Hollowreach

Hollowreach is quiet and moody, an adventure game about descending into an abandoned underground city and slowly piecing together what happened to it. There's no combat to speak of. Instead you explore, solve environmental puzzles, and light your way with a lantern that runs on scarce oil, which adds a gentle tension to every detour.

The mapping mechanic won me over. You sketch your own route as you go, marking dead ends and locked doors, and coming back later with the right key feels earned. Sound design does a lot of heavy lifting; distant drips and creaks make empty rooms feel occupied. I played most of it with headphones and would recommend that.

It's not a long game, maybe five or six hours, but it stays with you. If you want something contemplative to play in one weekend rather than an endless grind, Hollowreach is a lovely little journey.

What we liked

• Hand-drawn mapping that feels rewarding
• Excellent atmospheric sound design
• A complete story, no grind required