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Loddlenaut

Loddlenaut is a relaxing survival-lite title which offers up a satisfying gameplay loop with a beautiful and important message at its core.
Loddlenaut Game Cover
95%Game Brain Score
gameplay, graphics
grinding, stability
98% User Score Based on 4,013 reviews
Critic Score 80%Based on 1 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchPCMac OSSteam DeckWindows
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Loddlenaut Game Cover

About

Loddlenaut is a single player open world simulation game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by Moon Lagoon and was released on November 16, 2023. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

Loddlenaut is an ocean cleanup adventure set on a vibrant alien planet. Play as an interstellar custodian sent to clean up a polluted ocean planet. Repurpose marine debris and take care of axolotl-like alien creatures! As you clean up the planet, you’ll run into axolotl-like aliens known as “loddles.” Protect them from the polluted waters and feed them aquatic fruits while you make their planet h…

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Loddlenaut screenshot
Loddlenaut screenshot
Loddlenaut screenshot
Loddlenaut screenshot
Loddlenaut screenshot
Loddlenaut screenshot
Loddlenaut screenshot
Loddlenaut screenshot
Loddlenaut screenshot
Loddlenaut screenshot
Loddlenaut screenshot
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98%
Audience ScoreBased on 4,013 reviews
gameplay203 positive mentions
grinding89 negative mentions
  • Adorable and cozy art style with cute, diverse creatures called Loddles.
  • Relaxing and satisfying gameplay loop involving cleaning pollution and upgrading tools.
  • Engaging creature care mechanics with feeding and breeding Loddles that evolve based on diet.
  • Game is relatively short, with main story completion around 4-7 hours and 100% achievements taking a bit longer.
  • Some mechanics, including Loddle evolution and breeding, lack clear in-game guidance and can be tedious.
  • Traveling and inventory management can be slow or cumbersome at times, impacting pacing.
  • gameplay
    558 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Loddlenaut offers a simple, cohesive, and satisfying gameplay loop centered around cleaning ocean pollution, crafting upgrades, and caring for adorable creatures called loddles. The mechanics are easy to learn and relaxing, with a well-paced progression, charming visuals, and soothing sound design, making it a cozy experience ideal for casual play and winding down. However, some players find the gameplay repetitive and shallow over longer sessions, the pet-raising mechanics underdeveloped and poorly explained, and the overall content somewhat limited, suggesting it’s best enjoyed as a short, chill distraction rather than a deep or challenging game.

    • “The gameplay loop is so addicting I accidentally spent 10 hours playing it in a row, and that made me pull an all-nighter.”
    • “Loddlenaut is a charming underwater adventure that combines environmental stewardship with cozy gameplay mechanics.”
    • “The gameplay loop is simple and understandable - and fun, and I feel like the game is at the perfect length to where it does not drag on too much.”
    • “The gameplay loop may become tedious after a while, even though it's not a huge game.”
    • “Truly though – and this is the biggest problem – maybe I wouldn’t have even made comment of their design, if it wasn’t for the fact that they’re just kind of “there”. They never become the focus of the main gameplay loop; their evolution mechanics, which are required for achievement hunting, are never well explained and really, throughout the whole experience, they just feel at best like a cute afterthought with some mechanical purpose for environmental purification and biodiversity, and at worse, they feel like a nuisance, null-and-void in purpose, annoying to upkeep, manage, and clean whenever you find a new one and accidentally swim too close to it while cleaning.”
    • “The game is short enough that the slightly janky cleaning mechanics are acceptable.”
  • graphics
    352 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics feature a charming, cute, and cozy art style with customizable pixelation levels, blending retro pixel aesthetics with smooth, colorful 3D visuals. Many users praise the relaxing, visually pleasing environments and adorable creature designs, though a few note that the pixelation can cause minor eye strain. Overall, the graphics strongly support the game’s calming underwater theme and contribute significantly to its appeal.

    • “Phenomenal graphics (& I really appreciate the ability to change how pixelated they are), but I feel like the gameplay loop undoes your progress too liberally for this sort of genre.”
    • “The art style is soft and colorful, with rounded edges, gentle lighting, and a palette of pastels that gives every environment a dreamlike tone.”
    • “The graphics are charming and vibrant, bringing the ocean world to life with a soothing palette and delightful creature designs.”
  • story
    337 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in this game is simple, cozy, and environmentally themed, focusing on cleaning up a polluted ocean planet and restoring its ecosystem. While many appreciate the charming setting, adorable creatures, and gentle progression, the narrative is notably short and lacks depth or dramatic twists, often leaving players wishing for more content or expanded lore. Overall, the story provides enough motivation to enjoy the relaxing gameplay but is not the main focus or a rich, complex experience.

    • “Loddlenaut, developed by Moon Lagoon and published by Secret Mode, is a tranquil and heartfelt underwater adventure that blends environmental storytelling with creature care and gentle exploration. Set on the alien ocean planet Gup-14, the game casts you as an interstellar cleaner on a mission to rehabilitate a world left polluted and barren by the negligence of a long-gone corporation called Guppi. Caring for them adds an emotional layer to the game’s environmental mechanics, transforming your cleanup mission into a more personal journey of stewardship. Through scattered logs and environmental details, you piece together the story of Guppi—a faceless corporation that exploited Gup-14’s natural resources and left it in ruin.”
    • “The story, visuals, sound, etc. are all so whimsical and tender and joyful. The pacing is incredible, it's because the story and cleanup is so fast. The story had a great hook too! It was fun, and took some time as well so it scratched the itch that a lot of 'cleaning/fixing' games do but in a much more cozy setting with a unique story and creature aspect as well. The story is simple but detailed enough to follow and get invested in. Amazing story and gameplay.”
    • “Each location tells a story with its pollution, using everything from the types of litter to the location and abundance of microplastics and goop to give you a sense of what exactly Guppi was doing there along with the unintentional consequences that came with it. It really helps sell the impact of your efforts more than any NPC dialogue or mission log check mark ever could.”
    • “I just wish there was more depth with the Guppi storyline; it felt like they were going somewhere and then just didn't. Honestly, I'd rather they just cut it and leave it ambiguous rather than the half-assed story we got. The holo badges could've been so cool, but most of them end up being literally nothing, which is really disappointing. Also, some mechanics are explained, but big mechanics are left for you to figure out, which feels like a glaring issue for players who aren't familiar with games. Halfway through, I had already unlocked all the upgrades, which made the rest of the game feel like a bit of a chore because I knew it wasn't ever going to get slower.”
    • “Graphics are good, story sucks, loddles are not implemented well, many elements of the game are made to waste your time, there are not a lot of upgrades to chase making all materials abundant halfway through the game, the soundtrack isn't very impressive, the game teases upcoming content and then it's over, the cleanup gets boring real quick, the cleanup is 90% of effective gameplay, your assistant is really annoying and thinks you're a moron, lacking content, waste of time, money, and expectations.”
    • “Most flat and empty story with no depth at all, ending is just a 3-second pan of your ship leaving a cave and that's it! No lore pieces following or anything backing up the supposed story you're trying to follow.”
  • music
    329 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in this game is widely praised for its relaxing, ambient, and soothing qualities, perfectly complementing the cozy underwater setting and gameplay. Reviewers highlight its calming and immersive nature, adaptive layers that evolve with progress, and its ability to create a peaceful atmosphere ideal for unwinding. The soundtrack, often described as beautiful and memorable, is a major contributor to the game's charm alongside adorable visuals and cute creatures.

    • “The soundtrack by quarkimo is one of the most beautiful game soundtracks I've ever heard.”
    • “The stellar work on the score by quarkimo is nothing short of ambient brilliance and clearly shows a musical mind that understood what the game was and how to transplant that headspace from game to sheet music.”
    • “The soundtrack perfectly complements the serene atmosphere, making it a truly immersive experience.”
    • “Soundtrack fits the game but is not very memorable.”
    • “The music doesn't stop when the game loses focus, though, which can be annoying if you need to concentrate on something else.”
    • “Art style is very cute and enjoyable, impeccable sound design, lovely if very repetitive music.”
  • emotional
    148 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players consistently describe the game as deeply wholesome, heartwarming, and emotionally touching, often becoming attached to the adorable creatures and feeling a genuine connection to the environmental cleanup mission. Many report feeling relaxed, comforted, and even moved to tears by the game's peaceful pacing, cute art, and meaningful narrative about care and restoration. Overall, it provides a soothing and emotionally rewarding experience for those seeking a cozy, compassionate adventure.

    • “When it came to the end and I had to say goodbye to all the loddles I've found and given a new home to, I got a bit emotional.”
    • “Caring for them adds an emotional layer to the game’s environmental mechanics, transforming your cleanup mission into a more personal journey of stewardship.”
    • “It’s a meditative, heartwarming journey about responsibility, compassion, and the joy of restoration.”
  • grinding
    98 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Grinding in this game is generally manageable and not mandatory, but completionists seeking all achievements or loddle variations will encounter tedious and repetitive tasks, especially involving breeding and backtracking. While the core gameplay remains relaxing and enjoyable, some players find the late-game grind for resources and loddles slows the pace and feels somewhat sloggy. Overall, the grinding is minimal for casual play but can become a notable chore for those pushing for 100% completion.

    • “Very cute, not grindy, most chill game out there :)”
    • “Fair and not grindy.”
    • “No grinding for resources in this game!”
    • “Tacking on a pet raising sim to pad out gameplay doesn't help, either; the chance of finding a baby loddle before they evolve on their own so you can raise them exactly how you wish is practically impossible, and feeding after the evolution progress is at 100% does, as you might expect, absolutely nothing—a tedious time waster at best, and the world building is nowhere near good enough to justify the extra hours of investment for 100% completion.”
    • “Gets grindy if you want to do absolutely everything like all steam achievements or getting all gold tools.”
    • “It makes for a considerable amount of grinding not found anywhere else in the game and throws off the pace quite drastically.”
  • atmosphere
    62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for being cozy, calming, and immersive, enhanced by its soothing music and charming art style. Players find the peaceful underwater setting and gentle soundtrack perfect for relaxation and stress-free gameplay, creating a consistently pleasant and meditative experience. Overall, the atmosphere is a standout feature that deeply engages players and complements the game's casual, soothing nature.

    • “Free-roaming stress-free biomes, enveloped by soothing scores and pleasant sounds, promote atmospherically cozy vibes.”
    • “The atmosphere is so calming, beautiful, and feels vast.”
    • “The gentle soundtrack and soothing sound effects create a calming atmosphere that makes this a perfect game to unwind with after a long day.”
  • replayability
    54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Replayability for the game is mixed, with many players finding it limited due to its short length and repetitive tasks, though collecting different creatures and casual exploration add some incentive for replay. The relaxing atmosphere and ongoing updates, such as mini-gardening and new biomes, enhance replay value for those who enjoy low-pressure gameplay. Overall, while not highly replayable for everyone, fans of chill, cute experiences may find it worth multiple playthroughs or returning after breaks.

    • “It truly deserves to be nominated for the Labor of Love award due to the devs' efforts to update and continually show love to this wonderful, soothing game It's also incredibly replayable (within the same save!) with the mini-gardening system added among the Goddles update, and the gorgeous new biome included.”
    • “However, about 2 weeks after completing the game, I was eager to start a new game and go back into the calming waters of Planet Gup-14, so I believe the relaxed feel of Loddlenaut definitely adds replay value and counteracts its fairly short game length.”
    • “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'm not a frequent reviewer, and I likely won't play this game again sadly as it lacks replayability (unless they add new content of course).”
    • “Only gripe is the game's main objective is pretty quick to complete at roughly 3-4 hours of playtime, with not much replay value unless you're going for 100% completion and collecting all loddles.”
    • “The game is short (~10 hours) and has no replay value.”
  • humor
    16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game features gentle, quirky humor primarily through item descriptions, character commentary, and collectible logs, adding charm without overwhelming the experience. Players appreciate the funny dialogue and playful touches like personalized character names, making it a lighthearted and enjoyable game. Overall, the humor is subtle, endearing, and complements the relaxed gameplay well.

    • “The gentle humor sprinkled through the game’s item descriptions and the quirky nature of the loddles ensure that the message never feels heavy-handed.”
    • “This is a very cute game with fun mechanics and funny dialogue.”
    • “I absolutely love Dave, the commentary was spot on and funny.”
  • stability
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game runs smoothly and stably across various setups, including the Steam Deck, with minimal to no bugs or glitches reported. While a few minor freezes were noted, overall performance is solid and enjoyable.

    • “Runs great on pretty much any setup, Steam Deck included.”
    • “Runs great on Steam Deck with high settings.”
    • “Super cute and runs great on Steam Deck!”
    • “Ran into just one or two glitches where it froze for a few seconds but caught right up.”
    • “A little buggy but it's so calming.”
  • optimization
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is well-optimized, running smoothly and performing perfectly even on the Steam Deck. Its lightweight nature ensures no significant performance issues, making it ideal for players seeking a polished experience without demanding hardware.

    • “It's a pretty light title, so I don't think anyone can have big issues performance-wise. If you need a refresher from AAA games with amazing graphics and so on, this game might be perfect for that.”
    • “Performance is perfect on Steam Deck, which I used to play this game during my work commute, so I at least got something useful done those days.”
    • “The game is polished and runs smoothly.”
  • monetization
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Users appreciate the advertising that led them to purchase the game, finding the overall value well worth the investment.

  • character development
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The character development is praised for its adorable design, contributing to an engaging and satisfying gameplay experience with straightforward mechanics.

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80%Critics’ scoreBased on 1 critic reviews
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7h Median play time
7h Average play time
5-9h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 49 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Loddlenaut is a open world simulation game with science fiction theme.

Loddlenaut is available on Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac OS, Steam Deck and others.

On average players spend around 7 hours playing Loddlenaut.

Loddlenaut was released on November 16, 2023.

Loddlenaut was developed by Moon Lagoon.

Loddlenaut has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked Loddlenaut for its gameplay but disliked it for its grinding.

Loddlenaut is a single player game.

Similar games include Fresh Start, TOEM, Slime Rancher, Slime Rancher, Mushi Come Home and others.