Growth
- October 16, 2023
- VoodooDuck
- 12h median play time
Get on Steam"Growth" is a single-player strategy game featuring cozy, idyllic hex grid-based exploration. Players utilize the unique abilities of 8 different animals to populate procedurally generated worlds, transforming barren landscapes into lush forests and meadows. With challenging navigation around obstacles and highly replayable content, this soft-strategy puzzle game offers points of interest that reward additional animals and special ones, along with 9 different tile types for beautifully crafted maps.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Reviews
- Growth is a charming and relaxing puzzle game that combines strategy with exploration, making it enjoyable for casual play.
- The game features cute graphics and a soothing atmosphere, making it ideal for players looking for a cozy gaming experience.
- The gameplay loop is simple yet engaging, allowing players to strategize and explore new biomes while managing resources effectively.
- The game can become repetitive quickly, with limited content and a lack of variety in biomes and animals, leading to a feeling of dullness after a few playthroughs.
- There is a steep difficulty spike towards the end of the game, which may not be well-prepared for players, making it frustrating for some.
- The game lacks sufficient replayability and additional game modes, which could enhance long-term engagement and motivation to continue playing.
- gameplay38 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a simple yet engaging loop that involves exploring randomly generated areas and utilizing animal mechanics to expand influence and discover new biomes. While some players find the mechanics to be somewhat shallow and the challenge level low, the game offers plenty of content and replayability, making it enjoyable for casual play. Overall, it combines charming visuals with straightforward puzzle and strategy elements, though the tutorial could be improved for better understanding of the mechanics.
“There is still plenty of content and replayability that makes it worth playing, and the general gameplay loop makes it a game that's easy to keep installed and pick up from time to time.”
“A very clever little puzzle game, with a lot of charm, color, and clever mechanics.”
“The mechanic of exploring the map by sending animals to create and find new biomes is brilliant.”
“The gameplay was on the boring side for me.”
“It's pretty good but the tutorial isn't great at explaining the mechanics.”
“The core gameplay is rather simple, but honestly?”
- music13 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 23 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally described as calm, soothing, and fitting, enhancing the overall experience. However, it is noted to be repetitive and may become annoying over time, especially since there is only a single track available. While many appreciate the music as a pleasant background, its lack of variety contributes to a feeling of incompleteness in the game's overall design.
“Looks adorable, music is calm, very soothing experience.”
“Really well made and the music is just wonderful!”
“Lovely calm music.”
“However, with the lack of difficulty options, general content (game modes, etc.), and only a single music track, there are downsides to growth that make it feel ever so slightly unfinished.”
“The music is very fitting but might become a bit annoying after a while.”
“I like the music, although it is very repetitive; but on a low volume, it's a nice background noise.”
- replayability12 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The reviews present a mixed perspective on replayability; while some players appreciate the abundance of content and find the gameplay loop engaging enough for occasional play, others criticize the game for lacking long-term replay value, particularly for a puzzle game. Overall, the consensus suggests that while there is some replayability, it may not be sufficient to sustain long-term interest.
“Replay value”
“So replayability probably isn't crazy great.”
“Honestly, there isn't much replayability value, which is kinda odd for a puzzle game.”
“Not going to keep you engaged longer term at the moment as replayability is a bit lacking.”
“There is still plenty of content and replayability that makes it worth playing, and the general gameplay loop makes it a game that's easy to keep installed and pick up from time to time.”
- graphics12 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are described as charming and lovely, featuring a cute low-poly style that enhances the cozy atmosphere of the game. Players appreciate the fun visuals and atmospheric sound effects, which complement the engaging puzzle and strategy elements. Overall, the aesthetic design contributes significantly to the game's appeal.
“The graphics are charming, and the little sound effects are very atmospheric.”
“It has a very cute and cozy vibe and some nice and fun graphics; I like how you unlock different environments, so it takes a little time and brain power to grasp how to keep going.”
“Aesthetics: cute low poly-ish style.”
- story6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is currently centered around a singular mission to "calm the volcano," which, while challenging, lacks meaningful rewards. Reviewers suggest that introducing variable missions could enhance the narrative depth and strategic gameplay, with ideas like "paint the desert" or "spread the habitats" to create diverse objectives that require players to adapt their strategies each game.
“At the moment there is a sort-of mission to 'calm the volcano': this is a good and challenging goal, but it isn't actually worth any points!”
“But I can imagine alternate missions such as 'paint the desert' where you have to color all the barren land to green/yellow/blue/purple; or 'spread the habitats' where you need to introduce habitat for all 5 species onto each big hex, or 'save the unknown' where you need a continuous zone of undiscovered tiles linking across all big hexes. Then each game you would need to adapt a strategy.”
“What would take it to the next level is adding some variable missions.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by charming graphics and soothing sound effects, creating a calming and inviting environment that enhances the overall experience. Reviewers appreciate the cute design, which contributes to the game's tranquil vibe.
“The simple graphics are charming, and the little sound effects are very atmospheric.”
“A very cute designed puzzle game with a calming atmosphere.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its humor, providing a light-hearted experience that initially requires minimal thought but escalates into hilarity as players face absurd challenges, such as having only a duck with no water available. This blend of simplicity and unexpected complexity leads to moments of genuine laughter.
“Little brain power needed ... until a lot is needed and you start laughing hysterically when all you have is a duck and no water in sight.”
“Funny game :d”
