Midnight Walk: A Cozy Horror Game with Stop-Motion Film Appeal

A few minutes into my initial exposure to The Midnight Walk, I found myself questioning, “Is this truly the game and not just a cutscene?” It appeared to be a captivating stop-motion animated short film, but I quickly realized MoonHood Studios was actually sharing real-time game footage with me.

What’s fascinating about The Midnight Walk is how it mirrors the style of stop-motion films, reminiscent of Phil Tippett’s Mad God or classic Tool music videos. The seamless integration is partly due to the game’s unique design. Characters, monsters, and environments have all been meticulously crafted from physical materials. According to Klaus Lyngeled of MoonHood, the team sculpted around 700 objects, scanned them in 3D, and transformed them into polygonal models. The stop-motion stutter animation and shallow depth of field in the camera blend beautifully to capture this look.

Lyngeled, along with writer Olov Redmalm, explains their game as being a “cozy horror adventure,” a first-person, narrative-driven puzzle experience filled with quirky characters and endearing monsters. Across its various chapters intertwined with fairy tales, a recurring theme shines through: a strife to return light to a dim world by contrasting warmth and darkness.

The Midnight Walk begins with the protagonist, known as the Burnt One, as they emerge from a grave and begin to mend their body. Along their journey through the mysterious Midnight Walk, they are accompanied by Potboy, a delightfully weird and playful creature. Potboy, with a small brazier perched atop its head, assists players in lighting torches using matches, casting light upon the Midnight Walk to ward off foes.

Gameplay is a blend of puzzle-solving, stealth, and a unique aspect where you have the option to simply close your eyes and listen. MoonHood recommends wearing headphones to fully appreciate the binaural audio, enhancing the immersive experience. There’s also a distinct twist on traditional gunplay: the Burnt One wields a weapon that fires lit matches, which extends their ability to combat monsters and solve puzzles.

Though much of The Midnight Walk embraces its “cozy” charm, especially with Potboy’s presence, the game doesn’t shy away from its darker elements. Expect to encounter unsettling creatures and bosses—mutant cyclopes skitter across the screen, spider-like horrors loom ominously, leather-clad beings with sewn-shut eyes creep through shadows, and slug-like monstrosities bristle with anger.

With inspirations like Over the Garden Wall, The Nightmare Before Christmas, David Lynch, and Half-Life 2, the game feels like a fresh, distinct creation despite its familiar influences. The combination of these elements alongside its crafting prowess makes The Midnight Walk a unique entry in the gaming landscape. I must admit, I wasn’t anticipating MoonHood’s new release until just recently, but now I await it eagerly.

Luckily, there isn’t long to wait. The Midnight Walk is set to release on May 8 for PlayStation 5, with support for PlayStation VR2, and for Windows PC via Steam.