Tired of werewolves ruining your reputation as the neighborhood 'feline influencer'? Well, step into the world of 'Howl', a turn-based puzzle game where a deaf protagonist, aptly named The Prophet, dodges howling enemies while searching for her lost brother. Lamentably, the game has a few flaws that make it a bit difficult to enjoy if you're expecting a narrative depth akin to Game of Thrones. Let's dive into this fairy-tale world where strategy meets furriness.
Gameplay in Howl is cleverly designed around a grid system where you guide The Prophet through various maps. The twist? The game centers on action points, allowing you three moves each turn, with the potential to upgrade that to six. Ever wanted to shove a werewolf into another werewolf's face? Well, now's your chance! You can strategize either by carefully using arrows to trigger chaos or by judo-throwing the enemies like you're auditioning for a wrestling league. Achieving victories grants Confidence points to level up skills; however, the actual tactical variety might leave you feeling like you ordered a fancy three-course meal and ended up with instant ramen. While the default difficulty hides enemy movements, there's an assist mode for the dauntless who want to see their adversaries' every unsightly move. Who said werewolves can't be predictable?
Visually, Howl is a feast for the eyes, akin to illuminated manuscripts of old. Imagine a scroll that writes itself as you progress-sounds poetic, right? And yet, it's pretty stunning in execution. The art style is lush, vibrant, and mythical, pulling you into its dark, fairy-tale ambiance. You might sometimes get lost just staring at the backgrounds, thinking, 'Wow, if I squint hard enough, I feel like I'm in a painter's dream.' Just don't forget you're here to tackle those pesky werewolf puzzles and not to apply for a part-time role as a gallery curator.
Howl serves as an eclectic mix of engaging strategy and superficial narrative. It garners points for its unique art style and creative gameplay, yet leaves many critiques regarding its narrative depth and variable enemy mechanics. For those who enjoy turn-based puzzles and are ready to embrace a fairy-tale setting with a sprinkle of werewolf chaos, Howl offers a worthy experience. Just don't expect to emerge from this adventure with the kind of story that leaves everyone gasping in awe-it's more like that story your slightly eccentric uncle tells at family gatherings. Fun but not life-changing.