Haven

Haven exudes an amount of confidence that’s not often seen. Every piece falls into its place and there is never a moment to suggest that developer The Game Bakers had any doubts about the direction in which it wanted to take the game. Its satisfying exploration of interconnected levels, light survival, story-driven visual novel elements, and rhythmic combat all serve the greater experience. It boasts some of the most organic writing we’ve seen in a while and strong protagonists with excel...

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...

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.

The Game Bakers have done a wonderful job creating a unique world and telling a love story that's believable and intriguing. I was fully invested in Kay and Yu and shaping their relationship. Though the game is all about the story, the game's turn-based combat is truly unique and demands your attention. What seals the deal is Havens's fantastic soundtrack providing some of the best electronic music I've heard in a while. For those looking for a different type of game, Haven is a great alternative for those looking for a great character-driven and emotional. experience.

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...

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

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.

An RPG about an intergalactic love affair.

Very few games attempt to tell stories about established romantic relationships, but it's this angle that sets Haven apart. It's easily one of the more intriguing indie titles that we've played in some time, telling the tale of two lovers who have essentially ran away from home together. The sci-fi setting sees them stranded on an abandoned planet known as Source, making use of its natural resources in order to survive, and, ideally, build some kind of future for themselves.

Haven is a game set on a beautiful world with lovable protagonists and compelling villains, but it suffers from frustrating design issues and the game ends on a flat note.

It’s ultimately a lovely experience that is, at its heart, a narrative game about two people. Getting to know them and explore their world is a delight that can be occasionally risque and cringy — but worth it for the enjoyable gameplay and sincere storytelling.

Built for local co-op with a significant other in mind, Haven is a pleasant experience with some severe narrative downfalls.