Hollow Lantern

Hollow Lantern is the sort of game you play with headphones in, late at night. You explore a fading world carrying a lantern that reveals paths and secrets, and the atmosphere does most of the heavy lifting. There's no combat to speak of, just movement, puzzles, and a slowly unfolding sense of place.

The puzzles are gentle but clever, usually built around light and shadow. Nothing had me stuck for ages, but a few made me pause and grin when the solution landed. The pacing is deliberate, which won't be for everyone.

It's a shorter game, maybe five hours, but it never overstays its welcome. I'd rather have a tight, memorable adventure than a bloated one, and this lands firmly in the first camp.

What we liked

• Gorgeous, moody atmosphere
• Clever light-based puzzles
• Tight, memorable runtime