Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The gameplay of Hi, How Are You is built around a deceptively simple yet deeply engaging tile-lighting mechanic. Players guide Jeremiah—turned into a frog by Satan’s curse—across twenty-five vibrant levels where every square on the floor must be illuminated. Stepping on a tile lights it up, but passing over it a second time deactivates it, forcing careful planning and precision movement. This risk-and-reward loop keeps each stage fresh, as you learn to map out your route to avoid unintentional backtracking.

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Control options include tilt sensors for motion-based steering or a virtual on-screen joystick for those who prefer a more classic approach. Both methods feel responsive and intuitive, allowing you to focus on timing jumps and navigating around enemies rather than fighting the controls. Springs scattered throughout the levels offer gravity-defying leaps, adding verticality and variety to the puzzle-platform formula.

Beyond simply lighting every tile, the game incentivizes mastery through a tiered medal system. Bronze is awarded for basic completion, while silver and gold demand clearing optional “challenge” blocks and beating strict time limits. This layered difficulty curve will appeal to both casual players interested in the story and completionists hunting every hidden block and speed-run path.

Graphics

Hi, How Are You adopts a bright, cel-shaded aesthetic that feels like stepping inside one of Daniel Johnston’s surreal illustrations. Bold outlines and saturated hues give each environment a playful, almost storybook quality, while character models retain a charming simplicity that never feels out of place. The result is a cohesive visual identity that honors Johnston’s artwork without becoming overly literal.

Levels range from sun-bleached grassy fields to moody, demon-infested caves, each with distinct color palettes that help you immediately recognize hazards and interactive elements. The 360-degree camera allows you to appreciate the full sweep of these psychedelic landscapes, though occasional angle adjustments are needed to line up tricky jumps. Thankfully, the controls remain smooth even when panning rapidly.

Unlockable gallery pieces offer another visual treat: as players earn achievements, they reveal twenty iconic artworks by Johnston himself. Displaying these in a dedicated art gallery mode transforms your in-game accomplishments into a living homage to a groundbreaking indie artist, further immersing you in his universe.

Story

The narrative premise is as whimsical as it is surreal: Satan, in a fit of cosmic mischief, has cursed Jeremiah and turned him into a frog. Your mission—to reverse the curse and rescue a mysterious girl—provides just enough context to drive the action without bogging down the game’s lighthearted tone. It’s a classic “odd couple” of good versus evil, wryly filtered through Johnston’s outsider-art sensibility.

Throughout the game, snippets of Johnston’s original music underscore the adventure, further weaving his creative legacy into the experience. While story beats appear sparingly between stages, they’re delivered with charming brevity, letting the gameplay take center stage. Any lingering narrative questions—like the girl’s identity or Satan’s ultimate motive—are left to player interpretation, preserving the quirky mystique of Johnston’s own lyrics and drawings.

Fans of Daniel Johnston or grunge-era nostalgia will appreciate nods to Kurt Cobain’s famous endorsement of the Hi, How Are You artwork. These references never feel forced; instead, they serve as affectionate easter eggs for those familiar with the backstory. For newcomers, it simply enriches the lore, hinting at the real-world impact of Johnston’s art without requiring prior knowledge.

Overall Experience

Hi, How Are You succeeds at blending straightforward puzzle-platform mechanics with the eccentric charm of Daniel Johnston’s art and music. The level design strikes an excellent balance between accessibility and challenge, ensuring that casual players can enjoy the story while seasoned gamers can chase every silver and gold medal. Tilt or touchscreen controls each have their merits, making the game adaptable to different playstyles on the go.

Visually, the cel-shaded approach captures the essence of Johnston’s psychedelic drawings, and the rotating 3D camera adds depth to what might otherwise be a flat puzzle experience. With each level introducing new hazards—such as moving platforms, enemy creatures, and color-coded challenge tiles—the game keeps you engaged over its twenty-five stages without ever feeling repetitive.

Ultimately, Hi, How Are You is more than a nostalgia trip for Daniel Johnston fans; it stands on its own as a polished, inventive puzzle-platformer. The combination of unlockable art galleries, the layered medal system, and a soundtrack drawn straight from Johnston’s catalog elevates the overall package. Whether you’re here for the storybook visuals, the catchy music, or the tight gameplay loops, you’ll find plenty to love in this unique tribute to an indie legend.

Retro Replay Score

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