From the moment you set eyes on it, it\u2019s clear that Harold Halibut<\/em><\/strong> is a particularly intricate labor of love. A narrative adventure set under the sea, the game places you in the squeaky shoes of its titular protagonist Harold, a lab assistant working aboard an underwater spaceship.\u00a0<\/p>\n As Harold, you\u2019ll bimble around the confines of the (admittedly, quite large) spaceship, cleverly separated into different districts by the game\u2019s water tube system, which essentially fires humans through little pipes to their destinations. Along the way, you\u2019ll encounter a quirky cast of characters, all busy with their existences but ready to involve Harold in their wacky goings-on, whether it\u2019s looking for a lost pet bird or helping the local shopkeeper win back his wife\u2019s love. The characters spread around Harold Halibut<\/em> are written brilliantly and bursting with a quintessentially British humor.\u00a0<\/p>\n The premise of Harold Halibut <\/em>is equally as fascinating. Without giving too much away, Harold descends from a small colony of explorers that ventured out to find a new planet to inhabit. The ship ended up stranded underwater, and generations of humans have managed to survive and thrive there. As you progress, Harold starts to uncover stories about the history of humanity, the fate of Earth, and the people he\u2019s surrounded by, all while proving to himself that he\u2019s capable of bigger things.\u00a0<\/p>\n The delightful writing is encased in Harold Halibut<\/em>\u2018s most obvious quirk \u2013 the game is physically made out of clay, every asset you see in game is handcrafted and then digitally scanned into the game, which is an utterly incredible process. This method makes Harold Halibut<\/em> feel pleasantly retro, harking back to 90s point-and-click adventure games like The Neverhood<\/em>, but with a slick, modern feel.\u00a0<\/p>\n Harold Halibut<\/em>\u2018s stunning retro-futuristic aesthetic is also complimented by some incredible audio design; every interaction, conversation or environmental noise comes with a satisfying crunch that makes you feel like you\u2019re really in the room with Harold. The pairing of the sound and handmade visuals together gives Harold Halibut a super unique visceral joy, making even an empty corridor or quiet room feel immersive and interesting.\u00a0<\/p>\n You\u2019ll visit most of the game\u2019s environments and speak to its cast of characters repeatedly to uncover their stories, but stopping to explore these gorgeous environments never feels like a chore. The game is filled with lovely little puzzles and mini-games too, which adds a pleasing level of interactivity to the walking and talking you\u2019ll do each in-game day. Harold Halibut<\/em> wants you to pay attention to the little things, its quirky set dressing, subtle, silly jokes, and the thought that has gone into those things is truly rewarding.\u00a0<\/p>\n I only spent a few hours with Harold, but I\u2019m already enthralled with where the narrative is going, and what weird and wonderful creatures I\u2019m going to encounter on Harold\u2019s journey to resdicover Earth. Harold Halibut<\/em> is shaping up to be an incredibly special game, and one I can\u2019t wait to play more of.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/xxboxnews.blob.core.windows.net\/prod\/sites\/2\/2024\/03\/20240309002523_1-b12c6559ff02b02e1f81-scaled.jpg\")
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