APICO
- June 7, 2022
- tngineers
- 25h median play time
A wonderful, laid back beekeeping simulation that is perfect for players looking for a change of pace from the standard farm sim
Get on SteamAPICO is a relaxing beekeeping simulation game that combines resource gathering, biology, and minigames. Players return to their family home to rediscover lost bee species, cross-breed new bees, and help repopulate the islands. The game features unique crafting, beekeeping mechanics, multiple biomes, and 4-player online co-op, allowing you to explore, collect, and learn about various bee species while living out your beekeeping fantasies.
Mac OS
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Steam Deck
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
Linux
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- The game is charming and addictive, with a delightful art style and relaxing gameplay.
- It offers a unique and engaging bee breeding mechanic that encourages exploration and experimentation.
- The developers are responsive to community feedback and actively work on updates and improvements.
- The game can feel grindy and repetitive, especially in the late game when managing multiple hives.
- There are some bugs and issues with multiplayer functionality that can detract from the experience.
- The user interface can be overwhelming at times, making inventory management cumbersome.
- gameplay156 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Apico is characterized by its unique beekeeping and breeding mechanics, offering a blend of relaxation and challenge. While many players appreciate the charming aesthetics and the depth of the mechanics, some find the gameplay loop repetitive and grindy, with a steep learning curve due to the complexity of the breeding systems. Overall, the game is praised for its accessibility and engaging core mechanics, though it could benefit from improved automation options and clearer tutorials.
“I've been enjoying the low-stakes, low-energy gameplay that Apico offers, and I really like that you don't need to manage relationships with people or farm based on seasons like in other cozy games like Stardew.”
“The game is charming and the gameplay loop is simple.”
“The gameplay loop is superb if you like management sims; there's always so much to do and upgrades to find.”
“The gameplay loop feels tight and may feel suffocating for some people (you process 3 frames, some back to refill them, and find 2 more have been finished being filled by the bees).”
“There's a significant lack of automation and somehow a lack of things to do at the same time; your gameplay loop is explore, breed bees or tend to their production and a lot of waiting for the bees to finish, for your auto stations to finish crafting, for the bees to finish breeding and you can't really skip the waiting.”
“The gameplay is repetitive and grindy, so if that isn't your style you may not like this.”
- music95 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its relaxing and atmospheric qualities, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. Many players appreciate the unique soundtracks that fit various biomes, although some express frustration with the music not playing continuously, leading to moments of silence. Overall, the charming and well-crafted music contributes significantly to the game's appeal, making it a delightful backdrop for casual play.
“The music is perfectly themed for each biome/area, and the music-playing system is lovely.”
“The music is wonderful, the gameplay is so satisfying, and there is science.”
“The music and environments mesh perfectly into a soothing little world; I've been having a great time with it so far!”
“The music kept randomly not working, even though we kept getting notifications that a new song was on.”
“A small criticism (which, again, isn't much of a criticism) is that the music doesn't loop or play that often.”
“I do wish that the music was more continuous or an option to change how often a song is played would really be cool.”
- graphics82 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming and cute pixel art style, which many players find visually appealing and easy on the eyes. The combination of delightful animations, a calming color palette, and engaging design elements contributes to a relaxing gameplay experience, although some users noted that the simplicity of the graphics can lead to moments of visual monotony. Overall, the art style and aesthetics are considered a strong point, enhancing the game's unique mechanics and overall enjoyment.
“The art style is charming, simple, and easy on the eyes.”
“The visuals are excellent, combining charming 8-bit style with some delightful illustrations.”
“A beautifully relaxing game with adorable graphics and lovable characters!”
“This combined with the simple graphics means it does get a little boring to look at.”
“I think partially the fact that the graphics are the weakest thing in the game doesn't help, and there's not enough space to do more creative things ala Minecraft for the other direction graphically.”
“Game is cute and everything... but the fiddly graphics are annoying.”
- grinding73 mentions
- 1 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 99 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is a mixed bag; while many players find the repetitive tasks and management loops tedious, others appreciate the relaxing and cozy nature of the gameplay. Some users enjoy the depth and intricacy of the farming mechanics, though they note a lack of automation can make the experience feel monotonous over time. Overall, the game appeals to fans of grindy farming sims, but may not be suitable for those who dislike repetitive gameplay.
“The bee breeding mechanic is not too grindy, and I enjoyed customizing my bees a bit more with it.”
“The process of maintaining apiaries is tedious and it quickly became exhausting.”
“The game is incredibly grindy and desperately needs some level of automation.”
“Even though there are no hard deadlines in Apico, I found it tense and grindy; I realized 9 hours in that my shoulders were tensed up.”
- story39 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 72 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The story in the game is generally described as simple and charming, with a focus on beekeeping and exploration rather than deep narrative. Players appreciate the lighthearted tone and the engaging quest system, which encourages discovery and connection with the game's characters, though some feel it lacks depth and could benefit from more cutscenes or environmental storytelling. Overall, while the storyline is not the main draw, it provides a pleasant backdrop for the gameplay experience.
“I would have loved to see more cutscenes or environmental storytelling regarding the disaster, the faith for the hivemother, or the characters' personal ties to restoration.”
“It has great little characters who all have their own personalities and stories, everyone has pronouns listed (yay!), and the story-lore itself is deep and I'm still learning.”
“The game is a relaxing pixel 2D simulation of beekeeping that charms its way into your heart with its bees, visuals, calming music, and gameplay of exploration on a quest to find more bee species and rehabilitate them back into the world.”
“My final issue lies with the storyline, which is outlined in vague terms that are told through the letters you receive after repopulating certain bees (mainly solitary bees).”
“I would have loved to see more cutscenes or environmental storytelling regarding the disaster, the fate of the Hivemother, or the characters' personal ties to restoration.”
“If you are looking for a more story-led game, I would say this is not for you; the NPCs are mostly there just to buy and sell items you will need to progress and collect all the bee types.”
- humor21 mentions
- 86 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its lightheartedness, clever puns, and charming interactions with NPCs, contributing to an overall fun experience. Players appreciate the balance of humor with gameplay, including funny achievements and fourth-wall breaks, which enhance the game's appeal. The whimsical graphics and silly elements, such as the humorous portrayal of bee species, further enrich the comedic atmosphere, making it a delightful choice for those seeking a lighthearted gaming experience.
“Not to mention the puns, unexpectedly funny achievements, and general lighthearted humor put into all the interactions with NPCs.”
“The humor and breaking the fourth wall on occasion makes me laugh, and I cannot stop playing this game.”
“Beautiful art, fantastic sound effects, and just an absolute bundle of humor.”
“You're not funny!”
“And it's funny, and then it's not funny after a few more rakes, and then it's funny again after more rakes.”
- stability16 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- -12 % neutral mentions
- 94 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant bugs and glitches, particularly in multiplayer mode, leading to issues like character loss and save file deletions. While some users find the single-player experience stable, the multiplayer aspect is frequently described as frustratingly buggy, with desyncs and other technical problems. Overall, players recommend caution, especially for those intending to play cooperatively.
“10/10, no glitches!”
“The game runs smoothly without any crashes.”
“I haven't experienced any bugs or issues during my playthrough.”
“Now, the game definitely has its glitches and bugs.”
“But it's way too buggy and frustrating... not only did I lose my character out of nowhere and had to do all quests over and over again.”
“A buggy mess with constant desyncs, crashes, and the joining person kept having their character reset to 0.”
- atmosphere9 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 22 % neutral mentions
- 22 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its cute aesthetic and relaxing gameplay, enhanced by a well-crafted soundtrack that adds to the overall experience. Players appreciate the absence of time constraints, allowing for a calming environment where they can unwind and enjoy the game at their own pace. The combination of soothing music and charming visuals creates a hypnotically chill atmosphere, making it a perfect escape after a long day.
“Bonus points for the music also being great and helping create the sublime atmosphere in the game.”
“Amazing atmosphere, art direction, mechanics, and very forgiving gameplay (but you could go hardcore if you want to!).”
“The best part of this game is the music and the calming atmosphere, very nice after a long day to help wind down.”
“The atmosphere is very cute.”
“There's also no energy system and you don't need to sleep at night, which creates a really calming atmosphere - you can chill with your bee friends and do things at your own pace.”
- emotional8 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is overwhelmingly positive, with players highlighting its wholesome and peaceful nature. The calming graphics, music, and overall atmosphere evoke strong feelings of comfort and joy, often leading to unexpected emotional responses, even from seemingly simple themes like bee-keeping. Overall, the game is praised for its ability to create a warm and inviting experience that resonates deeply with players.
“Spent exactly a week hyperfocusing on this game, just beat it and saw the credits, and damn, I got way more emotional than I expected from a pixel bee-keeping game with cheesy puns.”
“It's peaceful, wholesome, and warm.”
“The content of this game is wholesome and nothing else can make you feel as comfortable.”
- optimization7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The game offers a variety of optimization features, including six genetic traits and mid-game automation upgrades, appealing to players who enjoy fine-tuning their gameplay. However, some users find the optimization aspect to be somewhat simplistic. Performance on the Steam Deck is generally smooth, albeit slower than expected, with a longer in-game minute duration attributed to hardware limitations rather than game design.
“For those interested in optimization, there are six genetic traits to play with (lifespan, productivity, fertility, stability, sleep behavior, and climate preference), as well as automation upgrades in mid-game play.”
“If you liked Stardew Valley or enjoy other calm games with a high optimization ceiling.”
“Other than that, things run smoothly during multiplayer.”
“Optimization exists but is very flat.”
“It also runs slowly, not choppy; it's smooth but slow (around 4 seconds for 1 in-game minute instead of 1 second for 1 in-game minute), but that's because of my hardware.”
“That being said, I don't usually go for farm sims because I don't care for optimization.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Overall, users express mixed feelings about replayability; while some find it great, others doubt its long-term appeal and suggest that the addition of a more complex endgame could enhance longevity and rewards.
“Great replayability.”
“I could imagine them adding more of a complicated endgame with greater rewards, which could enhance replayability.”
“Like most games, I doubt it has much replayability or significant longevity, but I could imagine them adding a more complicated endgame with greater rewards.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization of the game is viewed as a cash grab, with a $20 price tag that feels excessive for the limited content offered. Comparisons to similar titles like 'Rogue Tower' and 'Tower Tactics Liberation' suggest that those games provide more value and refined experiences at a lower cost.
“While this game is an entertaining experience, with a price tag of $20, it feels more like a niche market cash grab. Games like 'Rogue Tower' and 'Tower Tactics Liberation' share a similar space in the roguelike market; however, their prices, while still a bit high for the experiences they provide, offer much more content and deliver more refined experiences than this.”
Critic Reviews
APICO (PC)
Oh honey, APICO has all the fixins of a good and relaxing farming sim, but with bees! You have an inventory system that allows you to multitask without wasting time or restricting your options. There are little-to-no penalties for playing however you want, whenever you want. The soundtrack is so soothing and laid back that you'll put viewers and bees to sleep. And, there exists an element of surprise within the gameplay loop of beekeeping, breeding bees, and discovering bees that can keep you playing into the wee hours of the morning and can be disabled if you wish to leave less gameplay up to chance. Despite the gigantic tutorial (that could admittedly use some tightening up for new players) and the lack of deep story/community-building that you may expect from other popular farming sims, it is SO easy for one to lose track of time and relax in the bee-pun filled world of APICO. Give APICO some time -- it's an absolute hit, and I'm SO EXCITED to see it grow.
90%Apico Review
A wonderful, laid back beekeeping simulation that is perfect for players looking for a change of pace from the standard farm sim
75%APICO (Nintendo Switch)
APICO might start off slow, but it becomes intriguing pretty quickly. It’s a chilled experience that allows you to complete the game at your own pace. The crafting and building features are easy to pick up on and enjoy, allowing you to design the island to your liking. But what makes APICO stand out is the beekeeping aspect, breeding different bees to get desired traits and ultimately discovering new bees. The game sneaks a bit of science in the fun, and I’m all for it.
85%
