Chicory: A Colorful Tale

98%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,302 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • gameplay
Chicory: A Colorful Tale Game Cover
Chicory: A Colorful Tale Review – Color Us Impressed
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"Chicory: A Colorful Tale" is a top-down, 2-player co-op Role Playing Game set in a vibrant coloring book world where players can draw on anything and use paint abilities to explore, solve puzzles, and help friends. With over 10 hours of gameplay, players can discover a world full of animals, collect clothes, and embark on dozens of side quests. The game features emotional storytelling, stunning music by Em Halberstadt, and the ability to play with friends in local co-op.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Cloud
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

98%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,302 reviews
story462 positive mentions
grinding30 negative mentions
  • Fun and relaxing gameplay with a rich story that explores themes of creativity and self-acceptance.
  • Charming characters and beautiful art style that create an engaging and immersive experience.
  • Incredible soundtrack by Lena Raine that enhances the emotional depth of the game.
  • Some players found the puzzles to be too easy and the gameplay repetitive over time.
  • Limited color palettes in each area can feel restrictive and may hinder creative expression.
  • A few technical issues, such as bugs and glitches, have been reported, particularly related to achievements.
  • story1,092 mentions

    The story of "Chicory: A Colorful Tale" is widely praised for its depth and emotional resonance, exploring themes such as self-doubt, creativity, and mental health through a charming narrative filled with relatable characters. Players appreciate the heartfelt storytelling that balances lighthearted moments with serious undertones, making it a compelling experience that resonates particularly with artists and creatives. The integration of gameplay mechanics with the narrative enhances the overall experience, allowing players to express themselves while engaging with a rich, immersive world.

    • “A heartfelt story about our relationship with art and with ourselves told through a world with funny little animal characters.”
    • “The story is incredibly resonant and the art mechanics are simple, yet fun for all to enjoy, as well as not too high pressure!”
    • “The story is touching and it hits deep, exploring themes of self-doubt and the creative process in a way that feels authentic and relatable.”
    • “The story felt immensely personal, and brought up topics that are simply human -- we all come in contact with them.”
    • “The problem is this kind of ruins the game's story which is supposed to be about free expression or self-confidence because the game never encourages you to properly engage with this part of it.”
    • “The story is a bit wordy.”
  • music736 mentions

    The music in "Chicory: A Colorful Tale," composed by Lena Raine, is widely praised for its emotional depth and ability to enhance the game's atmosphere. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack's adaptability to different gameplay moments, with tracks that range from soothing to intense, perfectly complementing the narrative and gameplay mechanics. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and emotional impact.

    • “The music, bosses, the lore... is all fantastic.”
    • “A crucial component to this entire game is the stellar, beautiful soundtrack composed by the one and only Lena Raine that accompanies and compliments so much to this.”
    • “The music is incredible, made by Lena Raine, the same person who made the soundtrack for Celeste and loads of other things; overall a very talented composer who manages to get the mood perfect in every soundtrack she's worked on, and this is no exception.”
    • “This game costs 20 dollars, and marks its soundtrack you can find on YouTube at 10.”
    • “I really thought this game would be amazing for me from what I heard/saw from the adverts and I watched an entire playthrough from Skurry, but I really just don't like it, also I would never be able to play a game with no music....”
    • “I was mixed about it at first, but I grew around to liking the soundtrack a lot more as I kept playing despite my gameplay/story tires.”
  • gameplay630 mentions

    The gameplay of "Chicory: A Colorful Tale" is widely praised for its unique painting mechanic, which serves as both a core gameplay element and a means of creative expression. Players enjoy the blend of exploration, puzzle-solving, and light combat, often comparing it to classic Zelda titles while highlighting its relaxing and engaging nature. Although some mechanics may feel imprecise or repetitive at times, the overall experience is described as charming, heartwarming, and deeply intertwined with the game's emotional narrative.

    • “The gameplay is smooth, the story is touching sometimes, and the music is great to listen to.”
    • “Chicory is an absolute bliss of a time, combining mechanics with visuals and narrative in perfect harmony to tell a story about self-expression, expectations, and anxiety, all the while delivering all the stops in wholesomeness, humor, charm, and fun puzzles.”
    • “The gameplay is fun and so unique, the whole world is literally a coloring book for you to fill in and the game gives you a reason to with multiple different powers that let you traverse and pick up collectibles and talk to people.”
    • “The gameplay is a tedious mess filled with boring puzzles, artificial game lengtheners, and a painting mechanic that discourages you rather than inspires you due to how limiting it is.”
    • “The gameplay isn't all that interesting during them, and I believe there's an accessibility option to disable them entirely, but they're worth experiencing for the music and visual spectacle alone.”
    • “The coloring mechanic felt a bit shallow, with no meaningful reactivity from the NPCs or the world, seeming more like just another way of activating switches.”
  • emotional452 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Chicory: A Colorful Tale" is widely praised for its heartfelt storytelling and deep exploration of themes such as creativity, self-worth, and mental health. Players report a strong emotional connection to the characters and narrative, often experiencing moments of joy and sadness that resonate personally, leading to tears and introspection. The game's charming art style, engaging gameplay, and exceptional soundtrack further enhance its ability to evoke a wide range of emotions, making it a memorable and impactful experience for many.

    • “Chicory's beautiful world and incredible story spoke to me on a deep, emotional level, in a way that almost no other game, no, no other single thing on this planet, ever has before.”
    • “This game made me cry a lot.... it also really spoke to me on a personal level which I enjoyed....”
    • “It's a heartwarming story that's not too dark and not too serious.”
  • graphics179 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming and adorable art style, which enhances the overall experience and storytelling. Players appreciate the unique coloring mechanics that allow them to interact creatively with the environment, making each scene feel like a personal artwork. The visuals, combined with a captivating soundtrack, create a delightful and immersive atmosphere that resonates deeply with players, particularly those with an artistic inclination.

    • “The art style and character designs are charming, and the story and soundtrack are both really wonderful.”
    • “The graphics and visuals are incredibly cute, the puzzling is interesting without being difficult, and the story, while a bit text-heavy and heavy-handed at times, is ultimately sweet, funny, and much more poignant than I'd expected.”
    • “The art style is exceptionally well executed and suits the gameplay mechanics perfectly.”
    • “The graphics can be quite a pain in the eyes.”
    • “Point is, the visuals are hard to look at unless you take your time to paint every nook and cranny.”
    • “Though the art style is quite cute in a certain way, I wasn't able to like it really.”
  • humor103 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its charming and whimsical dialogue, featuring funny characters and lighthearted moments that balance deeper themes like mental health and self-expression. Players appreciate the clever writing, which ranges from genuinely hilarious to touching, creating a delightful experience that evokes a variety of emotions. Overall, the game successfully combines humor with heartfelt storytelling, making it both entertaining and relatable.

    • “Chicory is an absolute bliss of a time, combining mechanics with visuals and narrative in perfect harmony to tell a story about self-expression, expectations, and anxiety, all the while delivering all the stops in wholesomeness, humor, charm, and fun puzzles.”
    • “The characters are charming and funny, the story is poignant, and the mechanics are interesting and fun.”
    • “A very cute, funny, warm, endearing, heartfelt adventure that reveals to have a fairly emotional story and deals with pretty real themes pretty much all of us can relate with.”
  • grinding30 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspects of the game to be a mixed experience, with many describing the collectible hunting and painting mechanics as tedious and at times frustrating. While some appreciate the puzzles and the charm of the game, the repetitive nature of tasks and the limitations in gameplay can lead to a sense of monotony, particularly for those aiming for 100% completion. However, certain tools and mechanics introduced later in the game help alleviate some of the tedium, making the experience more enjoyable for some players.

    • “The gameplay is a tedious mess filled with boring puzzles, artificial game lengtheners, and a painting mechanic that discourages you rather than inspires you due to how limiting it is.”
    • “While charming and light in nature, the gameplay loop is tedious to the point of monotony.”
    • “I didn't finish the game because I don't want to push myself through tedious gameplay to see letterboxed cinematics, but the story is generic and I already know where it's going.”
  • character development28 mentions

    Overall, the character development in the game is praised for its depth and charm, with many reviewers highlighting the distinct personalities and adorable designs of the characters. However, some criticism arises regarding the pacing of character growth, particularly in the postgame, where opportunities for further development feel lacking. The combination of excellent writing, engaging storylines, and a unique art style contributes to a memorable character experience, though some players wished for more exploration of certain characters' arcs.

    • “The plotline and character development are surprisingly deep.”
    • “The astounding character development seen in this game is unlike any other I have seen before, and the world building is top notch.”
    • “Just like Greg Lobanov's first big game (Wandersong), this one contains extremely good writing and character development.”
    • “The only real criticism I have about this game is that the postgame does not exist; you just kind of bum around after, which really sucks, because I'd love to see more of [spoiler]Chicory's[/spoiler] character development, especially with how they put focus on [spoiler]Blackberry[/spoiler] towards the end of the game.”
    • “While I definitely enjoyed the game, the problem with it is the fact that the character development, especially with the main character, just does not hit.”
    • “The game is too eager to get into the feely dialogue that it skips out on prior character development necessary to shape those characters and give them personality.”
  • atmosphere25 mentions

    The atmosphere of Chicory is widely praised for its charming, cozy, and heartwarming qualities, enhanced by beautiful hand-drawn visuals and a captivating soundtrack. Players appreciate how the game balances light-heartedness with deeper themes of self-doubt and personal growth, creating an immersive experience that feels both supportive and profound. The attention to detail in the environment and character interactions contributes to a vibrant world that invites exploration and emotional connection.

    • “Each piece is so carefully made to bring forth the atmosphere and feelings to an already interesting game where it caters to bring the mood and tone to each specific part of the game and is one of the many main reasons why this game is so good.”
    • “The game's aesthetics are cozy - the art is simple, but the hand-drawn visuals contribute so much to the overall atmosphere of the game and fit so well.”
    • “It’s a fantastic game to just be in, and every part of the design supports that warm, wonderful atmosphere.”
    • “The game's aesthetics is cozy - the art is simple but the hand-drawn visuals contribute so much to the overall atmosphere of the game and fit so well.”
    • “Its cutesy style and heartwarming vibe gives it a welcoming atmosphere that instantly captivates you, but it isn't afraid to tackle heavy subjects that, while told through the lens of art, will resonate strongly with anyone who struggles with self-doubt, impostor syndrome, pressure to succeed, or even just the stress of adult life in general.”
    • “Also, the 'other side' of the story is really well made by elements of design and by the music, so it creates a heavy atmosphere (sometimes a bit much but that's how it's supposed to be, and it's never too uneasy).”
  • stability13 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is mixed, with some players reporting minor glitches and bugs, particularly with certain mechanics and achievements. While many enjoyed a smooth experience with no significant issues, others noted performance hiccups and janky mechanics that could detract from gameplay. Despite these inconsistencies, most agree that the game remains enjoyable and worth playing.

    • “No glitches and smooth controls.”
    • “The game runs flawlessly without any crashes.”
    • “I appreciate the consistent frame rate throughout my gameplay.”
    • “Plus it's been completely buggy for weeks now, including achievements.”
    • “Performance-wise, the game can be a little buggy (both visually and mechanically) and laggy.”
    • “Of course it's not perfect - the jumping ability is buggy, and I've heard reports of other, more problematic bugs, especially on consoles.”
  • replayability9 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag; while it offers a rich story and enjoyable gameplay that many players appreciate, some feel that after 100% completion, the experience may lack significant incentive to replay. However, features like different map colors, textures, and post-game content, including side quests and dialogue, provide enough variety to keep players engaged. Ultimately, the game strikes a balance by being enjoyable without overstaying its welcome, making it appealing for multiple playthroughs.

    • “Beautiful music and gameplay/boss battles is great and definitely a replayable game!”
    • “Great story, cute graphics, tons of replay value.”
    • “Coming out of this game after 100%ing it, I can safely say this is one of my favorite games to have played through and experienced, though it does feel like it doesn't have that much replayability after 100% as you've seen everything and this is a very story-based game.”
    • “I'm not sure at this stage about any significant replayability - while you could replay the game and just paint differently, I'm not sure how much difference it will make to the game overall.”
    • “Of course, replayability is at the very top of the list of pros… because the whole game is a coloring book, not to mention there’s tons of post-game dialogue to go and experience, and all of those fun side-quests to finish.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has drawn criticism, as many users question the value of purchasing it without the intention to engage with its primary feature—coloring—suggesting a disconnect between the game's marketing and player expectations.

    • “The monetization model feels exploitative, as it pushes players to spend money to enjoy the game fully.”
    • “It's frustrating that essential features are locked behind a paywall, making it hard to progress without spending extra.”
    • “The constant prompts to purchase in-game currency detract from the overall experience and make it feel more like a cash grab.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The game's optimization has been criticized for being somewhat buggy, with issues affecting both visual and mechanical performance, leading to occasional lag.

    • “Performance-wise, the game can be a little buggy (both visually and mechanically) and laggy.”
    • “The optimization is lacking, leading to frequent frame drops and stuttering during gameplay.”
    • “I often experience long loading times and crashes, which severely disrupts the gaming experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

89% average critic score

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Play time

16hMedian play time
14hAverage play time
9-18hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 8 analyzed playthroughs

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