Master the Art of Being a Menace: A Pro-Tips Guide to
Hoomanz!
- Shadow Master: Use the Dark to Win
- Smart Retreat: Learn from Every Hug
- Trickster’s Kit: Turn the World Against Them
- Ultimate Challenge: Master Your High Score
- Pure Whimsy: Become One with Shoo
Hoomanz! has landed on Xbox Series X|S, and while it might look all hugs and whimsy, reclaiming Planet Erf from those pesky tourists requires a bit of tactical mischief.
Since you already know Shoo is the hero Erf deserves, we’ve put together a toolkit of advanced strategies to help you navigate the light, avoid the “dreaded” hugs, and maximize your scares. Here is how to master your inner menace.
Duality at Play: Ruling the Shadows
The difference between a successful spook and a forced cuddle session is often just a few inches of shadow. To keep Shoo at peak performance, remember:
- The Lure: Use the Lure mechanic while standing at the edge of a light source to draw hoomanz into the dark. Never go to them; force them to play on your home turf. This is also the secret to setting up your most legendary scare combos!
- The Ultimate Dash: If you’re caught in the light and a hooman spots you, your speed will drop as they move in for the hug. Pro-tip: You only have one shot at an escape dash before they catch you! If you don’t reach a bush or a rock in that single burst, you won’t have time to recharge. It’s all about the timing!
- The Shadow-Chain: Don’t just look for stationary shadows. You can “chain” your movements by timing your dashes between the moving shadows of hoomanz. If a hooman is walking with a flashlight, their own shadow is your safest (and funniest) mobile base.
Hugs Instead of Defeat: Failing Forward
In Hoomanz!, “failure” is just a very cozy learning opportunity. If you find yourself trapped in a hug, use that retreat to the checkpoint to refine your strategy:
- Patience is a Tool: If a specific hooman is particularly hard to reach, stop and observe. Every hooman has a “clumsy window”, a moment where they stop a little too close to the shadows to tune their banjo or scratch their head. That is your window to strike.
- Don’t Trip Twice: Use your return to the checkpoint to better understand the terrain. The goal is to evolve. Avoid getting caught in the same spot twice by changing your approach angle!
Mischief and Tools: The Menace’s Toolkit
The environment is your best friend. Here’s how to exploit the tools at your disposal:
- The Doll: If you’re lucky enough to find a doll, you’ve got a major tactical advantage. Place it strategically to create a diversion. It will buy you those precious seconds needed to slip past a guard or set up an elaborate prank elsewhere.
- Bottled Panic: Don’t just lob objects at hoomanz randomly. By aiming at specific floor tiles or environmental props, you can literally dictate where a hooman will walk to investigate. You aren’t just playing the level; you’re setting the game!
- The Yeti Bait: See an unfairly frozen Yeti? Don’t just admire it. Get close enough to be spotted by a hooman, then lead them toward the Yeti. At the last second, dash to the other side to avoid the trap yourself! Your “admirer” will fall right in, leaving them ripe for a final scare. If you’re fast enough, you can pull off this same maneuver with poison traps!
Replayable Chaos: Achievement Hunting
Every run through Erf is a chance to refine your craft and beat your personal best. Whether you’re aiming for a “Perfect Stealth” run with zero hugs or trying to maximize your points through creative scares, there’s always a reason to go back.
Only the most dedicated menaces will achieve the ultimate challenge: Scaring every single hooman in a level at the exact same time! But don’t worry if you’re a more relaxed adventurer; you can still earn plenty of badges for simpler feats, like the “Shoo Cena” for staying hidden in a bush for 30min. Every player saves Erf at their own pace!
Humor and Whimsy
At its heart, Hoomanz! is a labor of love created for you, by a team of gamers just like you. Take a moment to soak in the atmosphere of Erf, from the silly idle animations of the hoomanz to the hidden references tucked away in the scenery. You’ll find you are most effective when you stop worrying about the “mission” and truly become one with Shoo’s mischievous spirit!
Erf is in danger of being turned into a permanent tourist trap, but you have the power to save it.
Hoomanz! is available now on Xbox Series X|S. The hoomanz think they’re on vacation, but with these tips, you’re about to give them a holiday they’ll never forget. Restore peace to Erf—one spooked hooman at a time!
Hoomanz!
Koffeecup
