Midnight Walk: A ‘Cozy Horror’ Game with Stop-Motion Film Aesthetics

A few minutes into exploring The Midnight Walk, I found myself asking, “Hold on, is this the actual game?” Initially, it seemed like a beautifully animated short film reminiscent of stop-motion, but it dawned on me that MoonHood Studios was presenting me with real-time gameplay.

The incredible likeness to stop-motion works, such as Phil Tippett’s Mad God or those old Tool music videos, is partly due to the meticulous crafting of the game’s world. MoonHood sculpted around 700 physical objects, utilized 3D scanning, and transformed them into digital models. To enhance this effect, the characters exhibit a classic stop-motion jitter, and the camera work incorporates a shallow depth of field, completing the illusion.

Klaus Lyngeled and Olov Redmalm, the creative minds behind the game, describe it as a “cozy horror adventure.” It blends quirky characters, strange yet endearing monsters, and a warm narrative spread over various fairy-tale-themed chapters. A central thread weaves through these tales: bringing warmth and light into the world’s shadows.

The journey begins with our protagonist, the Burnt One, clawing their way out of a grave to piece themselves together. As they traverse the Midnight Walk, a peculiar highway, they gain an unexpected ally—Potboy. This whimsical companion, with a little flaming brazier atop its head, assists by lighting torches to chase away the darkness and confront foes using its flame and matches.

As you navigate through this adventure, puzzle-solving and stealth are key components. There’s even an intriguing feature where a button lets you close your eyes to enhance auditory immersion. MoonHood recommends playing with headphones for the full binaural audio experience. And for those action moments, you’ll find yourself armed with a rather unconventional weapon: a match-shooting gun, perfect for battling beasts and tackling puzzles from a distance.

Despite its comforting vibe, largely thanks to Potboy, The Midnight Walk doesn’t shy away from delivering some bone-chilling creatures. It showcases a variety of unsettling beings like cyclopean mutants scuttling about, massive spider-like nightmares, leathery figures with sewn eyes, and aggressive slug-like monstrosities.

While the developers cite inspirations like Over the Garden Wall, The Nightmare Before Christmas, David Lynch, and Half-Life 2, The Midnight Walk forges its unique identity, combining these influences into something that feels refreshingly new. I must say, I’m eagerly awaiting the arrival of MoonHood’s new creation, which wasn’t even on my radar until recently.

Luckily, the anticipation won’t have to linger long. Expect to dive into The Midnight Walk on May 8, available on PlayStation 5, complete with PlayStation VR2 support, as well as on Windows PC via Steam.