Hob

 PlayStation 4
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. Kotaku
    Sep 29, 2017
    Were Hob a tightly-scripted action adventure that guided the player from point to point and told them exactly what was expected of them, it wouldn’t be nearly as magical an experience, and certainly not as personal. Making my own decisions (and my own mistakes) makes the impressive, world-changing moments feel like something I did. Good job, me.

Awards & Rankings

73
#73 Best PS4 Game of 2017

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 57 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 38 out of 57
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 57
  3. Negative: 13 out of 57
  1. GBG_Jason
    Sep 27, 2017
    10
    It’s not often that a game takes the path of no discernible dialogue, and instead relies on you to not only figure out what it’s saying byIt’s not often that a game takes the path of no discernible dialogue, and instead relies on you to not only figure out what it’s saying by body language, but also gives another language to decipher on top of it. That’s not to say games don’t do it – Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons is one of the more notable games in recent years to do this. But it’s a bold approach. When a game not only does that, but creates a sense of deep emotions within the first few minutes, and follows it up with deep combat and puzzle-platforming, you know you’re in for something truly special.

    The feeling I get when playing this game is the same I receive from playing something like Super Metroid, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, and a number of older Zelda games. Finding items off the beaten path is just as exciting as progressing in the story. Getting into fights with enemies much larger than you and having a little fanfare once you defeat them is rewarding and something to cherish. Gaining new abilities allowing for you to backtrack to puzzle pieces you saw previously that you couldn’t quite figure out feeds the love for metroidvanias. One of the nicer features I found while solving the puzzles the game has to offer is that it doesn’t force you to complete them again if you die. If there’s a timed puzzle that you complete and you end up falling off the ledge right after (very possible with some of the fixed camera angles), you don’t have to worry about rushing through it once again.

    The game offers a lot in terms of content, and the challenges are also quite dubious. While you’ll likely be upgrading your character your first run, subsequent playthroughs challenge you to beat it with less than 5 deaths (Limbo, anyone?) and no optional upgrades. These are certainly doable, as the game offers a few difficulty options, but fun and worthy challenges nonetheless.

    The skills that were learned in the creation of the Torchlight series are evident here. The level creation, the ability to see your character through the environment with the fixed camera (love this so much – I forgot how much I prefer to not have to control the camera in this type of game), and the overall art direction are all reminiscent of my time with their previous games.

    Perhaps my favorite character of the game is the world itself. While many games boast a living, breathing, open world, they still often feel lifeless. In this, you can’t stray too far off from the provided paths, lest you be hurt or killed by the fauna on the walls – be they toxic or not. This may be seen as a cheap tactic, and it can be depending on how it’s implemented, but it’s done so masterfully here. Perhaps the most awe-inspiring part of the game is when the world itself changes by your doing. You’ll see this a bit from the robot at the beginning, but soon you’ll be making much bigger changes to the world you live in. Whether it be a dungeon or simply a wall to walk across, the ever changing world is one of the coolest aspects you’ll find in video games today.

    I’m hoping that this ends up a sleeper hit, as people start seeing and hearing just how solid of a game it is. If you were to ask what my contenders for game of the year are right now, it’d be between Persona 5 and Hob. Yes, I’ve played Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Horizon Zero Dawn, and the other heavy hitters from the year. No, I didn’t feel as inspired by them as I did with P5 and this. If you’ve been searching for that game with the special something you can’t find elsewhere, you’ve found it.    … Full Review »
  2. Dubeau
    Sep 27, 2017
    8
    Hob is a nice and fun no dialogues game. First, I love the art that went into the game. The attention to details into the levels make the gameHob is a nice and fun no dialogues game. First, I love the art that went into the game. The attention to details into the levels make the game so alive. The mechanic seem to work pretty well. I got some cheap death because of twitchy landing area when jumping...nothing major. I saw some fps issues in some areas. When there are a lot particules and sunray (bloom) effect, you can feel the fps struggling...and I have a good PC. The story is mysterious and revolve around exploring. You have combat with a sword, but the main part of the game is activating puzzles, opening areas, finding upgrades. The world is quite elaborate and you will switch to the map quite often. There is no minimap but I find it acceptable in this case. I give it a 85%, and with fixes it should get better.… Full Review »
  3. PiePieper
    Oct 3, 2017
    1
    While Hob is a ok looking game, the gameplay and mechanics leave much to be desired. Story is meh, characters are shallow and have noWhile Hob is a ok looking game, the gameplay and mechanics leave much to be desired. Story is meh, characters are shallow and have no dimensional and music just seems like your standard indi music.… Full Review »
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