I’ve always loved co-op games. From Flash classics like Fireboy and Watergirl and modern masterpieces like It Takes Two and Split Fiction, to farming in Stardew Valley, and blasting bugs with friends in Deep Rock Galactic, there’s something uniquely special about solving puzzles and enjoying a game side by side. So when I saw the phrase “self-coop” on Gloomy Eyes’ Steam page, I had to do a double-take. Self-coop? Controlling both characters in a co-op game by yourself? What the hell does that even mean?
As it turns out, it’s one of the most satisfying (and surprisingly cozy) puzzle games I’ve played in years. It reminded me of the game Double Panda that used to be on Girls Go Games, a platformer where you switch between the giant and the red panda to reach the end of each level.
In Gloomy Eyes, you guide a zombie boy, Gloomy, and a human girl, Nena, each with distinct but complementary skills, through a world plunged into darkness as the Sun has gone missing. Every puzzle becomes an exercise in coordination and strategy, juggling both characters’ abilities while uncovering the story of their unlikely friendship. It’s spooky, charming, and heartwarming all at once.
A Zombie Boy and a Human Girl
The brilliance of Gloomy Eyes lies in how perfectly complementary its protagonists are, both narratively and in terms of gameplay. They are completely opposite sides of the spectrum, literally, as a zombie boy and a human girl. Narratively, this drives home messaging of unity despite differences, and love over hate, which feels especially prevalent in today’s current political and social discourse. Gloomy Eyes doesn’t feel particularly shy when it comes to the underlying messaging of the game – I mean, just look at how the cultists are dressed…
Gameplay-wise, their complementary differences are mirrored in the gameplay. Gloomy has brute strength, able to move heavy objects and hurl bricks at distant targets, but his zombie nature prevents him from entering illuminated areas or handling technology. Nena, on the other hand, is able to carry out complex parkour and is pretty tech-savvy, although she’s at risk when traversing areas near zombies.
These aren’t arbitrary limitations either; they create a natural puzzle framework where progression requires coordination between characters. You might guide Gloomy to throw a brick, thus incapacitating a zombie long enough for Nena to slip past and activate a switch that turns off a light, letting Gloomy pass through. You’ll find yourself jumping between the characters, progressing both of them little by little, with a lot of “a-ha” moments in between. This indirect cooperation feels both organic and satisfying, with each character enabling the other’s success rather than simply sharing the same abilities.
Pulling on my Heartstrings…
What initially drew me to Gloomy Eyes’ story was the wild premise: the Sun has disappeared! But at its core, the game is really about the relationship between Gloomy and Nena. Their bond is simple, sweet, and surprisingly heartwarming, showing how child-like friendship and cooperation can bridge even the widest divides.
The story is told primarily visually, rather than relying on lengthy dialogue or cutscenes. A blunt, narrator guides you through their journey, pointing out the injustices of the world they navigate, whilst highlighting the strength of their relationship. This approach keeps the focus on the puzzles while still making you invested in their unlikely friendship. Every clever solution and cooperative move feels like a small moment of connection between them, reinforced by the narrator’s commentary.
Dark but Cozy
The visual design perfectly captures a “dark but cozy” atmosphere that makes the post-apocalyptic setting feel beautiful rather than oppressive. The Tim Burton–esque art style gives both characters distinctive personalities without needing voiced dialogue.
Each area has its own identity, leaning into a dark beauty that feels equal parts eerie and comforting. Environmental design deserves particular praise for creating landmarks that feel both fantastical and grounded. Whether you’re wandering through an abandoned carnival or climbing a lighthouse, every location is instantly memorable and dripping with character.
Smooth as Butter
I played Gloomy Eyes on Xbox Series X, and it delivered a silky smooth experience from start to finish. Controls remained consistently responsive across both characters (minus inside the panorama view), loading times between levels were minimal, and performance was rock-solid throughout. No crashes, glitches, or puzzle-breaking bugs ever got in the way.
The seamless character switching deserves particular mention. Even when rapidly swapping between Gloomy and Nena in more demanding puzzles, it never became a source of frustration
Critiques
My only real gameplay criticisms come from the two boss encounters in the latter half of the game, which switch up the gameplay mechanics completely. While they provide a change of pace, they feel more like gimmicks than the carefully crafted puzzles that make Gloomy Eyes shine. They’re over so quickly that they don’t leave much of an impression — positive or negative.
The ending also lands a little abruptly, cutting off just as you’ve become fully invested in Gloomy and Nena’s journey. It’s the kind of conclusion that leaves you wanting more, which speaks to the strength of the experience but also makes its brevity feel frustrating. Even an extra 30 to 60 seconds of resolution would have gone a long way.
Final Thoughts
At roughly £20, Gloomy Eyes presents a somewhat steep value proposition for its roughly 4-hour main campaign. However, completionist players like myself should find additional value in the well-designed collectibles and achievements that extend the experience by a few more hours. I’ve had a blast replaying the game to earn all the achievements (psst, see our 100% guide), and there’s some pretty funny ones included in the list.
And fortunately, you can just jump back into specific chapters to find those last collectibles (and don’t have to replay the whole game if you don’t want to).
Gloomy Eyes is an easy recommendation for puzzle game enthusiasts and fans of cozy horror who don’t mind paying premium pricing for a polished, unique experience. The “self-coop” concept alone makes it worth experiencing, and minus the boss fights, the time you spend in the game is satisfying and engaging.
For budget-conscious players, waiting for a sale is probably a good shout.
Highly Recommended – A beautifully crafted puzzle adventure that makes every minute count, even if there aren’t quite enough of them.
