit as it should.