This should be someone's first game

So I decided to play Hoa as the trailer was a really pretty. What I got is an interesting game. In this game you've sailed back to shore to go "back" to something. What it is won't be clear until the game starts.

Hoa is a platformer...well sort of a platformer. It's a platformer in name only, really. The challenges in the game are extrodinarily basic. As a reminder basic doesn't mean, bad. The game has its mechanics mostly down with different powers that slowly change over the game. In each level it usually is do some platforming, collect a few butterflies in specific areas, and then get a new power, repeat. However, if you're here you're not really here for the platforming.

The music is genuinely some of the best I've heard in a while. The music has this sense of love and wonder that feels Ghibli-esque. The piano and violins really are the star of the show in this game and it's so clear that the person who worked on it put in a much effort as possible into this. Sometimes in the game I would just...sit and listen to it. It's clearly coming from someone who is skilled at music making. With a minor asterisk. While the music is good, you can very very clearly tell where it starts and stops in the game. It does not loop well and it is very noticeable.

The love of the game also shows in the visuals which are genuinely very pretty. The game is 2.5D in the graphics and for the most part is able to blend the two together. While it can't really be as pretty as games like Neva it's still a game that I think still have a charm to it that I appreciate it.

Games all have different audiences and this game reminds me of the children's cartoons you'd watch like Backyardagans or Bluey. Frequently if you listen to some early shows you will see how much work and effort they put into music theory and composing. The art and graphic design is also just as good. That's what I'm reminded of when I play this game. Something that has a whole lot of love and a whole lot of care and if you think about a beginner who is playing games for the first time, this is a wonderful start.

By the end of the short game (maybe 3 hours) you're pleased with the game and you enjoy yourself. You're not necessarily fufilled with a great story or stunning gameplay but you can tell this studio had some love and care deep down and I'm glad I got to see it in action.