Blueberry Garden
- June 1, 2009
- Erik Svedäng
- 4h median play time
Get on Steam"Blueberry Garden" is a surreal exploration game where players navigate a floating island to uncover its secrets. Gathering various items and manipulating the environment are key to progress. The game features a unique art style and a whimsical atmosphere, encouraging players to discover and understand the world they inhabit.
Mac OS
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Windows
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Reviews
- Charming visuals and a relaxing atmosphere that evoke a sense of wonder and exploration.
- Unique gameplay mechanics that encourage experimentation and creativity in a quirky, abstract world.
- The game offers a delightful soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
- Lack of clear objectives and instructions can lead to confusion and frustration for players.
- Cumbersome controls and awkward physics make navigation and platforming challenging and unenjoyable.
- The game is very short and may feel lacking in depth or replay value, leaving some players unsatisfied.
- music20 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its beauty and calming qualities, enhancing the overall experience of exploration and gameplay. While many players find the soundtrack lovely and atmospheric, some note that the repetitive nature of certain tracks can become grating over time. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature that contributes significantly to the game's charm and ambiance.
“Overall great game, I love the soundtrack and still listen to it frequently.”
“The music really makes the flying around a great experience.”
“The music is beautiful and the ambience really is a work of art.”
“The obligatory piano music that plays over time and slowly begins to grate simply adds to the overall feeling that this is all a little bit... well, pretentious.”
“The single piece of music the game repeats during that time goes from pleasant to annoying very quickly.”
“Placid music and some kind of dodo bird going from here to there, but to where and for whaaaaaat?”
- gameplay17 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its esoteric mechanics that encourage experimentation and exploration, often requiring players to figure things out on their own. While the artistic presentation is praised, some players find the gameplay lacking in traditional narrative and engagement, with certain mechanics making it challenging to execute plans effectively. Overall, the game offers a unique experience with interesting mechanics, though it may appeal more to those who appreciate artistic and experimental elements rather than conventional gameplay.
“To reach your objective, you will have to understand the game mechanics and world by experimenting and observing.”
“After understanding these game mechanics, you can make trees grow to provide you with fruit (and their effects), and if you provide the right circumstances, trees will grow fruit that will grow into trees and grow fruit, etc. for a long time.”
“The gameplay is simple and well done; the music is fluid and very classical, keeping the mood alive.”
“The overall game intent is to provide an esoteric experience rather than focusing on proper narrative or engaging gameplay, so the game lacks these basic fundamentals.”
“Additionally, whilst the world might look 'artistically' well made, that doesn’t absolutely reflect on its gameplay.”
“Blueberry Garden is more like an experiment in game mechanics than an actual game.”
- story6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's story is characterized by its exploration of universal themes such as love, honor, and sacrifice, creating a deep emotional resonance. While some reviewers note a lack of a traditional narrative structure, others praise its simplicity and wit, alongside a complex backdrop that immerses players in the struggles of an oppressed factory worker in 1960s Russia. Overall, the storytelling is seen as a compelling element that enhances the gameplay experience.
“I recommend this game because of its simplistic beauty and the story draws you in.”
“The self-sustaining eco-system is awesome, and the story is simple, yet witty.”
“This game weaves a complex story, which incorporates a complex stream of deeply emotional characters as well as action-packed gameplay that draws the player into the mind of an oppressed factory worker in 1960s Russia.”
“I won't go into much detail, but let it be said that there is no proper story.”
“He must teach himself that the basest of all things is to be afraid; and, teaching himself that, forget it forever, leaving no room in his workshop for anything but the old verities and truths of the heart, the old universal truths lacking which any story is ephemeral and doomed - love and honor and pity and pride and compassion and sacrifice.”
“This game weaves a complex story, which incorporates into it a complex stream of deeply emotional characters as well as action-packed gameplay that draws the player into the mind of an oppressed factory worker in 1960's Russia.”
- graphics5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's charming hand-drawn visuals evoke a nostalgic, storybook quality that many players find delightful and inspiring, particularly for those interested in art. However, some users note that the simplistic graphics can lead to confusion, as certain character designs may be misinterpreted. Overall, the aesthetic is praised for its unique appeal, despite its lack of contemporary graphical richness.
“When I was younger, I absolutely adored the visuals... and I still do.”
“It actually inspired me to get more into art when I was younger, because the children's picture book-like visuals really made this game charming.”
“Short game with a delightful aesthetic and interesting ideas.”
- emotional5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted through its unique mechanics, such as teleporting objects to build a tower that symbolizes hope and resilience against rising challenges. It also explores profound themes of oppression and identity, featuring deeply emotional characters and narratives that resonate with players, making it a compelling experience that transcends typical gameplay. Overall, the game successfully combines engaging mechanics with a rich emotional depth, inviting players to connect on a personal level.
“Playing off contemporary pop's age-old diva-as-robot trope and cautioning that fellow droids who 'burn out' are 'ready for demolition,' Blueberry Garden suggests that it's completely possible to be a game and also seek emotional connection.”
“This game weaves a complex story, which incorporates into it a complex stream of deeply emotional characters as well as action-packed gameplay that draws the player into the mind of an oppressed factory worker in 1960s Russia.”
“Very, very short but also very beautiful and emotionally much deeper than most games.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is described as nice and calming, creating a soothing environment for players.
“Nice calming atmosphere.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is generally enjoyable but experiences occasional glitches that affect its stability.
“A fun little indie art game that glitches out a bit, I recall.”
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of quirky, catty elements and euphoric melodies, creating a lighthearted atmosphere that contrasts with deeper themes of heartbreak. Instead of focusing on historical context, it prioritizes a playful exploration of its own emotional landscape.
“Melding dancehall with bubblegum pop, heartbroken love songs with hilariously catty weirdness, and euphorically catchy melodies with propulsive rhythms, this game is more concerned with its own state of mind than painstakingly humanizing the locations, historical inhabitants, and trivia of a certain slab of America.”
