Keen

About

"Keen is a sliding puzzle game with tactical combat, where players guide Kim, a young guardian, on a journey to save her village from an evil corporation. With innovative controls and fluid gameplay, moving and attacking are the same thing, allowing for a unique blend of fast-paced and methodical action. Explore a fresh take on a classic genre and experience a heartwarming adventure."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

+14

97%

Audience ScoreBased on 51 reviews

gameplay8 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

Keen: One Girl Army features engaging gameplay that combines sliding puzzles with combat mechanics, providing a unique and enjoyable experience.
The game boasts a charming art style and a fantastic soundtrack, enhancing the overall atmosphere and immersion.
Puzzles are well-designed with a good difficulty curve, offering multiple solutions and rewarding players for strategic thinking.

The game can feel short, with some players wishing for more content or additional save slots for replayability.
Certain puzzles may be frustratingly ambiguous, leading to moments of confusion about how to progress.
The story and dialogue are often considered forgettable or simplistic, lacking depth compared to the gameplay.

gameplay
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
52%
13%
The gameplay in "Keen: One Girl Army" is characterized by its simple yet engaging mechanics that provide a decent challenge, particularly in puzzle-solving elements. Players appreciate the game's pacing, which introduces new mechanics and enemies without dragging on, while the charming art style and music enhance the overall experience. However, some users noted issues with certain mechanics, such as bugs affecting gameplay clarity, and emphasized that the game is primarily focused on gameplay rather than narrative.
- “Keen keeps a good pace with new mechanics or enemies for each level and doesn't drag on.”
- “A short but sweet puzzle game that gets a lot of depth out of a fairly simple set of mechanics.”
- “The combat mechanics are simple but very unique and add a lot to this kind of puzzle.”
- “The story and characters are nothing to write home about; the style is charming enough, with 80s wave style. The game likes to break the fourth wall, which I've just seen too much at this point, and it actually doesn't have much relevance to the overall plot. You rather play this game for the gameplay, not the narrative and jokes.”
- “I encountered a bug where the bombs used throughout the final level didn't have their visual effect my first time through, which made it much harder to understand what should have been a straightforward mechanic. I only realized this when I tried to replay the level looking for the missed secret.”
- “Reminds me of that gym puzzle from Pokémon, since the gameplay is like that, where you can only move linearly.”
music
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
79%
21%
The music in the game has received widespread praise for its quality and contribution to the overall experience, with many reviewers highlighting it as a standout feature alongside the art style and gameplay. The soundtrack is described as great, fitting well with the game's themes and enhancing the enjoyment of the puzzles and action. Overall, the combination of impressive music and visuals creates a compelling atmosphere that resonates with players.
- “Retro graphics, cool art style, old school music and responsive controls...this game is almost a perfect mix of puzzles and action.”
- “Beautiful art style, fun gameplay, amazing music, what more could you ask?”
- “Lots of different environments, varied enemies and absolutely stellar music.”
story
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
43%
21%
The game's story is a mixed bag, with some players finding it forgettable and lacking depth, often relying on fourth-wall-breaking humor that detracts from the plot. However, others appreciate its lighthearted and charming narrative, particularly enjoying the character of Kim and the intriguing elements that keep them engaged. Overall, while the story may not be the main draw, it offers a whimsical backdrop to the gameplay experience.
- “Cute puzzle game, gets really tricky on the later stages, and the simple story surprisingly got me invested.”
- “Along with a silly tongue-in-cheek story, Keen is a polished gem that's worth your attention.”
- “I absolutely loved that even though the story revolved around a little girl, she was still badass in a way and knew how to handle a weapon, yet had her adorable and sweet sides as well.”
- “The dialog is clunky, and the overall story isn't really compelling either.”
- “It tries to be clever with some fourth-wall-breaking stuff - the reason the plot happens ends up basically being 'because it's a video game and video games need conflict to drive the plot' - but it only ends up drawing attention to how little plot the game actually has.”
- “The story and characters are nothing to write home about; the style is charming enough, with 80s wave style. The game likes to break the fourth wall, which I've just seen too much at this point, and it actually doesn't have much relevance to the overall plot. You'd rather play this game for the gameplay, not the narrative and jokes.”
graphics
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
50%
10%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful art style and smooth visuals, which complement the engaging gameplay and music. Reviewers appreciate the retro aesthetic and cute design, while also noting that the later levels present a tactical challenge. Overall, the combination of appealing graphics and solid gameplay creates a captivating experience.
- “Beautiful art style, fun gameplay, amazing music, what more could you ask?”
- “A really inventive approach to sokoban, with great graphics, sound, music and level design.”
- “Keen is a simple puzzle game with great art, great music, and a good aesthetic.”
- “Let's face it: you're reading my review because Keen's aesthetic has already captured you and you want to know if you'll be disappointed after you buy it.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The game offers good replayability due to multiple viable solutions for puzzles, encouraging players to approach challenges creatively. However, the introduction of a par turn count may limit replay value for those seeking to perfect their scores. Overall, the combination of engaging puzzles and unique gameplay elements contributes to a satisfying replay experience.
- “So far, though, keen seems very replayable given a few of the puzzles have multiple viable solutions. As long as you're not achievement hunting, none of the puzzles are totally unfair - and the ones that border on it make you feel like a certified genius when you sit down, map things out methodically, and figure out the solution.”
- “Sliding puzzles, level replayability, perfect score hunting, goth girl on roller skates fighting hordes of zombies, demons, and other googlies.”
- “They kinda shot their own replay value in the foot by dropping the par turn count after the first few levels.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players acknowledge that grinding is an integral part of the game's challenge, but many find it to be a tedious experience.
- “This is part of the challenge, but I found it really tedious.”
- “The grinding feels endless and takes away from the enjoyment of the game.”
- “I appreciate the need for progression, but the repetitive tasks are exhausting.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Character development is perceived as overly sentimental and juvenile, with the main character design and dialogue lacking depth for some players.
- “The main character design and most of the dialogue is a bit too sappy and childish for my taste.”
- “The character arcs feel rushed and lack depth, making it hard to connect with them.”
- “There is little to no growth in the characters throughout the game, leaving them feeling flat and uninteresting.”