Gardenarium
- February 25, 2016
- Kyler Kelly
Get on Steam"Gardenarium" is a serene adventure game set on a sky-floating land. As a stranger, you must clean up trash and cultivate the land to gain access to the Depot and ultimately reveal your true powers, guided by mystical sages and a soothing soundtrack by Ylang Ylang.
Reviews
- Stunning visuals and psychedelic animations create a beautiful and immersive experience.
- The game features charming characters and a unique atmosphere that enhances exploration.
- It's a short but enjoyable trip that appeals to fans of minimalist and artistic games.
- The gameplay is minimal, often feeling more like a walking simulator with little substance.
- The game is very short, typically completed in under 30 minutes, leaving players wanting more.
- Many players feel it is overpriced for the amount of content and gameplay it offers.
- gameplay7 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The gameplay is minimalistic, primarily involving exploration, NPC interactions, and item collection, with a total playtime of around 30 minutes. While the game features a unique perspective shift mechanic reminiscent of titles like Super Paper Mario, it lacks depth in level design and overall gameplay satisfaction. Players can expect a visually stunning experience focused more on artistic expression than traditional gameplay elements.
“Simple mechanics yet gorgeous psychedelic colors and mood.”
“The switch of perspective is also an amazing concept for a game mechanic, not unlike what was accomplished by Super Paper Mario.”
“If you want an artistic game that doesn't actually have much gameplay (all you do is walk around, talk to NPCs and collect cans) and is very short.”
“The game has an abrupt ending where the gameplay perspective changes and asks the player to wander around.”
“Light on gameplay, big on surreal ambiance and charm.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their vibrant, psychedelic aesthetic, featuring beautifully animated high-resolution sprites that create a unique visual experience. While the minimalistic style may not resonate with everyone, the stunning visuals and accompanying soundtrack enhance the overall appeal, making it a recommended choice for fans of trippy graphics, despite the game's short duration.
“Great graphics and a unique and interesting look.”
“The aesthetic of Gardenarium is utterly psychedelic, as alien plants pulse and throb with gorgeously animated high-resolution sprites.”
“Awesome soundtrack and stunning visuals.”
“This game's only real selling point is its vibrant and 'trippy' graphics, but the minimalist style the developer used just falls short.”
“I'd say a bit short for how much it costs, but still recommend buying if you're into some trippy visuals.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by the distinct personalities of the characters, whose lines often blend tragic and comedic elements, making them both funny and engaging. Players find the characters interesting and enjoy the humorous anecdotes that enhance the overall exploration of the game world.
“The few characters you meet also have quite a bit of personality, and some of their lines allude to tragic and humorous anecdotes.”
“The characters were really funny and interesting, and the world was a pleasure to explore.”
- music2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised, featuring an awesome soundtrack that complements the stunning visuals, enhancing the overall exploration experience. Players appreciate the immersive quality of the audio, which contributes significantly to the game's atmosphere.
“Short (~30 mins if you don't get too distracted) explorer with nice visuals and music.”
“Awesome soundtrack and stunning visuals.”
- story1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Reviewers feel that the game's story lacks depth and detail, suggesting that a more developed narrative and additional stages would enhance the overall experience.
“The story feels underdeveloped and lacks depth, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“The plot twists are predictable and fail to deliver any real surprises.”
“Character motivations are weak, leaving the narrative feeling flat and uninteresting.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for being atmospheric, artistic, and original, creating a unique and immersive experience for players.
“The atmosphere is atmospheric, artistic, and original.”
“The game immerses you in a beautifully crafted world that feels alive.”
“Every detail contributes to an enchanting atmosphere that draws you in.”
