Lanterns of the Hollow

Lanterns of the Hollow is the kind of game you play with headphones in a dark room. You're a lamplighter walking through a forest that's fallen asleep, lighting lanterns to wake tiny creatures and solve gentle environmental puzzles. There's no combat and no timer.

The puzzles are mostly about observation. You tap things, watch how the world reacts, and piece together small sequences. Nothing is cruel, but a few moments made me genuinely stop and think. The hint system is generous if you get stuck.

What stays with you is the mood. Hand-drawn art, soft ambient music, and a story told almost entirely without words. It's short, maybe three hours, and I didn't want it to end.

What we liked

• Gorgeous hand-drawn forest
• Puzzles that reward patience
• Warm, wordless storytelling