Hoa

I really enjoyed this game, it was cosy and cute. I like the basic elements to it, however in the second half towards the end of the game I found the inverted part really tricky put my mind and skills to the test. I Definitely recommend to any players who like platformer, puzzles, and just enjoy a cosy game. :)

Completado en julio del 2026 en unas dos horas y media, o tal vez tres horas, con todos los logros. Me ha encantado. Tras varios meses dedicados a otros géneros, me apetecía probar un juego de plataformas 2D puro, sin combates, y que no fuera ni muy exigente, ni muy largo. Con lo segundo, el juego cumple. Con lo primero... los primeros capítulos son muy asequibles, mientras se nos van introduciendo los distintos tipos de movimientos que podemos realizar. Pero a esos movimientos, que no son muchos, el juego les va sacando cada vez más partido, según se van incorporando elementos con los que interactuar en los escenarios, de manera que la dificultad se va incrementando. El último capítulo, que he disfrutado muchísimo, me ha resultado muy complicado, con el escenario rotando según avanzamos, de manera que los controles quedan invertidos, y tenemos que racionalizar para poder utilizarlos, superando nuestro aprendizaje y condicionamiento de hace años en el uso de los mismos. La historia es bonita, al igual que los gráficos y la música, los cuales, aunque el juego es de un estudio vietnamita, me parecen muy inspirados en la animación japonesa, particularmente en las películas del estudio Ghibli, que adoro. El precio, en épocas de rebajas, me parece barato, a la vista de lo que bien que me lo he pasado. Además, me da la sensación de que el juego es muy rejugable. En definitiva, a mi me ha parecido muy recomendable.

操作比较简单，风景超级好看，很有宫崎骏的风格！最后一关真的很难过，有点气人哈哈哈哈，最后把平板电脑多次倒转，还是过了~

Don’t get fooled by the pretty art. Underneath the nice art style it got, the gameplay is janky and boring for a platformer, and the stiff controls do not help either, wrapped with a shallow storytelling. So, what I mean by janky gameplay? Some elements like the swinging vines, and certain jumps which require you to clip the edges in order to get on the platforms. It’s weird, it feels like something you do when you wana cheese games or speedrun them, not normally play them. And what about boring? Well, all you gotta do in this game is open up the map and go to the marked spots, no hidden things, no collectibles, nothing… this is as linear as it gets for a platformer. You might like the simplicity, but it sure as hell gets boring fast, all levels consisting of go pick up butterflies and unlock runes so that the main NPC goes free for you to interact with. Now, I played until the dream level, which I think it’s the last but not sure, cuz I got a crash during it and it sent me back to the start. Normally it would be just a setback, but what made this level special is that it crams mechanics which you did not got used too until then. You get to move 2 characters at once, at some point stage inverses controls, and let me tell ya, couple this up with some janky/stiff controls and I was an immediate “I ain’t trying this again”. Now, before this level there is one where you gotta run from a boss, so you would expect to get ready for some fast-paced action scene where timing matters a lot, but guess what? The whole level is auto! That’s right, the whole chase scene plays by itself, it’s just a cutscene… Before this level (or better said cutscene) you have the boss one where you gotta solve 2 puzzles to pass, these will be the only puzzles in the game, and to add salt to injury, both of these puzzles are the exact same, match symbols. While I did say the controls are stiff, well, they are playable, I played platformers with worse controls, so, the ones in this game aren’t that bad, but neither good. And now for the storytelling, I didn’t liked it. All NPCs which talk to you feel like tutorials, even the main ones (once you free or wake them up they either open paths or give you extra skills like double jump). Their dialogues consist on about 2 sentences referring some part of the story with the rest being tutorial stuff, like “Get me 5 butterflies for X skill” or “Go through there in order to reach the next NPC”, or “The next guy will tell you the rest”, these are things that side NPCs or just text boxes will tell you, not mixed up among story dialogues. To close up, the only ones I would rec this are kids, the game is simple, has no combat, puzzles are simple too, and battling the jankiness will be only challenge. I also see the game got some awards for the art, and I agree with that, the game is gorgeous, it’s just a shame for the gameplay and storytelling.

Un petit jeu splendide avec une DA de folie et une bande son digne des studios Ghibli. Un temps de jeu de 3.9 Heures en adéquation avec son petit prix!! A faire absolument pour tout ceux adepte de cet univers.

Que joguinho lindo!

Developed by Skrollcat Studio and published by PM Studios, Inc., with CE-Asia handling publishing duties in China, Hoa is a beautifully crafted puzzle-platforming adventure that places atmosphere and artistic expression above fast-paced action. Rather than challenging players with intense combat or demanding platforming, the game delivers a relaxing journey inspired by the beauty of nature and the wonder of childhood imagination. Every moment is designed to encourage exploration at a comfortable pace, allowing players to absorb the peaceful surroundings while following Hoa's quiet journey through a magical world. Its emphasis on calm exploration and emotional storytelling creates an experience that feels refreshing in a genre often dominated by constant excitement. The game's most remarkable quality is its breathtaking visual design. Every environment resembles a hand-painted illustration brought to life, featuring vibrant forests, peaceful lakes, towering plants, and whimsical creatures that make each location feel unique. The animation is equally impressive, with smooth character movements and lively environmental details that give the world a sense of warmth and authenticity. Rather than overwhelming players with visual spectacle, Hoa succeeds through elegance and subtlety, creating scenes that are consistently inviting and memorable. The art direction maintains a cohesive identity from beginning to end, making the adventure feel like an interactive storybook where every new area is a carefully composed piece of artwork. Complementing the stunning visuals is an exceptional orchestral soundtrack that reinforces the game's tranquil atmosphere. Gentle melodies accompany exploration without ever becoming intrusive, blending naturally with ambient sounds to create an immersive and relaxing experience. The music adapts perfectly to the tone of each environment, helping players become emotionally connected to Hoa's journey while enhancing the feeling of serenity that defines the adventure. The audio design demonstrates remarkable restraint, allowing silence and natural sounds to play an important role alongside the orchestral score. Together, the visual and musical presentation forms one of the game's greatest strengths, making even simple moments feel meaningful. Gameplay centers around accessible platforming and environmental puzzles that focus more on observation than difficulty. Players guide Hoa through interconnected stages by jumping across platforms, activating mechanisms, interacting with friendly creatures, and solving straightforward challenges that steadily introduce new ideas without becoming overwhelming. The controls are responsive, making movement feel comfortable throughout the adventure, while the puzzle design encourages experimentation without punishing mistakes. This approachable design ensures that players of varying skill levels can enjoy the experience, although those seeking demanding platforming or intricate puzzle mechanics may find the overall challenge relatively light. Even so, the simplicity supports the game's goal of creating a peaceful and stress-free adventure. Hoa tells its story with minimal dialogue, choosing instead to communicate through visual storytelling, symbolism, and emotional moments. As players progress through the beautifully crafted environments, the narrative gradually reveals themes of home, belonging, renewal, and the enduring connection between people and nature. The restrained storytelling leaves room for personal interpretation, allowing players to form their own emotional connections with Hoa's journey. This understated approach fits the game's overall design philosophy, where atmosphere often speaks louder than words and every environment contributes to the unfolding narrative without relying on lengthy exposition. Although the experience is consistently enjoyable, it is not without limitations. The relatively short playtime means that some players may finish the adventure wishing there were more areas to explore or additional gameplay mechanics to discover. The puzzles remain fairly simple throughout, and while this accessibility aligns with the game's relaxing nature, it also means that experienced players may rarely feel challenged. Gameplay variety is somewhat limited, with new mechanics introduced gradually but never evolving into significantly more complex systems. These shortcomings, however, do little to diminish the game's artistic accomplishments, as its primary goal is clearly to provide a peaceful and emotionally satisfying experience rather than a mechanically demanding one. Hoa ultimately succeeds because every aspect of its design serves a unified creative vision. Its remarkable hand-painted visuals, calming orchestral soundtrack, accessible gameplay, and heartfelt storytelling combine to create an experience that is both relaxing and emotionally engaging. Instead of chasing spectacle or difficulty, the game celebrates quiet beauty, thoughtful exploration, and the simple joy of discovering an enchanting world. Players looking for an action-heavy platformer may find its gentle pace too restrained, but those who appreciate artistic games with emotional depth will likely find Hoa to be a memorable and rewarding adventure that lingers long after the journey ends. Rating: 9/10

не знаю как описать эту игру так, как я её прочувствовал начну с того, игра на несколько приятных вечеров (в моём случае), а так можно пройти за несколько часов без перерыва впечатления очень понравилась атмосфера, незамысловатый гемплей, и музыкальное сопровождение с визуальной состовяющей. думаю что авторы игры вдохновлялись серией игр the legend of zelda, и анимационными шедеврами от хаяо миядзаки. уж очень мне напоминает эти произведения в игре hoa, прям словил вайб хочу подметить, что игра принесла эстетичное удовольствие и ощущение комфорта, прям после работы было в кайф погрузиться в эту историю. (я даже каким-то образом в конце смог слезу пустить хпхпх) в общем рекомендую ❄️