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Ginkgo

93%Game Brain Score
gameplay, story
stability, grinding
96% User Score Based on 211 reviews

Platforms

PCWindows
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About

"Ginkgo" is a 3D horror game with a dreamlike East Asian atmosphere, where you solve puzzles in a surreal world using a magic needle. Close-up encounters with yokai monsters, who may help or hinder your journey, add to the mysterious and engaging experience. With its innovative needle mechanics and unique spatial puzzles, Ginkgo offers a distinctive and thrilling adventure.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Ginkgo screenshot
Ginkgo screenshot
Ginkgo screenshot
Ginkgo screenshot
Ginkgo screenshot
Ginkgo screenshot

96%
Audience ScoreBased on 211 reviews
gameplay39 positive mentions
stability10 negative mentions
  • The game features a unique sewing mechanic that adds an interesting twist to puzzle-solving.
  • Visually stunning with a beautiful art style and a creepy atmosphere that enhances the horror experience.
  • Despite its short length, the game offers engaging gameplay and a compelling story that leaves players wanting more.
  • The game is very short, with many players completing it in under 30 minutes, leading to a feeling of incompleteness.
  • There are numerous bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, including issues with monster AI and collision detection.
  • The narrative feels underdeveloped, with some players wishing for more depth and character development.
  • gameplay
    77 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is characterized by a unique sewing mechanic that players find engaging and innovative, contributing to a fun and immersive experience. However, many reviews note that the game is quite short, often completed in around 30 minutes, and some players express a desire for more depth and additional puzzles. While the mechanics are praised for their creativity, there are mentions of bugs and design issues that can detract from the overall experience.

    • “The mechanics are unique and engaging, while the chases are intense and thoughtful.”
    • “I loved the unique take on the sewing needle mechanic as well as the East Asian inspired horror.”
    • “The needle and thread mechanic is uniquely inventive and has a lot of potential.”
    • “However, the story and gameplay are quite short.”
    • “I completed the game in about 30 minutes and, while I thoroughly enjoyed it, I wished there had been more gameplay and puzzles to dive into.”
    • “Namely, questionable gameplay design and how with every playthrough comes multiple bugs, at worst game-breaking!”
  • story
    38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is engaging and intriguing, featuring a mother-daughter relationship with secrets and emotional depth, but it is often described as short and incomplete, leaving players wanting more. While some found the narrative somewhat confusing, others appreciated the unique mechanics and atmosphere that complemented the storytelling. Overall, the story has potential and is well-received, but many players hope for a more fleshed-out continuation in future updates.

    • “The story is there, and it's fun discovering some secrets the mother was keeping from her daughter.”
    • “The story is an intriguing one that I'm certain hits close to home for many people, with an interesting twist to it.”
    • “Interesting story that left me wanting more, unique mechanics with the needle and scary monsters.”
    • “However, the story and gameplay are quite short.”
    • “Cuts off mid-story; this is expected for a demo, but I personally didn't find the timing of the cliffhanger to be very effective.”
    • “Because of its length, it tries to create a story, but there is not enough time or substance to really deliver in that regard.”
  • graphics
    26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the graphics of the game have received positive feedback, with many reviewers praising the art style as aesthetically pleasing and reminiscent of traditional artwork. While some noted that certain assets may appear borrowed, the visuals are generally described as stunning and immersive, contributing to an engaging atmosphere. Despite being a short game or in demo phase, the graphics are considered impressive, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.

    • “The visuals of this game were great and the sewing/cutting actions are satisfying.”
    • “Absolutely stunning graphics, very reminiscent of Spirited Away and traditional Japanese artwork.”
    • “The graphics and art style were downright on point too.”
    • “The game graphics look better than you might expect, but that's just because it looks like some or all of them are 'borrowed' from asset stores or wherever.”
    • “Considering it is marketed as being in the 'demo' phase, it has decent graphics, mechanics, and story.”
    • “For a demo, the graphics were pretty decent.”
  • atmosphere
    13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its creepy and mystical qualities, enhanced by interesting creatures and engaging mechanics. Reviewers highlight the beautiful visuals and the intriguing story, noting that while the game is short, it effectively builds tension without relying heavily on jumpscares. Overall, the atmosphere is described as immersive and captivating, making it a standout feature of the experience.

    • “Great atmosphere, interesting creatures, and unique feeling mechanics.”
    • “The mechanics, atmosphere, and visuals are very engrossing.”
    • “The atmosphere is mystical and creepy, and the thread mechanic is pure brilliance.”
    • “I really love the atmosphere of the game, and my only real problem with it is that it's way too short.”
  • stability
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability has been criticized for being quite buggy, with multiple users reporting game-breaking glitches, particularly related to collision detection. While some players found the issues manageable and appreciated the overall experience, others felt that the glitches significantly detracted from their enjoyment, leading to frustration and even uninstallation. Overall, the game's stability appears to be a notable concern, though some players remain hopeful for improvements in future updates.

    • “It is very buggy and boring, worst 21 minutes spent.”
    • “I ran across two 'game breaking' glitches, both of them on collision detection when attaching two pieces of cloth together to form a bridge/ramp.”
    • “However, I experienced 2 game breaking glitches that forced me to restart from the beginning, so I ended up uninstalling.”
  • music
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is highly praised for its relaxing quality and impressive soundtrack, receiving a perfect score of 10/10. However, some users reported issues with bugs affecting the music, such as the chase theme not stopping, which detracted from the overall experience.

    • “The music is also relaxing.”
    • “Soundtrack: 10/10”
    • “The music just went full blast with the Japanese strings and percussion instruments.”
    • “Well, that came as quite a shock too - and the music just went full blast with the Japanese strings and percussion instruments... but that's not what I meant.”
    • “There were a few bugs in the game such as the chase music never stopped and at one point I couldn't progress because the yarn wouldn't break, but I just had to walk off the platform and it fixed it.”
  • grinding
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players often find the grinding aspect of the game to be repetitious and tedious, leading to a sense of monotony in completing tasks. This can detract from the overall enjoyment and engagement with the game.

    • “Some of the tasks were repetitious and tedious.”
    • “The grinding feels endless and lacks any real reward.”
    • “I found myself doing the same activities over and over, which became incredibly boring.”
  • emotional
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the game's mechanics unique and praise its straightforward story for delivering a powerful emotional impact.

    • “I've never played a game with the mechanics showcased here, and the story is simple but emotionally effective.”
    • “The characters' journeys resonated with me on a personal level, making every decision feel weighty and impactful.”
    • “The emotional depth of the narrative left me reflecting on my own experiences long after I finished the game.”
  • optimization
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game suffers from poor optimization, with many settings, such as brightness, failing to have a noticeable impact on performance or visuals.

    • “The game is poorly optimized, with a bunch of settings that seem to do nothing; brightness, for one.”
    • “Despite adjusting various settings, I still experience significant lag and frame drops.”
    • “The optimization is lacking, making it difficult to enjoy the game even on high-end hardware.”

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