Review of The Midnight Walk VR for SteamVR & PSVR 2: An Artful Grotesque Journey

Alright, let’s try this.

So, "The Midnight Walk" — what a trip, right? Imagine a game that feels like you’re tiptoeing through Tim Burton’s brain. Those visuals? Yeah, they’re something else, all dark and dripping with style. But, I gotta ask, is there enough happening here to make you wanna slap on that VR headset? Stick around, I’m diving in.

The Midnight Walk Rundown:

• Publisher: Fast Travel Games
• Developer: MoonHood
• Platforms: Steam (VR optional), PS5 (VR optional)
• Reviewed on: Quest 3 via Steam Link
• Release Date: May 8th, 2025
• Price: $40, ouch

Gameplay Shenanigans

I mean, it’s called "The Midnight Walk," and wouldn’t you know it, it’s a walking simulator. Shocking, right? It’s all about the story and those wild visuals, with light puzzles thrown in. You’ll play hide-and-seek with some creepy creatures here and there too.

The big draw? That one-of-a-kind art style. Developers went all out, hand-crafting stuff and 3D scanning them — crazy dedication. The world screams Tim Burton, in a good way. It’s like grotesque yet kinda pretty. The textures, the lighting, it’s all got that eerie charm.

But hold up, let’s talk animation. They said "stop motion," but not everything’s in that vibe. It’s a mixed bag — some animations are super smooth, others have that jerky stop motion bit. It’s like the game had an identity crisis mid-animation.

Puzzle Time and Creepy Crawlies

The puzzles? Eh, nothing groundbreaking. Didn’t get that high-five-yourself moment from them. And the gameplay? Feels like a basic checklist. Nothing screams VR-exclusive here. It’s like they slapped VR on for the vibes but didn’t go full out.

This game skirts the horror line without fully diving in. The visuals whisper nightmare, but the gameplay? Not so much. If you’ve played "Dear Esther," you might vibe. But its story feels like a cryptic poem, tough to latch onto. I’m like, "Who are these narrators? Gimme a face, a backstory to cling to!"

In the World of VR

Those visuals pop in VR, but let’s be real, the actual VR gameplay? Lacking. Seriously, I want to plug a key in a lock, not watch it float in magically. Who’s steering this ship? Buttons do all the cool stuff instead of my hands.

You get to close your eyes (or the game says you do) to find audio cues. PSVR 2 might do the actual eye-closing trick, but on PC? It’s all triggers and no magic.

Comfort Zone

Slow and steady, that’s how "The Midnight Walk" keeps you comfy in VR. My head got hijacked during cutscenes, panning and tilting. A bit of a ride, but nothing to pull your headset off for.

• Turning: Snap and smooth, we dig that.
• Movement: Smooth, no teleport magic.
• Posture: Sit, stand, or crouch (sorta).
• Accessibility: Subs, multiple languages, but don’t expect adjustable difficulty.

Wrap it up, "The Midnight Walk" is an art piece more than a game. If the haunting style draws you in, maybe it’s worth the price of admission. Just don’t expect to walk away with your mind blown by the gameplay alone.