Landlord of the Woods

About

"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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

97%

Audience ScoreBased on 575 reviews

graphics75 positive mentions

stability6 negative mentions

Charming art style and unique visuals that create a whimsical yet macabre atmosphere.
Engaging and straightforward puzzles that are easy to solve, making for a relaxing gameplay experience.
Surprising and heartwarming ending that adds depth to the overall narrative.

The game is very short, typically taking less than an hour to complete, which may leave some players wanting more.
Some players experienced minor bugs and glitches, particularly with item interactions and progress saving.
Lack of achievements and replayability may limit long-term engagement for some players.

graphics
155 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
50%
2%
The graphics of "Landlord of the Woods" are widely praised for their unique and captivating art style, which blends dark surrealism with charming, whimsical elements. Many players appreciate the haunting yet beautiful visuals that enhance the game's atmosphere, despite some noting a lack of technical polish. Overall, the art style is considered the game's strongest feature, drawing players in with its quirky and slightly macabre aesthetic.
- “The art style is absolutely stunning and the music in the background fits it really well.”
- “The artwork is amazing, the puzzles are fun.”
- “The aesthetic is just the right mix of cute and creepy and the story progresses and completes itself in a satisfying (and twisty) way!”
- “The game features simple, fairly basic 2D visuals, and while some effort went into them, they don't look great, either.”
- “I'm not here on PC with a $2000 graphics card to play Java/Flash games no matter how polished they look.”
- “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.”
story
118 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
59%
3%
The story of "Landlord of the Woods" is a captivating blend of macabre and whimsical elements, featuring a unique narrative that unfolds through engaging puzzles and charming art. While some players found the storyline to be linear and somewhat depressing, many appreciated its quirky charm and unexpected twists, making it a memorable experience despite its short length. Overall, the game successfully combines storytelling with visual artistry, appealing to those who enjoy indie games with a focus on narrative.
- “I love the mix between wholesome and macabre that both the story and the art have going on, and there were some fun and unique ideas for puzzles in there.”
- “The game combines storytelling with a variety of minigames, offering a mix of introspective moments and engaging gameplay that keeps players captivated throughout.”
- “Absolutely beautiful story and therapeutic game.”
- “The story itself was very depressing and I was expecting a happier ending and was left feeling pretty depressed after the game.”
- “The game itself is quite short and doesn't have much going on story-wise.”
- “Overall this is a very short yet sweet story game, with a hint of creepy.”
music
61 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
38%
5%
The music in the game is generally praised for its calming and whimsical qualities, effectively enhancing the overall atmosphere and complementing the beautiful artwork. However, some players noted a lack of variety, with only a few tracks that can feel repetitive over the game's short duration. Overall, the soundtrack is described as lovely and fitting, contributing to a relaxing and enjoyable gameplay experience.
- “The music follows suit by being soft and relaxing as well, making it all come full circle despite the art's dark nature.”
- “The art and music are lovely, the puzzles are simple and enjoyable, and the ending was a fun surprise.”
- “A pleasant and peculiar, creepy yet cozy experience with a lovely soundtrack.”
- “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.”
- “As is mentioned in other comments, the game's soundtrack is somewhat monotonic.”
- “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.”
gameplay
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
69%
8%
The gameplay is characterized by a blend of simple physics mechanics, hidden object tasks, and casual puzzles, creating a whimsical and engaging experience. While the mechanics are straightforward and often charming, some players noted issues with item collection disrupting the flow and occasional finicky controls affecting puzzle-solving. Overall, the game offers a short but enjoyable journey with a mix of storytelling and varied minigames, appealing to those who appreciate a laid-back gaming experience.
- “The game combines storytelling with a variety of minigames, offering a mix of introspective moments and engaging gameplay that keeps players captivated throughout.”
- “It's a short, simple, and whimsical game with some varied mechanics along with some solid art and music.”
- “Chill gameplay, simple and fun puzzles, beautiful art, plus a neat story.”
- “Gameplay-wise, it's a set of simple physics/hidden object games linked by a loose story where you're a slightly evil landlord, but it's okay because everyone is slightly evil.”
- “- Awkward item collection - the need for a second click to collect items disrupts the flow of the gameplay.”
- “During my gameplay, instead of solving puzzles, I felt like I was trying to grasp some abstract feelings by following the instructions.”
atmosphere
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
37%
10%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its compelling blend of intriguing narratives, unique art styles, and immersive soundtracks, creating a captivating yet macabre experience. Players appreciate the balance between unsettling themes and a comforting ambiance, allowing them to engage with the story and puzzles at a leisurely pace. Overall, the game's aesthetic and atmospheric elements contribute significantly to its charm, making it a memorable experience for those who enjoy atmospheric storytelling.
- “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.”
emotional
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a unique blend of macabre and wholesome elements, evoking a range of feelings from heartwarming joy to reflective sadness. Players appreciate the touching narratives and surprising twists that elicit laughter and tears, creating a memorable experience that feels both comforting and thought-provoking. Overall, the game successfully combines dark themes with uplifting moments, leaving players feeling emotionally fulfilled.
- “What a heart-wrenching experience, I loved it!”
- “I cried at the end.”
- “Fantastic music, emotional story with a very satisfying ending!”
humor
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's humor is described as a blend of lightheartedness and dark whimsy, often culminating in surprising and hilarious endings that resonate with players. While some found the humor to be a perfect fit, others felt it didn't align with their tastes. Overall, the game is praised for its funny storytelling and charming illustrations, creating a relaxing yet reflective experience.
- “The ending made me laugh wholeheartedly ♡”
- “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.”
stability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game has been reported to have several stability issues, including glitches and unresponsiveness, particularly with saving features. While some players find the bugs acceptable, others describe the experience as extremely buggy, impacting overall enjoyment.
- “Extremely buggy and weirdly unresponsive.”
- “Far too buggy.”
- “Interesting game, but a bit buggy.”
replayability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
17%
50%
Overall, the game is characterized by low replayability due to its linear story and fixed outcomes, leaving little incentive for players to revisit it after completion. While some players appreciate its unique charm and storytelling, the consensus is that there is minimal value in replaying the game.
- “Despite some drawbacks like limited intuitiveness and replay value, its unique charm makes it a worthwhile adventure for those who appreciate indie games with a focus on storytelling and art.”
- “I can't see much replayability for this title, but it's well worth the low cost nonetheless.”
- “Replayability: one & done.”
- “- Low replayability - with a linear story and fixed outcomes, there's little incentive to replay the game once you've finished it.”
- “There is absolutely no replay value.”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
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 fun puzzles and overall concepts, indicating that the character design enhances the 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!”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
100%
Reviews indicate that while grinding in the game is not overly tedious or challenging, it can be time-consuming, suggesting players may need to invest significant time to progress effectively.
- “Grinding in this game feels rewarding and keeps me engaged for hours.”
- “The grind is challenging but satisfying, making every achievement feel earned.”
- “I love how the grinding mechanics are balanced; it never feels like a chore.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Nothing tedious or extremely challenging.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
100%
Overall, users report that the game is well-optimized, experiencing minimal bugs and 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.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game is framed around the player's pursuit of a more fulfilling career as a landlord of the woods, suggesting a critique of traditional work-life balance and the pressures of societal expectations. Players may feel compelled to engage with the game's monetization strategies as a means to escape feelings of inadequacy and to find purpose.