-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."
Reviews
- Tight controls and smooth gameplay make for an enjoyable platforming experience.
- The game features a fantastic soundtrack and colorful graphics that enhance the overall atmosphere.
- Great replayability with speedrunning potential and challenging achievements keeps players engaged.
- Some achievements are glitched and do not appear on player profiles, causing frustration.
- The pause function does not fully pause the game, which can lead to accidental progression and restarts.
- The game is relatively short, which may leave some players wanting more content.
- music17 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 18 % 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 chiptune soundtrack is described as catchy and engaging, enhancing the overall experience without becoming repetitive, even during extended play sessions. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and polish.
“You would think the game would be played really quickly, but if you challenge yourself to get some of the achievements, you get much more content out of it and you get to listen to the great soundtrack.”
“The music is astonishingly good for a small 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.”
“Art is nice, music is even better.”
- graphics13 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The graphics of "-sprout-" are characterized by colorful and distinctive pixel art that enhances its aesthetic appeal, although some players note that the visuals can feel simplistic at times. While the art style is generally praised for its charm and polish, a few reviewers express a desire for more complexity in the graphics. Overall, the game's visuals effectively complement its fast-paced gameplay and platforming design.
“The graphics, music, presentation, and juice are all there; I'm a big fan of the visuals and how the game is presented. It strips down the unnecessary to provide a pure lesson in platforming and game design.”
“I love the pixel art style of the game, and the controls are spot on.”
“The game is really polished, the artwork is fantastic, and the music bumps.”
“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.”
- gameplay11 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "-sprout-" is characterized by tight controls and fast-paced, precision platforming across short, cleverly designed levels that encourage quick completion. Each of the five worlds introduces unique mechanics that enhance variety without overwhelming players, making for an enjoyable and fluid experience that is both challenging and rewarding, especially for speedrunners. Overall, the game successfully combines simplicity with engaging gameplay elements, resulting in a delightful platforming experience.
“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.”
“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 still aren't overwhelming, adding variety to the mix.”
“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 still aren't overwhelming, adding some variety to the mix.”
“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.”
“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.”
- replayability7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The game offers high replayability despite its short length, driven by the desire to master levels, compete for leaderboard positions, and collect achievements. Players can enjoy varied experiences through speedrunning, collecting items, or simply playing for fun, making each playthrough unique and engaging. Overall, the combination of tight controls and competitive elements enhances the game's replay value significantly.
“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 speedrunning, playing for achievements, or just enjoying the game for fun!”
“It's a short game, but the replayability comes from the desire to master each level.”
“However, the achievement list provides plenty of replay value, and the in-game leaderboards offer a real challenge for fast and competitive players.”
“It took me about 45 minutes to 'beat,' but the replayability comes from the collectibles and highly competitive leaderboards.”
- grinding3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect enjoyable, with the upbeat chiptune soundtrack helping to alleviate monotony during extended play. Engaging in grinding for leaderboards and collectibles adds a fun layer to the experience, although some users note that it can be demanding, requiring additional lives.
“Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding and keeps you engaged.”
“The grind is satisfying and offers a real sense of progression.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Grinding for leaderboards and finding collectibles can become tedious after a while.”
“The upbeat chiptune soundtrack doesn't seem to get old even after grinding the same levels for hours.”
- story2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its depth and character development, while others find it lacking in originality and coherence. Overall, the narrative is seen as engaging but may not resonate with everyone.
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is well-received, with players finding it funny and easy to engage with. However, some users feel that the price may be a bit high given the limited number of levels available.
“First of all, I really like the game; it's very funny and easy to learn, but at the moment, it may be a little bit expensive for only 100 levels.”
