Landlord of the Woods

98%
Game Brain Score Based on 517 reviews
  • graphics
  • story
  • music
Landlord of the Woods Game Cover
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"Landlord of the Woods" is a hand-drawn, exploration game where you play as a woodsland rent collector, visiting quirky residents and solving simple puzzles. The game features a detailed world and a delicate story that can be completed in about an hour. The developer, Madison Karrh, is offering a steam key for those who are interested but unable to purchase the game immediately.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

98%
Audience ScoreBased on 517 reviews
graphics70 positive mentions
stability4 negative mentions
  • Charming art style and unique visuals that create a cozy yet eerie atmosphere.
  • Engaging puzzles that are simple yet enjoyable, making for a relaxing gameplay experience.
  • Unexpected twist at the end that adds depth to the story and leaves a lasting impression.
  • Very short gameplay, typically taking less than an hour to complete.
  • Some puzzles can be unclear, leading to moments of frustration when trying to figure out what to interact with.
  • Occasional bugs and glitches that may disrupt the flow of the game.
  • graphics142 mentions

    The graphics of "Landlord of the Woods" are widely praised for their charming and unique art style, which combines cute and macabre elements, creating an aesthetically pleasing experience. Many reviewers highlight the hand-drawn visuals and the game's ability to evoke a whimsical yet eerie atmosphere, though some critique the technical aspects as simplistic compared to modern gaming standards. Overall, the artwork is considered the standout feature, enhancing the narrative and gameplay despite the game's short length.

    • “The art style of the game is absolutely gorgeous.”
    • “I absolutely love her art style.”
    • “The artwork is quirky and slightly disturbing.”
    • “On one hand, there's a fascinating art style and storyline, and what elements of this qualify as being a game are modestly well done... but at the same time, especially on technical merits, this falls far below what gamers would expect even back in the 1990s.”
    • “I'm not here on PC with a $2000 graphics card to play Java/Flash games no matter how polished they look.”
    • “There's no option to change the resolution and no useful graphics tweaks.”
  • story101 mentions

    The game's story is often described as charming, bittersweet, and occasionally macabre, with many players appreciating its emotional depth and unexpected plot twists. While some reviews note that the narrative is simple and somewhat surreal, others highlight its ability to convey meaningful themes about life and loneliness within a short playtime. Overall, the combination of unique art style and engaging storytelling makes it a memorable experience, despite its brevity.

    • “Absolutely beautiful story and therapeutic game.”
    • “The story was really adorable and the ending was super sweet ;p”
    • “The soundtrack and whimsical art style paired with the endearingly macabre story wrapped up into the sweetest 0.8 hours of gameplay I could have hoped for.”
    • “The game itself is quite short and doesn't have much going on story-wise.”
    • “The story itself was very depressing and I was expecting a happier ending and was left feeling pretty depressed after the game.”
    • “While the story moves in this theme for quite a while, even finding the time to complete this lesson at the end.”
  • music57 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its relaxing and atmospheric qualities, complementing the whimsical and charming art style. Reviewers appreciate the soundtrack's ability to enhance the overall experience, creating a pleasant ambiance that fits well with the game's themes, despite some noting its simplicity and repetitiveness. Overall, the combination of lovely music and captivating visuals contributes significantly to the game's appeal.

    • “Fantastic music, emotional story with a very satisfying ending!”
    • “The music creates a soft ambience as you delve into the landscapes of paintings or casually boil your tenant's brain on a stovetop.”
    • “The art style is absolutely stunning and the music in the background fits it really well.”
    • “There's not much of an audio design to speak of here; there's only the soundtrack that's playing and minor sound effects that play when you interact with items, like the softest clack of metal hitting glass.”
    • “As is mentioned in other comments, the game's soundtrack is somewhat monotonic.”
    • “My only real complaint is there is really only 1 song that, while appropriately weird and whimsical, is way too short to loop endlessly like it does.”
  • atmosphere29 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unique blend of macabre and whimsical elements, creating an engaging and immersive experience. Players appreciate the beautiful art style and calming soundtrack, which enhance the eerie yet comforting ambiance. Overall, the game is recommended for those who enjoy atmospheric storytelling and casual puzzle-solving in a visually captivating setting.

    • “As your journey unfolds through eerie atmospheres and encounters, you uncover deeper layers of this twisted tale while navigating philosophical themes along with otherworldly puzzles.”
    • “Together with the music it creates a fascinating atmosphere.”
    • “Meanwhile, it does provide a plain story with an unexpected ending, but I don't see connections except the atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere of the game is drenched in the macabre, with plenty of gruesome scenes to perform, and spooky characters to meet, but it's all done in a gentle manner.”
    • “A nice, short puzzle game with a macabre but not overly mopey atmosphere.”
  • gameplay27 mentions

    The gameplay is generally described as straightforward and casual, featuring easy puzzles, hidden object mechanics, and point-and-click elements. Players appreciate the charming art style and whimsical story, though some find certain puzzles frustrating due to finicky controls. Overall, the gameplay offers a simplistic yet enjoyable experience, often lasting around an hour.

    • “The gameplay was really straightforward, with casual difficulty puzzles.”
    • “Solid gameplay, gorgeous art, weirdly relatable story, whimsical characters, beautiful world.”
    • “Chill gameplay, simple and fun puzzles, beautiful art, plus a neat story.”
    • “During my gameplay, instead of solving puzzles, I felt like I was trying to grasp some abstract feelings by following the instructions.”
    • “I twice in the short gameplay time couldn't figure out the last bit of a puzzle because I clicked what I thought I had to, it didn't work, I then tried everything else, and then I came back and clicked the same thing and this time it worked.”
    • “The gameplay in general is not much to write home about, but it does have a certain simplistic charm.”
  • emotional23 mentions

    Players consistently highlight the emotional depth of the game, noting its ability to evoke feelings ranging from heartbreak to comfort. The combination of a touching story, beautiful graphics, and a satisfying ending creates a heartfelt experience that resonates with many, often leaving them feeling relaxed and uplifted. The game's unique blend of wholesome and macabre elements adds to its emotional impact, making it a memorable journey for players.

    • “Fantastic music, emotional story with a very satisfying ending!”
    • “Got me a little bit emotional in the beginning, and the end surprised me.”
    • “I cried at the end.”
  • humor14 mentions

    The game's humor is described as a mix of lightheartedness and dark whimsy, with many players finding the ending particularly hilarious and unexpected. While some felt the humor was not to their taste, others appreciated its originality and the way it complemented the game's art and narrative. Overall, the humor adds a charming and enjoyable layer to the experience, making it a memorable aspect of the game.

    • “The ending was hilarious!!”
    • “A cute and funny short puzzle game that has such an authentic theme.”
    • “Really, really light physics puzzles and a whimsically, gently dark sense of humor, beautifully drawn.”
  • stability4 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with many users reporting significant bugs and unresponsiveness. While some find the issues acceptable, others describe the experience as far too buggy, impacting overall enjoyment.

    • “Extremely buggy and weirdly unresponsive.”
    • “Far too buggy.”
    • “A little buggy, but acceptable.”
  • character development4 mentions

    The character development in the game is highlighted by its great art style and charming character designs, which contribute to an enjoyable experience. While the game is short, players appreciate the cute aesthetics and engaging puzzles, enhancing their overall enjoyment despite some minor issues.

    • “The puzzles were fun and not frustrating; the art style and character designs are amazing.”
    • “Short and sweet game with cute character design and fun puzzles.”
    • “Even with those issues, I played through and thoroughly enjoyed all of the concepts and character designs!”
  • replayability3 mentions

    The game has been criticized for its lack of replayability, with users noting that there is little incentive to play again after completing it. Despite this, some still find it worthwhile for its low cost.

    • “I can't see much replayability for this title, but it's well worth the low cost nonetheless.”
    • “There is absolutely no replay value.”
    • “Not too much replay value once you finish the game.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    Overall, users report that the game is well-optimized, featuring minimal bugs and a smooth experience with little clunkiness. However, the absence of a VSync option has led to some stuttering issues for certain players.

    • “The game feels incredibly optimized, allowing for smooth gameplay even on lower-end systems.”
    • “I was impressed by how well the game runs; the optimization is top-notch.”
    • “The developers have done a fantastic job with optimization, making the experience seamless and enjoyable.”
    • “Less bugs, almost no clunkiness, but there is no VSync option, which leads to stuttering.”
    • “It felt optimized.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game is framed around the player's desire for a more fulfilling experience, as they transition from feeling stagnant in their current life to pursuing a new role as a landlord of the woods, driven by advertisements that promise a more meaningful career.

  • grinding1 mentions

    Players express that the grinding in the game is excessively time-consuming, suggesting that it requires an unrealistic amount of effort, akin to needing a second life to complete it.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
    • “Grinding takes away from the enjoyment of the game.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

8hMedian play time
8hAverage play time
8-8hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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