Hoa

 Switch
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 19 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 19
  3. Negative: 3 out of 19
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  1. twinteerabbit
    Aug 27, 2021
    9
    The game have beautiful soundtrack and graphics but don't have much gameplay on it.
  2. AphidKirby
    Nov 18, 2021
    9
    Breathtaking game!! The artstyle and animation are so lovely, really bring the world, and the story it wants to tell, to life, wish there was more gameplay or replay value, but as it stands it's still a lovely experience
  3. IronsMine
    Sep 30, 2021
    10
    Hoa make me happy because of the melody and resonance that I can't take my eyes off, as well as the elegant melodious sound of the piano
  4. gustavecoste
    Dec 6, 2021
    10
    A short but beautiful game that make you feel like you are playing a Ghibli Studio movie.
  5. Rando430
    Aug 31, 2021
    4
    I made this account purely to review this game. The art work is charming. The music is great. There was clearly a lot of love and attention put into the aesthetics of the game. However, less attention was paid to the mechanics. If you indicate a move left or right, the character will run until stopped. This is not a good mechanic for a platforming game because it simply creates frustrationI made this account purely to review this game. The art work is charming. The music is great. There was clearly a lot of love and attention put into the aesthetics of the game. However, less attention was paid to the mechanics. If you indicate a move left or right, the character will run until stopped. This is not a good mechanic for a platforming game because it simply creates frustration and undermines the gaming experience, which undermines the careful work that went in to constructing the world. I think the designers should have held the gameplay to a higher standard to ensure immersion it what otherwise would be a pleasant, calming tone poem of a game.… Expand
  6. Lokichick
    Jan 15, 2022
    1
    Very pretty but I was bored after about 5 screens of basic platforming. Didn't bother playing any more.
  7. thryce3
    Dec 3, 2022
    8
    It's a beautiful mostly casual level puzzle-platformer that focuses on the emotional effect. Kind of like a 2D Journey. It's a lovely experience that lasts around 3 hours. Again, kind of like a 2D Journey.
    Only real gripe is the change of gameplay towards the end. It's actually really cool and could be used more fully in another game, but it makes it quite difficult all of a sudden
  8. Happyspelling
    Sep 2, 2021
    9
    Hoa is a gorgeous game with an amazing soundtrack and simple, relaxing level design. It's not for everyone, and it's a bit too short for a game, even at $15, but it is a game I will happily play again.
  9. Gerdo
    Feb 11, 2023
    10
    An extremely beautiful game with a very heartwarming story. Graphics and music are so beautiful. This is a game to enjoy and not to rush through.
  10. Weight4Jake
    Mar 5, 2022
    9
    Great simple puzzle platformer! Kind of like Ori & the Blind Forrest but not as deep and polished.
  11. NindieSpotlight
    Dec 17, 2021
    8
    Ah, the struggle to properly evaluate games that aren’t really made for you personally as the target audience. Hoa is a naturalistic puzzle platformer with a simply incredible and vibrant art style first and foremost. At that point I don’t doubt quite a large number of people are on board. Where the game may lose people is with the fact that it is also absolutely clear it was made to beAh, the struggle to properly evaluate games that aren’t really made for you personally as the target audience. Hoa is a naturalistic puzzle platformer with a simply incredible and vibrant art style first and foremost. At that point I don’t doubt quite a large number of people are on board. Where the game may lose people is with the fact that it is also absolutely clear it was made to be “family-friendly” which, for many, can be translated to “not very difficult”. For people with gamers-in-training out there it’s absolutely well worth a look, as it does a fair job at working the mind as well as the reflexes, though in general with a gentle touch. For people who can enjoy games as they’re intended, who also appreciate outstanding game art, it’s also probably going to be a real treat. If you’re not so much in that direction and get bored with well-worn play that is often very gentle with the player it’s likely to, instead, be a bit aggravating no matter how great it may look. All that said, I absolutely appreciate the clear love and earnest effort behind Hoa, and would recommend it to anyone who won’t be disappointed by its relative ease.

    https://www.nindiespotlight.com/2021/08/mini-reviews-august-26th-edition.html    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

88
#88 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2021

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
68

Mixed or average reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Switch Player
    Apr 7, 2022
    60
    Hoa is short and, at times, you’ll be forgiven for forgetting you’re even playing a game. That’s not all bad, though: Hoa gives you room to breathe, to escape into its spectacularly-painted world for relaxation rather than challenge.
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  2. GAMINGbible
    Mar 25, 2022
    60
    Hoa doesn't do anything strictly wrong. It is not broken, or bad, or worse still boring. It's a delicately enjoyable time in a whimsical land, with a simple story of a child wanting to return home. The issue here is that it doesn't do much that's different, either. It's the kind of platforming you've seen in 2D games infinite times before, and you will likely experience again and again. It's short, it's sweet, and if you simply want to turn your brain off and not experience anything particularly new, it's not the worst path you could tread.
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  3. Nintenderos
    Mar 18, 2022
    75
    Hoa is a little audiovisual gem that invites us to live a relaxed adventure where the goal is to enjoy the journey, with no more worries than letting go and living the experience. Forget about enemies and great challenges, just let yourself be lost into the beautiful atmosphere.
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