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Gardens Inc.: From Rakes to Riches

Gardens Inc.: From Rakes to Riches Game Cover
89%Game Brain Score
gameplay, story
music, replayability
89% User Score Based on 56 reviews

Platforms

PCWindows
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Gardens Inc.: From Rakes to Riches Game Cover

About

Gardens Inc.: From Rakes to Riches is a single player casual strategy game. It was developed by Nitreal and was released on March 25, 2014. It received positive reviews from players.

Jill’s grandparents are deep in debt and the dastardly Cliff Gold is eager to foreclose on their home. Her only chance to raise the money they need to pay him off is to win the gardening contest.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Gardens Inc.: From Rakes to Riches screenshot
Gardens Inc.: From Rakes to Riches screenshot
Gardens Inc.: From Rakes to Riches screenshot
Gardens Inc.: From Rakes to Riches screenshot
Gardens Inc.: From Rakes to Riches screenshot
Gardens Inc.: From Rakes to Riches screenshot
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89%
Audience ScoreBased on 56 reviews
gameplay7 positive mentions
replayability3 negative mentions
  • The game offers a relaxing yet engaging time management experience with well-balanced difficulty, making it enjoyable for both casual and strategic players.
  • It features colorful graphics, charming music, and a variety of interesting puzzles that keep the gameplay fresh and entertaining.
  • The gradual introduction of new mechanics and objectives throughout the 50 levels provides a rewarding challenge, especially for players aiming for gold medals.
  • Some levels can become frustrating due to random elements like ghosts and thieves that disrupt gameplay, making it difficult to maintain progress.
  • The storyline is considered weak and clichéd, lacking depth and engagement, which detracts from the overall experience.
  • There are technical issues reported by players, such as difficulty launching the game and a lack of a pause function, which can hinder enjoyment.
  • gameplay
    28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is characterized by a mix of familiar mechanics and innovative elements, offering both frantic time management challenges and strategic depth. While some players appreciate the added complexity and variety, others find certain mechanics, like the infinite respawning burglars, detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game provides a blend of engaging and frustrating moments, appealing to those seeking a challenging and dynamic gameplay experience.

    • “Is an incredibly challenging time management game that offers both interesting and infuriating gameplay elements for those who want something they cannot just casually breeze through.”
    • “Each chapter adds new elements and mechanics to keep things interesting.”
    • “There are lots of different varieties of level themes, mechanics, puzzles, and challenges to keep things fresh.”
    • “However, the mechanics are mostly the same.”
    • “I'm not really a fan of that mechanic; it turns it into more of a distracting arcade experience rather than a strategic prioritise-your-targets experience.”
    • “My only real complaint is that levels with the fog mechanic almost always require a second playthrough to earn a good time because you need to know what is behind foggy areas to determine the most efficient strategy.”
  • story
    26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story features a mysterious main quest centered around the town's founder, with a mix of fantasy elements that may not align with its realistic aspects. While some players found the narrative engaging and well-written, others criticized it as generic and lacking depth, often serving merely as a backdrop for gameplay. Overall, the story has moments of intrigue but is marred by clichés and inconsistent execution, leading to mixed reviews on its effectiveness.

    • “I'm surprised that there is a story in this game.”
    • “I found the story to be solid, especially with the writing.”
    • “Speaking of the story, it starts off with the cliché 'save your family home from rich industrialists by entering the contest' rom-com plot, but takes a number of abrupt tonal swerves along the way that I really enjoyed.”
    • “There's a story with a plot here; they don't really matter much, other than as a way to explain why you are doing what you are doing.”
    • “Mediocre implementation and graphics, storyline lacks engagement but is sufficient.”
    • “The story itself is very generic for a casual game; the house is going to be repossessed if we don't get the money in time!”
  • graphics
    13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the graphics of the game are generally well-received, with many players appreciating the cute and aesthetically pleasing art style that complements the gameplay. While some reviews mention a nostalgic charm and solid visuals, others note that the graphics may not be groundbreaking, yet they effectively enhance the overall experience. The combination of good graphics and sound contributes to a relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere, despite some critiques regarding the game's implementation and storyline.

    • “Pretty relaxing game all in all with really good graphics.”
    • “Graphics and sound are aesthetically pleasing and fit the theme well.”
    • “Really enjoyed this game - cute graphics, very entertaining, cool ideas, would recommend :d”
    • “If you have played time management games before, the visuals won't be that much different.”
    • “Mediocre implementation and graphics; the storyline lacks engagement but is sufficient.”
    • “May look colorfully cute and innocent, but this time management game is downright relentless and significantly more challenging than the graphics suggest.”
  • music
    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is generally described as nice and relaxing, enhancing the enjoyment of varied levels. However, many users find the soundtrack repetitive and dull, leading some to turn it off after a few levels to avoid distraction from audio cues. Overall, while the music contributes positively at first, it may become a drawback for prolonged play.

    • “The relaxing music helps to enjoy the levels, and the levels are varied enough to keep you entertained.”
    • “It has nice graphics, okay music, and it functions well.”
    • “The music can get repetitive.”
    • “Cons: the soundtrack is dull and repetitive (I turned the music off after 3 levels).”
    • “There is a slight audio cue, but it is lost in the extremely short, repetitive music that gets stuck in my head, but in a bad way.”
  • replayability
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's replayability is limited due to its short length and ease of completion, with some players occasionally replaying it for enjoyment. While it lacks significant replay value, its affordable price makes it a worthwhile experience for fans of the genre.

    • “Too easy to finish and absolutely no replayability.”
    • “I can't see much replayability with this game, but with the price (especially while it's currently on special), it's definitely worth it if you love these types of games.”
    • “It's a short game, and while there isn't a lot of typical replayability, I do start over and replay it occasionally, and always enjoy it.”
  • grinding
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players note that grinding in the game primarily involves farming, though it encompasses additional activities as well.

    • “This is mainly farming, but it's not the only thing.”
    • “The grinding feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged.”
    • “I find the grind to be tedious and unfulfilling, which detracts from the overall experience.”
  • humor
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is characterized as a lighthearted and amusing casual experience, appealing to players with its humor.

    • “A hilarious little casual game that keeps you laughing.”
    • “The humor is spot-on, making every moment enjoyable.”
    • “I couldn't stop chuckling at the witty dialogue and funny scenarios.”
  • stability
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of the garden gnome games is generally acceptable, with users noting that while the gameplay is enjoyable, there are occasional glitches that can disrupt the experience.

    • “Played through the garden gnome games, which were fun but had a few glitches here and there.”
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4h Median play time
4h Average play time
4-4h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Gardens Inc.: From Rakes to Riches is a casual strategy game.

Gardens Inc.: From Rakes to Riches is available on PC and Windows.

On average players spend around 4 hours playing Gardens Inc.: From Rakes to Riches.

Gardens Inc.: From Rakes to Riches was released on March 25, 2014.

Gardens Inc.: From Rakes to Riches was developed by Nitreal.

Gardens Inc.: From Rakes to Riches has received positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its music.

Gardens Inc.: From Rakes to Riches is a single player game.

Similar games include The Promised Land, Train Valley, 12 Labours of Hercules, Spellcaster University, Lost Lands: A Hidden Object Adventure and others.