Kindergarten
- June 15, 2017
- Con Man Games
- 6h median play time
Get on SteamIn "Kindergarten" , you play as a kindergarten student navigating through a strange and possibly dangerous school environment. The teacher is suspicious, the janitor leaves a trail of blood, and one of your classmates has gone missing. It's up to you to solve puzzles, uncover the school's secrets, and ensure your survival. Along the way, you can participate in show and tell, play house, and even get poisoned, all while reliving some classic kindergarten experiences.
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- humor867 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in "Kindergarten" is predominantly dark and absurd, often blending shock value with comedic elements that leave players laughing at the unexpected and morbid scenarios. Many reviews highlight the game's clever dialogue and quirky characters, particularly praising the humor's ability to entertain while addressing unsettling themes, making it a unique experience for fans of dark comedy. However, some players note that the repetitive nature of the humor can diminish its impact over time, suggesting that while the game is hilarious, it may not appeal to everyone due to its edgy content.
“The amount of times this game made me laugh is insane.”
“I absolutely loved the sense of humor and the characters are well written.”
“The writing is sharp, with a dark humor that keeps you chuckling through the absurdity of it all.”
“Obnoxious solutions, unfunny characters.”
“I found the story bizarrely unfunny; it was tedious and annoying.”
“The music is terrible, there is no gameplay, and it's not funny.”
- story817 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story of "Kindergarten" is a darkly humorous and engaging narrative that unfolds through a series of interconnected quests, where players navigate the bizarre and often gruesome experiences of a kindergarten setting. Players must complete various character missions to uncover the overarching mystery of a missing student, Billy, while encountering absurd and shocking plot twists that keep the gameplay fresh and entertaining. Despite some repetitive elements and the need for trial and error, the game's clever writing and unique character arcs create a memorable and enjoyable experience.
“The story is great, the characters are great, and there's some amazing comedy in this.”
“The story revolves around a missing student named Billy, and the school's principal isn't exactly on your side.”
“The story is fun with a cool twist at the end, but the reoccurring shock humor of the kids being killed loses its charm pretty quick.”
“The only thing I didn't really like is if you miss one small thing sometimes in the story, then you will have to replay all of the story from the beginning, but this is a minor complaint at best.”
“I found the story bizarrely unfunny; it was tedious and annoying.”
“The main problem is you will have to go through storylines again and again to see a different path, and sometimes the different narrative option you choose will lead to the same outcomes or resetting the day over again.”
- gameplay195 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a mix of simple mechanics, trial-and-error elements, and a unique "Groundhog Day" style where players repeat the same day to solve puzzles and complete quests. While some players appreciate the humor and engaging story, many find the gameplay repetitive and occasionally frustrating due to bugs and limited interaction options. Overall, it offers a quirky experience with a blend of dark humor, but may not satisfy those seeking more action-oriented gameplay.
“The gameplay was also fun with puzzles and a side of searching every corner to complete a card collection.”
“The gameplay strikes a perfect balance between being challenging enough to keep you engaged, but not too difficult to discourage you from progressing.”
“The gameplay is easy for anyone, the puzzles get progressively more difficult, but the game does a great job of building up the challenge.”
“There are no actual subjects, minigames, or tests; all gameplay is done through dialogue and WASD point-and-use interaction, with inventory management being automatic and opening up new dialogue choices for you.”
“The gameplay relies heavily on trial and error, which can result in numerous restarts.”
“While its quirky premise and humorous dialogue may entertain some players, others may find its simplistic gameplay and lack of depth to be limiting.”
- graphics148 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming pixel art style that blends cute visuals with dark humor, creating a unique and whimsical atmosphere. While some players find the graphics simplistic or reminiscent of retro games, many appreciate how the art style complements the game's quirky narrative and enhances the overall experience. Despite occasional glitches and a few criticisms regarding the quality, the graphics are generally well-received for their ability to balance lightheartedness with the game's more graphic content.
“I love these games that have unique graphic designs with funny and whimsical plots.”
“The game's art style is reminiscent of the quirky 'Scribblenauts,' giving it a unique and refreshing visual appeal.”
“With its charmingly cartoonish art style and unpredictable scenarios, this game delivers a rollercoaster of fun and challenges.”
“The graphics are downright atrocious, with character models that look like they were drawn by a five-year-old with a crayon.”
“Graphics are pretty much what you'd expect out of an indie game that's less than a quarter of a gig of hard drive space.”
“The graphics are sort of a 16-bit style, and are just mediocre throughout the whole game.”
- grinding60 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 12 % neutral mentions
- 88 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is frequently described as tedious and repetitive, often requiring players to replay missions or days to collect items or achieve specific outcomes. While some players find the process frustrating, many also acknowledge that the engaging story and character interactions make the grind feel rewarding, especially when unlocking endings or completing challenges. Overall, the experience can be enjoyable for those who don't mind the repetitive nature of the gameplay.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The loop can be kinda boring and it's a bit tedious to go through everything again just to do one thing differently.”
“Going through the same dialogue is very tedious; you have to sit there and watch them say it the entire time with no skip mechanism, which is awful.”
- music59 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for its upbeat and catchy nature, effectively complementing the quirky art style and humor. However, some players find it repetitive and wish for more variety in the soundtrack, with a few noting that it can become annoying over time. Overall, the music enhances the gaming experience, contributing to its unique ambiance despite some criticisms regarding its monotony.
“What really seals the deal is the soundtrack – it's the cherry on top of this wacky sundae.”
“I absolutely love how this game makes itself seem like a cute game with its 8-bit art style and cute music, yet has such dark humor.”
“The dialogue stands out, the art serves its function and while you spend 95% of the game listening to a single music loop, it's somehow just the right amount of upbeat, catchy, and discordant with the chaos unfolding around it, while managing not to be grating.”
“The music is dogshit, there is no gameplay, and it's not funny.”
“The only con to this game that I can think of is the music gets old fast but turning it down fixes that.”
“Otherwise, there's only a couple of bugs I can see, mainly in the cafeteria, and the music could use a little bit more variety.”
- replayability53 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The reviews on replayability are mixed, with some players noting a lack of replay value after completing the game, while others appreciate the multiple story paths, endings, and collectible elements that encourage revisiting. Many agree that once all content is exhausted, the game loses its appeal, but some still find it enjoyable enough to warrant multiple playthroughs. Overall, the consensus suggests that while there are elements that can enhance replayability, many players feel it ultimately falls short in this aspect.
“There are lots of different ways to play through, and the different cards to look for give it extra replay value.”
“Your decisions have lasting consequences, leading to multiple story paths and endings that encourage replayability.”
“This is a fun game no matter which route you take, and it has a lot of replay value and combinations you can do in order to mix it up a little.”
“Zero replayability.”
“However, the game's limited replayability becomes evident once you've exhausted all the available storylines and secrets.”
“There is virtually zero replay value as the solutions to the puzzles will always be the same, which is also why the game gets easier the more you play, opposite of what you would expect in a puzzle game.”
- emotional25 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is a complex blend of heartwarming and darkly humorous elements, with players noting its ability to evoke a range of feelings from joy to shock. While it features wholesome moments and touching character arcs, it also delves into violent and absurd scenarios that create a unique emotional rollercoaster. Overall, players appreciate the game's intricate storytelling that balances lightheartedness with deeper, sometimes unsettling themes.
“This game is honestly amazing. I enjoyed playing it so much. The reason I bought this game was because I enjoyed YouTubers such as DanTDM playing it. I'm really excited for the second one that has come out, but I'm too broke to buy it (for now). This game is great; I recommend playing it if you like story-type games. This game has a lot of storylines, and some are heartwarming and heartbreaking.”
“This is one of my favorite games of all time. Unlike most games, you build an emotional connection to all of the fun-loving characters like Nugget.”
“The game is gory and inappropriate, and you'll do some very questionable things, but as it progresses, this more moral and emotional core starts to emerge.”
- stability22 mentions
- 9 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 91 % negative mentions
The game is currently experiencing a range of stability issues, including frequent glitches, crashes, and bugs that can disrupt gameplay and require restarts. While some players find the content engaging despite these problems, many report significant frustration due to game-breaking errors, particularly in early access. Overall, the stability is inconsistent, with a mix of minor and major issues that detract from the experience.
“Runs great on the Steam Deck too.”
“The game is bug-free and runs smoothly.”
“A number of glitches caused quests to not progress properly, in one case because I bought a later-necessary item too early for the game to realize I'd already acquired it, so I had to use one of the Steam guides to find out at which specific point the game 'expected' me to do this.”
“From game-breaking glitches to crashes and freezes, the game is about as stable as a Jenga tower in an earthquake.”
“The game freezes randomly, and I can't do anything but watch the sprites move in their animations, which always forces me to reload the game.”
- atmosphere8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is described as a captivating blend of cute and sinister elements, effectively capturing the chaotic essence of kindergarten life. Players appreciate the intriguing juxtaposition of lightheartedness with dark twists, enhanced by charming animations and music. Overall, the game creates a unique and enjoyable experience that resonates well with casual gamers.
“Kindergarten manages to create an intriguing atmosphere that captures the essence of chaotic school life.”
“A cute game with a sinister atmosphere.”
“The game does fulfill its atmosphere of a cute kindergarten.”
“Most of the jokes land and the atmosphere of a We Happy Few-esque kindergarten is pulled off incredibly well.”
- optimization5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is well-optimized, running smoothly on a variety of systems, including Windows 10. While it is still in early access and has some minor bugs, these do not significantly impact gameplay. Users generally report a positive performance experience.
“The game can run smoothly on nearly any computer, honestly.”
“It runs smoothly on Windows 10.”
“Of course, since it's in early access it has its bugs, but it runs smoothly and the bugs I've run into do not affect gameplay.”
- character development4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The game features strong character development, highlighted by engaging dialogues and distinctive, cute character designs that evoke a vibrant, cartoonish aesthetic. Players feel a sense of bonding with the characters as they navigate the story, enhancing their investment in completing missions.
“Great dialogues, character designs, and general story.”
“The character designs are cute and distinctive, and the dialogue is often amusing, keeping the player engaged in the story.”
“This game has great character development for all the characters, which gives the game the feeling of bonding with each character as you try over and over again to figure out what you missed to complete the mission.”
“The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters on an emotional level.”
“I found the character arcs to be predictable and uninspired, leaving me disappointed with their growth throughout the game.”
“Despite the vibrant visuals, the characters remain one-dimensional and fail to evolve, which detracts from the overall experience.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is highly praised for its enjoyable gameplay and the absence of in-game purchases, making it a top choice for players seeking a pure gaming experience without monetization distractions.
“It is very fun to play and has no in-game purchases, so this is one of my top picks.”
