The Midnight Walk Review – A Quiet Masterpiece of Horror and Heart

The Midnight Walk Review

Cinematic games explore storytelling in a variety of ways. Some, like the interactive drama Heavy Rain, let you manipulate events with each decision, while others, such as The Last of Us, guide you through a tightly woven narrative where the gameplay and story are inseparable. The Midnight Walk differs as every flicker of light, echoing footsteps, and shadow-drenched corridor is laced with narrative intent. It’s a game that whispers its story rather than shouts it, but can such a haunting approach hold its own among the genre’s greats?

As The Burnt One, you journey with Potboy to Moon Mountain in a quest to bring light back to the world. Each chapter along the way unfolds as a short story, packed with unique characters and inventive gameplay mechanics. Exposition is delivered through Vincent Price-style narration, perfectly framing each tightly structured tale with a multilayered, thought-provoking tone.

A Story to be Told

Though the chapters are relatively brief, MoonHood excels at telling meaningful stories. This is largely due to its rich characterization as every creature you meet is distinctive, with quirks and serves a purpose. Whether providing a snippet of lore, adding context, or lending emotional weight to the moment, these encounters deepen the overall narrative. The environments, too, act as storytelling devices. Each area is filled with visual detail that subtly hints at underlying plot points, enhancing the worldbuilding without being overt. Together, these elements create a cinematic and deeply immersive adventure.

Avoidance is central to the gameplay. You must remain out of sight from predators and scurry away if seen. While rather basic in terms of mechanics, this is purposeful, leaving you powerless so that stealth feels tense. This vulnerability permeates the game and leads to countless terrifying moments where grotesque creatures chase after you while you frantically look for a wardrobe to hide in.

Adding to the anxiety is the blink mechanic. Certain segments require you to close your eyes and use only your hearing to track your objective. Navigating the darkness while focusing on sounds adds a sense of trepidation, but the fact that the beasts are hunting at the same time heightens the intensity. Darkness plays a large part in the game. As the corridors fade into blackness, each step carries a growing sense of unease.

Each new location offers a unique method of progression, often woven into the narrative through light puzzle elements. While these puzzles are typically straightforward and pose little real challenge, that simplicity doesn’t detract from the experience. The focus isn’t on difficulty, but on the journey itself. Every area and mission is impeccably designed to deliver a truly exhilarating experience.

A Quiet Place

Areas are quite linear with some open sections that allow for exploration. Doing so will reward you with a range of items that you can pursue at your house. Here you can observe everything you collect, listen to the audio files and much more. It’s a great way to soak in the lore in a relaxing environment, as attempting to do so during chapters can be difficult.

Visually, the game is breathtaking. Each clay-sculpted creature is beautifully grotesque, their designs steeped in nightmare charm. A stunning stop-motion effect enhances the presentation, lending a jagged, uncanny motion that deepens the fear, especially in enemies that crawl. These figures often linger in the shadows, their spindly legs barely visible in the distance. When they spot you and suddenly scuttle forward, panic sets in fast. Being captured can result in a genuinely disturbing scene, perfectly blending the game’s Tim Burton-esque style with moments of real horror.  Although there are some odd framerate issues, the meticulous artistry delivers a visual experience that is both unique and unforgettable.

The audio design ranks among the best in recent memory. Haunting ambient sounds craft a suffocating atmosphere that perfectly reflects the story’s dark tone. Music swells at just the right moments, amplifying the emotional weight of key scenes. It’s a masterclass in sound design and one that elevates the entire experience.

The Midnight Walk is a special game and one that tells a deeply affecting story while exploring a range of poignant themes. Its stunning art direction and masterful audio design come together to create an experience unlike any other. Though it offers little in the way of traditional challenge, the emotional journey it delivers lingers long after the credits roll.

***A PlayStation 5 code provided by the publisher***