Hoa is as stressfree and gentle as a game can possibly get. There is no way to take damage or die, and at worst you get set back just a little bit. The puzzles and platforming are very simple and easy. On top of that, the "bosses" at the end of each level aren't there for you fight but rather they help you out by giving you a new power that you can use to advance to the next area. This doesn't mean that the gameplay is boring, it does just enough to make it enjoyable for its duration.

Every minute of Hoa is designed to make you feel relaxed and not to challenge you. This allows the game to focus on its biggest strength. Immersing and moving the player with its stunning audiovisual presentation. It reminded me of Journey in that regard. Both the art style and soundtrack is reminiscent of Studio Ghibli. Sweeping piano melodies that perfectly create a sense of wonder, and a warm and colourful art style with a heavy focus on nature. There were one or two places with some framedrops but nothing that harms the gameplay all too much.

The game is not for everyone however. The lack of challenge will likely turn players off. It's also only 2 to 3 hours long depending on how much you take your time to take in the scenery. There is very little to explore and the replay value is low. I'd say it's only worth the €12 if you generally appreciate these artsy games like Journey, Limbo, etc. For the right target audience it's a beautiful and relaxing experience that will make for a magical afternoon or evening.