Ogu and the Secret Forest
- March 23, 2023
- Sinkhole Studio
- 50h median play time
Get on Steam"Ogu and the Secret Forest" is a 2D adventure game featuring hand-drawn characters and various puzzles. Explore different areas with unique atmospheres and stories, solve classic and unique puzzles to uncover secrets, and defeat enemies to save the world. Collect hats and masks for Baby Ogu, some with special skills, and discover various landmarks in this charming world.
iPad
iPhone
Mac OS
PC
Phone
Steam Deck
Windows
Mobile Platform
Reviews
- Ogu and the Secret Forest offers a charming and whimsical adventure with a delightful art style and engaging story, reminiscent of classic Zelda games.
- The game features a variety of puzzles and collectibles that encourage exploration, providing a satisfying balance of challenge without being overly difficult.
- Players appreciate the relaxing atmosphere and the option to play in 'Baby Mode', which allows for a stress-free experience while enjoying the game's content.
- Some players find the combat system to be clunky and lacking depth, making it less enjoyable compared to other aspects of the game.
- The grind required for 100% completion, particularly in collecting items for the museum, can be tedious and frustrating for some players.
- Certain puzzles and mechanics may feel unintuitive or overly simplistic, leading to moments of boredom or confusion during gameplay.
- story51 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The game's story is characterized as cute, whimsical, and engaging, with a heartwarming narrative that allows players to explore at their own pace. While the main plot follows a familiar hero's journey to save the world, it is complemented by charming characters, amusing interactions, and a variety of side quests that enhance the overall experience. Although some players found the story to be somewhat generic or simple, many appreciated its lighthearted tone and the joy it brings through exploration and character interactions.
“The story was well-written and kept me engaged throughout.”
“With no pressure to rush or compete, it lets you fully immerse yourself in its heartwarming story and enjoy the journey of being a hero at your own pace.”
“The game's engaging storyline and delightful cast of characters, combined with its challenging puzzles, make it a must-play for fans of the genre and anyone who appreciates storytelling and storybook visuals.”
“The characters are fun, though as the game progressed it kind of lost me on the story arc, because too many gods and peoples and weird terms and beasts were involved and towards the end I mostly skipped over most of the dialogue.”
“The story is pretty generic, although there's some genuinely amusing stuff here and there.”
“The combat is clunky, the puzzles are uninteresting, the story exists and nothing more.”
- graphics34 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming, cartoon-like art style that evokes a sense of whimsy and nostalgia. Players appreciate the adorable character designs and vibrant environments, which create a relaxing and immersive atmosphere, despite some noting that certain cutscenes may lack resolution. Overall, the hand-drawn visuals and attention to detail contribute significantly to the game's appeal, making it a delightful experience for fans of cute aesthetics and engaging storytelling.
“Despite having relatively simple graphics, the art style oozes charm and perfectly suits the game’s whimsical tone.”
“The attention to detail in the artwork is truly breathtaking, immersing players in a vibrant and living world.”
“The graphics are gorgeous with a really childlike aesthetic to it that I personally love, but acknowledge might be an acquired taste.”
“Graphics are ok, some cut scenes were low res, despite the game supporting 4k.”
“With that out of the way, the graphics, the audio, the animation, and the general feel are all amazing.”
“I think some people will see the cute aesthetic and think the game has no substance, which is a shame, because there is absolutely a game worthy of your time under the cuteness.”
- gameplay30 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a mix of enjoyable mechanics, collectibles, and puzzles, creating a fun and lighthearted experience, though some players find it overwhelming and occasionally repetitive. While certain areas introduce unique mechanics that provide a refreshing change of pace, others feel the overall gameplay lacks depth and can be frustrating due to random elements. Despite these criticisms, many appreciate the cozy atmosphere and engaging art style, making it a delightful adventure for fans of the genre.
“The gameplay is different, a bit complex at times, as sometimes I got lost trying to find the tool I needed to advance, but it's fun overall.”
“Fun and lighthearted with great gameplay!”
“Super adorable with a lot of collectibles and mechanics to keep things interesting throughout, great cozy game.”
“Mechanically, this is only 'okay' -- there genuinely isn't anything too special about the way this plays.”
“I felt overwhelmed by some mechanics in the game.”
“Even though it had very repetitive gameplay, I had a lot of fun finishing the game.”
- emotional12 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its heartwarming and wholesome narrative, enhanced by charming characters and engaging cutscenes that evoke a cozy atmosphere. Players appreciate the relaxing pace that allows for full immersion in the story, often leading to a profound emotional impact, making it a recommended choice for those seeking a comforting gaming experience. Overall, it is celebrated as a delightful adventure that leaves a lasting emotional impression.
“With no pressure to rush or compete, it lets you fully immerse yourself in its heartwarming story and enjoy the journey of being a hero at your own pace.”
“Few games these days leave me with the emotional impact that Ogu and the Secret Forest has.”
“If you're looking for a game to unwind with, or if you simply want to experience a heartwarming story, I wholeheartedly recommend it.”
- music11 mentions
- 91 % positive mentions
- 9 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its beautiful composition and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, creating a serene and enchanting experience. Players appreciate how the soundtrack complements the visuals and gameplay, with specific themes like water and desert being highlighted for their quality. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's immersive qualities.
“The soothing visuals and music create a serene atmosphere, making it an ideal choice for unwinding after a long day.”
“The music complements the visuals perfectly, creating an enchanting atmosphere that draws players deeper into the world.”
“The music is top notch and well composed for each occasion.”
- grinding10 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game tedious and frustrating, particularly due to unresponsive controls on the Steam Deck and the excessive effort required for upgrades and collections. While some grinding is necessary for achievements and 100% completion, it is not mandatory to complete the game, allowing players to skip the more grind-heavy elements if desired. Overall, the grind is often seen as unreasonably time-consuming, especially for specific collectibles and tasks like fishing and museum contributions.
“Upgrading your hats is unreasonably grindy for no particular reward.”
“I didn't bother going for 100% completion because some of the things required seemed annoyingly grindy, but none of that is required to beat the game so you can skip the collectathon if it's not to your liking.”
“I'm especially annoyed by how grindy and RNG-heavy the museum collection is (required for the hidden ending); fishing and chests especially can take so much time since their appearance rates are so low.”
- atmosphere6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is consistently described as relaxing and enchanting, enhanced by soothing visuals and music that create a serene environment perfect for unwinding. Players appreciate the welcoming openness of the game, which enriches the storytelling experience, while the positive and bright ambiance, along with charming characters and engaging side quests, further immerses them in the world.
“The soothing visuals and music create a serene atmosphere, making it an ideal choice for unwinding after a long day.”
“The music complements the visuals perfectly, creating an enchanting atmosphere that draws players deeper into the world.”
“However, all of them focused on a relaxing atmosphere, so they naturally fade into the background for me.”
“The openness of the game as well as its welcoming atmosphere really pulled me in and made the stories encountered on my adventures so much more memorable.”
“Positive and bright atmosphere, cute characters, appropriate puzzle difficulty (at least for me), boss battles with familiar yet new gimmicks for gamers, and small, charming side quests.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its charming and humorous art style, lovable characters, and a storyline filled with wit and charm reminiscent of late 90s Nickelodeon shows. Players appreciate the blend of cute visuals and subtle humor, making for an entertaining experience.
“This game has such an amazing and funny art style, and the characters are so lovable.”
“Great story, funny characters, cute art, and hats!”
“With art and subtle humor akin to a late 90s Nickelodeon show that should have existed.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its strong replayability, offering a wealth of puzzles and exploration opportunities, making it a worthwhile experience at an affordable price.
“If you’re looking for an indie title that offers plenty of puzzles, exploration, and replay value at a budget-friendly price, this is definitely a must-play.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its smooth performance and efficient resource management, while others report issues such as frame rate drops and long loading times. Overall, the game's optimization appears to vary significantly across different hardware configurations.
“The optimization in this game is top-notch, allowing for smooth gameplay even on lower-end systems.”
“I love how the developers have fine-tuned the performance settings, making it easy to customize for the best experience.”
“The game's optimization really shines, providing a seamless experience with minimal loading times and stable frame rates.”
“The game runs poorly on even high-end systems, making it frustrating to play.”
“I experienced constant frame drops and stuttering, which ruined the immersion.”
“The optimization is so bad that loading times are excessively long, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The character development is highlighted by charming designs and engaging gameplay, complemented by an intriguing story that appeals to a wide audience.
“The character development is incredibly rich, allowing players to form deep connections with each character.”
“I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, making every decision feel impactful.”
“The backstories and personal growth of the characters add so much depth to the overall narrative.”
