- Publisher: Skrollcat Studios
- Release Date: Aug 24, 2021
- Also On: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X
- Critic score
- Publication
- By date
- Unscored
-
Aug 16, 2024Despite a non-existent and samey plot, Hoa offers a great, beautiful experience with tiny details that engulfed me into its world.
-
CD-ActionJan 19, 2022Hoa’s defining quality is simplicity. No complex gameplay mechanics, no elaborate story, no need to grow a third hand to push through challenging parts. That’s why I would recommend this beautiful, rather easy platformer primarily to young players. [12/2021, p.66]
-
Sep 11, 2021“Hoa” means flower in Vietnamese, so it makes sense for the game to be ephemeral, delicate, and yet beautiful all at once. If you strip away its art and music, would be a very boring game. But its art direction and wonderful soundtrack truly turn it into a playable piece of art that you just want to explore. Where it lacks in ingenuity, Hoa makes up for in the mood it creates for you within its short life.
-
Sep 7, 2021Hoa asserts itself as a nice little independent parenthesis, at the crossroads between the gameplay of Ori and an artistic direction at studio Ghibli. The latter is also a success in every way, whether in terms of sets, chara design or animation. A colorful dreamlike epic galvanized by Johannes Johansson's musical composition. Unfortunately if the visual is inspired and inspiring, it just lacks a dose of challenge and innovation in the gameplay to make the platform unforgettable. Two elements that can only be found in the conclusion of the work, enough to leave regrets.
-
Sep 1, 2021Hoa is like a magic fairy tale with a great ost and splendid illustrations, but it's too easy and not suitable for every modern player.
-
Aug 30, 2021Hoa is one of the only games I’ve recently played where my 70-year-old, non-gamer dad felt comfortable enough to play. It’s because of its simplicity and how approachable it is that makes Hoa the kind of game that anyone can enjoy and feel the calmness wash over them. The platforming can be a little clunky and the game may not challenge seasoned gamers. Although Hoa definitely brings the wholesome content we need right now – a simple story about a little fairy that just wants peace in this crazy world we live in.
-
Aug 28, 2021Perhaps Hoa is meant to be a vehicle for the art, and if so, there should be an option to nerf the reverse-control section so that we can appreciate said art without wanting to claw our eyes out. It’s also pretty funny how often you get Steam achievements—within the first few minutes of starting the game, you get three achievements including one for literally starting the game and another for moving to the next area (Steam achievements, of course, mean nothing). It’s a nice way to pass the time if you want a relatively stress-free platformer that’s easy on the eyes, but even as Hoa demands little from you as a player, it also offers little as an escape.
-
Aug 24, 2021Hoa is a peaceful experience that makes sure not to overstay its welcome. The environments are gorgeous, the gameplay is neat, and the soundtrack is captivating. More than anything, it makes me excited for what we’ll get from developer Skrollcat Studio down the road. It’s the perfect game to pick up and chill out with if you’re stressed, anxious, or just want a breath of fresh air.
-
Aug 24, 2021Hoa doesn’t want to be a challenging, head-scratching puzzle adventure, and that’s okay. What it provides a gorgeously designed experience with a brilliantly executed soundtrack. The gameplay never hinders the player’s progression through this beautiful world made even more immersive due to its beautiful sound design. It’s easy to lose yourself in moments of gameplay as everything comes together for a wholesome experience.
-
Aug 23, 2021When a talented team also manages to have an interesting idea, a little gem emerges, albeit with all the limitations of the case.
-
Aug 23, 2021Hoa is a good puzzle-platform with enchanting artdirection, though too derivative of Studio Ghibli’s stylistic elements. Hoa is also a wholesome game without death or danger, but in doing so it forgets to add interesting gameplay alternatives to truly replace conflict.
| This publication does not provide a score for their reviews. | |
| This publication has not posted a final review score yet. | |
| These unscored reviews do not factor into the Metascore calculation. | |
-
Aug 23, 2021Some may not agree, arguing that Hoa is more style than substance. But if that is to be Hoa's fate, then what style! The Ni No Kuni series may look more like Studio Ghibli films-turned-into-games, but Hoa's pre-occupation with nature, the environment, impossibly cute bugs and robots and heart-swelling piano music makes it a much truer successor to the interactive Ghibli crown in my eyes, possibly more so than anything else I've ever played. Much like the moment when troubled monster No Face slips into a steaming hot bath in Spirited Away, Hoa is a balm for both mind and soul in a year like this, at once a deep, soothing snuggle into Totoro's furry belly and a triumphant run across the raging waves with Ponyo. It may not have the bite of Princess Mononoke's wolf queen Moro or the nostalgic poignancy of an Only Yesterday, perhaps, but this is nevertheless a promising first outing from Skrollcat Studio, and marks them out as ones to watch going forward.
User score distribution:
-
Positive: 23 out of 33
-
Mixed: 8 out of 33
-
Negative: 2 out of 33
-
Aug 25, 2021Love this game, it makes me remain the Howl Moving Castle from Studio Ghibli. Make my peace and chill. And my child can play this game with me too
-
Aug 27, 2021Hoa is a wonderful , relaxing game with amazing soundtrack and a wholesome journey with the art make me remain of the art of stuido Ghibli
-
Aug 30, 2021This game is litterally fun and relaxing. The graphic is amazing awesome and the plot is quite moving