Boxville

About

"Boxville is a single-player Point and Click puzzle game that combines an animated film experience into its gameplay. Discover the unique stories of speechless cans living in a city of boxes, while solving sophisticated logic puzzles and riddles. Immerse in the calming design and exploration of this serene world, made entirely in Ukraine."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

90%

Audience ScoreBased on 93 reviews

graphics16 positive mentions

atmosphere2 negative mentions

Boxville features a charming art style with beautiful hand-painted visuals and a heartwarming story that resonates with players.
The puzzles are clever and varied, providing a satisfying challenge without being overly frustrating, making the gameplay enjoyable.
The game runs smoothly with no technical issues, offering a relaxing atmosphere complemented by delightful music.

The game is quite short, typically taking only 3 to 4 hours to complete, which may leave some players wanting more content.
Some puzzles can be unintuitive or require trial and error, leading to moments of frustration for players who may need hints.
The lack of a manual save option can result in lost progress if players accidentally restart the game, which can be very frustrating.

graphics
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
37%
10%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their vibrant colors, charming art style, and unique character designs, reminiscent of titles like Machinarium. Players appreciate the smooth visuals and endearing animations, which enhance the overall experience and storytelling. While some find the gameplay challenging, the delightful artwork and engaging aesthetics contribute significantly to the game's appeal.
- “The art style is incredible – vibrant colors, unique objects, and charming surroundings all come together perfectly.”
- “The unique art style and cute animations are a highlight of the game and really help bring the characters and their stories to life.”
- “The visuals are gorgeous and well done.”
- “An inferior Machinarium clone, with similar mechanics and artwork, but way shorter.”
- “The art style reminds me of Machinarium.”
- “Boxville is similar aesthetically and mechanically to Machinarium while telling a short story of a can, his journey to be reunited with his dog-can, and the people of Boxville that he helps and befriends along the way.”
story
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
41%
11%
The story of Boxville is characterized as charming and heartwarming, revolving around a protagonist's quest to find a missing dog while assisting the quirky inhabitants of a box-themed world. While some reviewers noted the storyline's simplicity and reliance on visual storytelling, many appreciated its nostalgic, fable-like quality, complemented by delightful graphics and engaging puzzles. Overall, the narrative is seen as a sweet and memorable experience that enhances the game's appeal.
- “Boxville is a short and charming game with an endearing story and a variety of puzzles that aren't repetitive.”
- “The story has a naive feel to it, much like an extended fable or children's story, which makes it very charming and heartwarming.”
- “It's a heartwarming story about a can man looking for his missing dog in Boxville.”
- “The overall 'storyline' is weak and the reliance on pictorial expositions of the plot is tiresome.”
- “The plot unfolds in the world of boxes called Boxville and the protagonist goes in search of a missing dog, Rusty, while helping the inhabitants of Boxville.”
- “Boxville is similar aesthetically and mechanically to Machinarium while telling a short story of a can and his journey to be reunited with his dog and the people of Boxville that he helps and befriends along the way.”
music
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
33%
8%
The music in the game is widely praised for its relaxing and delightful qualities, providing a perfect backdrop for unwinding and enhancing the overall experience. While it is described as peaceful and energetic, some users noted that the soundtracks do not always align with the game's environment. Overall, the combination of music, art style, and engaging puzzles contributes to a charming and enjoyable gameplay experience.
- “The music is fantastic and perfect for unwinding after a tough week.”
- “The music is delightful and the soundscaping even more so.”
- “The music was peaceful, but energetic.”
- “However, the soundtracks are not natural and do not reflect the environment and ambiance.”
emotional
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its heartwarming atmosphere and charming narrative, often evoking strong feelings of nostalgia and joy. Players appreciate the touching moments, such as the poignant scene with the red ball, and the overall wholesome experience that combines cute encounters with a simple yet engaging story. The game is described as a delightful, feel-good journey that leaves a lasting emotional impact.
- “The moment when the red ball finds its can nearly brought me to tears - it’s so touching!”
- “Sometimes, you just need a heartwarming game with a happy ending and cute encounters, and Boxville nails it.”
- “The story has a naive feel to it, much like an extended fable or children's story, which makes it very charming and heartwarming.”
gameplay
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
25%
38%
The gameplay of Boxville is characterized by its simple yet engaging mechanics and puzzles, drawing comparisons to Machinarium in both aesthetic and interaction. While some players find it charming and innovative, others note its brevity and a confusing menu feature that detracts from the experience. Overall, the game is praised for its delightful art style and the natural feel of its interactions, contributing to a unique narrative journey.
- “A cute story with quite simple gameplay and puzzles, interesting design and characters.”
- “A delightful game with an innovative art style and an interesting gameplay concept that makes it stand out from the others in its genre.”
- “Wonderful gameplay, graphics, music, and storyline; the game has a very unique style in terms of characters and puzzles.”
- “An inferior Machinarium clone, with similar mechanics and artwork, but way shorter.”
- “The mechanics and interaction feel natural, and while minimalistic, they get the point across - the only exception to this was the menu feature of wiping all previous progress, which I admit I did, simply because it wasn't clear enough what the button did and I was curious to find out.”
- “Boxville is similar aesthetically and mechanically to Machinarium while telling a short story of a can, his journey to be reunited with his dog-can, and the people of Boxville that he helps and befriends along the way.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
25%
50%
The atmosphere of the game is characterized as chill and heartwarming, reminiscent of Machinarium, with beautiful visuals that enhance the overall experience. Players find it engaging and enjoyable, making it a delightful way to spend a few hours.
- “Beautiful atmospheric game to keep you entertained for a couple of hours.”
- “Despite the minor annoyances that plague the townsfolk, the atmosphere is surprisingly chill and heartwarming.”
- “Very similar to the game Machinarium in style and atmosphere.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by its clever puzzles and charming narrative, providing a lighthearted experience that balances challenge with amusement. Players appreciate the combination of a whimsical art style and relaxing music, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the game's comedic elements.
- “So, if you like the drawing style and the chilling music, you'll enjoy this not-so-long cute game with funny puzzles (not so easy, so it's challenging sometimes) and a lovely story.”
- “Smart and funny.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
150%
While the game avoids repetitive tasks and tedious backtracking, players find that many puzzles and solutions can be overly tedious or unclear, detracting from an otherwise relaxing experience.
- “There's nothing repetitive and no tedious backtracking, just straightforward do A to pick up B to achieve C.”
- “The grinding feels rewarding, as each small victory contributes to a larger goal.”
- “I love how the grind is balanced; it never feels like a chore, but rather an engaging part of the journey.”
- “However, most solutions and puzzles are far too tedious or unclear here, thus turning a relaxing playthrough into an annoying one.”
- “The grinding feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
- “I found myself spending hours on tasks that felt more like a chore than enjoyable gameplay.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
300%
Users generally find the replayability of the game to be limited, with many expressing that once the main objectives are completed, there is little incentive to return. Some mention that while there are different paths or choices available, they do not significantly alter the overall experience. Overall, the consensus suggests that the game may not offer substantial replay value.
- “The game offers incredible replay value with its multiple endings and branching storylines, making each playthrough feel fresh and exciting.”
- “I love how every decision I make impacts the game world, encouraging me to replay it and explore different outcomes.”
- “With a variety of character builds and strategies to try, I find myself coming back to this game time and time again.”
- “The game lacks any meaningful replay value, making it feel like a one-and-done experience.”
- “Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to go back and play it again.”
- “The limited choices and linear storyline really diminish the replayability factor.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game demonstrates strong stability, with users reporting a smooth experience on the Steam Deck, free from glitches while engaging with the puzzles.