Half Away is an adventure to behold with its narrative telling in a fantasy setting, relaxing players while challenging them with unique puzzles in the Spirit Realm. Developed by Better Half Team, this story takes place as Juna is met with an impossible choice: save her brother at the cost of her life or return, unfulfilled. 

Half Away puts players in the Spirit Realm where they must deal with puzzles and Juna’s conflicted choice as she navigates the realm, learning more each step of the way. The game has a free demo for players to try. 

An expedition to self-realization 

Half Away is a walking simulator like games such as Firewatch and Journey, where players must walk through the Spirit Realm. Throughout the journey, players are met with Juna’s struggles and we learn more about Juna and her brother’s relationship. We meet characters from the Spirit Realm, guiding us through our final choice and the path that we must walk to get there.  

This game features multiple sides of the Spirit Realm, featuring lush forests and dark caves. The levels in this game offer varied challenges in the form of unique puzzles which are tied into the narrative and past of Juna and her brother, telling a tale while engaging players in puzzles. While these features are decent, the game’s puzzles can be too easy especially for veterans of the puzzle genre. 

This adventure leads us to beautiful landscapes to be explored in the Spirit Realm, featuring a mix of Japanese and Slavic folklore in designing the multiple levels of the realm. This game also features multiple endings depending on the conclusion you get from your own perspective of the tale told throughout your journey. However, repeating the game can be a struggle to due the lack of variety in gameplay. 

A soulful journey through choices and challenges 

Half Away delivers an emotionally engaging experience through its heartfelt narrative, stunning visuals, and folklore-inspired Spirit Realm. The combination of storytelling and puzzle-solving makes it an accessible journey for casual players, though puzzle veterans may find the challenges too simple. With its multiple endings and a poignant exploration of Juna’s choices, it’s a contemplative adventure best suited for fans of narrative-driven walking simulators.