Garry's Mod
- November 29, 2006
- Pirated WindowsOS Games
- 313h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"Garry's Mod is a physics sandbox game that offers a variety of play options, including single-player, multi-player, and co-op. Players can create their own contraptions by spawning and welding objects together, or they can place characters in silly positions. With a wide range of tools and possibilities, the game encourages creativity and experimentation."
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Cloud
Linux
NVIDIA GeForce NOW
Tablet
Reviews
- humor14,111 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in Garry's Mod is widely praised for its absurdity and creativity, with players frequently highlighting the game's ability to generate hilarious moments through its physics engine and user-generated content. Many reviews emphasize the fun of playing with friends, where chaotic scenarios and unexpected glitches lead to uncontrollable laughter. The extensive modding community further enhances the comedic experience, offering a plethora of funny add-ons and game modes that keep the gameplay fresh and entertaining.
“This game is not funny; it sucks badly.”
“Not funny anymore.”
“The people you'll meet in this game will be the most unfunny, obnoxious, racist, and narcotic people you will ever meet.”
- gameplay4,405 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Garry's Mod is characterized by its open-ended sandbox nature, allowing players to manipulate objects, create scenarios, and explore a vast array of user-generated content. Players appreciate the game's flexibility, with countless mods and game modes available that cater to diverse interests, from lighthearted fun to serious roleplay. While some users note that the mechanics can be clunky and the graphics dated, the overall experience is often described as entertaining and endlessly creative, especially when played with friends.
“There is never an end to the sheer diversity of gameplay experiences that are possible in it, from the lighthearted murder mystery to the serious military roleplay; truly everyone's personal tastes can be satisfied.”
“Unlimited potential of creativity and entertainment with the workshop makes this game have almost an endless span of gameplay.”
“The flexibility of these tools encourages experimentation, leading to endless possibilities for gameplay.”
“The success of this game is thanks to the community; if you take the modless gameplay, you have 2 maps and the NPCs of Half-Life, that's it.”
“The game’s lack of direction might be off-putting for players who prefer structured gameplay or a guided narrative.”
“The core gameplay loop does get boring relatively quickly, because there is nothing to work towards, nor does it have any real progression mechanics.”
- graphics3,871 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The graphics of Garry's Mod, while not cutting-edge by modern standards, are often described as charming and functional, reflecting its roots in the Source engine. Many players appreciate the game's ability to run smoothly on lower-end hardware, allowing for a wide range of creative expression through mods and user-generated content. However, some reviews note that the visuals can feel dated and may require additional games like Counter-Strike: Source for optimal graphical performance. Overall, the graphics are seen as a secondary concern to the game's extensive gameplay possibilities and community-driven content.
“The graphics are amazing, and you can do all sorts of things like create a zombie apocalypse, or do face posture; there is so much to do, I highly recommend this game to all players.”
“Despite its age, Garry's Mod holds up remarkably well graphically.”
“For a game that took 15 years to develop, the graphics look like they’ve been marinating in a Windows XP screensaver.”
“The game itself may seem dated to new eyes, with its somewhat antiquated graphics and occasionally clunky physics.”
“The graphics, while not the newest, have a certain charm that complements the gameplay perfectly.”
- story2,914 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The reviews for the "story" aspect of Garry's Mod (GMod) overwhelmingly indicate that the game lacks a traditional narrative or structured storyline. Instead, it offers a sandbox environment where players can create their own stories and experiences, often through user-generated content and mods. While some players appreciate the freedom to craft their own narratives, others express disappointment over the absence of a cohesive plot, suggesting that GMod is best suited for those who enjoy open-ended gameplay rather than story-driven experiences.
“Beautiful game, beautiful graphics, and story.”
“Every session was a new adventure, a new story, and often, a new hilarity to be shared with friends.”
“The roleplaying community within GMod is something, with players creating elaborate storylines, characters, and immersive environments.”
“You’re not here for plot twists or emotional depth.”
“What makes Garry's Mod so unique is that there are no rules, no objectives, and no storyline—you simply have a world at your fingertips, ready to mold, bend, and transform in any way you choose.”
“Players seeking a purely story-driven or solo experience might find Garry's Mod lacking.”
- stability1,278 mentions
- 5 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 95 % negative mentions
The stability of Garry's Mod is frequently described as "buggy" and "glitchy," with many players experiencing crashes, freezes, and issues related to user-created content. While some find the glitches amusing and part of the game's charm, others report significant frustration, particularly when using multiple mods or playing on lower-end systems. Overall, the game is generally playable, but users should be prepared for technical challenges and potential instability.
“Runs great on old and new computers and can have just about anything you can think of for free thanks to the community workshop.”
“It runs great on my crappy computer and because of the community creations you can do pretty much anything.”
“Incredible it is 12 years old and still runs great and gives me and my friends tons of enjoyment.”
“From the moment I launched the game, I was bombarded with a barrage of bugs and glitches that made the entire experience unbearable.”
“It's clear that they've abandoned this sinking ship, leaving players to fend for themselves in a sea of bugs and glitches.”
“The game is a buggy, unstable, almost unplayable mess.”
- replayability835 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
Garry's Mod is widely praised for its **infinite replayability**, largely attributed to its extensive modding community and the vast array of user-generated content. Players can engage in countless game modes and creative activities, ensuring that each session feels fresh and unique. Many reviewers highlight that the game's sandbox nature and continuous updates from the community contribute to its enduring appeal, making it a standout title in the realm of sandbox games.
“The community-driven content adds to the game's endless replayability, making each session a new adventure.”
“Garry's mod has an endless amount of replayability, meaning that the game will never get too stale.”
“With millions of user-created items and mods, this game is extremely replayable and fitting for any audience.”
“This game has no replayability and is bad lol”
“The community and lack of new gamemodes really make this unreplayable after a while.”
“Game has no replayability, got bored after two minutes.”
- music661 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 84 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The music aspect of the game is largely characterized by its absence of a traditional soundtrack, with many players noting that the base game features minimal to no music. However, the experience can be significantly enhanced through user-created content, custom sounds, and music from various game modes, leading to a diverse auditory environment that ranges from ambient sounds to chaotic mic spam. Overall, while the default music is lacking, the community-driven additions provide a unique and often humorous audio backdrop to gameplay.
“While the soundtrack is minimal, the sounds of the environment and interactions contribute to the immersive experience.”
“The music perfectly complements the atmosphere of Garry's Mod, enhancing the overall experience and creating moments that will stick with me long after I've put the controller down.”
“The sound design and music are excellent, adding to the overall atmosphere of the game and immersing players in the experience.”
“The lack of music really makes the game feel... empty.”
“This game sucks without a doubt - no title music, unforgivable... eh, there's probably a mod for that.”
“Don’t bother, there’s no music with the exception of ambient noise on maps (for environmental purposes).”
- grinding647 mentions
- 1 % positive mentions
- 78 % neutral mentions
- 22 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized, with many users expressing that it requires an excessive time commitment, often humorously suggesting that players would need "a second life" to manage it. While some acknowledge that grinding can be rewarding or necessary for certain achievements, the overall sentiment leans towards it being tedious and time-consuming, particularly in modes like DarkRP. Players often find the experience repetitive and frustrating, especially when server resets or long loading times are involved.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“A bit grindy...sometimes.”
“One long, tedious grind.”
“Be prepared to waste hours of your life building one singular contraption or grinding for levels on a HL2 RP server.”
“Just a boring and tedious waste of time.”
“Without clear objectives or goals, the game becomes repetitive and tedious.”
- optimization570 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The optimization of Garry's Mod is a mixed bag, with many players noting that while the game can run smoothly on a variety of systems, performance issues often arise when using complex user-generated content or numerous mods. The aging Source engine contributes to these challenges, leading to inconsistent performance, especially on lower-end hardware or with extensive addons. Despite these drawbacks, regular updates have improved stability, and the game remains accessible to a wide audience, though it still requires careful management of mods to maintain optimal performance.
“The game is well-optimized, ensuring that even players with modest systems can enjoy the experience without significant issues.”
“The performance is generally robust, although the open-ended nature of gameplay can lead to variable performance dynamics, particularly with complex scenarios or densely populated multiplayer sessions.”
“Garry's Mod runs smoothly on a wide range of hardware, ensuring that the game is accessible to players with various system configurations.”
“Terrible optimization but otherwise I guess it's a good game.”
“The game is very old and it's starting to show its age, so it is fun and stuff, but just don't go out of your time making the game run better. I think the game needs a performance update because all that they did in the most recent update is just add stuff but not performance.”
“The performance is terrible and the native client has memory leaks which render it unplayable.”
- emotional330 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highly varied, with players expressing a wide range of feelings from joy and nostalgia to sadness and anxiety. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to create heartfelt moments, foster connections with friends, and evoke strong emotional responses, including laughter and tears. While some players appreciate the wholesome community and creative freedom, others note the darker, more chaotic elements that can lead to emotional distress, making it a complex and multifaceted experience.
“Little did I know that the freedom and joy *Garry's Mod* promised would soon turn into a horrifying experience that would leave me emotionally scarred.”
“This game has really touched me on an emotional level and I really recommend playing it.”
“I cried at the end when Charles had to leave Boston to work at the coal mines.”
- monetization121 mentions
- 7 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 59 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the absence of in-game purchases and microtransactions, which they see as a refreshing change from modern gaming trends. However, there is significant criticism regarding the prevalence of cash grab servers that exploit players through microtransactions and advertisements, detracting from the overall experience. While some players enjoy the freedom and community-driven content, others feel that the focus on monetization has negatively impacted immersion and enjoyment.
“Thousands of free mods/addons within the game itself and no in-app purchases to my knowledge.”
“Great game, great price, great developers, constant updates, extreme freedom, absolutely no microtransactions, and an ever-increasing amount of free content on the workshop.”
“This game is great because it has no microtransactions, has great multiplayer and sandbox, is cheap and it will run on almost any computer.”
“The community's focus on monetization took away the sense of immersion and fun that had initially drawn me in.”
“This game needs microtransactions and premium currencies with like battle passes and emotes and whatnot.”
“After thousands, if not hundreds of hours of gameplay, I can tell you that Garry's Mod is a pay-to-win game filled with many microtransactions.”
- atmosphere94 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game is highly versatile, ranging from lighthearted and humorous to eerie and suspenseful, depending on the mods and maps used. Players appreciate the immersive sound design and music that enhance the overall experience, while the vibrant modding community contributes to a unique and engaging environment. However, some users note that certain servers can foster a less welcoming atmosphere, impacting the overall enjoyment.
“The music perfectly complements the atmosphere of Garry's Mod, enhancing the overall experience and creating moments that will stick with me long after I've put the controller down.”
“Garry's Mod is a very versatile game and good for pretty much anybody and can fulfill any type of genre or atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere, the open areas, the ability to play god and create and destroy anything at your command really makes the game fun; it's not just a sandbox, it's an art.”
“The modding scene, while vibrant, is unfortunately tainted by an atmosphere that discourages newcomers and caters to a less-than-welcoming crowd.”
“The only possible downside is a slight curve in understanding and a more creepy atmosphere (this may affect some people's opinion on the game).”
“The worst part is that it is server owners/admins who are the culprits for such a toxic atmosphere and not the overwhelmingly large amount of cheaters in the game (cheaters are still a contributor to this toxic behavior).”
- character development10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
Character development in the reviewed works varies significantly; while some experiences, particularly in the A24 film, showcase strong, gradual character evolution that enhances emotional engagement, others, like Garry's Mod, lack narrative depth and character progression, leaving players feeling disconnected. Some users express a desire for more intricate character arcs and development in games, indicating that deeper engagement could enhance immersion and overall enjoyment. Overall, the effectiveness of character development is inconsistent, with some titles excelling and others falling short.
“Overall it's pretty good though, good character development; the main character reminds me of Walter White from the critically acclaimed show Attack on Titan.”
“☐ has depth and character development.”
“Rly solid great excellent game so far really liking and loving it; only problem I had was character development. I feel like they need to take extra time and opportunity to possibly implement more character development and make more in-depth progression of the characters, which are placed in and throughout the game. Character attention to detail is definitely needed in order to enhance immersion.”
“Restricting the feeling of having staff survey every aspect of the server you're in, either powergaming over you with their powers for their own self-interest, or in a role-playing sense, flexing their god-like to suspiciously lucky abilities and skills to avoid anything you throw at them, destroys any character development for yourself or them, or the sense of risk that comes to them.”
“There is no character development or characters in general really, again because of no story, and because your 'avatar' or 'character' is just something that exists so you can enjoy the game.”
“Zero character development; I did not even see Garry himself. Very disappointed.”
