Goat Simulator
- January 4, 2014
- Coffee Stain Studios
- 8h median play time
Great fun, especially with friends, Goat Simulator is so out there and different to the norm that you can't help but have a good time, and laugh along with it.
Goat Simulator is a humorous, sandbox-style game that lets you cause destruction as a goat. It's been described as an old-school skating game, but with a goat and with more of a focus on wrecking things. The game is riddled with bugs and glitches, but the developers have chosen to keep most of them, leading to unpredictable and entertaining gameplay. The main goal is to wreak havoc, earn points, and prove you're the alpha goat.
Reviews
- humor3,197 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The humor in "Goat Simulator" is overwhelmingly praised for its absurdity and chaotic charm, with players highlighting the game's intentionally glitchy mechanics and slapstick physics as sources of endless laughter. Many reviews note that while the humor is fresh and entertaining at first, it can become repetitive after a few hours, leading to mixed feelings about its long-term appeal. Overall, the game is celebrated as a hilarious, lighthearted experience perfect for those who enjoy offbeat and silly humor.
“If you're ready to embrace the madness and embark on a journey that will confuse, entertain, and leave you laughing until your sides ache, then Goat Simulator is an absolute must-have in your gaming collection.”
“It's a hilarious game that doesn't take itself too seriously.”
“The game's tongue-in-cheek humor and unpredictable gameplay make for a truly entertaining experience.”
“Things become boring, and you realize how unfunny the 'lololol quirky goat xd funny me laugh' humor is.”
“It's an unfunny physics sim sandbox that tries way, way too hard.”
“The game has too many glitches, unfunny jokes, overused vocal lines which are also limited a lot and some are even Danish.”
- stability734 mentions
- 1 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 98 % negative mentions
The stability of Goat Simulator is characterized by its intentional and abundant glitches, which are both a source of humor and frustration for players. While many find the game's technical jankiness and frequent crashes to be part of its charm, others report significant issues that can disrupt gameplay, such as freezing and game-breaking bugs. Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag, with some players embracing the chaos while others find it detracts from their experience.
“Finally found a game with no glitches.”
“Although I have not played this game much, from what I have seen, it is a solid game with little to no glitches or flaws.”
“This game is bug free and super polished.”
“This game crashes frequently, and after I started doing DLCs, it became impossible to even start a game; it just crashed at the start. I needed to look for a workaround to even finish this game. My workaround was to set the game to run as administrator and then quickly open two games at the same time—the one crashes (freezes) and the other works. At least it worked for me so I could finish other achievements. Despite that, it's a very glitchy game where you run and just drop underground or get stuck in a wall and have to do everything all over again because when I restart, I lose my progress. I had to delete my save files to make the game work.”
“The game is a buggy mess and absolutely frustrating at times. The enjoyment of seeing a rocket-propelled demon goat falling through the bounds of the map with a person attached to its tongue might be hilarious the first time around, but when that initial humor wears off, you realize even trying to normally traverse the map is painful—where glitches that were once funny become actively annoying.”
“The game is dumb, and frustrating, and kinda glorious in how buggy/weird it is—but still comes out as fun. The physics glitches happen way too often and they're not funny in the slightest.”
- story667 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The reviews for "Goat Simulator" highlight a stark contrast in storytelling; while some players appreciate the chaotic humor and absurdity of the gameplay, many note the absence of a traditional narrative. The game is primarily a sandbox experience focused on exploration and silly quests rather than a cohesive story, with some players humorously suggesting that the lack of depth in the plot is part of its charm. Overall, those seeking a rich narrative or character development will likely be disappointed, as the game is designed for lighthearted fun and mayhem rather than serious storytelling.
“This game has a story line, but that feels more like the old PlayStation Tony Hawk Pro Skater sort, in that you complete certain objectives in a given area.”
“The story is captivating and well thought out, and don't even get me started on the lore.”
“The story, beautifully emotional and heart-wrenching.”
“First things first, don't expect a deep storyline or complex objectives in Goat Simulator.”
“There's no plot, no story, no true objectives; the mechanics are unpolished, graphical glitches occur frequently, and very little is explained.”
“If you're looking for a game with story, this game has absolutely none - but there are a lot of really silly quests that you can perform to raise your score and lots of tricks you can do as well.”
- gameplay619 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Goat Simulator is characterized by its wacky, physics-based mechanics that encourage chaotic exploration and humorous interactions, making it a unique and entertaining experience. However, many players note that the novelty can wear off quickly, leading to repetitive gameplay and a lack of depth, with some expressing frustration over bugs and limited content. Despite these criticisms, the game remains popular for its comedic value and the freedom it offers players to engage in absurd antics as a goat.
“I love the sheer wackiness of it, and the physics-based gameplay can result in some truly comedic moments.”
“The gameplay is smoother than my brain and the soundtrack is on par with history's long line of musical geniuses.”
“The game's tongue-in-cheek humor and unpredictable gameplay make for a truly entertaining experience.”
“Repetitive gameplay: after a while, the jokes might start to feel a bit stale.”
“Limited gameplay: the game has a limited amount of content, and while it can be fun to play for a little while, it may not keep players engaged for a long period of time.”
“The gameplay is the bare minimum here, and honestly wasn't fun in the slightest.”
- graphics484 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The graphics in Goat Simulator are intentionally low-fi and cartoonish, contributing to the game's quirky charm and humor. While many players appreciate the unique aesthetic and find the graphical glitches amusing, others note that the visuals can be rough and not particularly impressive by modern standards. Overall, the graphics serve the game's comedic and chaotic nature, making them a secondary concern to the fun gameplay experience.
“This game is honestly life-changing; the graphics are so great each individual texture belongs in the Louvre art museum.”
“The graphics are lovely, and the controls are easy to use.”
“The graphics in Goat Simulator are intentionally designed to be purposely glitchy and exaggerated.”
“The graphics are so bad, it's hard to take the game seriously.”
“The graphics are glitchy, and easter eggs are as plentiful as they are entertaining.”
“This pile of s**t was funny for 2 seconds then it was just hell, it has no story, the gameplay sucks, the graphics suck, and it costs $10.”
- music221 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The music in the game is a polarizing aspect, with many players praising its quirky and humorous nature, which complements the chaotic gameplay. While some find the soundtrack catchy and enjoyable, others criticize it for being repetitive and annoying over time. Overall, the music is described as fitting the game's absurdity, with a mix of nostalgic and silly tunes that enhance the overall experience.
“Finally, the music by Gustaf Tivander really adds to the whole experience.”
“The gameplay is smoother than my brain and the soundtrack is on par with history's long line of musical geniuses.”
“The soundtrack is silly and ridiculous without being too loud or obnoxious.”
“The music sounds pulled from the cheapest royalty-free collection the developers could find.”
“A single horrible looping track makes up most of the soundtrack in Goat Simulator and makes playing for more than an hour or two nearly impossible.”
“The wacky ragdoll, physics, and music all start to get really irritating if you play the game for any longer, and the game's two maps and overall graphical style are incredibly boring.”
- replayability99 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
Overall, "Goat Simulator" is characterized by a mix of high initial fun and low long-term replayability. While its open-world design and chaotic gameplay encourage experimentation and laughter, many players find that the lack of substantial content and depth leads to a quick decline in replay value after the initial experience. The addition of mods and DLC can enhance replayability for some, but the core game itself tends to become repetitive and lacks significant new content over time.
“The game's open-world design and the sheer number of bizarre actions players can perform make Goat Simulator highly replayable.”
“The amount of replayability of this game is insane; the modding community is great, and of course, the insane amount of absolute chaos that you can create when playing with multiplayer.”
“There are a number of collectibles and mutators to unlock in your adventures, such as playing as an ostrich or flying with a jetpack, which gives the game a ton of replay value.”
“The only downside is that the game does not have much replay value.”
“It's fun at first, but quickly gets boring with little replayability and not a whole lot to do.”
“Once you find everything, the replayability is meh, but the devs may have another update for it by the time you finish what is here already.”
- emotional78 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- -3 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised, with many players expressing that its heartfelt storytelling and memorable characters evoke strong feelings, often leading to tears. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to create a deep emotional connection, whether through its heart-wrenching moments or its humorous yet touching narrative, making it a profoundly moving experience. Overall, players find themselves laughing and crying, showcasing the game's unique blend of humor and emotional depth.
“This wonderful game is absolutely gorgeous, from its heart-wrenching story to its charismatic and memorable characters. It made me cry.”
“The complex and emotional story had me in awe.”
“Never before has a game made me cry as much as Goat Simulator has in the time I have played it.”
“Saints Row and Grand Theft Auto feel like they're just showcasing criminality without any depth. The narratives are often boring and repetitive, making it hard to connect emotionally.”
“The emotional impact of the storylines is lacking, leaving players feeling detached and uninterested in the characters' journeys.”
“The attempts at emotional storytelling often fall flat, resulting in a disconnection that makes it difficult to invest in the game's narrative.”
- optimization76 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 37 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players reporting significant frame drops, crashes, and poor performance even on high-end systems. While some users noted improvements over time, the general consensus is that the game remains poorly optimized, leading to a frustrating experience for many. Overall, players recommend caution, especially for those with lower-spec machines, as the game struggles to run smoothly.
“This also has the side benefit of offering excellent performance on low-end systems.”
“Update: since my review the game has been well optimized.”
“This game did have optimization issues at first, but over time they optimized it and it runs quite well now; it would be a good time to get it and enjoy it on the highest settings if you are picky about that stuff.”
“The game is not optimized at all; it has a lot of frame drops and sometimes it crashes.”
“No, the real issue is the performance disaster that is this game: even beefy systems scream to a halt—usually during the most exciting bits.”
“It may be fun for an hour or so, but the horrible optimization (I meet minimum requirements, and still get 15fps at low) and the glitches make it feel like you just bought an April Fool's joke.”
- grinding69 mentions
- 4 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 62 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding it both rewarding and tedious. While some enjoy the challenge of completing achievements and the humor in the gameplay, others feel that the repetitive nature of tasks and bugs can lead to frustration and boredom. Overall, it appeals to completionists but may not hold the attention of those seeking a more dynamic experience.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“A bit grindy sometimes.”
“I decided to try it out again recently, and although I found it has some fun moments, it did not take long before the game once again turned from a funny joke to a tedious, repetitive experience.”
“There's all sorts of zany stuff to do and there's plenty of humor, but when it comes to gameplay, it's largely dull, tedious, and frustrating.”
“However, after the initial bugging out on a bicycle, this game becomes repetitive, tedious, and overly boring.”
- atmosphere18 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is a mix of chaotic fun and silliness, with many players praising its vibrant and engaging environment, complemented by fitting music and humorous elements. While some find the atmosphere enjoyable and entertaining, others feel it can become repetitive or even depressing over time. Overall, the atmosphere is described as a key highlight, contributing significantly to the game's charm and appeal.
“All the while the atmosphere surrounding you is absolute anarchy.”
“The music is great and fits the atmosphere, and there is a lot of variety so it doesn't get boring too quickly, and the 4-player multiplayer works like a charm.”
“Enjoyable atmosphere, hilarious destruction, satanic goats.”
“The game's atmosphere does not capture me whatsoever.”
“The atmosphere of the game is very depressing.”
“And yes, the frame rate drops frequently, particularly when I try to jetpack my goat into space, just as I burst through the earth's atmosphere.”
- monetization14 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 7 % neutral mentions
- 71 % negative mentions
The monetization of the game is viewed positively, as it lacks microtransactions and is priced affordably, reflecting a focus on artistic integrity rather than profit. However, some users feel misled by advertising that emphasizes glitches and bugs, leading to disappointment regarding the game's content. Overall, while the game is appreciated for its honest approach to monetization, it has also inspired a wave of low-quality cash grabs in the market.
“To me, that screams 'passion.' Coffee Stain Studios did not make this game (at least solely) for monetary value; they made it because they wanted to. In a world where AAA media dominates the video gaming market, made by big corporations that force microtransactions and care more about the bottom line than artistic integrity, I think that this game is valuable.”
“+ no ads”
“- no microtransactions.”
“However, that does also mean it inspired a lot of people to make intentionally bad games in cash grabs, most of which are clunky and awful, flooding the market with garbage.”
“I was misled by the advertisement to think that the game had some sort of comical plot.”
“Holy shit, how many Pizza Hut ads can you fit into one game.”
- character development6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
Character development in the game varies significantly among reviews; while some users praise it for being deep and emotionally impactful, others find it lacking in depth and compelling narrative. Notably, the game features a mix of engaging storylines and character arcs, with some moments described as tear-jerking, while others focus on customization options rather than character growth. Overall, opinions are divided, with strong positive feedback on certain aspects of character development contrasted by criticisms of its depth.
“Awesome graphics, bug-free gameplay, deep story, great character development.”
“Great character development and beautiful storyline.”
“Gripping storyline, in-depth character development, love, and loss.”
“The character development was tear jerking, seeing the goat do things like [spoilers!] perform sacrifices, retrieve jetpacks, and ruin parties.”
“Gripping storyline, indepth character development, love, and loss.”
Critic Reviews
Goat Simulator review
The worst gaming goat since that one in Broken Sword. This is a dumb, limited novelty game that's not worth the asking price.
30%Goat Simulator Nintendo Switch Review
A trash game that had promise. Looks like a games executive got his kid to make a game in his spare time and published it.
38%Goat Simulator GBAtemp review
Goat Simulator is funny, it's incredibly stupid, it's utterly simplistic, and it may charm you, or make you look at it with disgust. It's an okay game to pick up and play, but not enough to commit to for days on end. All in all, you just have to decide. Do you want to spend your money to be a Goat?
58%