Concrete Genie

About

Concrete Genie is a game about Ash, a bullied teen who discovers a magical paintbrush that brings his colorful sketches to life, cleaning up pollution in his once vibrant hometown, Denska. Interacting with mischievous Genies, Ash harnesses his artistic skills to restore Denska and overcome personal struggles. This heartwarming journey combines creativity, adventure, and self-discovery as Ash paints his hometown back to life.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 71 reviews

gameplay4 positive mentions

music1 negative mentions

Concrete Genie features stunning visuals and a charming narrative that captivates players with its heartwarming themes of creativity and friendship.
The painting mechanic is engaging and allows for a unique form of expression, making the gameplay enjoyable and accessible for players of all ages.
The game is filled with delightful characters and imaginative environments, providing a wholesome experience that stands out in the indie game scene.

The game is relatively short, with a playtime of around 5 to 10 hours, which may leave some players wanting more content.
Combat elements feel tacked on and underwhelming, detracting from the overall experience and pacing of the game.
Some players may find the gameplay simplistic and the puzzles too easy, limiting the challenge and depth of the experience.

gameplay
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
61%
17%
The gameplay of Concrete Genie is characterized by its charming painting mechanic, which allows for creative expression and transforms the game world, though it can feel underwhelming outside of this core feature. While the emotional story and beautiful artwork enhance the experience, some players find the late-game shifts in gameplay and simplistic puzzles detract from overall engagement. Despite its flaws, the game is praised for its delightful characters and innovative mechanics, making it a wholesome adventure.
- “An emotional story blended with beautiful artwork and seamless gameplay creates an incredible experience.”
- “Concrete Genie paints an impressive picture with delightful gameplay and heartwarming characters.”
- “Denska is beautiful before and after you've had your way with it, with mechanics that feed directly into your creative side, making you feel creative in a way that few things can.”
- “Concrete Genie may not scratch the gameplay itch that you have, but rather it delivers an important story to tell.”
- “The game, in spite of a late-game gameplay pivot, never truly manages to engage beyond its admittedly charming painting mechanic.”
- “When you aren’t painting, the gameplay is underwhelming; the gameplay takes a drastic turn, but still falls flat, and dictating the art to you takes away the best aspect of the game.”
story
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
36%
21%
The story of Concrete Genie is a heartfelt and emotional journey centered around themes of friendship and restoration, complemented by beautifully stylized visuals and lovable characters. While some players found the narrative engaging and transformative, others noted its brevity and a jarring genre shift that detracted from the overall experience. Overall, the game delivers a unique and touching story that resonates with players, despite some criticisms regarding pacing and depth.
- “Concrete Genie is a heartwarming story about friendship and restoration, and an absolute must-play.”
- “An emotional story blended with beautiful artwork and seamless gameplay creates an incredible experience.”
- “Concrete Genie has a warmth to it, and I felt like the team at Pixel Opus put their hearts into this. The story and themes don’t come off forced or cheap, but instead feel real and honest.”
- “Too short, even for a budget title; jarring transition into a near-totally different genre two-thirds into the story; stealth elements with the bullies feel unneeded.”
- “The storyline is somewhat disappointing.”
- “Concrete Genie may not scratch the gameplay itch that you have, but rather it delivers an important story to tell.”
emotional
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Concrete Genie is widely praised for its heartwarming and emotionally resonant narrative, featuring themes of friendship, restoration, and creativity. The game's beautiful artwork and charming characters enhance the storytelling experience, making it a memorable journey that resonates deeply with players. Overall, it is celebrated as a wholesome adventure that effectively combines emotional depth with engaging gameplay.
- “Concrete Genie is a heartwarming story about friendship and restoration, and an absolute must-play.”
- “An emotional story blended with beautiful artwork and seamless gameplay creates an incredible experience.”
- “I haven't had a game hit me emotionally quite as Concrete Genie has.”
graphics
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
86%
14%
The graphics in the game are widely praised for their stunning beauty and charming art style, reminiscent of a Laika film, which appeals particularly to younger audiences and those who appreciate drawing. Players enjoy the whimsical player-created genies and the engaging, emotionally resonant narrative, enhanced by fluid movement and intuitive controls that make exploration enjoyable. Overall, the visuals contribute significantly to a relaxing and immersive gameplay experience.
- “Concrete Genie has some stunning visuals when you're free to paint, and the story is interesting enough to keep you playing until the end.”
- “An emotional story blended with beautiful artwork and seamless gameplay creates an incredible experience.”
- “The concept of bringing positivity with beautiful artworks is cute and well-executed; interactions between Ash and the genies are sweet and fun to watch, and fluid movement makes exploring a joyous experience.”
music
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game is praised for its gorgeous quality and attention to detail, evoking deep emotional connections and enhancing the overall experience. Players appreciate how it complements the charming visuals and gameplay, making it a standout feature.