Howl

Great game. The achievements are a little bugged, but other than that, it accomplishes everything and is a lot of fun. The puzzles are just the right amount of difficulty, the aesthetic is there, the plot doesn't distract nor feel lacking, everything feels as it should be.

wonderful game, great mechanics with a lot of room to finesse your own playstyle and tactics. simple but engaging story and really beautiful soundtrack. loved every moment of this game

Nice

Great style, good gameplay.

Très bon jeu !

Howl, developed by Mi’pu’mi Games GmbH and published by astragon Entertainment, is a striking fusion of turn-based tactics and puzzle design set within a haunting medieval world devastated by a supernatural plague. Its premise is immediately captivating: a mysterious “howl” sweeps across the land, twisting anyone who hears it into feral, wolf-like monsters. Only the Prophet—a deaf young woman—can cross these cursed lands unharmed, giving the narrative an intimate and mythic quality as she embarks on a journey to save her brother and rescue the remaining unturned citizens. This setup allows the game to explore themes of isolation, determination, and heroism in a folk-tale world that feels both ancient and eerily fantastical. The heart of Howl lies in its clever twist on turn-based gameplay. Instead of alternating actions with enemies, the player must plan a full sequence of moves—up to six steps in advance—before watching both hero and enemies act simultaneously. This design transforms each encounter into a kind of strategic riddle where anticipating enemy movement becomes as important as executing your own. You must decide not only where to strike or defend, but when to wait, retreat, or try to lure an enemy into a dangerous position. The resulting puzzle-like flow is both intellectually satisfying and refreshingly distinct from typical tactics games. Every level feels like a carefully crafted challenge where success hinges on mastering enemy patterns and thinking several turns ahead. As the Prophet gains access to more abilities, the complexity deepens elegantly without overwhelming the player. Smoke Bombs obscure vision and create opportunities for escape or ambush. Shadow Step offers a short-range teleport with tight situational uses. Specialized arrow types—explosive, chain-lightning, and more—expand tactical possibilities and allow you to reshape the battlefield in dramatic ways. These tools aren’t just upgrades; they fundamentally change how you approach levels. The game shines brightest when you revisit puzzles to complete optional objectives, such as limiting your number of turns or rescuing all villagers. These secondary challenges encourage experimentation and reward mastery, adding significant replay value. One of Howl’s most memorable qualities is its visual identity. The entire experience is presented in a “living ink” art style that evokes illuminated manuscripts and hand-painted storybooks. Characters and environments appear as if drawn onto parchment, with animations that feel fluid yet restrained, reinforcing the game’s folkloric tone. This aesthetic choice doesn’t merely look beautiful—it enhances storytelling by making the world feel like a tale unfolding across the pages. The atmospheric music and understated soundscape contribute to the mood, establishing a sense of melancholy and tension as you traverse abandoned villages, haunted forests, and plague-ridden outposts. Although the setting and narrative premise are rich, the storytelling itself is delivered sparsely, often in short illustrated segments between levels. For some players, this minimalist approach enhances the fairy-tale tone and leaves room for imagination; for others, it may feel underdeveloped, especially as the Prophet’s personal arc and the world’s deeper mythology receive only brief exploration. The journey is compelling but intentionally restrained, relying on atmosphere rather than extended dialogue or exposition. The finale, too, arrives with the kind of simplicity that suits a fable but may leave those craving narrative complexity wanting more. Howl is largely a game about refinement and replay, and while this structure excels for puzzle enthusiasts, it may feel repetitive to players expecting a more traditional tactics campaign. Replaying levels to perfect your solutions or complete all optional objectives is a core part of the experience, and the game is at its best when approached as a series of intricate logic challenges rather than a combat-driven adventure. Nonetheless, for players willing to embrace its cerebral rhythm, the gameplay loop becomes deeply rewarding. Overall, Howl stands as a creative and beautifully executed entry in the puzzle-tactics genre. Its innovative simultaneous-turn system, evocative art direction, and fairy-tale atmosphere set it apart from more conventional strategy games. While its narrative is understated and its replay-driven structure may not appeal to everyone, it offers a gripping, methodical challenge wrapped in one of the most visually distinctive presentations in recent memory. For players who enjoy turn-based strategy that prioritizes planning, foresight, and elegant design, Howl delivers a thoughtful and memorable journey through a cursed medieval world. Rating: 8/10

such a nice strategy game, really enjoyed that moderate difficulty

Howl is a quick, easy-to-pick up strategy-puzzle game with a gorgeous artstyle and atmosphere. The game is relatively easy to learn but 100%ing every level is a fun challenge. The team behind this game released a whole new chapter for free as a DLC, and clearly put a huge amount of love and effort into the game.

很好玩很有创意，而且价格良心！！！就是不知道为什么，玩了接近一个小时就开始提不起劲了

Fun little indie game