Loddlenaut

Loddlenaut is a relaxing survival-lite title which offers up a satisfying gameplay loop with a beautiful and important message at its core.

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"Loddlenaut is a single-player, open-world sci-fi game where you clean up an alien ocean planet as an interstellar custodian. Raise and care for adorable axolotl-like creatures called 'loddles' while uncovering an intriguing story of a spacefaring mega-corporation's abandonment. With splendid visuals, masterful soundtrack, and various gadgets to unlock, Loddlenaut offers an emotional, immersive experience, though be prepared for some grinding."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

79%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,829 reviews

gameplay139 positive mentions

grinding60 negative mentions

Loddlenaut is an adorable and relaxing game that combines cleaning the ocean with caring for cute creatures called Loddles.
The game features charming graphics, soothing music, and satisfying gameplay that makes it enjoyable to play.
Players appreciate the game's simplicity and the ability to take things at their own pace, making it a perfect choice for relaxation.

The game is relatively short, with many players completing it in around 4-6 hours, leading to concerns about its value at full price.
Some players find the re-contamination mechanic frustrating, as cleaned areas gradually become polluted again, making it feel like progress is undone.
There is a lack of depth in the Loddle care mechanics, with some players wishing for more interaction and a better tracking system for Loddle evolutions.

gameplay
343 mentions
41 % positive mentions
55 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
Loddlenaut features a charming and relaxing gameplay experience, combining simple mechanics with soothing visuals and music, reminiscent of titles like PowerWash Simulator and Subnautica. While the gameplay loop is engaging and satisfying, many players noted its brevity, with around 4-5 hours of content and limited replayability, leading to some concerns about its value at full price. Overall, the game is praised for its cozy atmosphere and adorable aesthetics, though some mechanics, like the loddles and pollution respawning, could benefit from further development for a more enriching experience.
- “Loddlenaut is an awesome break from the noise of daily life and the emptiness of the modern-day world and gaming: relaxing music, relaxing gameplay and visuals, taking things at your own pace all wrapped into a very well-crafted idea.”
- “The gameplay loop is fun and relaxing while the graphics are cute and light.”
- “The gameplay is smooth and satisfying!”
- “However, for only 4 hours of gameplay and 0 replayability, I don't think that it was worth the price at 24.99 CAD... I wish there was more to do.”
- “The first and main complaint that I have is that the loddles, the main staple of the game and what it is named after, offer practically nothing to the gameplay.”
- “However, I found that the gameplay was very bland compared to the other sit back and relax games here on Steam.”
graphics
260 mentions
48 % positive mentions
51 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The graphics of Loddlenaut are widely praised for their charming and vibrant art style, which combines a cute, low-poly aesthetic with soothing colors and delightful creature designs. Players appreciate the relaxing atmosphere created by the visuals and music, noting that the graphics enhance the overall cozy experience of the game. While some mention minor mechanical issues, the general consensus is that the adorable graphics and unique art style contribute significantly to the game's appeal.
- “The graphics are charming and vibrant, bringing the ocean world to life with a soothing palette and delightful creature designs.”
- “This game is an absolute gem that combines stunning visuals and engaging gameplay.”
- “Loddlenaut's pixelated art style and chill soundtrack create a relaxing atmosphere as you use your bubble gun to clean up contaminated plants, scenery, and loddles.”
- “Cute art style, cute critters, mediocre and bland gameplay, and a short and unengaging story.”
- “4/7; mediocre, but of interest for game devs looking for unique aesthetics.”
- “I love the art style as well - though I do wish more of the game was pixel art instead of a pixel filter over 3D animation (but I get that would be really hard to do) - it's bright and fits the theme of the game well, and is simplistic without feeling boring.”
music
244 mentions
59 % positive mentions
40 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The music in Loddlenaut is widely praised for its calming and soothing qualities, perfectly complementing the game's relaxing gameplay and charming visuals. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a key element that enhances the overall cozy atmosphere, making it an enjoyable experience for unwinding and immersing oneself in the game's world. Many players appreciate the nostalgic feel of the music, likening it to classic relaxing games, and note that it contributes significantly to the game's appeal as a stress-free adventure.
- “The soundtrack perfectly complements the serene atmosphere, making it a truly immersive experience.”
- “The music is fantastic; I have listened to it many days in a row on Spotify on my way to school. The game and the music make me very calm and settled while playing and listening.”
- “You'll be enchanted by a beautiful soundtrack, lulling you into a zen state while you play this game.”
- “The music, graphics, and play style was all so comforting and relaxing.”
- “The soundtrack is relaxing and complements the vibe of the game; it's not gonna blow your mind or anything, but it wasn't intrusive.”
- “If you can find anything negative out of this game, it's that it ends and you have a hole in your heart where the loddles (and music) once were.”
story
222 mentions
30 % positive mentions
69 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally perceived as charming yet brief, with most players completing it in about 3 to 6 hours. While the narrative touches on themes of environmental conservation and features cute characters, many reviewers express a desire for more depth and content, feeling that the story doesn't fully wrap up or explore its potential. Overall, it offers a cozy experience with a simple plot that serves as a backdrop to the gameplay rather than a central focus.
- “I got super invested in the story and got genuinely emotionally attached to my loddles in a way I didn't expect.”
- “The story is sweet, the helper Dave is nice and goes through a little arc with the loddles.”
- “The story is intriguing and I'd love to explore more worlds in this game!”
- “I had thought there was going to be more of a story, but getting to the end of the story mode didn't really wrap anything up.”
- “The story kind of just acknowledges pollution exists, the company that did the pollution sucks for doing that polluting, and then we don't go to the natural follow-up of talking about the sci-fi company in a way that truly makes it an analogy for real-world corporate pollution.”
- “However, the story ended in a really flat manner that I think didn't really match what they were doing with the commentary throughout the game.”
emotional
84 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is overwhelmingly positive, with players expressing deep attachments to the adorable characters and heartfelt narratives. Many reviewers noted that the game evoked strong feelings, including joy and sadness, particularly at its conclusion, making it a memorable and life-changing experience. Overall, it is described as a charming, wholesome, and relaxing game that resonates emotionally with players of all ages.
- “I got super invested in the story and got genuinely emotionally attached to my loddles in a way I didn't expect.”
- “This game made me love and then made me cry.”
- “It was actually quite emotional to say goodbye.”
grinding
64 mentions
3 % positive mentions
3 % neutral mentions
94 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of "Loddlenaut" has received mixed feedback, with many players finding certain elements, such as waiting for loddles to breed and the need for repetitive back-and-forth travel, to be tedious. While some appreciate the game's relaxing nature and cozy vibe, they note that the grind can detract from the overall enjoyment, especially in the later stages. Overall, the game is seen as a charming experience, but the grinding mechanics may not appeal to everyone.
- “No grinding for resources in this game!”
- “I reached the end and only need a few more loddles to complete everything, but grinding for them isn't as fun as the rest of the mechanics, so I've taken a break after finishing the main story.”
- “Ultimately, I did enjoy this game, but the grinding near the end did expose some of the flaws in the game.”
- “If I had to give any negative feedback, it would be how tedious it is to have to travel back and forth from areas without fast travel.”
atmosphere
36 mentions
61 % positive mentions
31 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its cute aesthetic, soothing music, and relaxing ambiance, creating a cozy and immersive experience. Players appreciate the intuitive controls and the charming pixelated art style, which together enhance the overall calming vibe. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke a sense of tranquility, making it a standout in the "cozy game" genre.
- “The adorable characters and soothing music create a relaxing atmosphere that's perfect for unwinding.”
- “Loddlenaut's pixelated art style and chill soundtrack create a relaxing atmosphere as you use your bubble gun to clean up contaminated plants, scenery, and loddles.”
- “The music, the atmosphere, the loddles -- I wish there was more, and hope there will be DLC in the future.”
- “It's graphics and atmosphere may remind you of games like 'A Short Hike' and 'Lil' Gator Game', but it does enough different to earn its place in the pantheon of wholesome cozy Steam games.”
- “Perhaps the coziest water planet, all the game's parts gel into a cohesive atmosphere very well.”
replayability
24 mentions
33 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players find it charming and enjoyable with nearly infinite replay value due to customization and exploration, others feel it lacks depth and content, leading to limited replayability after a short playtime of around 5-6 hours. Many reviewers suggest that additional features, such as more map elements and random generation, could enhance the overall replay experience. Overall, it offers a relaxing experience but may not justify the price for those seeking extensive replayability.
- “This game is perfectly short and sweet with lots of replayability and cuteness.”
- “You can customize little friends, have them help you clean and farm food, adventure around the map at your own leisure, and the replay value is so good!”
- “I completed the game in about 5 hours on the dot, but this game definitely has replay value in my opinion, and if I didn't complete the ending sequence I could've stayed in the ocean and explored more and played with the loddles and cleaned up the ocean more since it slowly becomes dirty again as you play.”
- “I'd give this a thumbs up if there was a bit more to the map, more things you could build, more plants, some random generation for replayability, etc. but although the game is at version 1.1 it feels like a well-polished early access game, still waiting to be filled out with more content.”
- “It's a good little game to get on sale and relax but there isn't much replayability.”
- “Not really worth the money for only 4 hours of playtime and not much replayability.”
humor
14 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players finding it cute and funny, particularly enjoying the character Dave and the witty commentary. Many reviews highlight the game's lightheartedness and charm, making it a delightful experience, though some mention that the controls can lead to unintended comedic moments. Overall, the humor contributes significantly to the game's appeal, leaving players wanting more.
- “It's cute and funny, and I wish with all my heart it could have lasted longer because it simply is one of the best games I've ever played.”
- “I absolutely love Dave, the commentary was spot on and funny.”
- “I love this funny little game.”
stability
4 mentions
50 % positive mentions
-25 % neutral mentions
75 % negative mentions
Overall, the game demonstrates solid stability, with users reporting only a few minor glitches that resulted in brief freezes, which were quickly resolved. It performs well on the Steam Deck, contributing to a positive experience.
- “Super cute and runs great on Steam Deck!”
- “I encountered a few glitches that caused the game to freeze for a few seconds, but it eventually caught up.”
- “There were several instances where the game froze momentarily, which disrupted the experience.”
- “The game stability is questionable, as I faced multiple freezes that interrupted my gameplay.”
monetization
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy primarily relies on social media advertising, which effectively attracts players and encourages purchases, leading to positive feedback about the game's value.
optimization
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game is well-optimized, featuring a polished experience that runs smoothly without any noticeable performance issues.
- “The game is polished and runs smoothly.”
character development
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The character development is highlighted by its adorable design and straightforward mechanics, contributing to an overall satisfying gameplay experience.