Haven

Traverse a fragmented alien world as a lovestruck couple and hunt down answers to the mysteries surrounding you in Haven, new from the developers of FURI. As you explore the planet and follow this mature and honest portrayal of their romantic relationship, do you have it in you to help them take control of their own destiny and protect each other from the sinister forces of the Apiary?

When all is said and done, what sells Haven is its characters. If a deep rich character-driven narrative that centers around two exceptionally realized characters is something you believe is worth a few gameplay hiccups to experience then this game is worth every second of your time. It’s characters deliver in every way I could ask for. Crafting a tale that was the most emotionally impactful gaming experience I’ve had since I played Sea of Solitude last year. And to put a little perspective here, that was my game of the year last year. And while its gameplay shortcomings keep it from quite rea...

With an unusual approach to roleplaying games that focuses on the relationship of its protagonist couple as not just the story but also its mechanics, Haven stands out from every other sci-fi adventure I’ve played. Were it not for soul-crushingly tedious rust cleaning and hillside foraging taking up so much of the campaign's runtime, Haven might've cemented itself as an all-time great RPG. However, the thrilling flow-rides, harmonious combat, thematically appropriate take on co-op, and startlingly human relationship between its leads make up for any low points. Above all else, Haven proves tha...

Haven is a unique title; more than likely, you’ll never have played anything quite like it. Exploring the world is lovely and relaxing, though making progress can feel frustratingly slow in the game’s early hours. Once the story really gets started though, it’s impossible to walk away. Players will love getting to know Yu and Kay and slowly uncovering the story of how they ended up together in their dangerous predicament. Haven is slow-paced, but it’s beautiful and captivating. If you want something to enjoy while tucked under a warm blanket, this might just be the comfort you need.

Even with iffy combat, Haven ends up being a dose of pure joy, letting you experience a well-written whirlwind romance with lovable characters, or just letting you hover around a planet at fast speeds, enjoying satisfying gameplay as you swiftly gather up more Flow or escape corrupted creatures. Top it all off with sweet visuals and one of the year's best soundtracks, and you have a unique blend of adventure and RPG games that provides a terrific experience. Indeed, you'll more than likely fall in love with it.

How far are you willing to go for the one that you love? The half visual novel, half role-playing game, Haven, all about a couple taking to the intergalactic skies, asks you this question and it asks it well. Throughout its time you’ll find yourself coming up with your own answers. A large part of it is thanks to how well you’ll get to know the partners as time goes on. Those threads begin as soon as its gorgeous, water coloured opening cinematic hits you. It’s clear that together, thes...

With a heaping of exploration, a pinch of turn-based JRPG and wonderful visual novel finish, Haven takes its varied inspirations and bakes them into something sweet, layered and extremely satisfying

When Furi first launched back in 2016 I was blown away by its high-octane, synthwave-infused, boss rush gameplay loop that was equal parts challenging as it was epic. After a long wait, their developer’s latest project is pretty much the exact opposite. Haven is more of a slow-burn RPG and I’m really happy with the results.

Choosing correct responses increases the confidence of the characters and we learn a lot about how they think and feel.  This part of the game is incredibly well designed.  Emotion is conveyed very well and you soon start to like and feel for the couple.  In one section you are separated and set off to find a way back to each other and I genuinely felt a sense of separation and worry while searching for my partner.

It was a startlingly bold move for The Game Bakers to take such a sharp turn from the title that brought them into the general gaming consciousness, and I applaud them greatly for that. Haven shows that they’re not a one-note studio, that they have some serious storytelling chops and are unafraid to experiment a bit.