I didn’t get to play Hoa back when it first released in 2021, but I did eventually get to play it a couple years later. I was immediately taken in by its strikingly beautiful hand-drawn art and soft, tranquil music. What I wasn’t prepared for was just how fun and compelling the game was, with some casual, yet interesting puzzles. However, Hoa is quite a short game, only taking a couple of hours to beat. It left me wanting more, which can be either a good or bad thing, and in this case, I was was so charmed by the experience that I found myself disappointed when it was over.

Thankfully, Skrollcat Studio and PM Studios teamed up once more to bring us Hoa 2, a direct sequel to the first game. Once again playing as the titular character, Hoa, a forest fairy who explores the world with childlike wonder. Not getting into spoilers for those who haven’t played the first game, but it takes a rather dramatic turn towards the end, and Hoa 2 seems to pick up pretty much where the first game left off. That said, you don’t necessarily need to have played the first game to enjoy Hoa 2, as most of the enjoyment comes from its atmosphere and environmental puzzles.

In the bit I got to experience during my hands-on session, I was exploring a forested area that seemed to be reclaiming the land that robots had once taken over. I was on the hunt for drops of oil to power up an ancient machine, which I obtained by solving some pipe puzzles. At first they started off extremely easy, but they ramped up in difficulty bit by bit as I moved on to each new area. They never got so tough as to be frustrating, so like the first game, Hoa 2 should be fairly accessible for most players, regardless of skill level.

What I found myself enjoying most were the various environmental puzzles, especially the few involving crabs. Some crabs varied in size, allowing me to control them and move them along set paths in order to reach higher locations. Others had me trying to “tuck in” groups of baby crabs by herding them into their assigned spots. They can only move sideways, so I had to make note of the directions each were facing and then strategize the order in which to move them so I could get them all in their spots without blocking others out. Like the pipe puzzles, they start off fairly simple, but get more complex as you progress.

I’m also thrilled to announce that the same core group of artists and even the same composer, Akmigone, of the first game have returned for Hoa 2. So if you’re a fan of the first game, or are even just interested in what you’ve seen, then rest assured that you’re in for the same gorgeous, whimsical esthetic as before. I’ve also been told that the experience should be a bit longer than the first game, which made me very happy to hear. I can’t wait to play the full game!

Hoa 2 releases in 2026, and will be available on Steam, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2.

*Gameplay and assets provided by the publisher