In a gaming landscape often dominated by high-stakes action and epic showdowns, Pilo and the Holobook offers something refreshingly gentle. It’s not a game about battles or glory, but about curiosity, exploration, and the quiet joy of discovery. This indie gem feels like stepping into a whimsical storybook where every page is alive with wonder.
A Storybook Adventure in Space
You step into the shoes (or rather, paws) of Pilo, an apprentice explorer and fox-like companion to the eccentric Professor Chiron. From their lab-turned-spaceship, you’re handed the Holobook, a magical encyclopaedia that can scan and transform the world around you into collectible stickers. With this, you set off across colourful planets to document flora, fauna, and artifacts—all while uncovering the mystery of the spreading corruption known as the Tar.
It’s simple, yet immediately enchanting: the universe feels vast, but approachable, like a bedtime story coming to life.
Exploration Without Conflict
What makes Pilo and the Holobook stand out is its refusal to rely on combat. Instead, its gameplay leans entirely into exploration and puzzle-solving. There are no enemies to fight, no weapons to wield—only a magnifying glass, your Holobook, and your curiosity.
Each new sticker you collect doesn’t just decorate your book; it also unlocks fresh possibilities, whether it’s a clue to a puzzle, a step toward a planet’s secrets, or just a charming detail that fleshes out its quirky world. It’s a calm, meditative loop that rewards patience and observation.
A Visual & Auditory Embrace
Visually, the game is nothing short of delightful. The hand-painted worlds are bursting with color, resembling interactive canvases you can stroll through. Characters come alive with expressive portraits, and the blend of clean in-game visuals with storybook-style art creates a layered, whimsical aesthetic.
The sound design adds another layer of warmth. Gentle melodies weave through the background, unobtrusive yet deeply atmospheric, while small sound cues breathe life into interactions. It’s a game that doesn’t just show you its world, it invites you to settle into it.
The Heart of the Holobook
The Holobook itself is more than just a mechanic—it’s the soul of the game. Scanning, collecting, and arranging stickers are both rewarding and playful, with each entry feeling like a keepsake in your growing journal of adventures.
Better yet, the game is wonderfully accessible. With simple controls and an easy-to-navigate interface, Pilo and the Holobook makes sure its focus stays on curiosity and creativity, rather than technical mastery.
Themes That Resonate
While light in plot, the story carries themes that feel quietly profound. It touches on mentorship, empathy, and the importance of understanding rather than conquering. At its heart, it’s a story about preservation and imagination, a reminder that exploration can be about listening and learning, not just overcoming obstacles.
Short but Sweet
Clocking in at around 4–7 hours, Pilo and the Holobook isn’t a long adventure. For many, its brevity is a strength—it never overstays its welcome. But it does leave a few threads hanging, and some puzzles can feel vague or underdeveloped. The Holobook’s sticker system, while charming, can also feel cramped at times as you try to fit in variant after variant. Still, these small frustrations never outweigh the overall warmth of the experience.
Final Thoughts: A Cosy Expedition Worth Taking
Pilo and the Holobook may be small in scale, but it’s rich in heart. It’s the kind of game that asks you to slow down, breathe, and simply enjoy the act of discovery. With its painterly visuals, soothing soundtrack, and sticker-fueled sense of wonder, it offers a short but memorable journey that lingers long after you’ve closed the book.
If you’re in the mood for something peaceful, imaginative, and heartfelt, Pilo and the Holobook is a delightful little voyage that proves not all adventures need battles to feel meaningful.
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows, macOS, Mac operating systems
Developer: Mudita Games
Publishers: RedDeer.Games, Progressive Live Studio s.c., Pilo Team
Played On: Steam
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