Horace
Released Jul 2019
"The best platformer of 2019."Horace is a huge platforming adventure which pushes the boundaries of the genre with a profound story of a small robot learning of life, the universe and Douglas Adams. Made by videogame lovers for videogame lovers!
80% positive · 694 reviews
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence
Where to buy
Prices in USD, as listed by each store.
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Evaluation
Horace launched on Steam on July 18, 2019 and received a healthy stream of post-launch content and polish updates over the following 15 months. The developer shipped several meaningful content additions: v1.4.0 in September 2019 added a Time Machine, Cinema, and Gramophone; v1.5.0 in January 2020 added a Ninja Suit, portable Game Guy device, and new rooms; and v1.5.1 in February 2020 added hats and photo booths. These were accompanied by a handful of bug-fix hotfixes throughout 2019–2020. The final patch on record, v1.5.3 on October 22, 2020, was a small quality-of-life update tied to the Nintendo Switch release, with no new content teased beyond that point.
In November 2019, the developer noted "there is still more content in the pipeline" — however, the subsequent content updates (v1.5.0 and v1.5.1 in early 2020) most plausibly fulfilled that promise, and no further content commitments were made after those releases shipped. The last developer communication of any kind was the October 22, 2020 patch. No announcements, roadmaps, or future content have been communicated since that date.
The only DLC listed is the soundtrack, which released in October 2019 and is already available. There are no unreleased DLC entries. The store description describes the game as a complete, self-contained experience. With no outstanding content commitments, no sustained update cadence pointing toward further releases, and nearly six years of silence since the last patch, Horace appears to be a finished product.
Evidence
v1.5.3 patch released alongside the Nintendo Switch version, adding quality-of-life improvements and display options. This is the last recorded developer communication.
v1.5.1 added hats and photo booths as post-endgame rewards, along with save-game fixes.
Content
1 of 1 released · no outstanding content
Media
Details
Developer
Publisher
505 Games
Achievements
58
Platform
Windows
Controller
full support
Steam Deck
Verified
Players
Single-player
About this game
This masterpiece from Paul Helman and Sean Scapelhorn is a classic platformer that tells an emotional and surprisingly rich tale of self-discovery peppered with nostalgic popular culture references that will bring a smile to any gamer who enjoys the 8 and 16 bit era!
An unmissable tale of a small robot on a big adventure!
Made by just two people, Horace offers over 15 hours of exciting platforming and pushes the boundaries of the genre with profound storytelling and quirky and nostalgic pop culture references! A game made by videogame lovers for videogame lovers!
Adventure through hours and hours of varied gameplay, dubbed by many as Indie GOTY 2019! Overcome 2D platforming challenges with a unique twist, unlock new metroidvania inspired robot abilities, enjoy plenty of retro-inspired mini games and reunite Horace with his family.
A charming single player narrative that will make you laugh, cry and cheer!
Watch this hand-crafted, cinematic story unfold.
Stunning 2D pixel worlds made by just two people inspired by the ‘golden age’ of UK software development.
Meet dozens of weird and wonderful characters.
Bond with every character you meet and find Horace’s family.
Mind bending platforming puzzles.
Unlock new metroidvania inspired abilities and defy the laws of physics to overcome all obstacles.
Take on thrilling and difficult boss battles.
Each a refreshing take on the boss battle formula until the game's stunning conclusion!
Revisit arcade classics from the 90s!
Play retro inspired mini games which have been perfectly interwoven into the narrative!
An unmissable tale of a small robot on a big adventure!
Made by just two people, Horace offers over 15 hours of exciting platforming and pushes the boundaries of the genre with profound storytelling and quirky and nostalgic pop culture references! A game made by videogame lovers for videogame lovers!
- “A frankly gorgeous-looking pixel art platform adventure game” Kotaku UK
- 9/10 "Might very well be the best platformer of 2019" Cub3d
- “Horace’s heartwarming narrative pushes you through the hardcore gameplay, and the high quality aesthetic and music burns themselves into your brain” Escapist Magazine
- 9/10 “Definitely one of the best Indie titles I have played this year” Demon Gaming
- 9.5/10 “This is one of the best games of 2019 and one of the best independent games I have ever played” Way too many games
- 8.5/10 "Manages to offer his own personal reading of the platform genre, surprisingly walking the streets of narration" Multiplayer.it
- 8/10 "Unique, unsettling and surprising title". Everyeye.it
- “Brilliantly exceeds expectations” PDVG
- “Is a treat, and very well worth getting hold of” Get Indie Gaming
Adventure through hours and hours of varied gameplay, dubbed by many as Indie GOTY 2019! Overcome 2D platforming challenges with a unique twist, unlock new metroidvania inspired robot abilities, enjoy plenty of retro-inspired mini games and reunite Horace with his family.
A charming single player narrative that will make you laugh, cry and cheer!
Watch this hand-crafted, cinematic story unfold.
Stunning 2D pixel worlds made by just two people inspired by the ‘golden age’ of UK software development.
Meet dozens of weird and wonderful characters.
Bond with every character you meet and find Horace’s family.
Mind bending platforming puzzles.
Unlock new metroidvania inspired abilities and defy the laws of physics to overcome all obstacles.
Take on thrilling and difficult boss battles.
Each a refreshing take on the boss battle formula until the game's stunning conclusion!
Revisit arcade classics from the 90s!
Play retro inspired mini games which have been perfectly interwoven into the narrative!
Last evaluated Jun 27, 2026
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