Henry Halfhead Review: An Unexpectedly Poignant Tale

There’s something very special about playing a game at what feels like the perfect time in your life. I’m by no means ‘old’. In fact, I’m certain that most people would still classify me as young. But I have noticed that I ponder aging far too deeply in recent years as I approach my birthday which, for context, is very soon. Have I done enough? Am I where I should be? It’s not an ideal way to think, and I know that, but I also recently received a very welcomed reminder from a little half-headed creature by the name of Henry.

Developed by Lululu Entertainment and published by popagenda, Henry Halfhead is a sandbox adventure with light puzzling elements where you play as an odd little guy called Henry who is very literally half a head. You’ll track the course of Henry’s life, transforming into everyday objects around you. This is all narrated with said narration pointing you in the direction of objects and actions that’ll move the tale along. You are, however, free to play around for as long as you’d like.

It’s perhaps a hard premise to sell, but one that’s endlessly fun to experience. After all, there are over 250 objects to ‘become’ in the game. Understandably, some are more fun than others. There’s very little to gain from transforming into a table, for example. You can move around the room but that’s about the extent of it. Transforming into a pencil or a paintbrush, though, will allow you to express your creativity, whilst working your way through a number of kitchen items will allow you to experiment with cooking up a tasty snack.

Henry Halfhead, Credit / popagenda

It’s with this in mind that I expected Henry Halfhead to be a game that I’d categorise as ‘light fluff’. I thought I’d have fun messing around as a couple of different items, but I didn’t particularly expect much beyond that. I can now tell you how wrong my assertion was. The tale that Henry Halfhead conveys isn’t revolutionary; we’ve all been reminded of the importance of play before. It is, however, a message that’s put across exceptionally well here.

During Henry’s childhood, the player is allowed total freedom. Certainly, there are actions that progress the story but it’s ultimately up to you what you do. Do you want to build a jigsaw? Play music? Draw? Build a tower of blocks? I reviewed the title on Nintendo Switch, where holding ‘A’ highlighted objects that I was close enough to interact with. I could then select which I wanted to hop into by using the left stick to point in its direction. This section of the game felt vibrant, joyous, and full of colour.

Before long, it was time for Henry to go to school. It’s at this stage in life that rules begin to come into play, but freedom is still permitted. I completed Henry’s schoolwork, but so too was I allowed to frolic around the classroom, not quite ready to let go of my, or Henry’s, whimsical tendencies.

Henry Halfhead, Credit / popagenda

For a while, I wondered whether this was all the title had in the tank, but then came adulthood. It’s a period of the game which is purposefully monotonous. You’ll make the same breakfast. Complete the same chores. Do the same laborious tasks at work, day after day. But this segment was no less compelling, because as the pace picks up and you grow accustomed to the routine, it allows for personal reflection. It’s here that mere action alone reminds us that a sense of routine perhaps isn’t what we should be striving for. As adults, it’s something many of us seek out but Henry Halfhead exemplifies that too stringent of a routine can zap the colour from your life.

It’s a realisation that both Henry and the player come to. I’m loath to delve too far into the final chapter as I feel it’s something best experienced for yourself, but it’s perhaps not a shock to say that you’ll guide Henry back into finding that colour. A true sense of play arrives back into Henry’s life, reminding us that it’s never too late to take action, whether that’s picking up a new hobby or discovering an old one. You don’t need to make the same breakfast every day. Perhaps it is time to let a curious sense of wonder guide you as opposed to listening to the deceptively limiting voice of comfort and regularity.

By the time I rolled credits, which I did so across two sessions in around three hours, I was left wondering where I could re-add colour into my own life. I can’t transform into an object like Henry can, but it’s quite illuminating to look at the objects in my home like I could. I felt compelled to pick up my guitar, to finally use that pretty notebook to journal some ideas. Henry Halfhead is unlike any game I’ve played, and it’s not one that’ll appeal to all. But for the sentimental amongst us, those with a penchant for the poetic, it’s a cathartic experience I’d heartily recommend.

Pros: Wonderful message, a reminder that fun can be simple and easy to find, well presented

Cons: I certainly wouldn’t have been sad to see even more items, won’t appeal to everyone

For fans of: It Takes Two, cosy games

8/10: Excellent

Henry Halfhead is out now on Nintendo Switch (version tested via Nintendo Switch 2), PlayStation 5, and PC. A review code was provided by the publisher. Read a guide to our review scores here.