Hob (video game)

Hob is an action-adventure game developed by Runic Games and released for Windows and PS4 in September 2017.[2] It is set in a science-fiction world filled with bizarre wildlife, over-grown architecture, and unknown machinery.

Hob
Developer(s)Runic Games
Publisher(s)Runic Games
Composer(s)Matt Uelmen
EngineOGRE[1]
Platform(s)PlayStation 4, Windows, Nintendo Switch
ReleaseWindows, PlayStation 4
September 26, 2017
Nintendo Switch
April 17, 2019
Genre(s)Action-adventure

Gameplay

Hob's gameplay centers around two main components: exploration and combat.

Exploration

When the game starts, the player is only able to access a small area. As the game progresses, the player solves puzzles and unlocks powers that open up more areas of the map.

Combat

The core of Hob's simple combat system is made up of four main actions: quick sword attack, slow punch attack, slower charge attack, and roll. Throughout the game the player can unlock more advanced combat maneuvers, such as a ground-slam attack and a deployable shield. Many of these maneuvers use up energy, which recharges at a slow rate. The player can also find items throughout the world that increase their default damage, maximum health, and maximum energy.

Plot

The story line of Hob is expressed through environmental storytelling, with more and more clues being revealed as the game goes on.[3] Since there is no dialogue or written language, these clues are given through the environments, enemies, and other creatures that the player interacts with.

Development and release

Hob was developed by Runic Games. The game was announced in August 2015 at PAX Prime.[4] Matt Uelmen composed the soundtrack for the game.[5] The game was released on PlayStation 4 and Windows in 2017.[6]

An enhanced version titled Hob: The Definitive Edition, published by Perfect World Entertainment and ported by Panic Button, was released for the Nintendo Switch on April 17, 2019.[7]

Reception and reviews

Hob received "generally favorable" reviews from critics according to review aggregator Metacritic.[8][9]

As of April 2020, Hob has a "very favorable" rating on Steam, with 89% of user reviews being positive.[11]

Game Informer gave it a positive review, stating, "From the archaic machines dotting the landscape, to the bizarre creatures and even the mysteries surrounding the main character, Hob's narrative strength lies in showing rather than telling...I walked away from this demo impressed".[6]

PC Gamer gave it a score of 77/100, saying in their verdict, it was "a gorgeous world eager to be explored with satisfying puzzles and fun, if occasionally clumsy, action".[12]

IGN said overall the game is a "beautiful Zelda-like puzzler with fun combat elements that takes place on an enchanting world where nature and machinery alter the landscape as easily as a twist of a Rubik's cube. The wordless approach to the story creates some confusion and the fix camera sometimes results in unnecessary deaths, but never does the time spent with Hob feel wasted".[13]

References
  1. Sinha, Ravi (April 1, 2016). "Hob Interview: Out of the Torchlight, Into Mystery". Gaming Bolt. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  2. "Hob Prelude Comic". www.runicgames.com. September 25, 2017. Retrieved 2020-04-19.
  3. September 7, 2017. "Dev Diary: Fallen Soldier". www.runicgames.com. Retrieved 2020-04-19.
  4. Martin, Michael (August 17, 2015). "PAX Prime 2015: Runic Games Announces Hob for PC and Consoles". IGN. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
  5. "Music with Matt Uelmen – Hob". YouTube. January 27, 2017. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
  6. Leendertsen, Jordan (March 9, 2017). "Going Hands On With Runic Games' Weird And Wonderful World - Hob". Game Informer. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
  7. Nunneley, Stephany (March 28, 2019). "Torchlight 2 is coming to consoles this fall, Hob will release on Switch April 17". VG247. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
  8. "Hob for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  9. "Hob for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  10. "Hob: The Definitive Edition for Switch Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  11. "Hob on Steam". store.steampowered.com. Retrieved 2020-04-19.
  12. Kelly, Andy (September 26, 2017). "Hob review". PC Gamer.
  13. Johnson, Leif (September 28, 2017). "Hob Review - IGN". IGN.
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