Hoa from PM Studios and Skrollcat Studio is a charming, relaxing, and chill 2D platformer you should check out on PS4. Learn more in our Hoa review!
Hoa from PM Studios and Skrollcat Studio is a charming, relaxing, and chill 2D platformer you should check out on PlayStation 4. It’s a beautiful lite puzzle platformer with hand-painted art and an art style that makes this one look like a Studio Ghibli movie, with a charming protagonist and colorful characters. As you explore each area as the titular character, you’ll get to enjoy a great soundtrack that was recorded live for a short but emotional journey.
At first, you’ll only be able to walk around by using the left analog stick and the D-Pad as you jump with the X button to get from point A to point B. As you meet the huge characters that protect each location, you will be tasked with locating five shinning butterflies and activating three marks or characters that will allow you to obtain new powers that will be used for solving new puzzles and getting to previously out of reach spots.
Your first new ability will be the always classic double jump. After that, you will be able to push objects by pressing and holding down the Circle button. From there, you’ll gain a downward smash, which you can activate by pressing the Square button after jumping. This can be used on springy objects to gain some extra height for your jump. The next one will be the ability to fly, which you can use by pressing the R2 button. This will prove to be very useful after your double jump, and it will be extra useful during the underwater segments in Hoa.
The game has a full trophy list to offer, and the good news is that only three of the trophies are missable, so if you pay attention, you will be able to get a new Platinum for your collection in around 3-4 hours or so, depending on your experience with 2D platformers. The three missable trophies are for jumping on top of a bouncy caterpillar ten times, being kicked by a robot ten times, and using a switch ten times to move a robot’s hands. Other than that, the rest will pop as you progress through your journey.
Hoa is a charming, relaxing, and chill 2D platformer that you should definitely check out on PlayStation 4. There is no way that a gamer will end up dying in Hoa since there are no bottomless pits, and enemies don’t deal damage, only kicking you around if you don’t jump out of their way. It’s a fun experience that you can complete in around 3-4 hours, depending on your experience, and it’s out on PlayStation 4 with a $14.99 price.
Disclaimer
This Hoa review is based on a PlayStation 4 copy provided by PM Studios.
