Hob

1. GBG_Jason

   Sep 27, 2017

   10

   It’s not often that a game takes the path of no discernible dialogue, and instead relies on you to not only figure out what it’s saying byIt’s not often that a game takes the path of no discernible dialogue, and instead relies on you to not only figure out what it’s saying by body language, but also gives another language to decipher on top of it. That’s not to say games don’t do it – Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons is one of the more notable games in recent years to do this. But it’s a bold approach. When a game not only does that, but creates a sense of deep emotions within the first few minutes, and follows it up with deep combat and puzzle-platforming, you know you’re in for something truly special.
   
   The feeling I get when playing this game is the same I receive from playing something like Super Metroid, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, and a number of older Zelda games. Finding items off the beaten path is just as exciting as progressing in the story. Getting into fights with enemies much larger than you and having a little fanfare once you defeat them is rewarding and something to cherish. Gaining new abilities allowing for you to backtrack to puzzle pieces you saw previously that you couldn’t quite figure out feeds the love for metroidvanias. One of the nicer features I found while solving the puzzles the game has to offer is that it doesn’t force you to complete them again if you die. If there’s a timed puzzle that you complete and you end up falling off the ledge right after (very possible with some of the fixed camera angles), you don’t have to worry about rushing through it once again.
   
   The game offers a lot in terms of content, and the challenges are also quite dubious. While you’ll likely be upgrading your character your first run, subsequent playthroughs challenge you to beat it with less than 5 deaths (Limbo, anyone?) and no optional upgrades. These are certainly doable, as the game offers a few difficulty options, but fun and worthy challenges nonetheless.
   
   The skills that were learned in the creation of the Torchlight series are evident here. The level creation, the ability to see your character through the environment with the fixed camera (love this so much – I forgot how much I prefer to not have to control the camera in this type of game), and the overall art direction are all reminiscent of my time with their previous games.
   
   Perhaps my favorite character of the game is the world itself. While many games boast a living, breathing, open world, they still often feel lifeless. In this, you can’t stray too far off from the provided paths, lest you be hurt or killed by the fauna on the walls – be they toxic or not. This may be seen as a cheap tactic, and it can be depending on how it’s implemented, but it’s done so masterfully here. Perhaps the most awe-inspiring part of the game is when the world itself changes by your doing. You’ll see this a bit from the robot at the beginning, but soon you’ll be making much bigger changes to the world you live in. Whether it be a dungeon or simply a wall to walk across, the ever changing world is one of the coolest aspects you’ll find in video games today.
   
   I’m hoping that this ends up a sleeper hit, as people start seeing and hearing just how solid of a game it is. If you were to ask what my contenders for game of the year are right now, it’d be between Persona 5 and Hob. Yes, I’ve played Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Horizon Zero Dawn, and the other heavy hitters from the year. No, I didn’t feel as inspired by them as I did with P5 and this. If you’ve been searching for that game with the special something you can’t find elsewhere, you’ve found it.… Expand

   • 9 of 13 users found this helpful
2. Artur1957

   Dec 10, 2017

   10

   É uma obra de arte! Adorei o jogo, foi um dos melhores que joguei em 2017. É um jogo relaxante e repleto de puzzles que fazem você quererÉ uma obra de arte! Adorei o jogo, foi um dos melhores que joguei em 2017. É um jogo relaxante e repleto de puzzles que fazem você querer jogar cada vez mais para verificar as mudanças que ocorrem no mundo. Lembrou-me um pouco de Zelda misturado com The Witness.… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
4. Kumasimc

   Oct 1, 2017

   9

   So often games talk about allowing players to change the world, and very rarely does it happen in a unique way. Much like Hyper Light Drifter,So often games talk about allowing players to change the world, and very rarely does it happen in a unique way. Much like Hyper Light Drifter, Hob gives you a mysterious, wordless world to explore with systems so intuitive that exposition and tutorials become unnecessary. When you succeed at your goals you find the world literally changing around you. While some may scoff at the idea of minimalist adventure games, much like Rime and ICO, Hob is brimming with magic for those willing to lose themselves in the world Runic has masterfully built.… Expand

   • 2 of 3 users found this helpful
5. yitus

   Aug 23, 2018

   8

   Very special game with a great eye-catching graphic aspect. Adventures, puzzles and action are the strengths of this game that does not leaveVery special game with a great eye-catching graphic aspect. Adventures, puzzles and action are the strengths of this game that does not leave those who play it unnoticed. A unique and very special adventure that will delight gamers who like this genre.… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
6. Dubeau

   Sep 27, 2017

   8

   Hob is a nice and fun no dialogues game. First, I love the art that went into the game. The attention to details into the levels make the gameHob is a nice and fun no dialogues game. First, I love the art that went into the game. The attention to details into the levels make the game so alive. The mechanic seem to work pretty well. I got some cheap death because of twitchy landing area when jumping...nothing major. I saw some fps issues in some areas. When there are a lot particules and sunray (bloom) effect, you can feel the fps struggling...and I have a good PC. The story is mysterious and revolve around exploring. You have combat with a sword, but the main part of the game is activating puzzles, opening areas, finding upgrades. The world is quite elaborate and you will switch to the map quite often. There is no minimap but I find it acceptable in this case. I give it a 85%, and with fixes it should get better.… Expand

   • 5 of 9 users found this helpful
7. SuperDuck23

   Oct 2, 2017

   8

   Imaginative and fun to play, Hob is a solid puzzle platformer that impressed me through most of its lengthy runtime. Its art style, creativeImaginative and fun to play, Hob is a solid puzzle platformer that impressed me through most of its lengthy runtime. Its art style, creative puzzles and creepy monster designs are all worthy of praise. Aside from a few frustrating camera issues, the occasional frame-rate drop and an underwhelming ending, there are not many complaints that I have. Hob is a well constructed game that is very reminiscent of some older classics in the genre, which is never a bad thing.… Expand

   • 3 of 4 users found this helpful
8. PiePieper

   Oct 3, 2017

   1

   While Hob is a ok looking game, the gameplay and mechanics leave much to be desired. Story is meh, characters are shallow and have noWhile Hob is a ok looking game, the gameplay and mechanics leave much to be desired. Story is meh, characters are shallow and have no dimensional and music just seems like your standard indi music.… Expand

   • 1 of 10 users found this helpful

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