I can't stop thinking about this beautiful, haunting twin-stick shooter that follows a ghost searching for answers

GamesAdventureI can’t stop thinking about this beautiful, haunting twin-stick shooter that follows a ghost searching for answersWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. GamesAdventureI can’t stop thinking about this beautiful, haunting twin-stick shooter that follows a ghost searching for answersWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Firestoke) As I cross a bridge in Hauntii, the camera pulls back to show off the impressive, two-tone hand-drawn vista that surrounds me as I move further in. Swirls decorate the landscape, with sand timers and falling grains forever counting down something. The ethereal musical score starts to swell, as does my heart; I have to take a moment to really appreciate how beautiful Moonloop Games' adventure is. But this is far from the first time it’s made me feel this way. Hauntii is full of eye-catching levels and moments that keep me wanting to unravel more and more. Set in the mysterious world of Eternity, I take on the role of a little ghost who doesn’t remember who they were before, or how they got here. When I meet an angel-like figure known as an Eterian - who acts as a guide to lost souls like me - I set off to try and piece together my past and ultimately ascend to a higher place. But in order to do that, I have to solve a variety of creative environmental puzzles, and make use of my ghostly powers, which highlights the game’s most unique feature: Hauntii puts its own spin on twin-stick shooter action. Written in the stars (Image credit: Firestoke) Indie Spotlight(Image credit: Yobob Games)This eldritch horror spin on a Stardew Valley-like farming game is even darker than I expected it to be Indie Spotlight (Image credit: Yobob Games)This eldritch horror spin on a Stardew Valley-like farming game is even darker than I expected it to be (Image credit: Yobob Games) This eldritch horror spin on a Stardew Valley-like farming game is even darker than I expected it to be Along with a dash ability that lets the little ghost zip around, all of the powers are also used to solve various puzzles that earn you stars. Whether that be a timed challenge that sees you use dash to make it through a series of illuminated loops, or a quest to find a very good ghost dog that’s strayed away from its owner, every level is home to a collection of stars for you to discover and collect. Interacting with the environment with your essence power or haunting will also earn you various collectible currencies that can be used to buy a myriad of different hats for your ghost - so far I’ve rocked cat ears, a witch hat, and a stylish mushroom, and I’m determined to earn as many as I can. Image1of4(Image credit: Firestoke)(Image credit: Firestoke)(Image credit: Firestoke)(Image credit: Firestoke) Image1of4(Image credit: Firestoke)(Image credit: Firestoke)(Image credit: Firestoke)(Image credit: Firestoke) Image1of4 (Image credit: Firestoke)(Image credit: Firestoke)(Image credit: Firestoke)(Image credit: Firestoke) (Image credit: Firestoke)(Image credit: Firestoke)(Image credit: Firestoke)(Image credit: Firestoke) (Image credit: Firestoke) (Image credit: Firestoke) (Image credit: Firestoke) (Image credit: Firestoke) (Image credit: Firestoke) (Image credit: Firestoke) (Image credit: Firestoke) (Image credit: Firestoke) (Image credit: Firestoke) (Image credit: Firestoke) (Image credit: Firestoke) (Image credit: Firestoke) (Image credit: Firestoke) (Image credit: Firestoke) (Image credit: Firestoke) (Image credit: Firestoke) (Image credit: Firestoke) (Image credit: Firestoke) (Image credit: Firestoke) (Image credit: Firestoke) While there is some action thanks to its twin-stick set up - with different enemies, obstacles, and even some bigger boss-style fights - it still succeeds at feeling like a quiet, contemplative adventure that’s moved me on more than one occasion. Plus, there’s an intriguing undercurrent of darkness and a slight edge to Hauntii that’s never too far away; if you stray from the light for too long, the screen and music will begin to warp, and menacing eyes appear as if they seek to reclaim your soul and swallow you whole. But that speaks to the mystery of the experience, too: I want answers just as much as the little ghost does. Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more Hauntii is out now on PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and Switch. For more recommendations, check out ourIndie Spotlightseries. 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Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1 Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2 Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3 Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 5Marvel 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3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3 Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1 Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”