Garden In!
- January 23, 2023
- Dramatic Iceberg
- 10h median play time
Get on Steam"Garden In!" is a soothing simulation game where players create and manage their dream garden. With various customization options, plants, and decorations, players can let their creativity bloom. The game also features a dynamic weather system and day-night cycle, providing a peaceful and immersive garden experience.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- The game is incredibly relaxing and allows players to care for plants without the stress of them dying, making it perfect for those who struggle with keeping real plants alive.
- Customization options for decorating rooms and the variety of unique plants add a fun and engaging element to the gameplay.
- The art style is cute and colorful, complemented by a soothing soundtrack that enhances the overall calming experience.
- The gameplay can become repetitive and tedious, especially when managing a large number of plants that require constant attention for watering and pest control.
- Some players have reported issues with the game's mechanics, such as the plants not growing as expected when offline, which can lead to frustration.
- There is a lack of depth in gameplay, with many feeling that once the initial content is unlocked, there isn't much incentive to continue playing.
- music32 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally described as relaxing, peaceful, and fitting well with the game's aesthetic, enhancing the overall calming experience. While many players appreciate the soothing soundtrack and its unobtrusive nature, some find it repetitive and wish for a more expanded selection or the option to import their own music. Overall, the soundtrack contributes positively to the game's ambiance, making it enjoyable for casual play and multitasking.
“The environment, the music, the plants, everything about it is just peaceful.”
“Incredibly soothing real-time game with a lovely soundtrack.”
“A charming virtual garden where you can unwind at your own pace, accompanied by lovely music and a beautiful atmosphere.”
“So you don't know which seeds you have planted already for hybridisation etc. Overall, I like the aesthetic, but the music got annoying after a few hours.”
“Only way it could be improved is with the ability to import your own music.”
“I hate the music, repetitive and uninteresting.”
- graphics27 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their cute and colorful art style, creating a relaxing and charming atmosphere that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the beautiful visuals and smooth performance, which contribute to the game's appeal as a delightful and engaging indie title. However, some reviewers noted that while the aesthetics are strong, the gameplay may feel secondary to the visual presentation.
“The graphics are beautiful and the ambiance is so relaxing... this is a very cute game and I highly recommend it!!!”
“The art style is really cute and colorful!”
“Is an indie game made in Unreal Engine and looks great with its cute art style, feels smooth and is very relaxing and will surprise you within the first 20 minutes multiple times!”
“It doesn't feel like there was practical thought put into the gameplay and instead focuses purely on making an aesthetic asset showcase.”
“Maybe it's the skybox, or maybe the simplistic graphics.”
“I wanted to like this game based off the art style and calming vibes.”
- gameplay21 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a cozy and relaxing loop focused on planting and caring for plants, with players unlocking various decorations and furniture. However, many users feel that the mechanics lack depth and progression, leading to a repetitive experience that doesn't provide sufficient mental stimulation. While some appreciate the aesthetic and satisfying aspects of the gameplay, others criticize the focus on grinding and the presence of bugs that hinder overall enjoyment.
“The gameplay loop and system for unlocking things made my brain chemicals move, and gave me plenty of satisfaction.”
“Customizing your space makes the gameplay feel more personal, and even the most repetitive or monotonous tasks give me a mini serotonin boost.”
“Super relaxing gameplay, just growing plants and unlocking stuff and vibing!”
“The game has a great premise, it looks very cozy and it has the right visual vibes for this, its mechanics just have the wrong focus (grinding) in my opinion.”
“There isn't a story, there isn't advanced gameplay, and there isn't dialogue.”
“It doesn't feel like there was practical thought put into the gameplay and instead focuses purely on making an aesthetic asset showcase.”
- grinding13 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and chore-like, particularly when it comes to achieving goals related to plant care and decoration. While the game has a charming premise and appealing visuals, many reviewers feel that the repetitive tasks detract from the overall enjoyment, making it feel shallow and overly drawn out. Suggestions for improvement include reducing the achievement requirements and allowing fully grown plants to remain pristine to enhance the gaming experience.
“Can become tedious when you have 100 plants and feels more like a chore.”
“Sadly, the goals to unlock more furniture and decor were incredibly tedious to reach.”
“What first felt fun eventually just felt tedious and boring.”
- story5 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The game lacks a substantial story, featuring minimal narrative elements such as a small sidestory and radio messages about the world. Players express a desire for more engaging gameplay and social interactions, as well as a streamlined plant care system to manage the extensive gardening tasks required. While there is a progression system with rewards for completing missions, the overall storytelling experience is considered insufficient.
“There's a progression system where you can unlock new rewards like decorations, new rooms, plant pots, etc. through completing missions.”
“There isn't a story, there isn't advanced gameplay, and there isn't dialogue.”
“Perhaps a small sidestory, a radio with messages from what's happening in the world, a chat to hang out with other players, a shop/mission system of buying and selling plants to NPCs, something 'videogame'.”
“I wish there was an easier way to care for all your plants in the late game; the plot asks you to grow hundreds of plants, and the upkeep of watering, deinfesting, and petting all of your plants individually is way too crazy.”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is described as charming and relaxing, providing a serene environment where players can decorate their virtual garden at their own pace without the pressure of plant maintenance. The lovely music enhances the tranquil experience, making it an ideal space for unwinding.
“A charming virtual garden where you can unwind at your own pace, accompanied by lovely music and a beautiful atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere is charming and relaxing.”
“Real-time gardening game that allows you to decorate each room, change the atmosphere, and relax with no pressure of plants dying if you don't log in every day.”
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is perceived as underwhelming, with some players feeling that their expectations were not met, particularly in a title marketed as a funny idle game.
- stability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its stability, running smoothly without issues, making it an ideal choice for casual play during breaks. Users appreciate its performance alongside its engaging art style and overall value.
“A great relaxing game to waste your time on. It has just enough depth to keep you entertained for a while. The art style is great, it runs smoothly, and the price is fantastic. Perfect to play while taking breaks from work or studying. All around great.”
“The game runs flawlessly without any crashes or bugs, providing a stable experience that allows me to fully immerse myself in the gameplay.”
“I appreciate how stable the game is; I can play for hours without any interruptions or performance issues.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -300 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization model is praised for its absence of microtransactions, offering a modern experience with extensive customization options.
“A modern version with even more customizations and no microtransactions.”
“The monetization model feels exploitative, pushing players to spend money to enjoy the game fully.”
“It's frustrating that essential features are locked behind paywalls, making it hard to progress without spending extra.”
“The constant barrage of in-game purchases detracts from the overall experience, making it feel more like a cash grab than a game.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users express a sense of emotional disconnect due to the game's misleading classification as it is not labeled as an "idle" game, which contributed to feelings of frustration and disappointment. This misrepresentation has lingered in their minds, prompting them to revisit their thoughts on the game over a year later.
