Developed by MoonHood and published by Fast Travel Games The Midnight Walk is first-person adventure horror game that can be played with or without a VR headset. According to sources, the game was developed using 700 clay models that were 3D scanned into the game, and stop-motion was utilized for character movements. This approach helps give the game a more distinct identity and unique style compared to most games. While the Midnight Walk lacks in a couple of small areas, especially in gameplay, it isn’t a complete turnoff, especially since it is themed more around horror than action horror. Let’s travel on this journey to Moon Mountain together to see if we can make more light out of this stop-motion horror adventure, shall we? 

Within this dark fantasy adventure, built from the ground up using clay models, the players take control of The Burnt One, a somebody who befriends a lost lantern creature named Potboy. This duo must utilize Potboy’s flame to light their way across a darkened world that is filled with wonder and horror in order to make their way through the Midnight Walk to the top of Moon Mountain where they can reignite the sun that brings light to the entire land and save it from the living embodiment of darkness. On their journey, they will come across all types of creatures, from monsters who will want to devour Potboy’s light to small communities who destroyed themselves and their land due to the lack of fire and the many monsters who thrive off of the darkness itself.

While the main goal is to escort Potboy to Moon Mountain, the game is divided into five chapters, each of which involves The Burnt One and Potboy assisting different communities that have been plagued by chaos due to the lack of fire. The game can be played with or without a VR headset; however, deciding between the two play styles is the player’s choice. It is important to note that there is no combat system in The Midnight Walk, despite unlocking a tool that can light torches from a distance, it is primarily used just for puzzle solving and distracting enemies and not combat. Most monsters can be avoided by simply either hiding from them, running away, or illuminating the area if the option is available. One way players can solve puzzles is by utilizing the mechanic of the character closing their eyes and listening for audio cues that can either progress the character further or just discover secrets and collectables in the area. 

The biggest highlight of the midnight walk is its visuals. With over 700 clay models being digitally animated and placed within the game the look and style of it is very reminiscent of a Tim Burton Stop motion film. Each level is filled to the brim with creepy and dreary imagery that can either be interpreted as Gothic horror or Gothic horror comedy but when there is something unsettling, it is definitely very unsettling due to the Janky movements that makes the game look like it was animated to be a stop motion animation. The characters of The Burnt One and Potboy do not speak, but every beginning and ending of a chapter is narrated by a ominous narrator and every now and then one of the many residents will give directions and exposition that will help the protagonist proceed forward into what they need to do next. 

Despite the artistic visuals and compelling narrative, The Midnight Walk isn’t a complete masterpiece. One of the biggest downsides is it’s gameplay because there isn’t a lot of depth with the gameplay mechanics, but that was no doubt due to the larger push for visuals and narrative storytelling. Another factor to consider would be the game’s compatibility with VR which would also have no doubt required more focus in those two areas. Even though some of the best games often require fun gameplay, Virtual reality is still in the early stage of development, especially now with the Meta Quest three seemingly finally getting a handle on what a VR game should be with other titles.

Regardless of the simplistic gameplay, the Midnight Walk is still an overall great visual narrative adventure, with many stunning visuals and compelling narrative storytelling. Hopefully, more games will incorporate this style of stop-motion animation, especially if they were to eventually incorporate a more detailed gameplay flow. MoonHood in Fast Travel Games outdid themselves with this product and here’s hoping in the future they continue to develop and publish more great narrative adventures with very distinctive visuals.

Overall Score: 8 out of 10

Reviewed on PlayStation 5