Mixing survival horror and platforming, A Void Hope creates something new and fresh. The story may be familiar–finding a cure to a strange new illness in a dystopian city– but the environments and characters are where the game shines due to the unique atmosphere and uncertainty surrounding how the affliction spreads.
Our preview consisted of the first few levels, which gave an overview of what the game entails: a dangerous and unknown plague that affects memories, the dark streets of an all-but-abandoned city, and a love story that races against time to find a cure. And, of course, there are puzzles to solve to get through each level.
Though skeptical at first, since platformers are often hit-or-miss for me, A Void Hope drew me in with its stylized art and catchy music. The opening of the game throws you directly into the world of a couple, Gilda and Keegan, who remain mostly unaffected by the plague, making you guide them home safely before all hell breaks loose.
Gilda is a devoted wife with a dark secret that she feels compelled to atone for, rushing to find a way to save her husband from the disastrous affliction. Keegan does his best to hold onto the fragmented pieces of his mind, but the affliction is already beginning to take hold as he chases the echoes of his wife to save their family.
The first few levels truly capture the eerie feeling that you’re being watched. It’s a short game, but doesn’t suffer for it. If anything, it’s rewarding to progress so quickly. Once you unlock a gun, it speeds things along and makes it easier to pass enemies, but even the levels without it move along smoothly. As developer Elden Pixels states, this game is best enjoyed in a single sitting, and I couldn’t agree more. I actually feel compelled to go back a level and explore since there’s no rush and I enjoy finding every collectible.
Running through the dark forest and remnants of the city was captivating. The puzzles in each allow you to catch a glimpse of what used to be compared to how things are now. From climbing the trees in the forest getaway to finally reaching the outskirts of the city, I explored every crevice as I tried to uncover the secrets behind the outbreak. Even in a limited preview, it was still worth going back through each level multiple times to find as many secrets as I could. I found new ways to get around the city and access rooms I thought were exclusive to one character or the other–like an experimental facility where Gilda was not equipped to defend herself yet, but where Keegan had a gun.
You’ll have to get creative with how you avoid enemies while still finding your way to your destination without getting lost. I found that jumping over those shadowy husks wasn’t as effective as I hoped, and neither was shooting at them because they’ll simply come back–so it’s a short-term solution at best. Instead, I took different paths to avoid the strangers who transformed without warning, whether that meant taking the high road over them or finding another detour through the city using different buildings and elevators. The result was often losing my sense of direction and instead embracing curiosity.
A Void Hope keeps you guessing, but in a way that doesn’t cause you to panic at every passing shadow. The people you see in the streets of the ruined city cannot be trusted. They could turn at any minute and become a threat. If a door opens, be ready to run. Anyone can fall victim to the mysterious illness–and oddly enough, no one else in the background seems to care. They’re all resigned to watching their neighbors and loved ones transform into unrecognizable shadow creatures.
A Void Hope is a short survival horror experience without any of the hack-and-slash gore or violence that other outbreak-related games have relied on. It’s a great, spooky game with a retro feel that doesn’t overstay its welcome from what I’ve played.
A Void Hope Releases June 20, 2025 on PC and Switch.
