If you could have a world be anything you wanted it to be, what would it include? Maybe a world of peace? Maybe one where conflict was an everyday occurrence? Or maybe you envision a world that is full of mystery. Anyway you think about it could be as fantastic as it was to be imagined. But do developer MoonHead and publisher Fast Travel Games invite us into a world we all want to be a part of? Yes, yes, they do. Let’s find out more with The Midnight Walk on PlayStation VR2.
The Midnight Walk is a dark adventure where you play as the Burnt One and befriend a lost lantern creature named Potboy and light your way through a world of wonder and terror. Outsmart monsters and marvel at details in a landscape handcrafted with real clay and animated in a stop-motion style.
So before you go into this world, there are a few things that you may want to do. First, you do have the option to play this in flatscreen mode or in VR. But do yourself a favor: enable the VR option. Second, adjust any movement settings that will make your play more comfortable. Third, you work and play hard, so decide if you want to stand or sit. Fourth, make sure your Sense controllers are charged. And finally, I am not going to spoil anything for anyone. With all that said, let’s continue…
When the game starts, you will notice some blurriness. There is nothing to worry about, as this is part of the game. The issue is, as the Burnt One, you need some eyes to see. Keep moving forward, and soon you will be able to see with your eyes. One thing you will notice about playing with the PlayStation VR2 is how well MoonHead has taken full use of the eye-tracking. When you blink, things go dark. This does come in handy throughout the game.
But once you have your eyes, and well, ears, you will be able to see this beautiful stop-motion clay world come “alive” in ways that not only make you want to continue and find any details that you can. You will start to notice an innocence about the world around you in the way a parent reads to their children of a story where the darkness has taken over in hopes that the heroes of the story can come through and bring light to the world.
As you continue, you will notice life-size matchbooks that contain matches. These matches can help light the way by lighting unlit candles. Don’t worry if it seems like you might get lost, because at times, you will have a light that will guide you in the correct direction. But even when things seem a bit lonely, you will finally get to meet your new friend, Potboy. It’s when you light the match to awaken him, and the music starts to play, that I started to feel something, a connection with my new friend.
Along the way, the narrative is beautifully unfolded through an engaging storybook narrator and a colorful cast of characters that you encounter throughout your journey. Whether through collectible descriptions or poignant audio recordings, the storytelling is everywhere, creating a rich tapestry of experiences waiting to be discovered. The puzzles are creatively woven into an engaging stealth-action experience where you’re tasked with navigating and interacting in innovative ways that defy traditional gameplay expectations along with meeting some interesting characters.
Let’s talk about the graphics and sound. As crucial as narrative is, the presentation amplifies the experience, and The Midnight Walk excels in this aspect too. From the very first glimpse, it channels the enchanting visuals of beloved stop-motion classics, akin to Tim Burton’s works like The Nightmare Before Christmas or The Corpse Bride. It’s no mere homage; it’s an original creation, meticulously crafted to evoke emotions.
In fact, the game employs real stop-motion claymation, a rarity in the gaming world that results in a mesmerizing visual style. The developer has painstakingly scanned real clay figures, breathing life into this beautiful yet haunting aesthetic. Accompanying all of this is a soundtrack that drifts through your ears like a haunting melody—a tapestry of strings and jazzy undertones that resonates with pure, emotional beauty.
There are a few things that I would love to see. First, I did find a few glitches when I was playing in the seated position where it appeared that I was lower than normal, almost sinking into the ground. Second, I would have loved for the experience to have gone on even longer. And finally, more games from MoonHead using this type of gameplay.
It’s clear the developer has embarked on something uniquely special here. The game masterfully plays with perspectives and mechanics, like the chilling yet intriguing act of reattaching your own senses. The Midnight Walk has quickly become my favorite experience on the PSVR2—a testament to what this platform can achieve. It has touched my soul in a way few games have since my transformative journey through Journey. The claymation world is a masterpiece, the soundtrack is hauntingly beautiful, and the gameplay bursts with creativity and heart.
The Midnight Walk reminds us that we are never truly alone. The world may feel heavy, uncertain, or distant, but when we choose to embrace the journey with hope, we open ourselves to unexpected connections and newfound friendships. Every step we take, even through difficult choices and challenges, is a step toward growth and understanding—both for ourselves and for those we meet along the way. No matter how gloomy life may seem, there is always light to be found in the kindness we share and the strength we carry forward. Keep walking, keep believing, and know that brighter days are always ahead.
The Midnight Walk is out now for PlayStation VR2 on the PlayStation Store and Steam VR. A review code was provided.
To learn more about MoonHead, please visit their site, like them on Facebook, follow them on X, follow them on Instagram, follow them on TikTok, and subscribe to their YouTube channel.
To learn more about Fast Travel Games, please visit their site, like them on Facebook, follow them on X, follow them on Instagram, follow them on TikTok, join the Discord, and subscribe to their YouTube channel.
In case you missed the trailer, please enjoy. Until next time, I have to get back to Coalhaven.
