From the moment I picked up this game and started playing, I was hooked. Hob is one of those titles that makes you remember game design is an artform all in itself. From its minimalist story to its engaging mechanics, Runic Games gives you a glimpse at what it feels like to create something truly fascinating.
Story
Hob starts you off in a style similar to Legend of Zelda: You’re awoken in an ancient crypt sealed away for time immaterial and enter into an unfamiliar world where your adventure begins. You’re escorted by a mechanical golem; seemingly a guardian of sorts, as he takes you through a world where nature and machines are fused together. Soon, however, you begin to get the sense that all is not well with this world when the tutorial guides you toward a cancer that has taken root. It is after this point that, without the need of verbal cues, you gain a sense of your purpose and set off to restore this world to its rightful state.
Gameplay & Mechanics
Hob is one of those games with my favorite type of mechanics: Easy to Learn. Difficult to Master. Everything is based around three core abilities: Jumping, to get you across gaps & obstacles; punching, to unlock secret areas & activate various triggers; and your sword, to kick butt! Everything in the game builds off of these three pillars. When climbing up vines to get to the next area, if you can’t go up any further, jump to the next set of vines beside you and keep going. Use your Golem arm to punch cogs in place and completely alter the stage to make traveling easier. Beat the snot out of creatures to farm experience points and unlock new abilities. As your travels take you further through the world, more interesting and complex puzzles arrive, requiring newer abilities and better strategies. All this is done without holding your hand. Instruction or advice is abysmal here. Runic Games left it completely up to you to figure out these puzzles and, while it can be extremely and frustratingly challenging, it makes that eureka moment all the more satisfying. The visual masterpiece you are rewarded after solving each puzzle makes it all the more worthwhile.
Aesthetics & Sound
Ever want your entire game to look like the cutscenes? Runic Games understands, and they aim to please. Hob is easily one of the most aesthetically pleasing works of art I’ve had the privilege to experience this year. It’s minimalist, in the sense that nothing here is photorealistic, but everything just fits so seamlessly. The world of Hob is one huge, mechanical jigsaw puzzle and it is your job to put all the pieces in the right place. Runic Games has found a way to translate that feeling into a video game, and it is amazing. The sound quality is amazing. You barely notice it because you’re so immersed. The sound of ancient mechanisms spinning into place and transforming the stage makes you feel like you’ve truly done something world-shaping. Runic Games knows Hob is beautiful. There are so many points in the game where you can head to an overlook and allow the camera to pan over the vast landscape around you. I found myself stumbling into cutscenes that I hadn’t even realized were cutscenes until I tilted the stick left, but my character went right. I don’t think I went an entire hour through this game without saying aloud, “This is gorgeous”.
Summary
Hob is beautiful. I could end it there, but I just can’t stop talking about this game. It’s a minimal story with maximum payoff. A moving, interactive work of art that will keep you engaged all while challenging you the entire way. Pick this game up whether you’re a fan of puzzle platformers or not. Treat yourself. Also, if you’re able to, I recommend connecting a controller or gamepad. It just feels like the right thing to do.
9.5/10
Check Out the HOB Trailer:
HOB is available for $19.99 for PC via the Epic Games Store and for Nintendo Switch as a digital download on the Nintendo eShop.
PC Review
As the (self-proclaimed) King of Casuals, I'm always seeking out new titles to play and experience across all platforms. Eventually, I have ambitions to take the many different styles of this medium to create titles that will wow the masses in fresh, innovative ways.
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