Midnight Walk: A ‘Cozy Horror’ Game with Stop-Motion Animation Vibes

Just a few minutes into my initial dive into The Midnight Walk, I found myself questioning, “Hold on, is this the actual game?” It didn’t feel like the typical gaming experience; it resembled a beautifully-crafted stop-motion animated film. But no, this was indeed real-time game footage, skillfully produced by the creative minds at MoonHood Studios.

The game captures that unique stop-motion aesthetic reminiscent of Phil Tippett’s Mad God or vintage Tool music videos. This likeness is no accident. MoonHood’s team painstakingly crafted and 3D-scanned roughly 700 objects, turning these into in-game assets. Klaus Lyngeled from MoonHood explained that they used these scans to create polygonal models, giving characters a stop-motion jitter and utilizing a shallow depth of field to really nail the visual effect.

Lyngeled, alongside writer Olov Redmalm, describes their creation as a first-person, narrative-driven puzzle game infused with what they call “cozy horror adventure.” Imagine a world brimming with quirky characters and endearing yet monstrous creatures. The overarching narrative unfolds over several fairy-tale-like chapters, each revolving around themes of warmth, contrast, and the mission to restore light to a world draped in darkness.

Embarking on this eerie journey, players assume the role of the Burnt One, who starts by clawing out of a grave to patch up their body. Guiding them along the Midnight Walk is a lovable companion, Potboy—a quirky, diminutive entity with a tiny brazier perched on its head. It’s through Potboy’s flame, along with a set of matches, that players light the way, fend off foes, and illuminate the shadows of their path.

The game doesn’t shy away from diverse gameplay—there’s an element of puzzle-solving and stealth, and intriguingly, a mechanic that lets you close your eyes to just… listen. MoonHood encourages using headphones, boasting a binaural audio experience. Also included is some unconventional “gunplay,” where players, as the Burnt One, wield a makeshift weapon that fires lit matches, providing both a means to fight and solve environmental challenges.

While the label “cozy” suits much of the game’s vibe, largely thanks to Potboy’s charm, there’s no shortage of unsettling creatures. These vary from skittering, one-eyed mutants to oversized spider-like nightmares, peculiar figures with sewn-shut eyes, and furious slug-like beings with a penchant for rage.

The inspiration list for The Midnight Walk is impressive, drawing creatively from Over the Garden Wall, The Nightmare Before Christmas, David Lynch, and Half-Life 2. However, despite these influences, the game stands apart, crafting its own unique identity that differentiates it from predecessors. It’s safe to say that MoonHood’s upcoming release has captivated my attention, a title that wasn’t even on my radar until recently.

And thankfully, the wait isn’t long. The Midnight Walk is set to debut on May 8, with availability on PlayStation 5, including PlayStation VR2 support, as well as Windows PC through Steam.