Halver is a puzzle game which presents some unique ideas in movement, allowing players to use physical properties of objects, which the player can design, to move around the game. Though the idea has a good deal of potential, the execution in the game itself leaves something to be desired.

Unique, but with problems in its execution

Halver is a very unusual game, I’m tempted to use the word unique, at least in its ideas and to the best of my knowledge. The game is basically a puzzle game in which you use different shapes, some of which you make by cutting other shapes, to move around, collect objects, and generally play through a landscape. The idea is interesting and requires quite a bit of thought from the player to get through levels.

The difficulty with the game are, though, all found in its execution. First, on my equipment at least, controls are very sensitive. You have to be very careful in the moves you make, particularly in cutting shapes, so that the shapes you make with your cuts work to get you where you want to go.

On its own, this wouldn’t be a major problem, it may even be required by the physics of the game, but things are made more difficult by the seeming inability to save at checkpoints. Players can restart the entire level, but I haven’t found a way to save within levels or even at specific points.

The music is amusing the first time you play through a level, but not so much when you’re playing that level repeatedly. The tutorials are another issue. They are not as easy to understand as they might be, and some of the physics of the game is not explained.

Occasionally, you can find out certain things about the play only by actually playing the game. This would be fine for minor quirks, but some of the things one learns about the game’s physics are quite important and would really benefit from being mentioned in the tutorial.

These are also not mentioned in hints or other areas of the game, the only way to learn about them is to simply play the game and, though that is enjoyable, learning about the physics by being forced to restart a level, rather than going back to a more recent point, gets old quite quickly.

Is Halver good for a livestream?

Though Halver can be streamed, it isn’t designed for streaming and there are fairly few ways for an audience to participate. The graphics are good, but nothing to write home about, and the idea is interesting for the player but less so for anyone just watching.

The game’s storyline is not as clear as it could be, you can, just for example, see that you have a certain number of objects, but it’s not clear, until later in the game, how many are needed, how many there are, and what is to be done with them. Getting an overview of the story might be useful, and might make the game more interesting as a whole both for players and any audience.

All that is to say that the idea is good, but the execution, makes the game difficult to play as a player and not very interesting as something to be streamed. It may be a way to make a stream unique on one occasion, but I don’t see it fitting into a stream over time.

Halver

PC (2024)

Performance

Streamability

Audience Engagement

Replayability

Summary

The idea is good, but the execution, makes Halver difficult to play as a player and not very interesting as something to be streamed.

STEAM

Mega1X

From the moment I grasped a controller at a young age, the world of gaming has been a constant companion in my life, guiding me through myriad worlds and stories. An avid gamer ever since, I’ve always been drawn to the immersive universes of single-player games, where rich narratives and expansive worlds offer an escape into the depths of imagination and storytelling. My passion for gaming is not just about playing; it’s about experiencing and living through the amazing stories that these games offer, each one a unique adventure that enriches my love for this digital art form.

Beyond the screen, I’m a casual streamer, revelling in the joy of sharing my gaming experiences and connecting with like-minded individuals. This platform allows me to blend my love for technology and gaming, creating a space where conversations flow, friendships form, and the shared passion for gaming thrives.