Summary

Release Year: 2015
Genres: Indie, Platform, Racing
Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows)
Developers: Moon Spider Studio
Publishers: Moon Spider Studio

Harold: A Heavenly Platformer with a Hilarious Twist

Harold is a 2015 single-player sidescrolling platformer developed by MediEvil Games and published by Devolver Digital. The game follows Gabe, a guardian angel responsible for guiding Harold, a clumsy human, through multiple paths of each map. The player must constantly save Harold from imminent death by manipulating obstacles in different environments.

Harold is unique in that the player does not directly control Harold. Instead, they play as Gabe, who can move objects and interact with the environment to help Harold progress. This creates a unique and challenging gameplay experience that requires the player to think ahead and plan their moves carefully.

The game’s art style is one of its most striking features. Harold is hand-drawn in a style that evokes classic animated films. The characters are expressive and the backgrounds are lush and detailed. The game’s music is also top-notch, with a whimsical score that perfectly complements the visuals.

Harold is a challenging game, but it’s also fair. The levels are well-designed and the difficulty curve is gradual. The game also features a number of checkpoints, so players can easily pick up where they left off if they die.

Harold is a unique and charming platformer that offers a refreshing take on the genre. The game’s beautiful art style, challenging gameplay, and hilarious humor make it a must-play for fans of platformers and indie games alike.

Gameplay

Harold is a sidescrolling platformer in which the player controls Gabe, a guardian angel responsible for guiding Harold, a clumsy human, through multiple paths of each map. The player must constantly save Harold from imminent death by manipulating obstacles in different environments.

The game is played from a 2D perspective, and the player can move Gabe around the screen using the arrow keys or a gamepad. Gabe can jump, double jump, and glide. He can also interact with objects in the environment, such as levers, switches, and platforms.

Harold is a very clumsy human, and he is constantly getting himself into dangerous situations. It is up to Gabe to use his angelic abilities to save Harold from harm. Gabe can move objects out of Harold’s way, create platforms for him to jump on, and even slow down time to give him a chance to catch up.

The game features a variety of different environments, each with its own unique challenges. Harold and Gabe must navigate through forests, caves, mountains, and even the inside of a giant whale. Each environment is filled with dangerous obstacles, such as spikes, traps, and enemies.

Harold is a challenging game, but it is also very rewarding. The player must use all of their skills and abilities to keep Harold alive and progress through the game. The game also features a number of secrets and hidden areas, which can be found by exploring the levels carefully.

Development

Harold was developed by MediEvil Games, a small independent game studio based in the United Kingdom. The game was funded through a Kickstarter campaign, and it was released on PC, Mac, and Linux in 2015.

The game’s development team was inspired by classic animated films, such as Disney’s “The Lion King” and “Aladdin.” They wanted to create a game that had the same beautiful art style and whimsical humor as those films.

The game’s art style was created by hand, and the developers used a variety of techniques to create the game’s unique look. They used traditional animation techniques, such as cel shading and hand-drawn textures, as well as more modern techniques, such as 3D modeling and particle effects.

The game’s music was composed by David Wise, who is known for his work on the Donkey Kong Country series. The music is whimsical and catchy, and it perfectly complements the game’s visuals.

Reception

Harold was met with critical acclaim upon its release. The game was praised for its beautiful art style, challenging gameplay, and hilarious humor. Many reviewers compared the game to classic platformers, such as Super Mario Bros. and Donkey Kong Country.

Harold was also a commercial success. The game sold over 100,000 copies on PC, and it was ported to consoles in 2016. The game has also been featured in a number of gaming publications, including IGN, GameSpot, and Polygon.

Legacy

Harold is a beloved platformer that has left a lasting legacy on the gaming industry. The game’s beautiful art style, challenging gameplay, and hilarious humor have made it a favorite among fans of the genre. Harold has also been cited as an inspiration for other platformers, such as Celeste and Shovel Knight.

Harold is a timeless classic that continues to be enjoyed by gamers of all ages. The game is a testament to the power of independent game development, and it shows that small studios can create games that rival the quality of AAA titles.