XBOX REVIEW | Gloomy Eyes

“It’s a fairy tale that’s as tender as it is twisted.”

I hadn’t heard of Gloomy Eyes before, but the moment I saw the trailer, I was hooked. Its eerie charm, stunning art style, and haunting sound design pulled me in instantly. So when the chance came to review it, I didn’t hesitate, I took the plunge into the darkness.

And now, Gloomy Eyes is available on Xbox and other platforms. Its eerie charm, stunning art style, and haunting sound design pulled me in instantly. So when the chance came to review it, I didn’t hesitate, I took the plunge into the darkness.

When the sun abandoned the world, Gloomy Eyes stepped in with a tale of love and light in the darkest of places. Set in a realm of eternal night, this cosy horror adventure follows Gloomy, a gentle zombie boy, and Nena, a mischievous human girl, as they defy the rules of their divided world to restore the daylight.

With Tim Burton-inspired visuals and clever “self-coop” mechanics, Gloomy Eyes delivers a hauntingly sweet journey through miniature worlds filled with puzzles and spooky charm. What truly sets it apart is its emotional depth, a tale of connection, defiance, and the longing for light that resonates far beyond its eerie aesthetic.

Let’s peel back the shadows and see what Gloomy Eyes really has to offer.

Things I liked!

• Whimsical Visuals | The visuals in Gloomy Eyes on Xbox are an absolute treat, think Tim Burton meets a haunted dollhouse. Each chapter unfolds inside a handcrafted miniature scene, like peering into a spooky snow globe where every crooked tree and flickering lantern oozes eerie charm. It’s all beautifully macabre, but never grotesque, more “cozy creepy” than nightmare fuel. The rotatable scenes are packed with detail, and exploring them feels like rummaging through a gothic toy chest. Even when the puzzles start testing your patience (and your sanity), the stunning art style keeps you hooked, whispering, “Just one more turn…” It’s a visual experience that doesn’t just set the mood, it carries the story, wrapping you in a twisted fairy tale that’s as sweet as it is shadowy.

• Haunting Sound | The audio in Gloomy Eyes on Xbox is a moody delight that wraps the whole experience in a layer of spooky charm. From eerie waltzes to cinematic horror-inspired themes, the soundtrack leans into Halloween vibes with a touch of classical animation flair. It’s not just background noise it’s part of the storytelling, guiding your emotions as you explore each shadowy diorama. Ambient effects like creaking doors, flickering lights, and ghostly winds make the world feel alive (or at least undead), and while it’s definitely spooky, it’s also oddly soothing, like a lullaby for the slightly twisted. The narrator also deserves a shoutout, delivering the story with just the right mix of warmth and melancholy, like a bedtime tale told by someone who’s seen a few too many haunted houses. Whether you’re lost in a graveyard or fumbling through a puzzle, the sound design keeps you immersed, whispering that you’re not alone in the dark. For those who want to dive deeper into the game’s haunting melodies, the full soundtrack is available as a separate paid add-on, featuring 40 tracks from Gloomy Eyes. It’s a great way to relive the eerie magic even when you’re not playing.
  
  
• Spooky Story | Alongside the sound and visuals in Gloomy Eyes, I found the story equally captivating. Set in a world plunged into perpetual darkness, the game follows two unlikely companions: Gloomy, a soft-hearted zombie boy who glows in the shadows, and Nena, a spirited human girl drawn to the light. Their journey unfolds across a series of handcrafted dioramas, each one revealing more about their bond and the fractured world they inhabit. As they navigate eerie landscapes and solve environmental puzzles, their connection deepens, challenging the boundaries between the living and the undead. The narrative explores themes of isolation, rebellion, and hope, all wrapped in a poetic tale that feels both intimate and expansive. Here, light isn’t just a physical force, it’s a symbol of love, courage, and the possibility of change.
  
  
• Gameplay | I was really impressed with the controls in Gloomy Eyes, which introduce a unique single-player twist on co-op gameplay, allowing you to alternate between Gloomy and Nena, two characters with contrasting abilities. Gloomy thrives in the shadows and can interact with the undead, while Nena navigates well-lit areas and avoids hostile zombies. Their strengths and weaknesses create a layered puzzle experience that demands thoughtful switching and coordination, even if some puzzles feel overly challenging. I also appreciated how new gameplay mechanics are introduced later in the story, and they work surprisingly well. Hidden throughout most chapters are two secrets to discover, such as the Gravekeeper and mementos, which add to the replayability. After completing Gloomy Eyes, you can use chapter select to revisit levels and hunt down anything you missed.

Mixed & disliked!

• Puzzles | I really enjoyed the puzzles in the early chapters of Gloomy Eyes, but once Gloomy and Nena first find each other, the difficulty ramps up considerably, often to the point where it starts to feel more like a chore than fun. Thankfully, the story and stunning visuals help keep you engaged as you explore and try to find your way forward. While the puzzles are cleverly crafted, it’s often unclear what exactly you’re meant to do, and progress tends to come through trial and error, with a lot of wandering in circles. Most puzzles revolve around moving objects, pulling levers and switches, and helping the other character traverse the level. Once you understand the mechanics, you can progress much more quickly.

• Camera | The camera in Gloomy Eyes on Xbox is a bit of a double-edged shovel. On one hand, it’s undeniably creative, rotating around those beautifully crafted dioramas feels like peeking into a haunted snow globe, and it adds a unique layer to the exploration. But on the other hand, it can be a little tricky. Sometimes you’re twisting and turning just to get the right angle, only to find yourself stuck behind a tree or squinting at a puzzle piece that refuses to reveal itself. It’s not game-breaking, but it does occasionally pull you out of the otherwise immersive experience. The ambition is there, and when it works, it’s brilliant, but when it doesn’t, you might find yourself wishing for a good old-fashioned zoom button and a less rebellious camera.
  
  
• Few Minor Bugs | There were a few occasions during exploration when I would fall or get stuck in the scenery, leaving me with no choice but to load a previous checkpoint, or worse, restart the entire chapter. I’m confident these bugs can be fixed in a future update.

How long did I play the review before publishing? 9 Hours
How long to beat the story? 4-5 Hours
How many Achievements did I earn before publishing? 14/29 OR 490/1000G
How long to achieve 1000G | 10+ Hours
You’ll love this game if you like these | Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons and Old Man’s Journey

CONCLUSION

Score: 79/100

Gloomy Eyes is a poetic plunge into eternal night, where love glows brightest in the shadows and light becomes a symbol of hope. While its haunting visuals and immersive sound enchant from start to finish, the overly difficult puzzles can sometimes dim the magic, turning wonder into weariness.