Gardens Inc.: From Rakes to Riches
- March 25, 2014
- Nitreal
- 4h median play time
Get on SteamJill’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.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a charming storyline and engaging levels that keep players entertained.
- It offers a fun and casual time management experience, perfect for short gaming sessions.
- The graphics and sound design are aesthetically pleasing, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the game.
- The game lacks significant replayability and can feel repetitive after completion.
- Some players found the storyline weak and the gameplay devolving into a mindless click fest.
- There are issues with the interface and audio cues, making it difficult to notice important gameplay elements.
- gameplay8 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a standard time management structure enhanced by a clicker mechanic, which can either improve or hinder the experience based on personal preference. Players appreciate the variety of level themes and challenges, though some mechanics, like fog, may necessitate multiple playthroughs for optimal strategies. Overall, the frantic pace and non-linear nature of gameplay are highlighted, despite some issues with resource visibility.
“There are lots of different varieties of level themes, mechanics, puzzles, and challenges to keep things fresh.”
“Pros: frantic gameplay after the first couple of levels.”
“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.”
“As far as gameplay, I only have one real complaint, and that is the fact that it is hard to notice when the resources come out.”
“The basic mechanic is that you have to decide in which order you are going to click things in order to achieve maximum efficiency.”
- story7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The game's story is described as mediocre and clichéd, lacking engagement and depth, with a non-sensical ending that undermines any built tension. While some players appreciate the cute characters and art style, many feel that the storyline is insufficient and fails to deliver a compelling narrative experience. Overall, the story does not resonate strongly with players, leaving them wanting more substance.
“I love that it has a storyline and levels.”
“I thought the story, characters, and art style were cute, too.”
“The storyline is decidedly not about people murdering each other in a gory war between good and evil.”
“Mediocre implementation and graphics; the storyline lacks engagement but is sufficient.”
“Very weak cliché storyline.”
“I have not finished the game yet, so maybe you get some super cool cinematic at the end, but I don't think that this was necessary. I would rather have had a little bit in the way of story instead of making a prettier picture.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some users noting a mediocre implementation while others praise the aesthetically pleasing visuals that fit the theme well. Many players appreciate the cute art style and entertaining design, highlighting it as a strong point of the game. Overall, the graphics are generally well-received, contributing positively to the gaming experience.
“Graphics and sound are aesthetically pleasing and fit the theme well.”
“Really enjoyed this game - cute graphics, very entertaining, cool ideas, would recommend! :D”
“I thought the story, characters, and art style were cute, too.”
“Mediocre implementation and graphics; the storyline lacks engagement but is sufficient.”
- music3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The music in the game has been criticized for being dull and repetitive, leading some players to turn it off after a few levels. While there are audio cues present, they often get overshadowed by the monotonous soundtrack, which can become distracting during gameplay. Overall, the music detracts from the experience rather than enhancing it.
“The soundtrack is droll 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—in a bad way.”
“I recommend this game for slightly more than casual gamers because of its frenetic nature, but I would suggest turning off the music after a couple of levels as it becomes too distracting while trying to listen to the audio clues.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game offers limited traditional replayability due to its short length, but players find enjoyment in replaying it occasionally. Despite this, many feel that its value, especially at a discounted price, makes it worthwhile for fans of the genre.
“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.”
