Ogu and the Secret Forest
- March 23, 2023
- Sinkhole Studio
Ogu and the Secret Forest is an adorable take on the tried and tested Zelda formula, with varied gameplay and loads of hats to wear.
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
- The game features a charming art style and immersive sound design, creating a delightful atmosphere for exploration and puzzle-solving.
- There is a good variety of quests and collectibles, making the gameplay engaging and rewarding for players who enjoy exploration and mini-games.
- The combat and puzzle difficulty is well-balanced, making it accessible for casual gamers while still providing enjoyable challenges.
- The game can become grindy, especially when trying to complete the museum collection, with low spawn rates for certain items and collectibles.
- The story is considered generic and predictable, lacking depth and engagement compared to the overall charm of the gameplay.
- Some gameplay mechanics, such as the combat system and certain puzzles, can feel clunky or unintuitive, leading to frustration for players.
- story20 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The story is generally considered cute and engaging, featuring a variety of quests and amusing elements, though it leans towards a generic narrative. While the well-written plot keeps players interested, some reviewers feel it lacks depth and could benefit from more flavor. Overall, the game rewards exploration and side quests, making the experience enjoyable despite some criticisms of the puzzles and combat.
“The story was well-written and kept me engaged throughout.”
“The story is very cute and fun and the characters are adorable.”
“It takes about 10~12 hours to beat the story mode and an additional 20 hours + for 100% completion.”
“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.”
“It has a lot of different things going on and most of the story-line puzzles aren't too difficult, so if you're not big on puzzles you can get through them pretty easily.”
- graphics14 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's graphics feature a charming and simple art style that enhances the overall experience without detracting from gameplay. Many players appreciate the cute aesthetic and beautifully designed environments, particularly the moonlight forest, which evokes nostalgia and complements the game's fun and expansive nature. Overall, the visuals are well-received, making it an ideal choice for relaxing gaming sessions.
“I love the art style and environment.”
“The moonlight forest is so aesthetically pleasing.”
“The graphics are so nice, reminds me of other indie games I like (Turnip Boy, Stardew Valley, etc.) and it's surprisingly really expansive.”
- gameplay7 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Ogu and the Secret Forest" is characterized by a rich variety of mechanics, including puzzles, exploration, and mini-game style boss fights, reminiscent of classic Zelda titles. While some players noted the repetitiveness of certain elements, the overall experience remains enjoyable and engaging, enhanced by collectathon features and charming aesthetics.
“A fantastic 2D Zelda-like game with added collectathon mechanics.”
“Even though it had very repetitive gameplay, I had a lot of fun finishing the game.”
“Ogu and the Secret Forest is an adorable take on the tried and tested Zelda formula, with varied gameplay and loads of hats to wear.”
“Lots of little mechanics, mini-game feeling boss fights, puzzles, exploration, secrets, bug catching, fishing, cooking, the list goes on.”
- music4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music and sound design in the game are highly praised, particularly the themes associated with water and desert areas, such as the temples, which contribute to an immersive experience. Overall, the music is described as lovely and well-executed.
“I do think sound design and area music is really good, especially the water and desert themes (temples specifically).”
“Also, the music is lovely.”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game particularly frustrating, especially regarding the museum collection required for a hidden ending, which is heavily reliant on RNG and has low appearance rates for certain items like fish and chafs. The game includes various activities such as fishing, bug catching, and farming, which can feel tedious and time-consuming alongside the core combat and puzzle elements.
“I'm especially annoyed by how grindy and RNG-heavy the museum collection is (required for the hidden ending). Fishing and chafs especially can take so much time since their appearance rates are so low.”
“On top of the usual Zelda-style combat and puzzles, there is also fishing, bug catching, farming, gem cutting, and more (even pottery for some reason).”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users express a strong emotional response to the game, with some nearly shedding tears, indicating that it effectively evokes deep feelings and resonates on a personal level.
“I almost shed a tear.”
“I almost shed a tear.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's humor is characterized by a nostalgic, subtle style reminiscent of late 90s Nickelodeon shows, appealing to players who appreciate that era's unique comedic flair.
“With art and subtle humor akin to a late 90s Nickelodeon show that should have existed.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features a positive and bright atmosphere, complemented by cute characters and engaging puzzle difficulty. Players appreciate the inventive boss battles and charming side quests, which enhance the overall experience.
“The game features a positive and bright atmosphere, with cute characters and appropriate puzzle difficulty. The boss battles introduce familiar yet new gimmicks for gamers, complemented by small, charming side quests.”
