-SPROUT-
- July 30, 2020
- Sparkee Software, LLC
- 4h median play time
Get on Steam"-Sprout- is a single-player action game with fabulous music, offering around 4 hours of playtime. Players must dive into the unknown and restore their realm by retrieving ancient gems in this Celeste-like speedrunning platformer. With 100 levels across five unique areas, online leaderboards, original soundtrack, and full controller support, -Sprout- offers a challenging and enjoyable experience with 20 achievements and 40 hidden collectibles."
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features tight controls and fast-paced gameplay, making it enjoyable for both casual players and speedrunners.
- The level design is clever and varied, with each of the 100 levels offering unique challenges and replayability.
- The music and art style are highly praised, contributing to an overall charming and engaging experience.
- Some achievements are glitched and do not appear on player profiles, causing frustration for completionists.
- The pause function does not fully pause the game, which can lead to unintended progress and the need to restart levels.
- The game is relatively short, which may leave some players wanting more content after completing it quickly.
- music34 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its quality and how well it complements the gameplay. The upbeat chiptune soundtrack, particularly noted for its standout tracks like those in the abyss zone, enhances the overall experience and remains enjoyable even after extended play. Overall, the music is described as a highlight of the game, contributing significantly to its charm and polish.
“The icing on the cake is the wonderful music by failpositive.”
“The music is astonishingly good for a small short indie platformer, especially the abyss zone. I was shocked to hear how good it sounds; the game excels in this department and I can't praise it enough.”
“The cute pixel graphics and tracker chiptune music does not save the game.”
“The upbeat chiptune soundtrack doesn't seem to get old even after grinding the same levels for hours.”
“Tight controls and I really liked the soundtrack a whole lot.”
- graphics26 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The graphics of "-sprout-" are characterized by colorful and distinctive pixel art that enhances its aesthetic appeal, though some players note that the simplicity can lead to occasional blending issues with certain elements. Overall, the visuals are praised for their charm and polish, contributing positively to the game's presentation and gameplay experience, despite some wishing for more complexity. The combination of cute graphics and engaging music creates a visually pleasing atmosphere that complements the precision platforming mechanics.
“The game is really polished, the artwork is fantastic, and the music bumps.”
“I love the pixel art style of the game, and the controls are spot on.”
“A challenging yet fair precision platformer with smooth controllability, versatile level design, and cute graphics.”
“The graphics, I'll admit, feel a tad simple, and spikes can blend in a little sometimes, but it isn't too much of an issue. Plus, the game risks losing its simplicity if it were more complex, so who knows?”
“The cute pixel graphics and tracker chiptune music do not save the game.”
“And I wish the game had better visuals.”
- gameplay22 mentions
- 9 % positive mentions
- 77 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "-sprout-" is characterized by tight controls and fast-paced, precision platforming across short, single-screen levels that encourage quick completion. The clever level design and variety of mechanics keep the experience engaging and enjoyable, with a focus on fluidity and minimal frustration due to the brief nature of each level. Players appreciate the distinct worlds and challenges, making it a standout choice for fans of bite-sized platformers.
“The gameplay is simple yet fluid, and each level is relatively short. The achievements to speedrun and flawlessly complete everything work really well for how simple yet clever the level design is. It's speedy on purpose and flows really well, and within each world, the gimmicks take time to adjust to but aren't overwhelming, adding variety to the mix.”
“Sprout is easily one of my favorite bitesize platformers out there. It's a simple 2D platformer with a dash mechanic, featuring five worlds, each with their own gimmicks.”
“The gameplay is simple yet fluid and each level is relatively short, the achievements to speedrun and flawlessly do everything work really well for how simple yet clever the level design is. It's speedy on purpose and flows really well, and within each world, the gimmicks thrown in take time to adjust to but still aren't overwhelming and do their purpose very well to add some variety to the mix.”
“Sprout is easily one of my favorite bitesize platformers out there; it's a simple 2D platformer with a dash mechanic, featuring 5 worlds each with their own gimmicks.”
“Every level is a single screen and takes seconds to complete, but the variety of mechanics and clever level design, combined with extremely solid controls, makes for an incredibly enjoyable experience from start to finish.”
- replayability14 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
Despite its short length, the game boasts high replayability due to its focus on mastering levels, competing for leaderboard positions, and pursuing achievements. Players can enjoy varied experiences based on their playstyle, whether speedrunning, collecting items, or simply playing for fun, making each playthrough feel fresh and engaging. The tight controls further enhance the replay value, encouraging players to improve their skills and explore shortcuts.
“The game may be short, but it has great replayability and offers you the chance to compete for a spot on the leaderboard.”
“However, the achievement list will give you plenty of replay value, and the in-game leaderboards will provide fast and furious players with a real challenge.”
“The replay value is great as playstyle will change depending on whether you are speed running, playing for achievements, or just enjoying the game for fun!”
“However, the achievement list will give you plenty of replay value, and the in-game leaderboards will provide fast and competitive players with a real challenge.”
“It took me about 45 minutes to 'beat,' but the replayability comes from the collectibles and highly competitive leaderboards.”
“You'll find in your normal playthrough that you'll be able to go much faster or see shortcuts; this is because the game has strong replayability based on speedrunning, which is indeed really fun.”
- grinding6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect enjoyable, particularly when it involves competing for leaderboards or collecting items, and the upbeat chiptune soundtrack helps keep the experience fresh even after extended play. However, some users note that the need for additional lives can make grinding feel more challenging.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Grinding for leaderboards and finding collectibles can become tedious.”
“The repetitive nature of grinding makes it feel like a chore rather than an enjoyable experience.”
- story4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate that the story aspect of the game is engaging and well-crafted, with users expressing satisfaction with its depth and narrative progression. However, some players feel that certain elements could be more developed or cohesive. Overall, the story is a highlight for many, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players finding it funny and easy to engage with. However, some users feel that the game's price may not justify the content, given the limited number of levels.
“First of all, I really like the game; it's very funny and easy to learn.”
