Among Ripples

About

Among Ripples is a single player casual simulation game. It was developed by Eat Create Sleep and was released on January 22, 2015. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

"Among Ripples" is a tranquil exploration and management game set in a serene underwater world. As a small fish, navigate through beautifully hand-painted environments, avoid larger predators, and eat to grow. Your goal is to create your own school of fish and uncover the mysteries of the deep.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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67%

Audience ScoreBased on 961 reviews

music67 positive mentions

replayability2 negative mentions

The game is relaxing and calming, making it a good way to unwind.
The art style is beautiful, resembling watercolor paintings, and the music is soothing.
It's a simple and easy-to-understand game, suitable for children and educational purposes.

The gameplay is very limited, leading to boredom after a short time.
There is a lack of clear objectives or goals, making it feel aimless.
Technical issues, such as a broken tutorial and unresponsive controls, detract from the experience.

music
147 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
47%
7%
The music in the game is widely praised for its soothing and tranquil qualities, effectively complementing the calming visuals and creating a meditative atmosphere. However, many users note that the soundtrack is repetitive, leading to a lack of variety that can diminish the overall experience over time. While the music is often described as beautiful and relaxing, some players feel it serves better as background ambiance rather than a central feature of engaging gameplay.
- “The background music and sounds are very soothing; the game complexity means that you do need to pay just enough attention so that your pond doesn't suffocate itself and die, but also gives your mind enough space to breathe and ponder on other things.”
- “The music is lighthearted, and the gameplay is simple enough for anyone to pick up instantly.”
- “The mixture of calming visuals and music makes this a great little game to chill out with on a lazy afternoon.”
- “The biggest reason to play this game is for the chill background music; the gameplay is really repetitive and boring.”
- “The music is limited to a single track that plays over and over again.”
- “After an hour of playing around with the pond and just letting it run in the background, the same loop of somber folk music has not changed, regardless of the season I am currently facing.”
graphics
89 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
46%
6%
The graphics of the game are generally described as charming and aesthetically pleasing, featuring a watercolor art style that many find relaxing and reminiscent of children's storybooks. However, some reviewers criticize the graphics as simplistic or reminiscent of outdated flash games, noting that while they are visually appealing, they do not compensate for the game's lack of engaging gameplay or content. Overall, the visuals are appreciated for their calming effect, but opinions vary on their overall quality and impact on the gaming experience.
- “The 2D pastel-type art style along with the soothing acoustic music perfectly blends with each other, as you lazily watch the various organisms go through the cycles of life.”
- “Absolutely beautiful game, loved the watercolor-looking graphics and smooth wind band music.”
- “The art style is simple, colorful, and cute, reminding me of old storybooks I used to read as a child.”
- “I'm not one to pick at graphics, but since this game has no gameplay, no plot, and no user interface, the graphics are the only thing going for it, and it looks like a flash game.”
- “Shame that such pretty watercolor graphics were wasted on a game that is just an interactive wallpaper.”
- “The graphics are mind-numbingly pathetic and yet enduring at the same time.”
gameplay
63 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
72%
11%
The gameplay of this game is largely described as minimal and simplistic, often feeling more like an interactive screensaver than a fully developed experience. While some players appreciate the relaxing nature and aesthetic elements, many criticize the lack of engaging mechanics, repetitive interactions, and limited gameplay options, leading to a quick sense of boredom. Overall, it seems best suited for casual play or as a soothing background experience rather than a robust gaming challenge.
- “Every part of it, from graphics, music to gameplay and simply watching it all at work is very relaxing.”
- “The art is rather pleasant and the gameplay is smooth.”
- “The music is lighthearted, and the gameplay is simple enough for anyone to pick up instantly.”
- “There is no gameplay.”
- “The biggest reason to play this game is for the chill background music; the gameplay is really repetitive and boring.”
- “It really feels like little more than a glorified, interactive screensaver, and unless I somehow missed some major elements of it, there's no objectives, no end game, and very little in the way of actual gameplay or interaction.”
story
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
40%
30%
The reviews present a mixed perspective on the game's story, with some praising its gripping and immersive narrative, while others criticize it for lacking depth and coherence, citing plot holes and minimal character development. Despite these criticisms, a few users appreciate the game's calming aesthetic and nostalgic art style, suggesting that while the story may not be thrilling, it offers a pleasant experience. Overall, the narrative seems to evoke strong reactions, ranging from life-changing to disappointingly shallow.
- “The campaign is gripping and suspenseful, with a plot that will blow your socks to kingdom come.”
- “This is the best game I have ever played in my life; it downloaded in 10 seconds and 3 minutes later it changed my life with its immersive story and larger-than-life morals.”
- “Story of the humankind, well played.”
- “I'm not one to pick at graphics, but since this game has no gameplay, no plot, and no user interface, the graphics are the only thing going for it, and it looks like a flash game.”
- “Filled with plot holes.”
- “It's kind of like how when you used to play games when you were young and there were always little things you could click to see things happen, except without the story to go with it, and it's only one panel.”
atmosphere
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
20%
20%
The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its relaxing and meditative qualities, enhanced by nice music and a simple design. Players appreciate the tranquil environment, making it an ideal setting for unwinding. Overall, the game successfully creates a soothing and immersive experience.
- “The music is nice, creating an atmospheric and relaxing experience that is both short and simple.”
- “The atmosphere is very relaxing, perfect for meditation.”
- “It's a simple and atmospheric lake simulation.”
- “Very relaxing atmosphere.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the game deeply emotional, often experiencing heartwarming moments that resonate with the themes of life and loss. The narrative and character interactions evoke strong feelings, leading to intense reactions, such as tears during poignant events. Overall, the emotional impact is significant enough to keep players engaged and invested in the experience.
- “This game gave me so many emotional feelings that I couldn't walk away from it and had to keep playing forever.”
- “I cried for twenty minutes when the otter ate my first and most prolific pike. I would maybe play again if my tears weren't blocking my vision.”
- “Emotional circle of life.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The game has limited replayability, with users noting that while it may be worth trying once, it lacks the depth or variety to encourage multiple playthroughs. It is not recommended for those seeking an action game with high replay value.
- “This unfortunately does not have much replay value, but I am glad I tried it out once as it has been sitting in my library for ages.”
- “If you are looking for an action game or a game with a lot of replayability, this is not it.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users find the humor in the game to be amusing and entertaining, often expressing their enjoyment with lighthearted comments.
- “The humor in this game is absolutely hilarious!”
- “I couldn't stop laughing at the witty dialogue and clever puns.”
- “The comedic timing of the characters is spot on, making every moment enjoyable.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and lacking challenge, particularly after extended play sessions exceeding 20 minutes.
- “I feel that the gameplay is not difficult and borderline tedious after more than 20 minutes.”
- “The grinding feels endless and lacks any real reward, making it a chore rather than an enjoyable experience.”
- “After hours of grinding, I still don't feel like I've made any significant progress, which is incredibly frustrating.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users report significant stability issues, including severe background glitches and limited gameplay options. Additionally, Linux support is noted to be particularly problematic.
- “Background glitches are prevalent, and there is little to nothing to do.”
- “Linux support appears to be quite buggy.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback, with some users praising its performance while others report significant bugs that hinder gameplay. Overall, the experience varies widely, suggesting that while some players enjoy smooth performance, others face frustrating technical issues.
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game is highlighted by advertisements on Steam that promote a dynamic ambient score that evolves with the seasons, suggesting a potential tie-in with seasonal content or updates.