English Country Tune

About

English Country Tune is a single player casual turn-based strategy game. It was developed by increpare and was released on August 9, 2012. It received positive reviews from both critics and players.

"English Country Tune" is a 3D puzzle game featuring over 100 levels and 17 diverse worlds. It offers unique mechanics that may not be what they seem and combines them in challenging ways. With genuine 3D gameplay, a wide range of in-game goals, and over 60 minutes of specially composed music, this game aims to challenge and entertain.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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82%

Audience ScoreBased on 339 reviews

gameplay19 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

The game features clever and varied puzzles that challenge spatial reasoning and provide a rewarding experience when solved.
Each world introduces new mechanics, keeping the gameplay fresh and engaging throughout the experience.
The minimalist aesthetic and ambient soundtrack create a unique atmosphere that enhances the puzzle-solving experience.

The fixed camera angles can be frustrating and sometimes obscure important parts of the levels, making navigation difficult.
Some puzzles can be excessively challenging, leading to potential frustration for players who may not enjoy trial-and-error gameplay.
The lack of a clear tutorial or guidance on mechanics can leave players feeling lost, especially in the early stages of the game.

gameplay
113 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
80%
3%
The gameplay is centered around a 3D grid-based puzzle system reminiscent of sokoban, where players push objects while navigating through increasingly complex mechanics introduced in each world. The game excels in providing a diverse range of mind-bending puzzles that challenge players' spatial awareness and logical deduction skills, though some mechanics may require trial and error to fully grasp. Overall, it offers a rewarding experience for puzzle enthusiasts, with a meditative atmosphere and a gradual escalation of difficulty that keeps the gameplay engaging.
- “A 3D Sokoban-style game can already be challenging, but here each world introduces additional mechanics, some of which are mind-bending.”
- “The combination of mechanics adds a lot of variety to the gameplay, and the game does an excellent job introducing each one so you never feel confused about how something works.”
- “Just when you start to feel comfortable with one mechanic, the game introduces a new one, forcing you to adapt and find new approaches to solving the puzzles.”
- “The gameplay starts solid, but gets to a point where it introduces new mechanics that don't feel as well explored as they could have been.”
- “You are introduced to each mechanic with one easy level, but most of the time there isn't a gradual progression of difficulty, and you are thrown into the fire and left to learn some new things on your own.”
- “The first few levels are straightforward enough, but the complexity and introduction of mechanics and conditions escalates at an overwhelming rate.”
graphics
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
70%
7%
The graphics of the game are characterized by a minimalistic and abstract aesthetic that creates a surreal and tense atmosphere, enhanced by a droning ambient soundtrack. While some players find the visuals rudimentary and occasionally unappealing, others appreciate their simplicity, noting that they effectively support the puzzle-solving experience without distraction. Overall, the graphics are described as basic yet fitting for the game's design, with a few standout moments of charm amidst a generally austere presentation.
- “The puzzles themselves are great--as well as unconventional, offering seasoned puzzle game players something refreshingly new--and the beautifully strange minimalist aesthetics elevate it to another level.”
- “The 3D environment is great, and visuals are minimalist, yet quite appealing.”
- “The soft, colorful visuals and the ambient music make it pretty relaxing too, if you just want to fiddle around a bit.”
- “The game lacks charm, going for an almost minimalist esoteric aesthetic but ending up just looking bland.”
- “Graphically, the game does not provide anything special.”
- “Even the graphical impression is quite plain and uninteresting.”
music
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
60%
10%
The music in the game is predominantly ambient and minimalist, creating a soothing and meditative atmosphere that complements the gameplay. While some players find the soundtrack forgettable or lacking in variety, others appreciate its calming qualities, enhancing the overall experience. Overall, the music serves as a subtle backdrop, with mixed opinions on its effectiveness in elevating the game's aesthetic.
- “The soundtrack consists of deep contemplative ambient which fits the gameplay perfectly.”
- “The soundtrack is quiet and soothing, and it's a nice game if you want to wind down for an hour or so at a time...or if you just want to switch it up from shooting, running, jumping, hacking and slashing.”
- “Incredibly crafted abstracted puzzles, a great game with soothing ambient music!”
- “Also not sure what the game title means since there is no music.”
- “The graphics/music neither offended nor amazed-- they were completely forgettable.”
- “The background music is the usual ambient relaxing sounds, nothing to write home about.”
atmosphere
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
29%
21%
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by its minimalistic and abstract visuals, creating a surreal and slightly tense environment enhanced by a droning ambient soundtrack. While some players find it creepy and disorienting, others appreciate its meditative quality, making it ideal for puzzle-solving. Overall, the unique combination of aesthetics and sound design contributes to a memorable and immersive experience, appealing particularly to those who enjoy unconventional games.
- “The focus is entirely on the mechanics, with an ambient soundtrack that hums along quietly, keeping the atmosphere meditative rather than stressful.”
- “This could have been a lot of un-fun work, but somehow the combination of atmospheric and uninterrupted music, colors, and a space that is utterly joyous to navigate make this game one of the most incredible experiences of any I've played.”
- “Although the visuals are minimal and abstract, the game has a surreal and slightly tense atmosphere promoted by the jittery visuals and droning ambient soundtrack (even the world hub and level selection feel unhinged).”
- “I don't really know why, but this game has a very creepy feel to it; just the overall atmosphere and the sound make it stand out, even though it's just your everyday mini-puzzle-platformer.”
- “I'm not one for puzzle games, but the atmosphere and ambience of this game create a truly singular experience.”
story
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
33%
50%
The game's story is largely criticized for its absence, with many reviewers noting that it lacks a coherent plot or character development. While the setting is appreciated, it fails to provide any narrative motivation, leaving players feeling disconnected from the experience. Overall, the game is described as a series of puzzles without a meaningful story to engage players.
- “Good setting (you almost feel like it has a story)”
- “This game is tough, and there's no plot or anything like that to motivate you.”
- “The story is non-existent.”
- “There is no story; it is just a bunch of gated puzzles.”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while it can be enjoyable and serve as a time-killer, it often becomes tedious and uninteresting, especially with the abrupt difficulty spikes and repetitive puzzles. The incremental level design has its merits, but many users feel that the lack of clear direction and engaging content diminishes the overall enjoyment.
- “This puzzler is uninteresting and tedious to sit through, with no clear idea given for what is in store for a patient player.”
- “You will often get totally trivial levels at first that rapidly evolve into extraordinarily difficult puzzles or extraordinarily tedious ones.”
- “Some really fun ideas, great incremental level design, and a lot of tedious parity puzzles.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
100%
Players highlight the game's high replayability due to its challenging nature and the extensive time required to complete it, ensuring that the gameplay remains engaging and does not become overly familiar.
- “It will take a long time - if ever - to complete the game, and you will not become so accustomed to the gameplay that it becomes easy, as with so many other puzzlers, so there is plenty of replay value.”
- “The game lacks variety, making it feel repetitive after just a few playthroughs.”
- “Once you finish the main story, there's little incentive to replay the game.”
- “The limited choices and outcomes mean that replaying the game feels more like a chore than an enjoyable experience.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users find the humor in the game to be light-hearted and entertaining, often likening it to amusing online videos. However, some express concern that the pressure of pursuing achievements might detract from the enjoyment, potentially leading to frustration rather than laughter.
- “I think the extra pressure of chasing achievements would tip me over the edge, and the men in white coats would have to come and take me away to the funny farm.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by the diverse and often challenging goals players must achieve, which can evoke a range of feelings from frustration to satisfaction as they navigate complex tasks and create their own levels. This blend of creativity and problem-solving fosters a deep emotional engagement with the gameplay.