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- T
- astragon
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- astragon
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- astragon
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- astragon
Howl
Released On: Nov 14, 2023
70
User Score
Available after 4 ratings
tbd
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 10 Critic Reviews
70
30% Positive
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
70% Mixed
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 10 Critic Reviews
70
30% Positive
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
70% Mixed
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Despite initially relying a little too much on trial and error, Howl is an absolute delight once its mechanics click. What initially appears as a simplistic tactical RPG soon morphs into a devilishly difficult puzzle game that begs for repeated playthroughs as you gain a greater command of new mechanics and the core gameplay loops. Whether you’re after a tactical RPG that does things a little bit differently or a puzzle experience that gets increasingly rewarding the more you invest yourself in it, Howl is an easy recommendation.
If you like strategic puzzle games that require tight planning and careful use of a limited set of options, you’ll get a lot of out of Howl. It squanders its decent story set-up, but if you come for the gameplay you won’t likely be disappointed. The intriguing presentation pulls you in, tickling your imagination while you learn the ropes and get to the real meat of the game.
Ultimately, while Howl doesn’t do anything new or groundbreaking, it’s a solid indie title that knows what it wants to be. Its aesthetics and challenge make it a compelling experience, especially for players looking for something to work into their daily puzzle rotations - a crossword or Wordle for fantasy fans.
On the one hand, you essentially get three times as many puzzles as the game has levels. On the other, you’ll be spending a chunk of time with each level, which really breaks-up the narrative flow of the story. I think it might have been better to limit the puzzles to single goals, perhaps with some optional bonuses, and keep the game flowing. As things are, though, you’ll need to ask yourself if you’ll enjoy spending the extra time with each level. If you’re intrigued by the idea of cracking each puzzle three times with different goals, you’ll probably enjoy Howl. However, if the thought of spending so much time with each level sounds like a grind to you, or you’d prefer to have the freedom to experiment with different tactics, you’ll probably find the game to be frustrating. As such I can’t recommend the game to everyone, just those in the former group.
Howl combines challenging turn-based gameplay, creative visual effects, and a somber story to produce a unique strategy puzzle game. Built-in repetition and a lack of instruction do slow things down, but, taken in smaller doses, there’s enough here to compel most puzzle fans through to its resolution.
The game may look like a tactical RPG at first glance, but at its core it is a logic puzzle with one optimal path. It's a shame, because it would have been much more satisfying to master everything at once. [Issue#332]
Howl is an earnest effort with a strong aesthetic and creative vision. It’s easy to imagine that it’s going to find an audience among people who pick it up on a whim – because in screenshots and video, it does stand out – and then find themselves absorbed in the puzzles. Unfortunately, while it does get challenging, Howl outlives its welcome, and the strange decision to deliberately add repetition into something that should have focused on forward momentum really hurts it in the end. If it was half the game it would have been twice as impressive.
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Summary A turn-based tactical folktale in living ink Howl is a turn-based tactical folktale set in medieval times. A sinister "howling plague" has ravaged the land, turning all who hear it into feral beasts. You play a deaf heroine plunging into danger in search of a cure. Plan up to six steps in advance to outmaneuver your opponents: wolf...
Rated T
for Teen
Platforms:
- Nintendo Switch
- PC
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series X
Initial Release Date: Nov 14, 2023
Developer:
- Mi'pu'mi Games
Publisher: astragon
Genres:
