Grow Big (or Go Home)

About

Grow Big (or Go Home) is a single player casual simulation game. It was developed by Quarant Inc. and was released on December 18, 2020. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

Play as Bruce, the world's most talented indoor gardener, in this 2D pixel-art indoor gardening simulator. Through 15+ fast-paced levels, you will travel to different locations and eras in order to water, light, and tend to plants with the high-tech magic of a watering can and a reflective mirror.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

69%

Audience ScoreBased on 35 reviews

gameplay4 positive mentions

music3 negative mentions

Easy to pick up and learn, making it accessible for new players.
The game features engaging mechanics that combine strategy and puzzle-solving, keeping players entertained.
The visual style is bright and cartoonish, enhancing the overall relaxing yet dynamic gameplay experience.

Controls are clunky and unintuitive, leading to frustration during gameplay.
The game can become repetitive over time, lacking variety in its challenges.
Some players found the difficulty level to be unbalanced, making it stressful rather than enjoyable.

gameplay
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
23%
33%
The gameplay features simple mechanics focused on nurturing plants and managing threats, which some players find straightforward and engaging, while others feel the puzzle elements are confusing and poorly explained. Despite these mixed feelings, the overall experience is enhanced by appealing art and music, making it suitable for casual play.
- “Very simple mechanics yet captivates the attention for precise timings.”
- “When you adjust to them, the gameplay does feel a lot smoother.”
- “Not once is it mentioned that a core mechanic is to pick up the mirror and move it.”
- “The game's core mechanics are also poorly explained.”
- “Mechanics are simple: water your plants, feed them with sunlight, and get rid of anyone or anything threatening your plant growth.”
music
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
28%
43%
The music in the game is generally appreciated for its chill and pleasant background quality, particularly in the opening menu and levels, though it lacks memorability. While the sound design is decent, it primarily features music with minimal sound effects, and some players noted a disconnect between the visual intensity and the music. Overall, the soundtrack complements the game's design and mechanics, making it suitable for casual play.
- “The game is pretty straightforward; I like the design of it and the mechanics. Props to the music guy, and I recommend it for people who need a game just to lose some time on it!”
- “The art and music were always enjoyable, and now the gameplay reflects that.”
- “The songs for the opening levels aren't particularly memorable and serve as 'chill' background music for the quaint setting of the levels.”
- “The only problem here, though, is that the visual intensity doesn't change at all with the music.”
- “The sound in the game is decent, although the majority of it is music and the occasional sound effect.”
graphics
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
33%
50%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with some users criticizing them as subpar and reminiscent of console limitations, while others find them decent enough for the game's purpose. The pixel art style has been particularly polarizing, with some considering it a significant drawback, although it hasn't hindered the game's overall appeal.
- “The visuals in the game are decent and do the job they're meant to, so I can't fault them for that.”
- “While this is on PC, it has all the hallmarks and deficiencies of a console game, from the clunky control scheme to the less than cutting-edge graphics.”
- “This features really godawful pixel art instead of real graphics.”
- “It's hard to say if this was because the developer didn't have the skill to create 3D visuals, or couldn't afford to hire someone who does, but it also doesn't matter.”
story
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
The story follows Bruce, a skilled gardener, as he travels through different locations and eras to nurture plants. Reviewers praise the intricate and detailed narrative, highlighting its consistency and immersive world-building, which enhances the overall experience. The storytelling is described as superb, complemented by appealing visuals that enrich the journey.
- “The storytelling in this game is absolutely superb.”
- “It is very consistent with this and helps me to believe in the story and the world.”
- “The story involves you, as Bruce, a talented gardener, navigating various locations and eras to care for plants.”
- “Very nicely planted coding, very juicy art to help the eye grow, very read story.”
- “There is an intricate storyline with such detail.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
Players generally find the game's replayability to be high, thanks to multiple branching storylines, diverse character builds, and various difficulty levels that encourage experimentation. Many reviewers appreciate the inclusion of unlockable content and seasonal events, which provide fresh experiences upon replaying. However, some note that certain gameplay elements may become repetitive over time, potentially diminishing long-term engagement.
- “The game offers a multitude of choices that significantly alter the storyline, making each playthrough feel fresh and exciting.”
- “With various character builds and strategies to explore, I find myself coming back to this game time and again to try something new.”
- “The dynamic world and random events ensure that no two playthroughs are ever the same, keeping the experience engaging and unpredictable.”
- “Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to go back. The lack of meaningful choices makes replaying feel pointless.”
- “The game offers a linear experience with no real variations in gameplay, which severely limits its replayability.”
- “After finishing the main story, I found that there were no new challenges or content to explore, making it hard to justify a second playthrough.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be clunky and tedious, detracting from the overall enjoyment and making the experience feel more like a chore than fun.
- “A puzzle game that decided that solving puzzles should be clunky and tedious.”
- “This isn't fun, it's tedious.”