Waltz and Jam Hands-On Preview: A Spooky, Cozy Adventure

Published Oct 8, 2026, 1:00 PM EDT

Yuliya Geikhman has been writing professionally for over 17 years. She started out in the MMO scene with Pando Media Booster and now dives into everything gaming at Screen Rant. She's a lifelong gamer, a relentless industry sleuth, and a passionate follower of everything happening in the games industry.

Halloween might be all about the chills and scares for some, but it's also a great time to settle down for a cozy game that's low on spooks and big on heart. The whimsical Waltz and Jam by Flyway Games is an upcoming action-adventure game that delivers on both spooky and wholesome vibes.

I dove into a preview of the game, exploring the first few areas of the title and the bustling ghostie central hub. What I found is a sweet game with a whole lot of charm and whimsy, full of quirky characters and interesting areas to uncover. It promises to be a great treat for both fans of cozy games, and fans of adventure titles that reward exploration.

Waltz And Jam Follows A Lost Ghost And His Puppy

Waltz and Jam follows a ghost with a halo named Waltz and his adorable transforming black dog spirit, Jam. At the start of the game, Waltz rests in a coffin when an angel-like creature lifts him into the air. As the angel flies, a shadowy presence snipes the coffin out of the sky, sending Waltz tumbling into Downtown, a dark realm full of ghosts and restless spirits. There, he meets Jam, who seems to know him from another life, and the two set out on their adventure.

The pair head through Downtown on a pilgrimage to leave and ascend, but the further they go, the clearer it becomes that something isn't right in the afterlife. The duo has to travel through seven realms inspired by the Seven Deadly Sins, helping residents of the underworld, fighting off enemies and boss monsters, and uncovering secrets and lore.

As he attempts to make his way out of Downtown, Waltz must figure out how he got there in the first place. Someone is behind his unexpected downfall, and their motives might change how the afterlife works forever.

Meet Spooky But Cute Characters In Waltz And Jam

Waltz and Jam's style might be spooky and dark, but it's also absolutely adorable. The underworld is full of darkness, but the game uses bright pops of vibrant color to make it a visually satisfying environment to explore. If you're a fan of The Nightmare Before Christmas, this is a must-play. It feels like playing through a nostalgic comic book turned game, complete with weapons that come out of toy boxes, quirky characters, and playful, somewhat dark humor.

The personalities you meet definitely stand out as unique. For instance, Waltz is guided on his journey by a dapper, lanky gentleman named Low, whose head looks like a literal hat with an eyeball and whose mouth seems to be part of the brim. He is, apparently, a crow who learned to always face sideways, because it's all the rage in some other realm.

And then there's Fargo, a tadpole in a hat inside a boot full of water. Actually, that's just one of the Fargo. Other tadpole creatures exist, and they're all named Fargo (Undertale fans may get flashbacks to Temmie here, and yes, it's a similar vibe!)

The Seven Deadly Sins-inspired realms are fun to explore, with beautifully animated, hand-drawn backdrops and plenty of secrets to find. From a lush forest with a river running through it to a dark castle and a vast desert, every world offers a different style and feel. When you need a break, Central Station No. 5 is the place to be if you're a ghost with some coin and free time. A cute Halloween-ey soundtrack completes the experience.

Waltz And Jam Has You Fighting, Platforming, And Getting Distracted

Progressing through the game requires a mix of combat, puzzles, and some light platforming. As the duo makes their way through the different realms, they encounter many obstacles standing in their way, from monsters to the environment itself.

Waltz is armed with toy weapons like a sword and a spring punch, and can occasionally stomp on enemies. He can use these to fight his way through enemies as well as solve environmental puzzles. The combat is fairly simple, but the game makes up for this by integrating puzzles into the combat, especially on the big bosses. Getting around can also be a little finicky—there was a case where I had to try multiple times to land a jump on a Fargo who was upset that he was too tall. (Some well-placed stomps later, and he was back down to normal tadpole-like size!)

Jam, the ghost's faithful companion, has his own tricks up his blobby sleeves. The puppy spirit can transform into different forms to help Waltz get around the underworld. For instance, he can pull Waltz up to high places with his tail, or grow huge and shoot water at things.

To add even more nostalgia, the "bonfire" checkpoint mechanic in Waltz and Jam takes the form of arcade machines that save your progress and heal Waltz. Other arcade machines are scattered throughout the worlds for optional challenges in the digital world.

Although the main story follows the duo's pilgrimage to the Gate of Judgment at the end of Downtown, the side quests and distractions along the way are what make this game extra fun. There are collectibles to find, fun side-missions to go on, secret interactions and locations to discover, and much more.

The default way to experience this game is Normal Mode, but you can also enjoy it without worrying too much about combat thanks to Assist Mode. This grants players more health and automatic health recovery, so you can focus on the cozy exploration and story beats. But watch your step as you go through the full 15-to-18-hour adventure: The choices you make along the way will lead to one of two distinct endings.

South Korea-based Flyway Games says it proudly prioritizes creativity and player feedback, and the result is a delightful title that's a treat to explore. Waltz and Jam will be released on December 3 on PC (via Steam), PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch 2.

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