ART SQOOL

74%
Game Brain Score Based on 153 reviews
  • gameplay
  • music
  • graphics
ART SQOOL Game Cover
Starting at $6.99Buy now
Get on Steam

"ART SQOOL" is a surreal art simulation game where players attend a fictional art school and complete abstract painting assignments using various drawing tools. The game emphasizes creativity and exploration over strict rules, providing a unique, relaxing experience. With no right or wrong answers, "ART SQOOL" encourages players to find their artistic voice while navigating a charming, quirky world.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

74%
Audience ScoreBased on 153 reviews
music13 positive mentions
story3 negative mentions
  • The game features a unique and visually appealing vaporwave aesthetic that many players find charming.
  • Art Sqool provides a fun and creative environment that encourages players to explore their artistic abilities through various drawing prompts.
  • The game can be enjoyable in short sessions, allowing players to doodle and express themselves without the pressure of traditional gaming mechanics.
  • The gameplay is often described as tedious and unfulfilling, with a confusing grading system that feels arbitrary and random.
  • Controls and camera mechanics are clunky, making exploration frustrating and detracting from the overall experience.
  • Many players feel the game lacks content and depth, with limited interaction and a sense of being unfinished or underdeveloped.
  • gameplay24 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by simple and straightforward mechanics, which some players find solid but ultimately tedious and unrewarding. While the introduction of unique tools encourages creativity, many reviewers note significant flaws and a lack of depth, with unclear interactions and minimal progression driving the experience. Overall, the gameplay feels underdeveloped and fails to engage players meaningfully.

    • “The gameplay mechanics are simple and straightforward.”
    • “It's a mechanic not often seen, and having new, unusual tools at your disposal really pushes you to be creative.”
    • “- solid game mechanics”
    • “Otherwise, as far as I've seen, there's not much in the way of gameplay or story/character driving you forward.”
    • “But the gameplay has some serious flaws.”
    • “Mechanics fall short in really disappointing ways.”
  • music23 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its catchy and fitting nature that complements the vaporwave aesthetic, while others find it bland or occasionally eerie. The soundtrack is noted for its range, from serene to jarring, and some players appreciate the unique sound effects associated with different tools. Overall, the music enhances the game's artistic vibe, though opinions on its quality vary.

    • “Also, the music is catchy, and the ending is absolutely brilliant, and as true to real life as possible.”
    • “The whole game looks like it was swallowed whole by Macintosh Plus, and on that note, the game’s music does a great job of complementing the vaporwave-like aesthetic with a soundtrack that goes from serene to ear-piercing.”
    • “The vaporwave aesthetic and music are both really nice, too, and I was pleasantly surprised to hear the song from the trailer in the game, too!”
    • “The music is bland (my opinion).”
    • “My last problem with the game is the music.”
    • “Before I get to gameplay, one thing I have to say is that the music is very odd.”
  • graphics22 mentions

    The game's graphics are heavily influenced by a cutesy vaporwave/80s aesthetic, which many players find appealing and unique. However, the visuals can be abrasive and distorted, leading to mixed feelings about the overall production quality. While the art style and soundtrack complement each other well, some players criticize the static-y visuals and slow character movement as detracting from the experience.

    • “The exceptional art style really makes the game for me.”
    • “I love the aesthetic, everything about this game is unique.”
    • “The vaporwave aesthetic and music are both really nice, too, and I was pleasantly surprised to hear the song from the trailer in the game, too!”
    • “The character moves at a glacial pace, 90% of the actual art tools you can use to vary your work are scattered in locations that take forever to get to, and the visuals and audio are downright abrasive at times; everything is static-y and distorted in a very unappealing way.”
    • “The whole game looks like it was swallowed whole by Macintosh Plus, and on that note, the game’s music does a great job of complementing the vaporwave-like aesthetic with a soundtrack that goes from serene to ear-piercing.”
    • “Nauseating, epilepsy-inducing sky of noise and poor production value disguised as 'this is an art style'.”
  • story8 mentions

    The game's story is largely criticized for its minimal presence and lack of progression, leaving players feeling unengaged. While individual elements may provoke thought or emotional responses, the overall narrative fails to provide a cohesive or compelling experience. Additionally, the confusing grading system further detracts from the storytelling aspect.

    • “Some will really impact you, others will completely bounce off you, but every individual piece is going to tell you a story or set you off on a new train of thought.”
    • “There's barely any story, and the grading system is confusing as all hell.”
    • “While this was enjoyable, the lack of story and progression just couldn't hold me.”
    • “Otherwise, as far as I've seen, there's not much in the way of gameplay or story/character driving you forward.”
  • atmosphere8 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is described as surreal and uncomfortable, yet captivating, drawing players into its bizarre landscape filled with intriguing monuments and statues. Many reviewers express a desire to immerse themselves in this unique environment, highlighting its ability to evoke strong emotions and encourage exploration.

    • “The game’s got a hell of an atmosphere that I want to step into. Even though it’s surreal, it’s uncomfortable, and it’s a lot to take in at times.”
    • “The atmosphere is incredible; in the first couple of hours I've played, I easily got lost just exploring and looking at the monuments and statues.”
    • “The atmosphere is amazing.”
    • “The game’s got a hell of an atmosphere that I want to step into, even though it’s surreal, uncomfortable, and a lot to take in at times.”
    • “I just love the atmosphere of doodling horrible things within this bizarre landscape.”
  • grinding4 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious and unrewarding, particularly in the process of finding tools and colors. While the vibrant landscapes and quick navigation controls offer some enjoyment, the overall gameplay experience is marred by its repetitive nature.

    • “Sure, drawing can be really fun, but the gameplay itself is tedious and unrewarding.”
    • “Finding the tools and colors can be a bit tedious, but the landscapes are vibrant and beautiful.”
    • “The controls, while wonky, allow you to jump quickly from place to place.”
  • humor4 mentions

    Players appreciate the humor in the game, noting it adds to the overall enjoyment alongside the music and art. However, some feel that the process of submitting art could benefit from more personality and humor to enhance the experience further.

    • “I enjoyed the music, the humor, but most importantly, I enjoyed Glander's art.”
    • “I really wish the act of submitting your art actually had more personality and humor.”
  • stability4 mentions

    The game suffers from significant stability issues, with numerous bugs that hinder gameplay. While some players find that certain bugs add an interesting dynamic, the overall experience is negatively impacted by these persistent technical problems.

    • “The game is pretty buggy, making it difficult to actually play.”
    • “There are a few objects and controls that are buggy, but I feel some of them actually play into the game.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    Reviewers express dissatisfaction with the monetization of the game, feeling that the $11.99 price tag is unjustified given the simplistic graphics and limited content reminiscent of basic tools and older game levels.

    • “It's not easy going from advertising to making a video game, I would imagine. However, $11.99 for MS Paint and a few Mario 64 levels isn't worth that price.”
  • character development2 mentions

    The character development is praised for its appealing design and charming environment, contributing to an overall engaging experience. However, the reviews do not provide specific insights into the depth or progression of the characters themselves.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy ART SQOOL

Videos

Similar Games