Review of “The Midnight Walk VR” for SteamVR & PSVR 2: A Grotesque Work of Art

Alright, let’s get into this! So, there’s this game, right? The Midnight Walk. Honestly, I jumped in expecting some Tim Burton-esque vibes. You know the type — all dark and drippy, with quirky characters popping up. I gotta say, at first glance, it’s like someone reached into Burton’s brain (yeah, I know, totally nuts) and pulled out every whimsical, twisted bit they could find.

Okay, specifics. So, the team behind it? Fast Travel Games, with MoonHood doing their dev magic. You can grab it on Steam and PS5, VR headset if you’re feeling wild. I tested it on Quest 3 via Steam Link — release dropped on May 8th, 2025, at 40 bucks. Not too shabby, right?

Let’s talk gameplay, or… well, "walking sim" is more accurate. It’s one of those games where you meander around, soak in the views, and occasionally fiddle with puzzles. There’s a sprinkle of hide-and-seek – yup, monsters included. Just what I always wanted, right? But seriously, the real star is the art. They crafted every speck of it by hand, then zapped it into 3D. The result? A world that flips between being eerily gorgeous and downright grotesque. I mean, who knew we’d be zooming around like little mouse-sized adventurers?

One quirky bit is the animation. They marketed it as ‘stop motion,’ but it kinda feels like a mix. One minute it’s jittery, then suddenly, everything smooths out. It’s like that time I tried mixing two different playlists. Spoiler: it didn’t blend well.

As for the gameplay, it never really evolves. Light puzzles, some hide-and-seek with creepy critters, nothing mind-blowing. Honestly, no ‘OMG’ moments. The puzzles are there, sure, but you’re not gonna get your mind blown. It’s not really shouting its VR credentials, either — feels more like a nice-to-have than a gotta-play-with-headset kind of game.

It’s got the spooky vibe, but it’s not exactly nightmare fuel. More like… a slightly eerie daydream? But hey, I’ve got a soft spot for those artsy strolls like Dear Esther (remember that gem?), so it didn’t bother me too much.

The narrative’s a bit, uh, poetic? Cryptic? Sounds like someone trying to be deep at 2 AM. Tons of nameless voices floating around, but not much that grabbed me — like, who are these people? (Or spirits? Who knows!)

On to the VR experience itself — there’s this magical key shortcut that bugs me. Like, you find a key, but don’t bother sticking it in a keyhole yourself. Just wave it around, and boom, magic happens. I chuckled at how you hang onto flying bars, not by grabbing or holding like you’d expect, but just by… pressing A. Gloriously mundane, right?

Oh, and this eye-closing mechanic? On PSVR2, you can literally blink away, but on PC, you’re just holding a trigger. Meh, I guess? Expected more impact.

Comfort-wise, slow movement’s cool, but they do yank your vision during cutscenes. Sometimes tilting the view so it feels off-balance, kind of like when you hop off a spinning ride — fun in small doses.

And hey, here’s a quick rundown on the controls: you get snap and smooth turnings, smooth movement, and some blinders for those who need it. Standing, sitting, whatever floats your boat. And all the major languages you need, with a ton of subtitle options. Two hands needed sometimes, so get your gamer’s hat on!

So, in the end, it’s this artsy walking piece with some VR flair, perfect for when you just want to drift through someone else’s dark dreams. Or should I say, nightmares?