Bushside Rangers

About

Bushside Rangers is a single player casual action adventure game. It was developed by Team Bushside and was released on March 26, 2025. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

Bushside Rangers is a first-person survival horror game where you play as Vera, a teen exploring an abandoned nature park shrouded in mystery. Navigate the eerie, overgrown environment while scavenging resources and defending against hostile, starving mascots roaming the grounds. Your wits and careful management are key to surviving and uncovering the truth behind the park's closure.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

80%

Audience ScoreBased on 122 reviews

gameplay6 positive mentions

stability3 negative mentions

The game features smooth gameplay and a creepy atmosphere that effectively creates tension and jump scares.
The graphics and character designs are visually appealing, with a well-crafted environment that enhances the horror experience.
The voice acting and sound design are commendable, contributing to the overall immersion and enjoyment of the game.

Gameplay mechanics can be frustrating, particularly with the mascot AI being overly aggressive and the controls feeling clunky at times.
The story lacks depth and clarity, leaving players confused about the protagonist's motivations and the overall plot.
There are numerous bugs and glitches that detract from the experience, including issues with the mini-games and inconsistent enemy behavior.

gameplay
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
73%
11%
The gameplay is generally smooth and engaging, with a mix of stealth and puzzle-solving elements that create a creepy atmosphere. However, players have noted some frustrating mechanics, such as a problematic door interaction during chases and a lack of clarity in certain gameplay features. While the game draws inspiration from titles like Five Nights at Freddy's, it shows promise as a solid first effort from indie developers, though improvements are needed for a more polished experience.
- “The gameplay was smooth, except for the door that did not open during the chase; I had to smash it a certain way to open.”
- “I do like how the gameplay feels overall—it’s smooth and engaging—but with some adjustments, it could’ve been even better.”
- “For a solo dev, Bushside Rangers is a pretty solid chapter one, having enough in the way of gameplay that it isn't just a spooky walking sim. It has a few interesting characters, and I especially liked Simon's voice acting being more murder-hungry, and Vera makes a great protagonist for the park without needing over-exposition.”
- “The protagonist needs more hand movements; the stiffness of their hands is laughable, and the cutscenes transition horribly into gameplay. She just randomly grows like 5 inches in height, which breaks any suspense or investment I had in the story.”
- “I do recommend wishlisting this game and even putting it in your library, but so far the gameplay is a bit disappointing. The game does deserve the 85% rating that it has, as the idea is there and many things are great like the layout, the story, the graphics, and the design of everything.”
- “However, it has its problems, the worst of which is how the gameplay features are taught to the player.”
story
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
66%
10%
The story of "Bushside Rangers" has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it engaging and well-structured, while others criticize it for lacking clarity and depth, particularly regarding the protagonist Vera's motivations and background. Many appreciate the atmospheric setting and the mystery elements, but feel that the narrative is marred by plot holes and abrupt transitions. Overall, while the game shows potential for a compelling story, players are eager for more development and backstory in future chapters.
- “I'm really looking forward to part two and learning more about Vera’s story.”
- “But what helps the story stand out is that the mystery is well placed, giving little indications on what might be going on without spoiling the whole thing. We also get to see two major monsters trying to get us instead of just one monster like other mascot horror games. The main character is interesting and quite different from your standard mascot-themed horror game, and Bushside Rangers feels like a real place with little touches that tell stories about what this place was once like when it was still operational.”
- “Okay, now that I told you all that, Bushside Rangers is a pretty good horror, adventure mascot-themed game. It has a pretty good story, good characters, and very good levels.”
- “The story felt non-existent as well since Vera doesn't mention why she is here in the beginning, and I felt that could have been done there as we just get dropped in with no explanation.”
- “The story is very abrupt; why Vera is there and why the mascots know her aren't really explained—though it is chapter one.”
- “This feels like a knock-off of Indigo Park but with many more plot holes.”
graphics
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
68%
18%
14%
The graphics of the game have received generally positive feedback, with many users praising the impressive visuals, attention to detail, and vibrant colors that enhance the atmosphere. However, some players noted that lower-end PCs may struggle with higher settings, and there are occasional rough spots in animations and gameplay. Overall, the graphics are considered a strong point, contributing to an enjoyable experience despite some minor issues.
- “The graphics are good, nice and colorful with plenty of good detail that makes you just want to stop and stare for a little bit and just see all the little details of the park.”
- “The graphics and attention to detail is great.”
- “Impressively polished visuals and a very cool setting to explore, but some frustrating gameplay elements.”
- “The graphics are average; when we are in the tram, I can barely look out the windows to see the park (probably because I'm a small child), but then what's the point?”
- “Unlike with similar games like 'Indigo Park' where I swear the opening cutscene was live action, 'Bushside Ranger's' big cinematic (and TV commercial for the park) are clearly just the in-game visuals, only with a gray VHS filter over everything.”
- “This game also lacks personality. The graphics are great and the plants, etc. all make sense, but the animations are horrible, I am sorry.”
music
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
35%
15%
The music in the game has received widespread praise for its quality and fittingness, enhancing both chase sequences and atmospheric moments. Reviewers noted the soundtrack's ability to evoke a range of emotions, from excitement to eeriness, with specific tracks standing out during key gameplay moments. While some found certain musical choices unexpected, overall, the composition and sound design significantly contribute to the game's immersive experience.
- “The soundtrack was also really good; the songs that would play during chase sequences were really cool to listen to.”
- “The music and overall sound design is great.”
- “Compliments to the music composers for the great life they poured into a few of the tracks.”
- “I have seen a lot of criticism over the music that plays when you aggro the chimp.”
- “The music felt so different from what I thought it should be.”
- “Drawing the comparison to something like Poppy, especially for the chimp scene, the music felt like carnival music when I thought it should have been tense and unnerving.”
atmosphere
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
17%
25%
The atmosphere of the game is generally praised for its eerie and immersive qualities, enhanced by great sound design, character graphics, and a VHS-style intro that sets a mysterious tone. While many players appreciate the spooky ambiance and character designs, some feel it relies too heavily on jump scares rather than fully exploring the darker elements of its setting. Overall, the atmosphere is seen as a strong point, though there are suggestions for further improvement to enhance the experience.
- “The VHS-style intro adds a mysterious flair, pulling you into its eerie atmosphere right from the start.”
- “The atmosphere is good, nice and spooky, and makes you scared and worried about what is going to pop out.”
- “Adds a good bit of atmosphere and an odd beauty to the desolate park you push through.”
- “And as far as horror goes, I think it relies a bit too much on jumpscares rather than leaning into the dark atmosphere a park like this can offer.”
- “Definitely appreciate the effort and the atmosphere feels like it's almost there, but there were a few things that started to bug me.”
- “The atmosphere was alright.”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
Character development is highlighted by users for its creative and visually appealing designs, contributing to an engaging atmosphere. However, there are mixed opinions, with some expressing dissatisfaction with the quality of the character designs. Overall, the character design aspect is noted as a strong point, despite some criticism.
- “There were a lot of cool creative ideas, and I really like the character designs!”
- “The atmosphere and character designs are amazing.”
- “First, the character designs are just not good.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability has been criticized for being buggy and glitchy, with players reporting numerous issues during gameplay, including annoying animations and frustrating level designs. While some find it a serviceable experience despite these problems, the prevalence of glitches detracts from overall enjoyment.
- “Very buggy, and when Simon spots you, he does an annoying screen flashing animation which is frustrating. I found many bugs during a normal playthrough of this game.”
- “It's a perfectly serviceable experience, if you don't mind a couple of weird glitches, annoying characters, and frustrating level designs.”
- “Buggy and glitchy.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its excellent optimization, particularly in the first chapter, which features stunning graphics without performance issues. Users report smooth gameplay with no frame drops or bugs, making it a standout in the mascot horror genre, where optimization is often lacking.
- “The first chapter was really well made and well optimized graphically while still keeping the game looking stunning. The voice acting is great!”
- “I gotta admit the game is really well optimized, which is a great sign. Overall, I would say play this if you are bored and want to do something.”
- “Performance is amazing, with no frame drops or bugs.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by its ironic pacing, as players find themselves in a situation where they are meant to be stealthy yet experience a slow progression that adds a comedic twist to the gameplay. This juxtaposition creates a lighthearted atmosphere, even in tense moments.
- “I thought the first sequence was going awfully slow (which is funny, because you're supposed to be hiding from Simon the Sloth); it took me over half an hour to complete, and I wasn't exactly playing it safe.”
- “The humor in this game is spot on, with clever dialogue and hilarious situations that keep you laughing throughout.”
- “I love how the game uses absurd scenarios to create humor; it never fails to catch me off guard and make me chuckle.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious, often requiring significant time investment that detracts from the overall experience. The repetitive nature of waiting for numbers to process adds to the frustration, making it feel like a chore rather than an engaging activity.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The tediousness of waiting on numbers to enter a box on the terminals also took away from the experience for me.”