REVIEW: Haven

Haven, a romantic RPG, follows Kay and Yu as they try to make a new life apart from the rest of society so that they can love and live happily together. Haven is more than this. Haven has many memorable moments between Yu, Kay, that are both touching and genuine. You quickly form a connection with them. It's a good thing, as you have already seen most of the game's offerings in just a few hours.

While the core gameplay loop isn’t bad, I can’t help but feel that the storyline would be less compelling. Before I get into the details, let me say something to anyone who is familiar with Furi and The Game Bakers. Haven is in many ways quite different to Furi. It has a stronger emphasis on narrative than action-packed gameplay and a greater focus on storytelling. This game is all about the story. If you are looking for a touching tale about two lovers, and a reminder that love conquers all, then this game might be right for you. The dialogue is not perfect. On more than one occasion, Yu and Kay's dialogue became awkward. One or the other would jump to ridiculous conclusions, which could lead to you being in an embarrassing position. Although it can be quite embarrassing, playing with a partner can lead to some hilarious moments.

Loading screens have been largely considered obsolete in the age of SSDs and next-gen consoles. However, loading screens in Haven were a great addition to the game. Each of the still images varied as you progressed through the game. They added an additional layer to Yu's and Kay's relationships and helped the player get to know them better. Although most people view loading screens as a time to scroll endlessly into the abyss, and are mainly happy to see them go away, I appreciate the developers' efforts to enrich your game experience.

It's a good thing that they placed so much emphasis on immersion since the gameplay was certainly not the best. You'll have experienced the majority of Haven mechanics in just a few hours. You will actually experience the majority of the game's mechanics, except crafting and combat, on your first trip around Source (Yu's new home). Although the game's mechanics are not very polished, they are still quite good. It's very enjoyable to zoom around and follow flow threads. Once you upgrade, it becomes even more beautiful. Exploration is fun in this game, because you don't need to know where to go or how to get there. You can just explore the world and find everything you want. Although each area was supposed to follow the same pattern: "clean the rubble, collect resources, cure some animals", the exploration made it a lot more fun. Combat is simple and quick. You'll be fine as long as Yu or Kay are shielding the other while the attack is being made. Cool animations and creative creature design are another plus. Each one of them truly added life and spirit to Source. It's also great that you can interact with them or even pet them.

While I did say that the story is the main reason you play this game (alongside some beautiful visuals), it is not the most exciting thing about Haven. It's how it makes me feel. To get lost in this game, you don't need to be open-minded. While I am aware that there are better games, more action-packed gameplay and more wittier dialogue, Haven is what I love to play. It just makes me feel warm. The warmth is tangible and can be felt in your body. You can feel the passion of the developers in every aspect. This was the perfect game to play in a year when I would love to travel to faraway paradises with the one I love. Although this may not be how everyone feels about the game Haven it is what I felt and what most struck me.

Haven is a wonderful story and a game that can get repetitive. It made me feel more, and was a bright spot in a dark year. This is a great product that anyone can use to add warmth to their lives or to relax and enjoy some peaceful, calming play.