Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge
- June 8, 2024
- HumbleReeds
- 9h median play time
While cute and cozy, Kamaeru can definitely become frustrating if played for longer periods of time with little variation in gameplay.
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Get on Xbox Games Store"Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge" is a cozy game about frog conservation and farming where you help restore wetlands as a kind soul. Collect, feed, breed, and raise over 500 frogs, discover their rare colors, and photograph them for your frogedex. Restore the wetlands and support your frog refuge by planting native crops and completing various tasks.
Reviews
- The game features adorable art and cute frogs, creating a charming and relaxing atmosphere.
- It's easy to pick up and play, making it a great choice for casual gamers looking for a chill experience.
- The game promotes biodiversity and conservation, adding a wholesome message to the gameplay.
- Gameplay can feel repetitive and shallow, with limited variety in frog species and activities.
- The pacing is often too fast, making it difficult to enjoy the frogs and complete tasks without feeling rushed.
- Technical issues, such as crashes and UI problems, detract from the overall experience.
- gameplay19 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this cozy game is characterized by its simple mechanics and charming aesthetics, appealing to those who enjoy lighthearted experiences. However, many players find it repetitive and lacking in variety, leading to feelings of frustration and busywork. While some appreciate the relaxing pace and engaging loop, others feel it doesn't fully deliver on the expectations set by its farming sim marketing.
“One of the best cozy games I have played in a while, the gameplay is so enticing.”
“The instructions and gameplay are clear, and the pacing is good.”
“The gameplay balances structured objectives with the freedom to go at your own pace.”
“Dull gameplay due to repetition.”
“I don't think it's the worst game I've ever played, but I think some of the core mechanics make the main gameplay loop frustrating, confusing, and not fun.”
“The gameplay loop never changes: you gain money from planting flora and digging ponds, which you then spend on furniture to raise your reputation, which gives you access to more types of plants and pond shapes...”
- graphics17 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their adorable and cute art style, which creates a happy and relaxing atmosphere. Players appreciate the charming visuals, particularly the design of the frogs and the overall aesthetic, contributing to an immersive experience. The combination of delightful artwork and calming music enhances the game's appeal, making it a visually engaging and enjoyable environment.
“The artwork is just sensational and makes you feel absolutely immersed in this gorgeous little world.”
“The art style is really cute, and there is so much to collect.”
“It was everything I was looking for: chill, slow-paced, cute graphics, and a nice story!”
- grinding14 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the game's grinding aspect is overly simplistic and repetitive, leading to a sense of tedium rather than engagement. While some players appreciate its casual, creature-collecting elements, many feel it fails to deliver on the expectations of a true farming simulator, leaning more towards an idle game experience. Overall, the game may appeal to casual gamers and frog enthusiasts, but those seeking a deeper farming experience may be disappointed.
“For a supposed farming game, the resource gathering and management is very basic.”
“The repetition was tedious.”
“This is being marketed heavily as a farming sim which I suppose is technically true, but I also think that promises a certain type of gameplay that Kamaeru doesn't deliver on.”
- story8 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The game's story is described as a wholesome and engaging narrative that is easy to follow, featuring varied locations and characters. While players appreciate its charm and the themes of restoration, many note that the story is relatively short, with around 8-10 hours to complete, leading to a more sandbox-like experience afterward. Overall, it offers a cozy and cute atmosphere that resonates well with players.
“All of this is accompanied by a storyline that is easy to follow.”
“The storyline so far is engaging and incredibly sweet.”
“Absolutely adored this for the 8 hours I played it, but the story is very short and after that, it's just a cute little sandbox.”
“It has a wholesome storyline that addresses the issue of how mankind can restore what it broke before it knew it was bad.”
“I'm just 1 hour in and it's super cute and cozy, but also there is not much to do; I hope this changes a bit once I progress through the story.”
- music7 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is consistently praised for its relaxing and beautiful qualities, contributing to a happy atmosphere that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the option to turn off the music for ambient sounds, allowing for a more personalized auditory experience while enjoying the game's charming visuals.
“The artwork and music create a happy and relaxing atmosphere.”
“The music is relaxing, and although I seem to be progressing pretty slowly, I don't really mind.”
“Streamed this game for 5 hours, then played it for 5 more after ending the stream; beautiful art, relaxing music, simple mechanics, and it's all about frogs!”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by its happy and relaxing vibe, enhanced by appealing artwork and music, which together create an inviting environment that captivates players.
“The artwork and music create a happy and relaxing atmosphere.”
“Kamaeru creates an inviting atmosphere that draws you in.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its emotional depth, featuring a relaxing and wholesome narrative that emphasizes the importance of biodiversity and humanity's responsibility to restore the environment. Players appreciate the sweet storyline that conveys a meaningful message about healing and conservation.
“A relaxing and wholesome creature collector with a sweet message about biodiversity.”
“It has a wholesome storyline that addresses the issue of how mankind can restore what it broke before it knew it was bad.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users have reported encountering glitches that affect the game's stability, with many expressing hope for a timely patch to address these issues.
“My biggest issue with this game is that I have run into some glitches, and I hope they release a patch to fix these soon.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
“I've experienced several bugs that disrupt gameplay, and the lack of stability is frustrating.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Reviewers express a desire for a lower price point for the game, particularly on mobile, and criticize the presence of microtransactions, suggesting that the overall experience would be more enjoyable without them.
“I would have enjoyed this on mobile for half the price without microtransactions.”
“The monetization model is fair and doesn't feel intrusive.”
“I appreciate that the game offers plenty of free content without pushing for purchases.”
“I'd have enjoyed this on mobile for half the price (without microtransactions).”
“The game feels like a cash grab with all the in-game purchases.”
“It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind paywalls.”
Critic Reviews
Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge Review – The cutest wetland regeneration
Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge combines cute frogs and wetland development to create a refuge management experience you will never forget. The frogs are adorable and collecting them all is enjoyable. Customising your frog refuge and the extremely low chance of failure let you pursue your goals as you wish. While the game is not at all challenging and doesn’t have the best UI in late-game areas, it’s still fun to play. By far the cosiest frog simulator you will ever encounter, Kamaeru is perfect if you’re wondering how you can save our planet.
75%Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge Review – Cozy Frog Collector
While cute and cozy, Kamaeru can definitely become frustrating if played for longer periods of time with little variation in gameplay.
60%‘Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge’ is a Cute Story About Our Amphibian Friends- Review
Adorably cute in every way, Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge is the perfect game for relaxing and indulging your inner child as you play with frogs and restore their home in the wetlands. Gamers who need a break from the endless grind of other games will love Kamaeru.
100%
