When atmosphere beats difficulty

Not every game needs to test you. Lantern Hollow reminded me that a strong mood can carry an entire experience, even when the puzzles are gentle.

The fog, the muted colours, the careful little sounds — it all builds a place you want to linger in. The puzzles are really just excuses to keep exploring, and honestly that's fine.

There's a snobbery around easy games, as if difficulty is the only measure of worth. But I finished Lantern Hollow feeling something, which is more than plenty of harder games manage.

So next time a game seems too gentle, give it a chance to set a mood first. Some of these small, quiet titles are the ones that stick with you long after the flashy ones are deleted.