Review of Harold Halibut: A Charming Sci-Fi Adventure with Wit, Style, and Substance
Review: In a gaming landscape filled with sprawling open worlds and action-packed blockbusters, narrative-driven indie adventures like Harold Halibut offer a refreshing change. Created by the German studio Slow Bros., this adventure mixes humor, existential themes, and a meticulously crafted stop-motion art style. Released for demo during the Steam Next Fest, Harold Halibut already shows potential as a must-play for fans of deep stories and unique atmospheres.
A Unique Sci-Fi Storyline
Harold Halibut takes place 250 years after a group of humans fled Earth during the Cold War. Their spacecraft, the Fedora, never reached its intended destination; instead, it crashed into an alien ocean. Over time, most inhabitants have come to accept this underwater life—except for Professor Mareaux. Her relentless search for a way to set the Fedora back on course drives the story, and players join her as Harold Halibut, her lab assistant. When Harold encounters an unexpected presence, it sets off a chain of events that could change everything.
What Sets Harold Halibut Apart?
One of the first things that strikes players about Harold Halibut is its unique visual style. Slow Bros. created each character, object, and backdrop by hand and brought them to life with stop-motion techniques, then seamlessly integrated the animations using Unity. The result is a distinctive, fluidly animated world that feels both immersive and nostalgic.
Yet, Harold Halibut isn’t just visually captivating. A philosophical tone and quirky humor shine through even in its demo. The game explores the idea of “home” and offers subtle humor woven into everyday moments. For instance, within the sunken ship, players stumble upon an out-of-place ski shop with a hilariously absurd ad clip, while the ship’s loudspeaker system, run by the company All Water, offers self-congratulatory announcements after players use their toilet-flushing-like transportation system. Meanwhile, fish swim by with banners sporting sarcastic phrases, adding a wry edge to the game’s humor.
Gameplay: A Mix of Story and Exploration
Harold Halibut may look like a traditional point-and-click adventure, but it defies this expectation. Rather than filling an inventory with endless items to combine, players are encouraged to explore, engage in dialogue, and immerse themselves in the game’s atmospheric world. Played with either a keyboard or controller, the game shifts away from precise point-and-click mechanics, leaning more into a narrative-driven walking sim.
The focus here is on story and ambiance, allowing players to experience the characters’ lives on the ship. According to the developers, Harold Halibut is a fusion of stop-motion film and interactive game, creating a unique experience that stands out from conventional adventures.
Who Will Enjoy Harold Halibut?
While the gameplay may not offer traditional puzzles or challenging interactions, the game’s crafted world and immersive storytelling will resonate with players who love thoughtful narratives and visually rich environments. The game combines a hand-built aesthetic, retro-futuristic setting, and understated humor, making it an inviting experience for players seeking a more relaxed and introspective journey.
The simplicity of the game’s mechanics allows players to focus on the beautifully crafted world and Harold’s gentle, everyday life. Though it doesn’t take itself too seriously, Harold Halibut still addresses profound themes, promising an intriguing evolution in the final game.
You can get the game here for PC, XBOX Series X|S and PS5.
