Jerry Hazelnut is a twelve-year-old boy who wants to be a magician. In The Night of the Rabbit, he gets his wish — and a traveling case, a wand, a magic hat, and a talking albino rabbit named Marquis de Hoto come with it. The game, developed and published by Daedalic Entertainment, puts players in control of Jerry as he follows the rabbit into a realm called Mousewood, where talking woodland animals live in a world of portal trees and magic.
Trailer, via Daedalic Entertainment.
The Setup
The premise is simple. Jerry finds a formula for a carrot flame, mixes the ingredients, and a case appears out of nowhere. Inside are the wand, the hat, and the Marquis de Hoto himself. The rabbit explains that the world has many parallel universes, connected by tree roots beneath the earth. He is a Treewalker, able to move between these realms with a spell, and he enchants Jerry’s hollow coin to reveal hidden magic.
The Marquis offers Jerry a chance to become his apprentice. The course is long-term, but the rabbit promises Jerry will be home before dinner. Jerry agrees, and the two enter a fairy-tale universe filled with talking woodland creatures.
Mousewood and Its Town
Mousewood is the heart of the game. It is a town populated by talking animals, and it serves as the base for Jerry’s journey. The inhabitants need help, and Jerry provides it while learning spells from the Marquis and the Magician of Mousewood.
The game’s central task is mastering four spells in order to become a true Treewalker. Each spell comes with a lesson, and each lesson brings Jerry closer to defeating the villain of the story, an evil magician named Zaroff. Zaroff has already conquered many parallel universes using a spell that relies on four cursed nails.
The Hollow Coin
The hollow coin is the key tool in The Night of the Rabbit. Pressing the spacebar or the middle mouse button activates it, revealing clickable objects that were otherwise invisible. It is a clever mechanic, one that rewards curiosity and careful observation of the screen.
Puzzles in the game often require combining objects from the inventory. Some solutions involve putting items together in unexpected ways. The game leans on classic point-and-click adventure design, where players control Jerry with a mouse and manage a small inventory of useful items.
Collectibles and Card Games
There are additional collectibles scattered across the game. Stickers and audiobooks can be found to unlock achievements. There is also a quartets card mini-game that can be played at any time, offering a break from the main adventure.
These extras do not add much depth, but they give the game a sense of completion. Players who enjoy collecting will find plenty to look for.
Zaroff’s Threat
The threat of Zaroff hangs over the entire adventure. He is the evil magician who has conquered parallel universes with his spell, and he plans to attack Mousewood. This gives the game a sense of urgency, even though the pace remains gentle and unhurried throughout.
The game’s plot moves slowly, with the promise of dinner never quite coming true. Jerry spends his time helping the townsfolk and solving puzzles, and the story builds toward a final confrontation with Zaroff that arrives after the Marquis disappears and Jerry returns home.
Art and Sound
The presentation is strong. Hand-drawn backgrounds and animated characters give the game a distinct visual identity. The soundtrack, described as a unique composition of fabulous music, complements the magical setting.
“Experience a magical adventure.”
That line sums up the game’s ambition. It is a charming, whimsical world, and the art direction supports that tone.
Where It Falls Short
The Night of the Rabbit is not a long game. The story drags in places, and the promise of a quick return home is broken more than once. The puzzles are generally fair, but some late-game challenges require repeated trial and error, which can frustrate players who want a smoother experience.
The writing is playful and humorous, but it does not always land. The Marquis de Hoto is a memorable character, but his explanations of the Treewalker spell and the cursed nails are delivered in a way that feels more explanatory than engaging.
A Solid, Small Adventure
The Night of the Rabbit is a competent point-and-click adventure that succeeds most when it lets the world speak for itself. The setting of Mousewood is imaginative, and the hollow coin mechanic adds genuine value to exploration.
It is not a revolutionary game, but it is a pleasant one. Players who enjoy slow-burn fantasy adventures with a touch of whimsy will find plenty to enjoy here.
Final Score
The Night of the Rabbit earns a score of 6.8 out of 10. It is a solid, if modest, adventure that delivers a charming world and a satisfying conclusion, even if the journey takes longer than promised.
Get the Notebook.
The day's best stories and every fresh verdict, in plain English, in your inbox by seven. One email a day, no more.
