Haven Is An Amazing Game You Need To Play

Haven, by The Game Bakers, is one of very few entries in the genre of Romance Games, games that are about a couple and their relationship, with the relationship taking the centre focus. A delightful story about Yu and Kay, two fugitives escaping arranged marriages in order to be with each other on the deserted planet of Source.
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00:00 - Introduction
00:57 - What Is Haven?
01:59 - The Three Couples
04:48 - Romance as Gameplay
09:55 - Every Kiss Beings with Kay
13:30 - Falling in Love with Yu
16:10 - Yu O-Kay?
18:30 - Inconsequential, But Meaningful Choice
21:11 - The Grim Reality of the Apiary
25:34 - Severing Bridges, Severing Ties
30:01 - Character Focused Storytelling
31:35 - Sequel or Satisfying Ending?
32:51 - Why Aren't There More Romance Games?
35:42 - Credits
#haven #havengame #thegamebakers

[@mikailaturkleson7472]

Thank you all for these lovely comments. I am very proud of how this video turned out and I'm glad you all enjoyed it too. We really do need more games like Haven. I wanna play another game with a couple that warms my heart like Yu and Kay did. Let's see if we can make it happen somehow.

[@Alterego912]

I've come up with framing devices and in-game mechanics for a few... but not much else.

[@andrewbenbow9257]

😅u8

[@4dragons632]

A game where standing still for a while and then you give your partner a kiss and it heals you both is freaking brilliant. I've been thinking about game design, and how to make mechanics like healthbars, healing, dialogue inherently romantic or any other emotion on a mechanical level. That is a really good one to put on the list of tools to consider.

[@bunnywithmonocle5324]

I think they could very easily make a sequal that just leaves Yu and Kay's story where it ended and focuses on a new couple in the same universe

[@AW-eh9ik]

I adore this game, it's a perfect example of how inclusivity isn't actually difficult to do. The fact that literally just changing a character's gender results in some of the best gay rep in media is very telling

[@ZodiacEntertainment2]

If you can write a good romance, you can write a good gay romance.

[@dand1253]

The minute I heard about the initial one-gender character select, I thought "they couldn't get VAs into recording booths for the other options within their launch schedule, could they?"

[@nitrogelly_576]

I'm watching this because there aren't enough videos of/about Haven

[@mikailaturkleson7472]

I agree XD

[@Viod753]

Honestly the idea of a prequel to Haven showing how Yu and Kay met does sound really interesting at least to me.

[@playererror4044]

The gender select reminds me a bit of what they did to Shovel Knight sometime after it came out, specifically you can fully customise Shovel Knight, love interest Sheild Knight and all the major bosses. You can select either the Male or Female Sprite's for the cast, and then freely change pronouns for all of them, IE: She/He/They. It was so nice to make the whole game as saphic as possible (though on future run I messed around with the bosses based on designs I liked more) Funny thing is they added this because they felt it was a bit awkward even as a retro throwback using the typical 'Save Damsel' plotline but frankly I think they did it miles better as standard just by making me believe Shovel Knight actually care's about the love of their life from nightmare minigames about trying to save her from falling and waking up as soon as you touch her (which pay's off awesomely before the final boss) and the fact you have to work with her towards the end to win the fight proves the pair are a duo and work so well together. Sorry about rambling about a game I love here, liked the video and it reminded me of an admitedly simpler video romance I still loved.

[@machjac]

Definitely want a sequel, and it's an interesting conundrum. 1. Kay and Yu are priceless. They are incredible characters that express so much love and complexity and chemistry... to try and replicate that? Admirable and possible sure... but also not so guaranteed, and to what end? As confident as you may be in your abilities in creating compelling and enjoyable characters, any pair would immediately be compared to their predecessors... and gosh it's a tough matchup. And the amount of effort it takes! Just looking at the concept art for Kay and Yu, the storyboarding, the search for VAs, etc... When thinking about the next best way to explore the Haven IP, if you already have such a stupendous foundation, why not build on it? 2. On the other hand it is complex to unpack Haven's ending, which leaves many stories untold but seemingly locked behind closed doors. Severing the flow bridge not only removes Yu and Kay from the threat of the Apiary, but also chains these lovebirds to a single rock - which is a crime to the universe, which deserves these two to be free to tell whatever stories they'd like. Even with these terrible limitations, the drift of the planet and the possibility of the flow bridge returning are curiosities.... but I wouldn't go as far as to say they are compelling indications there will be drama in their future. If we've already enjoyed exploring the beauty of Haven, what much is there to do but explore other worlds in other contexts? Alas, this is something Yu and Kay cannot do. (Although... rewatching the ending, it does seem like Source is still connected to other planets in the solar system by a flow bridge... but I wonder what exactly they could explore and experience in a gas giant...) It's not a disrespect to the characters to put them through a sequel, when the characters have so much life and love and fight still left in them... but that's why the writing in this game is so incredible: how the writers were so aware and intentional in imparting this emotion upon the player. We are struck with the same sense of loss that Yu tries to explain when reflecting on her past life in the Apiary. As the Apiary is to Kay and Yu, they are to us: dead. Despite the fact they have so much more life to live, stories to tell... they may never be able to convey that to us. We will never be able to call upon them or see them again. Unlike Yu, we had to confront that bitter truth immediately, when the game put us back to the title screen. Whether or not the writers decide that to be the final word, I cannot say. I hope not, but I do understand why it would be that way. Pardon the ramble, but this game has my heart. Great video! I'm so glad people appreciate this piece of art and it's characters.

[@justdorathy]

I find it so funny that you mentioned a hallmark movie game cuz it's literally the pitch I gave my small indie team for our Christmas special. We have two ideas for a Christmas game this year and I don't know which one we'll do, but if we decide to do that one it will most likely be hallmark movie the game basically. I'll also see if we can fit into our budget letting people pick the gender of the couple, since this video gave me that idea.

[@YourLadyStar]

I picked up this game about a month ago and I fell in love with it instantly! I picked the male Yu and Kay and they are just everything I love in a romance story and what I hope to achieve someday as a writer!

[@XainRussell]

I played this game a few months ago (also on Lily’s suggestion), and while I’m not exactly a fan of the gameplay, I LOVE Yu and Kay and their relationship. I’m totally in agreement that we need more romance centered stories in games.

[@baydiac]

This only confirms to me that Haven should be an anthology series where they keep making sequels to focus on each couple that was left out from the first game. We need m o r e.

[@violettcat7047]

This video in a nutshell: 32 minutes of Mikaila's appreciation for cute space wives and a 3 minute rant about visual novels I mean.... I'm not complaining👀 +1 game to explore, thank you so much

[@Alterego912]

Yesterday, I finally platinumed the game. I gotta say, triggering the Beruberu fight was a real test of patience.

[@KidKuroba1]

2 Lover escaping an unjust system to be together would still fit since Kay and Yu look to be an interracial couple. Interracial couple (even het ones) are still very rare today.

[@danl5086]

Hey, I said that! I like your comment better. 💜

[@patinate]

I think Metro Exodus is a good example of how a good romance narrative can elevate otherwise basic games. Metro Exodus is an FPS that regularly switches between linear and mini open world where you run from the oppressive regime you didn't know you lived under, travel across post armageddon Russia in a train that you and your closest combat buddies stole, pick up a couple of extra cars and people along the way, and search for a place to start a home. The thing is, you got married in the previous game, and your wife, who is a capable combatant herself, is with you on this entire trip. Between each main shoot-the-mans section is a segment on the train as you are all traveling to the next location, in which you get to talk to the other characters that have come on this ride with you, most notably you wife. Most travel segments open with you two relaxing together or talking. Unfortunately the choice was made somewhere along the line that the player character would be mute while being controlled, despite being voiced during cutscenes and having a written journal, but the details in the animation work and interaction options do their damnedest to compensate. Instead on just saying there was a relationship, the developers put in the work to give players first hand experience in what the relationship was and was like.

[@jordanespinosa2508]

That honestly sounds genuinely lovely, thanks for sharing the experience and your thoughts on it!

[@BobBob-up8fz]

Haven is a quiet game. But has some real charm to it. I really liked the flow of Yu and Kay's relationship. (If sometimes on the nose.) Although it's designed for couples/ 2 players. The controls and exploration feel smoother on solo. The update for the "Same gender" relationships, felt quite natural. Definitely a game for people, who want to try something relaxing. 😊

[@danl5086]

A) for the het couple (all of them, actually), you could consider an inter-racial angle: one of them is brown and unfortunately, racism can still be a thing. That aside, I picked up this game due to your video and it is SO STINKING CUTE. I love it, and thank you for recommending it.

[@lunastar833]

I got this game when it first came out, and I just absolutely love it. I hope that your video gets more people to go out try it because this a game that truly needs to be experienced.

[@mikailaturkleson7472]

Don't be afraid to share it around. ^^

[@jojothe2ndmouse830]

Thank you for the loving coverage of one of my favorite games! ❤

[@mikeknight1778]

Cool vid dude keep up the great work

[@houragents5490]

The House in Fata Morgana Dreams of the Revenants Edition. The most spiritual game I've ever played, it changed my life.

[@chimeraarts2372]

You know a person is special (in the best way) when they can make you feel for a story without you engaging with the work itself.

[@aresusadeghgol1357]

This games reminds me so much of “our personal space”, wish there was a sequel

[@MrApplefan44]

Yesh this game has been on my radar for a bit, have it still in the wishlist, but thanks for bringing it back up. Maybe the final push into just sitting down and playing it for myself. Good work with this video Mikaila :3

[@Lexyr_]

Pffft, I could not stop giggling during this video, whether it be from Yu and Kay's dialogue or from the Mikay fun facts. A charming and fun video for a charming and fun game!

[@bleakautomaton4808]

I'll say you had me at hoverboots. But for real - positivity, good characters, survival mechanics, AND hoverboots! I'm sold.

[@navybluebunny603]

This sounds exactly like the romance game I’ve been dreaming of I cannot wait to play it!

[@nicodinisi]

I actually sobbed when my girlfriend showed me the trailer for this game. We bought it a year ago and still haven’t cracked it open. I paused this video so I can save it for later.

[@pirateguy3521]

Thanks Mikay❤️❤️

[@verathorn1556]

I'm honestly surprised there aren't more games like this

[@varibunn]

This game looks exactly up my ally and I'm currently looking around it for it right now :)

[@szymonlewandowski9690]

I did not expect this channel to make a video on Haven of all things! I had interest in this game, primarly because I really liked Game bakers previous game - Furi. It's interesting to see, because these two games have completely different gameplay, but are similar in almost all other regards. Similar graphics, similar aesthetics to world and character design, music, even the way a lot of plot details fo unanswered. It's to the point were you could definetively spin a wild theory that they take place in the same world "but in two different corners of the galaxy, or 100 years apart!" I have played a bit of Haven, somewhere to the point were the Apiary starts making physical appearances. I never finished it, as I was playing it through a free month of Xbox game pass and I have yet to buy the full game. Personally, im not that into romance. Im unbiased to the genre, I mostly played because I wanted to see what that studio was up to, and I liked exploring and combat and thought the characters were cute. I find your comment on how satisfying, travelling using the levitating boots is, because it reminds of how satisfying and smooth the combat is in Furi. Guess that's just something this studio is good at. Last thing I want to say - on the matter of Female Kay x Male Yu. I had a friend who told me that they didn't like how the current game has two options with male Kay, because it reinforced the stereotype of "Black aggressive/tough men" (They didn't know that Kay was the complete opposite of that archetype) just something I'd thought I could add to the discussion. I personally would like for there to be a FKxMY option just because it would be fun.

[@itzjcghostly2199]

it would be cool if they made a prequel telling how they met or got to the planet or a sequel going to into greater depth of there original planets story and potentially using the characters they designed for the first game maybe even bring back yu and kay to spark a rebellion story either way the game is cool

[@javelinjasmin1841]

35:22 that is such a good idea. I’ll absolutely try to make one. Maybe the protagonists could just be a sapphic mercenary couple or something. If anyone actually reads this comment and has suggestions I’d appreciate it since this is just my immediate reaction to the idea and not thought about in the slightest

[@SHGogo-df5jr]

Omg this sounds sooo cute

[@aliciacordero8399]

I may have to pick this up again, it was still straight-only when I did my playthrough.

[@stitchpines4626]

Wow this game sounds so amazing

[@jimmyjjohnson7135]

Personally I believe the main reason that there's very few romance games is that it's a very niche market kind of like visual novels but visual novels have the ability to bait horny men in with incredibly sexualized anime women so more people play them

[@lucasallen5792]

One day I will buy this game and thoroughly enjoy it

[@crystalstar2217]

Hi, I was wondering if you've done a video on the show centaur world yet? I'm new to the channel, but I was interested in you what you thought of the show and how it handled its themes and villain

[@Alterego912]

Hey, did you know that the game bakers have the Haven Art book back in their new store? As well as t shirts of the three couple gender variants?

[@RustyChilders]

This game is so great.

[@cordyceps7531]

You should try Bad End Theater. It's not completely romance based, least till around the end but that end hits really hard.

[@saharasafari9]

Want a sequel

[@jimbopkiller3844]

Always good to see more from you two, have a nice day and good luck with future content! Sorry about all the weirdos in your viewership. Sincerely a long time lurker.

[@Juliett-A]

coop makes it even better

[@OlaAremu]

Fun!

[@MisaMouri]

As someone with a short husband please mod it to let her have a short king. I would love it. I want to play this game on Sapphic mode. It looks fun.

[@chaodification]

I love this game! It was very satisfying to play and I love Yu and Kay's romance and journey! Instead of a sequel how about a remake with the original idea and letting us play as all the characters, judging by the art it looks like Kay's mate also didn't follow the matchmaker and gets along well with Yu.

[@DoctrDoc]

Those 'M'kay fun facts' are the funnest facts I've ever sampled! Edit: Although I haven't played it, the closest game with romance as a feature (although perhaps not necessarily a core element) that I've heard of, is Prince of Egypt: Sands of Time.

[@blackkitty369]

I love this game! It felt really like I was watching people not stereotypes. I liked both characters and seeing them go through so much and still love each other made me hopeful for more games like that. Feels genuine not just a dating sim.

[@Spongeboyking]

What to play this game now I like your videos by i hope you do more

[@alisoncandiloro2947]

omg this is actually too cute, i got cuteness poisoning

[@klaudia712]

I love this vid! I'm not even done with it and I already wanna buy this game so much😭❤️❤️ Okay so update-I bought it, I've played it for a couple of hours & I CAN NOT GET ENOUGH, fem Kay and Yu are just co cute Istg 😭♥️♥️♥️ I love this game

[@biecie]

I would definitely be up for more romance games. Though I do feel differently about dialogue choices and character creation. You seem more interested in the romance itself regardless of the perspective which is fine. I prefer a first person experience of it. I feel like multiple routes of dialogue gives me more opportunity to express myself even if it's limited in the long run. As for character creation, I'm a black guy. The fact that the base game had Kay as a dark-skinned male attracted my attention to the game. Even though they weren't black. Kinda hard to fully immerse yourself when the default is white/asian male/female. Not that I can't or won't, I just want to see myself. Or at least the closest thing I can get to myself.

[@galdorial]

The only game I can think of *about* a couple is It Takes Two. Its a co-op game where you play as a "clashing couple" (according to the steam page) and slowly rebuild a relationship while solving platforming puzzles. Is straight tho and i havent finished it so i wont attest to its quality LOL. It was just a popular game for let's players at one point

[@creategenius719]

My bf and I played the whole game. It was a lot of fun! It's also definitely worth doing a second playthrough but swapping characters since the husband and wife have different abilities in each area.

[@Rue_ColdFire]

Whelp mission accomplished my dear. I'm definitely checking this game out! Mostly for the gay boys but just all the good romance mush in general. As for wanting more/a sequel it'd be nice to see the characters and other cut content put in either as an update, dlc, or new version of the game. Or they could reuse some of those other character designs and make multiple sequel games about other lovers in similar situations. Considering how little people interaction there is outside the few characters we see who's not to say Kay and Yu don't inspire others to pursue their own happiness and also say fuck the Apiary and its matchmaking system. Anyways this was sooooo good, thanks for sharing!

[@WingedRose96]

proof that the wife can always be trusted uwu and i definitely agree with your closing point about wanting more actual romance games. it feels like we'll get snippets of it in story games but it's never the focus so it's refreshing to hear about a game not only making it THE whole point of the story, but also making it permeate everything in the game mechanics themselves! more media with couples loving each other and being happy together please and thank. especially if they're gay couples cuz always more rep for happy healthy gay couples 💕

[@eyeballdude9061]

I just found out this game is on Switch and I have a Switch Lite. So........

[@bleakautomaton4808]

Oh it's on Switch? Dope!

[@danl5086]

Saw it was for the Switch and bought it immediately

[@Storm-crow13]

I hope they use the content they couldn’t use for sequels. I wonder how much people who are fan of the romance genre would like this game because it is about a couple already in love and exploring their relationship. Instead of two dumb shits clearly in love but dancing around each other and ending when they admit their feelings like most of the romance genre. Why did the female versions get to have better hairstyles

[@robinhildebrand6012]

I bought this game a couple of days ago, and I fucking love it so far. I haven't gotten into the combat yet, even, but I probably would have loved it for the fun creatures and the fact that you can give them skritches. Beautiful art design, the movement is smooth, I'm so happy with it so far. I'm not bothered about spoilers, so thank you for mentioning that there's a bad end, so I too can avoid it. I don't think I could handle a bad end for these two nerds, I love them so much already.

[@Armaggedon185]

Glad to know I’m not the only one who finds the omission of one gender pairing strange.

[@casbert3000]

love this game i really hope to a new squal maybe have a family also maybe a son and Daughter.

[@waifu_png_pl6854]

i heard about it back when they only had a straight couple and loved the few clips of absolutely adorable nonsense i saw. they added gay stuff? well i think i know what just got added to my gaming wishlist, lol

[@mysticmismagius6298]

TFW Haven isn't available on Mac :(

[@Lily_Orchard]

You own a Mac in 2024? That's rough.

[@mysticmismagius6298]

@@Lily_Orchard My dad gave it to me for free so, no looking gift horses in the mouth. It is a bit rough having all these games I want to play on Mac and can't, though.

[@sammywatokohom172]

I can't finish this game because my jealousy will break my switch in half.

[@zoggtheobserver4196]

a good discord remix

[@pikaace]

Me: (after watching this) Hmmm, I like it...Steam? Steam: Yep; 25 bucks. Me: LET'S GOOOOOO!!

[@pikaace]

UPDATE: I finally got around to buying this game, I'm an hour in, and I'm already IN LOVE. I would lay down MY LIFE for these lovebirds. They deserve ALL the joy and happiness

[@alliumrose6862]

Where can I find this

[@Lily_Orchard]

PC, PS4, PS5 and Switch

[@alliumrose6862]

​@@Lily_Orchard Thank you kween I'm gonna need to get this as soon as possible

[@CommanderHof]

a video game i know about lets gggggggggggggggggggggggggggggooooooooooooooooooooooo

[@jakenewland-griffin9460]

government approved ugenics yay

[@Willpear-pd5sb]

6:16 fren

[@TheAwkwardGamer]

Whilst I definitely think that this is one of the best romance games I've ever played (so far, I'm hoping there'll be more in the future), I will have to say that the endings left me feeling empty inside. SPOILERS FOR THOSE WHO HAVEN'T FINISHED THE GAME: In the good ending, Kay and Yu are cut off from all civilisation FOREVER with no hope for either of them to leave a dead/dying planet. Not only that, but one of them is permanently scarred/deformed in such a way that it WILL cause injury in the future (intentional or not). In the event that Kay and Yu did have children (in this case, I'm going with the original heterosexual pairing), they'll be doomed to a life of forced solitude. There's a reason why solitary confinement is a punishment in prison, and it is horrifying that this is what Kay and Yu are condemned to in the GOOD ending. And the bad ending made me absolutely sick to my stomach (it quite literally made me nauseous). To have the memories of somebody you loved removed from your mind and then become an unwitting, forced mate of somebody that you absolutely despise is, to me, a fate worse than death. This is effectively the romantic equivalent of 1984, a book that (whilst a masterpiece) has one of my least favourite endings of all time, because of the horror of losing an integral part of your personality/life experience and because it makes the entire story that was built up over the course of the game irrelevant because it's as if nothing ever happened.

[@guidomista9565]

Haven: the game were being gay is in the mechanics

[@user-zz7cy1gc6v]

i wish we could have an animated show or movie like this, im not realy into playing part of games, but i would def check this out if it was like dragon prince or pseudo anime style looking mini series, with good ending ofcourse like this seems much more interesting than lumity (because emity is meh to me) and its not problematic like catradora(which i like for not enemies to lovers reasons) but still has both parts be quirky(also design wise, its literally ying yang lesbians, magnifico.)

[@Lily_Orchard]

Doesn't like Lumity, but likes Catradora for non enemies-to-lovers reason. That is a paradox.

[@requiem6465]

Most romance games are more seduction games.