From the moment you see it, it’s clear Harold Halibut is a particularly complicated labor of love. The game is a narrative adventure under the sea and puts you in the role of the main protagonist Harold, a laboratory assistant working aboard an underwater spaceship.
As Harold, you romp through the confines of the (admittedly fairly large) spaceship, which is cleverly divided into different areas by the game’s water pipe system, which essentially transports people to their destinations through small pipes. Along the way, you’ll meet a group of quirky characters, all preoccupied with their existence, but willing to involve Harold in their crazy schemes, whether it’s finding a lost pet bird or helping the local shopkeeper, his wife’s love interest to win back. The characters spread out Harold Halibut are brilliantly written and full of typically British humour.
The premise of Harold Halibut is equally fascinating. Without giving too much away, Harold is descended from a small colony of explorers who set out to find a new planet to live on. The ship eventually became stranded underwater and generations of people have managed to survive and thrive there. As you progress, Harold discovers stories about human history, the fate of the Earth, and the people around him, all the while proving he’s capable of greater things.
The adorable font is included Harold HalibutThe most obvious special feature is that the game is physically made of clay, all of the elements you see in the game are handcrafted and then digitally scanned into the game, which is an absolutely incredible process. This method does Harold Halibut Feel pleasantly retro, reminiscent of point-and-click adventure games of the 90s The nevernessbut with an elegant, modern touch.
Harold HalibutThe stunning retro-futuristic aesthetic is also complemented by incredible audio design. Every interaction, conversation, or ambient noise comes with a satisfying crunch that makes you feel like you’re really in the room with Harold. The combination of sound and hand-crafted imagery gives Harold Halibut a unique, visceral joy that makes even an empty hallway or quiet room feel immersive and interesting.
You’ll visit most of the game’s environments and speak to characters repeatedly to learn their stories, but it’s never a chore to stop to explore these beautiful environments. The game is packed with neat little puzzles and mini-games, adding a nice level of interactivity to the walks and conversations on each game day. Harold Halibut wants you to pay attention to the little things, the quirky decor, the subtle, silly jokes and the thought that went into these things is truly rewarding.
I’ve only spent a few hours with Harold, but I’m already intrigued by where the story is going and what strange and wonderful creatures I’ll encounter on Harold’s journey to rediscover Earth. Harold Halibut is shaping up to be an incredibly special game and I can’t wait to play more of it.
Harold Halibut is scheduled to launch on Xbox Series X|S and via Game Pass on April 16th.
