Although Harold Halibut may initially seem light-hearted or even superficial, it is deeply philosophical at its core, and can be summed up in a single word: acceptance.
Our protagonist, Harold, lives aboard a spaceship called the Fedora I. As the story unfolds, we realize that the ship has become submerged in an alien ocean. Its original mission was to explore space, but circumstances have trapped it in an unknown place somewhere in the vast universe.
Within this confined environment, a small society has developed. The endless waiting has forced people to adapt, building a routine existence defined by habit and resignation.
Both narratively and visually, the setting resembles an isolated village whose residents are absorbed in their daily tasks, gossiping, working, and merely getting by until they wake up the next morning to repeat the same cycle. Yet beyond the ship’s hull, something far more significant is happening, something they can no longer ignore.
Harold lives with a scientist, Dr. Mareaux. I suspect that both their names reference specific figures from literature and culture, but I will let you discover those connections for yourself. I will only say this: the game’s overall tone recalls The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, combined with the humor of the Coen brothers and Terry Pratchett. The story revolves around Harold, an unassuming, clumsy yet kind-hearted man who, through a series of unexpected circumstances, becomes involved in events far beyond his comprehension. Despite his awkwardness, he somehow manages to handle everything brilliantly. Dramaturgically, he carries a sort of blessing, the gift of goodness itself.
The pacing is deliberately slow, but meaningful. There are no complex puzzles, even though the adventure genre traditionally relies on them. Instead, the developers focused on atmosphere, exploration, dialogue, and the themes hidden beneath the surface.
Slow Bros’ craftsmanship reminded me of the golden era of LucasArts productions, those talented creators who gave us Monkey Island, Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis, Day of the Tentacle, and so many more.
If I had made a list of the best games of last year, Harold Halibut might have taken the top spot.
Don’t miss it.
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