Harold begins with an opening scene explaining the player's role as a guardian angel and the reason the player is guiding Harold through a series of races, since the winning angel is provided a scholarship to attend a higher level learning for guardian angels. Players control a talented guardian angel that is not used to losing, so it seems strangely coincidental when the player is teamed with the least athletic and most awkward athlete in the races. Cutscenes play between each of over a dozen chapters that make up the game, and the narrative is a good one, even if a bit stereotyped, to show how even the most talented individuals can be humbled through certain life circumstances.
Harold includes over a dozen different races, and each of the races is typically based in the jungle, desert or arctic themes. Each location adds different obstacles for Harold to cross and new items for players to interact with. Harold does a good job of using the three locations throughout its campaign rather than having players fully complete one location before moving to the next. There are about 10 practice levels to complete before competing in the current location's race, and challenge levels can be unlocked as well to add even more hours of gameplay to the title.
As Harold's guardian angel, players can interact with items throughout the obstacle course races to help Harold reach the end of the race faster while also slowing down opposing racers. There are tons of interactive objects in each level of the game. The game slowly introduces players to mechanics such as jumping over gaps, breaking walls and swinging on vines, but the game becomes more complex with the completion of each level. Harold can be a difficult game at times, but the title never seems unfair to the player.
The development team behind Harold includes several key animators from popular animated films released in the last decade. There are definite influences from classic Disney movies in the character models and cutscenes throughout the main campaign, while certain animations, such as when Harold is influenced to run faster, looks like something taken straight from an episode of Looney Tunes. The game's graphics are colorful and well designed. The title hardly ever presents anything but a locked, smooth framerate, and the only real problems come from the inability to accurately gauge where the character is standing in relation to a hazard thanks in large part to Harold's awkward movements and lanky body.
The classic animated film influence is felt in the game's soundtrack as well. The title features a strong soundtrack with themes voiced by a 30 member choir. The developer could have removed most any of the songs from the game's soundtrack and placed them in films such as The Lion King, and the songs would still feel just as big a part of the film as they do in Harold. The grand soundtrack helps make the game more enjoyable and bolsters strong sound design as one of the big reasons players will enjoy the Moon Spider Studio release.
Harold includes enough content from the previously mentioned jungle, desert and arctic worlds to collectible stars in each level that double as a way to show players the quickest way through a level to make the game well worth a purchase. The title takes a unique look at the endless runner genre by allowing players to interact with the world around the runner while guiding the protagonist through stages as quickly as possible. Harold is a challenging title that is never unfair despite a few control issues, and the title is definitely worth checking out today on Steam for fans of the runner genre.
Harold is now available exclusively on Steam for PC and can be purchased for $19.99. For more information on the game, check out the official Harold website.
Game Features:
- Single Player
- Disney Inspired Art Style
- Online Leaderboards
- Steam Trading Card Support
- Achievement Support
Game Information:
Developer & Publisher: Moon Spider Studio
Available exclusively for PC (reviewed)
Release Date: February 12, 2015