Landlord of the Woods

About

Landlord of the Woods is a single player casual puzzle game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by madison karrh and was released on March 17, 2021. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

"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.

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Play Modes

Single-Player

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97%

Audience ScoreBased on 809 reviews

graphics112 positive mentions

stability8 negative mentions

Beautiful artwork and charming art style that enhances the overall experience.
Engaging and quirky story with a surprising twist at the end.
Relaxing gameplay with simple yet enjoyable puzzles that are easy to understand.

Game is very short, taking only about 30-60 minutes to complete.
Some minor bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, such as items getting stuck.
Lack of depth in puzzles may leave some players wanting more challenge.

graphics
219 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
48%
1%
The graphics of the game have been widely praised for their unique and charming art style, which combines whimsical and macabre elements to create a visually captivating experience. Players appreciate the hand-drawn visuals and the atmospheric aesthetic that enhances the game's narrative, often describing it as both beautiful and slightly unsettling. Overall, the art style is considered a standout feature, drawing players in and contributing significantly to the game's appeal.
- “The art style is gorgeous and the ending is so fantastic.”
- “The artwork is amazing, the puzzles are fun.”
- “The art style carries this game.”
- “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.”
- “The game features simple, fairly basic 2D visuals, and while some effort went into them, and they don't look bad exactly, they don't look great, either.”
story
168 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
58%
2%
The story of "Landlord of the Woods" is a short yet engaging narrative that blends quirky humor with a macabre twist, exploring themes of power, community, and existential dread. While some players found the linear and minimalistic approach to storytelling lacking depth, many appreciated its unique art style and the emotional resonance of its unexpected ending. Overall, the game offers a charming, surreal experience that captivates through its visuals and simple puzzles, making it a memorable indie adventure.
- “Landlord of the Woods is a brief but hauntingly memorable indie adventure that blends surrealist storytelling, understated humor, and quiet existential dread into a point-and-click puzzle game that defies traditional expectations.”
- “It’s a game for those seeking something different—a soft-spoken story that’s unsettling, comforting, and entirely unforgettable.”
- “The story is largely presented only in the beginning, so it's easy to quickly forget the underlying theme, being hypnotized by simple tasks performed for peculiar-looking tenants, and that’s precisely where the ending was lying in wait.”
- “The story is very relatable but minimal and linear (no reward for extra effort).”
- “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.”
music
82 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
39%
4%
The music in the game is generally praised for its calming and atmospheric qualities, enhancing the overall experience with soothing piano tracks and ambient sound design. However, some players noted that the soundtrack can be repetitive, with a desire for more variety in the music. Overall, the combination of beautiful art and fitting music creates a charming and relaxing atmosphere that many players found enjoyable.
- “The art and music design is fantastic, and I love the theme; highly recommend!”
- “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 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.”
- “Needs more music though, the repeating track gets a little annoying after a bit.”
- “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.”
gameplay
54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
70%
6%
The gameplay is characterized by its simplicity and casual nature, focusing on light environmental puzzles, item collection, and point-and-click mechanics. While some players appreciate the immersive storytelling and charming art style, others find the mechanics finicky and the puzzles occasionally unclear, leading to a mixed reception regarding depth and challenge. Overall, it offers a short, engaging experience that blends whimsical elements with a subtly eerie atmosphere, making it suitable for those seeking a relaxed gaming session rather than complex gameplay.
- “Developed by Madison Karrh, this title doesn’t rely on intricate mechanics or fast-paced action, but instead invites the player into a subtly eerie, pastel-tinted forest filled with strange creatures and even stranger requests.”
- “The beauty of the gameplay lies not in difficulty, but in how it weaves metaphor and theme through every task.”
- “The gameplay is incredibly similar to Birth and the vibe is quite similar, although it definitely doesn't prepare you for the ending!”
- “Players looking for deep gameplay mechanics or traditional narrative arcs may find it lacking.”
- “Some of the mechanics are a little finicky and some of the puzzles are a little unclear; however, is this a fun way to spend approximately 45 minutes for less than a dollar?”
- “The gameplay in general is not much to write home about, but it does have a certain simplistic charm.”
emotional
39 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a blend of heartwarming and macabre elements, creating a unique atmosphere that resonates with players. Many reviews highlight the touching narrative and surprising twists, which evoke feelings of nostalgia, reflection, and even tears, while the engaging puzzles enhance the overall experience. Overall, players find the game to be a short yet impactful journey that balances creepiness with warmth, leaving a lasting emotional impression.
- “Beautiful and heartbreaking.”
- “The sense of progression is emotional more than material, and each puzzle solved adds to the atmosphere of quiet unease and growing curiosity.”
- “What a heart-wrenching experience, I loved it!”
atmosphere
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
46%
8%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unique art style and emotional depth, creating a blend of cozy, eerie, and macabre elements that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the calming yet unsettling ambiance, complemented by a fitting soundtrack, which invites them to immerse themselves in the narrative and aesthetics rather than focus solely on the puzzles. While the atmosphere is a standout feature, it may not appeal to everyone, particularly those seeking more challenging gameplay.
- “The sense of progression is emotional more than material, and each puzzle solved adds to the atmosphere of quiet unease and growing curiosity.”
- “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.”
- “Despite its strength in mood and atmosphere, the game won’t be for everyone.”
- “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.”
humor
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of lightheartedness and dark undertones, with many players highlighting the unexpectedly funny endings that evoke laughter. The storytelling is described as cute and entertaining, often featuring surreal elements and plot twists that enhance the comedic experience. Overall, while some found the humor not to their taste, the majority appreciated its unique charm and the way it complemented the game's aesthetic and themes.
- “Landlord of the Woods is a brief but hauntingly memorable indie adventure that blends surrealist storytelling, understated humor, and quiet existential dread into a point-and-click puzzle game that defies traditional expectations.”
- “The ending has a surprisingly hilarious twist and made me laugh a bit.”
- “I found it very funny, and I enjoyed that melancholic tone with a relatable problem.”
stability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with many users noting it is "a bit buggy" and experiencing glitches, particularly with saving. While some found the issues manageable and resolved by restarting, others reported more severe bugs that affected gameplay. Overall, the stability is considered acceptable but could benefit from improvements.
- “Extremely buggy and weirdly unresponsive.”
- “Far too buggy.”
- “There were a few glitches especially with saving, but this is a game that can be easily finished in one go.”
replayability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
17%
50%
The game has low replayability due to its linear story and fixed outcomes, offering little incentive to replay 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 and 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
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
80%
20%
Reviewers praise the game's character development for its vibrant art style and creative character design, highlighting the playful environments and engaging puzzles. While some mention minor issues, the overall sentiment reflects a strong appreciation for the unique and charming character concepts that enhance the gaming experience.
- “I love the color palette, I love the experimentation in character design, I love the playful environments!”
- “Great art style and character design.”
- “The puzzles were fun and not frustrating; the art style and character designs are amazing.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat tedious, with some expressing that it lacks meaningful choices and rewards, leading to a feeling of repetitiveness. While the challenges are not overly difficult, the need for multiple playthroughs to fully experience the game can be frustrating for some.
- “My minor complaint is that, unless that 0% route is different (the game is just tedious enough with its two physics-based puzzles not to warrant a third playthrough), you only get one ending, making your actions feel apparently meaningless.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Nothing tedious or extremely challenging.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
33%
Overall, users report that the game feels well-optimized, with minimal bugs and clunkiness. However, the absence of a VSync option has led to some stuttering issues for certain players.
- “The game felt 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 clearly focused on optimization, as the performance is outstanding across various platforms.”
- “Less bugs, almost no clunkiness, but there is no VSync option, which leads to stuttering.”
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 they transition from feeling stagnant in their current life to taking on the role of a landlord in a whimsical setting. This shift highlights a blend of escapism and ambition, suggesting that the game's monetization strategy may involve engaging players in a rewarding, albeit fantastical, economic system.

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5h Median play time

6h Average play time

4-8h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Landlord of the Woods is a casual puzzle game with fantasy theme.

Landlord of the Woods is available on PC, Mac OS and Windows.

On average players spend around 6 hours playing Landlord of the Woods.

Landlord of the Woods was released on March 17, 2021.

Landlord of the Woods was developed by madison karrh.

Landlord of the Woods has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its graphics but disliked it for its stability.

Landlord of the Woods is a single player game.

Similar games include Birth, Assemble with Care, Toem, The Last Campfire, Samorost 2 and others.

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