Currently playing through Harold Halibut and am absolutely loving my time in this world. After that Edge review and several others criticizing Harold and the lack of compelling gameplay I thought this would be another case of "style over substance". However, 6 hours in I've been completely won over by the charm of the characters, plot, setting, and incredible art direction.
I can see how this game wouldn't be for everyone, and it's even a game that on paper I'd expect not to like, but playing it has been a magical experience. From what I've seen in reviews the story seems to stick the landing so I expect it to maintain a 10/10 from me. I've even decided to bring my gaming laptop on my flight this Friday so I don't have to wait another week to finish (which I rarely bring anywhere as it's a pain to lug around).
This is the first game in a while that I've enjoyed this much despite being initially apprehensive from reviews. Curious what other examples y'all have of divisive games you consider a 10/10.
edit: for those curious about Harold Halibut, here's my longer thoughts on what makes it special:
I can see how this game wouldn't be for everyone, and it's even a game that on paper I'd expect not to like, but playing it has been a magical experience. From what I've seen in reviews the story seems to stick the landing so I expect it to maintain a 10/10 from me. I've even decided to bring my gaming laptop on my flight this Friday so I don't have to wait another week to finish (which I rarely bring anywhere as it's a pain to lug around).
This is the first game in a while that I've enjoyed this much despite being initially apprehensive from reviews. Curious what other examples y'all have of divisive games you consider a 10/10.
edit: for those curious about Harold Halibut, here's my longer thoughts on what makes it special:
Sure! In many ways it boils down to feeling like I'm playing through a stop-motion TV show that has well thought out characters, lore, and plot with strong voice acting and gameplay that doesn't get in the way. If you judge the game on gameplay alone I can understand the low marks as most of it is "go talk to X person" or "go here, press A, and report back". But I'm always interested to talk to X person as, similar to Harold, I want to know what they'll say about the most recent story developments.
The level design and literally hand-crafted world helps make the otherwise tedious tasks something I enjoy. No place on the Fedora takes more than a minute to get to (usually less) and along the way there are so many details to admire in the visuals and environment that I'm never thinking "ugh I have to backtrack through here again" even after going through the hallway to the lab at least 20-30 times. Usually in these treks back and forth I'm noticing a new detail in the environment I missed or digesting the last character interaction before moving onto the next one.
A specific example of something that might fall flat for me in other games but has been one of my favorite moments here is a sidequest involving the postman:
When talking to the postman at his post office he remarks how AllWater has strict regulations around how mail can be delivered and who can open it. Because of this, the postman has a collection of unopened letters he was never able to deliver spanning over 50 years. He then mentions a regulation loophole under which an AllWater employee unaffiliated with the post could open the mail.
What ensues is the postman inviting Harold behind the desk each day to read a letter (sometimes two!) from various points in the last 50+ years and learn a bit more about the Fedora's inhabitants. The letters are all hand-written and narrated in the voice of whomever would have written them with some soft, often poignant, piano playing in the background. Once finished, the postman and Harold will discuss the contents a bit including what it implies about the sender, recipient who never got it, and life on the Fedora at that time. It's something I looked forward to each day for a few in a row until coming to the post one day to discover a note from the postman stating he had to take a leave of absence. Not sure why he had to take a break or when he'll return but it's one of several threads that I'm excited to continue and a good example of how the game has taken hold of me.
Didn't want to blow up the OP with too many details but hope this helps determine if it might be for you! I missed the demo but buying on Steam knowing I could get a refund helped me give it a shot and I'm so glad I did.
Last edited: