Written by Alexander O. Cuaycong and Anthony L. Cuaycong
Title: Haven
Developer: The Game Bakers
Publisher: The Game Bakers
Genre: Adventure, RPG
Price: $24.99
The Game Bakers has come through with yet another surprise hit. As with Furi, the independent developer and publisher’s previous offering, Haven boasts of a carefully thought-out sense of style that shines through its science-fiction setting. It takes gamers on a wild journey across a distant, colorful planet through the eyes of survivors Yu and Kay, as they do their best to find a home in its hostile shores. Centered around the relationship of these star-crossed lovers, it winds up providing a heart-warming tale of exploration, survival, and love amid dangerous times. It’s a story of coping with the struggles of the world alongside a chosen partner, and, just like any other romance-fueled chronicle on any other platform, it derives its value both from the ending and from the journey getting there.
For Haven, getting engrossed in the voyage means engaging in its role-playing-game and survival mechanics. As gamers traipse through the planet’s surface, they’ll frequently find themselves veering off to the nearest resource node to collect plants and items the couple needs to survive. They’ll clean up goop trails called rust, and occasionally, they’ll be allowed to glide from area to area, charging up their boots through energy lines to allow them to hover in the air or run across water. While the interface isn’t particularly engaging or deep, it does serve to maintain interest and alertness levels. After all, the energy lines or flow threads can be rather fickle in design, with tracks that occasionally force sharp twists and curves and lead to new areas to visit – thus furthering the ever-present need to keep collecting resources.
Haven isn’t just about exploration, however. Battles crop up every now and then, with the game pitting the lovers against dangers that lurk on the planet’s surface. When these various fauna attack, the characters team up for some good old-fashioned turn-based combat. As there are but two different attack types to choose from, the system is less about thoughtful decision-making and more about quick reactions. In a lot of ways, it’s like a dance, asking players to juggle between normal hits and dual attacks and blocks. It may seem a little strange at first, especially for gamers used to more conventional Japanese RPG styles of engagement, but it has no lack of satisfaction in any case. It proves particularly entertaining when the couple begins to weave attacks together and block for one another. The resulting visuals ooze with charm, showing off the relationship Yu and Kay have for each other even more.
Which is all well and good, because the relationship is really where the heart of Haven lies. Its other mechanics may be straightforward, but the simplicity serves to enhance Yu and Kay’s interactions. Throughout the game, gamers aren’t just helping the couple survive; they’re also learning more about the central characters. Through its 15-hour campaign, the various conversations they have reveal a bond that only grows stronger with each trial they face. From the small quips they have during battle to the lovey-dovey compliments they give one another during the quiet moments at night, it’s clear that the game isn’t about fighting space demons or building sprawling houses, but about constant love and affection.
The Game Bakers consciously has Haven move off the beaten path. Its RPG elements take a back seat to the overarching narrative, thus supplying entertainment in doses seen to be appreciated by gamers with a pronounced bias for visual-novel-style dialogue. It makes for an interesting story of love conquering any and all challenges, and while the implementation may well be an acquired taste, it does glue everything together with charm. Its artistic design and outstanding writing are its strongest points, and wind up being more than enough to merit its $25 price point. Recommended.
THE GOOD
- Engrossing storyline of love conquering all
- Engaging exploration and combat mechanics
- Stylish presentation
THE BAD
- Lacks gameplay depth
- An acquired taste
- Can be repetitive over time
RATING: 7/10
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