Howl (video game)

Howl is a turn-based puzzle video game developed by Austrian studio Mi'pu'mi Games and published by Astragon Entertainment. The game takes place in a dark fantasy folktale setting where a mysterious "Howling Plague" has begun turning those who hear it into werewolves. It was initially released for Windows and Nintendo Switch on Nov 14, 2023, followed by PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on Jan 26, 2024, Android on Feb 7, 2024 and iOS on Mar 1, 2024. The main character, The Prophet, is deaf and therefore immune to the plague. She sets out in search of a cure and to find her missing brother. She must either sneak past or defeat the werewolves in each level to escape. Howl received mixed reception from critics, who praised its aesthetics and theme, but disliked its low amount of story, believing it did not do justice to the interesting premise. Critics were also split on its gameplay, with some wishing it had more tactical elements.

Howl
Developer(s)	Mi'pu'mi Games
Publisher(s)	Astragon Entertainment
Platform(s)	Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Android, iOS
Release	Nov 14, 2023 (Windows, Switch) Feb 7, 2024 (Android) Mar 1, 2024 (iOS)
Genre(s)	Puzzle video game
Mode(s)	Single-player

Gameplay

The game is split into maps in which the player character must navigate to the exit while avoiding or defeating werewolves. Players start with three actions per round, but can upgrade them to six eventually. Players can shoot a limited number of arrows, as well as push enemies into other enemies or inanimate objects to injure them. Successfully beating a level grants Confidence, which can be traded for new or upgraded skills. Defeating enemies grants Skulls, which can unlock new paths or more advanced levels. Levels can be replayed for full completion.

The game's default difficulty does not show enemy behavior, but there is an easier assist mode that displays the paths enemies will take.

Plot

The main character is The Prophet, a deaf woman who is the latest in a line of people who can fight against the Howl, a curse that turns those who hear it into mindless wolf-like beasts. Once it begins to spread, she goes on a quest to find her lost brother and save innocent people who are in danger from the werewolves.

Development

Mi'pu'mi Games is a studio based in Austria that specializes in short games and assisting with the development of AAA games, and based the themes of the game on Grimms' Fairy Tales, which most of the development team grew up with. The game's graphics were designed based on the idea of a "living ink" scroll that wrote itself as the player progressed, and were inspired by illuminated manuscripts like the Book of Kells. This reflects the player's role as a prophet.

Reception

Shaun Musgrave of TouchArcade rated the game's Switch version highly, saying that while it "completely fails to deliver" on its premise, it nevertheless had interesting gameplay that opened up the later in the game it was, allowing the player to solve it in various ways. Daniel Bueno of Siliconera also gave the Switch version a high rating, describing it as "delightful" and praising the game's presentation. He believed that its ideas could have been expanded on and developed more, and that its enemy variety could have been better, but nevertheless thought that it did not overstay its welcome. Cosmin Vasile of Softpedia positively reviewed the PC version, praising the combat and narrative, as well as its accessibility, but remarked that it could have used less repetition. Matt S. of Digitally Downloaded gave it a more mixed review, comparing it to ChuChu Rocket! but not as interesting, while describing the requirement to replay levels in order to collect all possible skulls as "terrible game design" and padding. He stated that the game would have been better as a shorter and more focused title of half the length.

Lauren Morton of PC Gamer described Howl as "chess-like" and its setting as "enticing".