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Overgrowth

Unique, frantic combat interspersed with mediocre platforming.
Overgrowth Game Cover
70%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
stability, optimization
80% User Score Based on 7,069 reviews
Critic Score 58%Based on 8 reviews

Platforms

LinuxPCMac OSXboxSteam DeckWindows
Overgrowth Game Cover

About

Overgrowth is a single player and multiplayer tactical hack and slash game with fantasy and violence themes. It was developed by Wolfire Games and was released on October 16, 2017. It received neutral reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

Overgrowth is a fantasy hack and slash game featuring a ninja rabbit protagonist with lightning-fast acrobatics. Play in single-player, local multi-player, co-op, or PvP modes, with split screen options. The game encourages experimentation and features stunning visuals, good music, and a good story that will make you laugh, though it can be buggy. After completing the main story and DLC campaigns, explore user-created mods from the Steam Workshop or Secret Forum.

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80%
Audience ScoreBased on 7,069 reviews
story399 positive mentions
stability134 negative mentions

  • The combat system is fun, fluid, and satisfying, allowing for a variety of moves and strategies.
  • The game features impressive ragdoll physics and dynamic interactions, making combat feel impactful.
  • The modding community is active, providing additional content and custom levels that enhance replayability.
  • The game feels unfinished, with a lack of substantial content and a short main campaign that can be completed in just a few hours.
  • The story is weak and often feels like an afterthought, lacking depth and character development.
  • Platforming mechanics can be frustrating and inconsistent, leading to moments of confusion and difficulty.
  • story
    1,880 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story aspect of "Overgrowth" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it lacking in depth and engagement. While the game features multiple storylines, including the main campaign and the prequel "Lugaru," most players feel that the narratives are simplistic and often serve merely as a backdrop for combat rather than offering a compelling experience. The dialogue is frequently criticized for being poorly written and uninteresting, leading to a sense of disconnection from the characters and their motivations. Overall, while the combat mechanics are praised, the story is seen as a weak point that detracts from the overall experience.

    • “The story is absolutely amazing.”
    • “The story is simple but I enjoyed it.”
    • “The story is quite good and the combat is amazing; it's fun, fast, and not hard to learn.”
    • “The main story had visual variety but the tasks were always 'go to [x]' or 'kill [y] baddies'.”
    • “The worst part of the game is the story; it's not exactly terrible, but it's a bit lacking compared to other parts of the game.”
    • “The story is weak, there are fighting mechanics removed that were in Lugaru, the fighting is easy, you can repeatedly jump kick and not be punished.”
  • gameplay
    1,097 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Overgrowth" is characterized by its unique blend of combat, parkour, and stealth mechanics, which many players find satisfying and engaging. However, the execution is often criticized for being unpolished, with inconsistent controls and frustrating platforming elements that can detract from the overall experience. While the combat mechanics are praised for their depth and fluidity, the lack of substantial content and a compelling narrative leaves some players feeling that the game is more of a tech demo than a fully realized product.

    • “The parkour has always been incredibly satisfying, the combat has depth and weight which is insane for the time this game was released, and the stealth mechanics are a real treat when used thoughtfully.”
    • “The core gameplay is really fun, but honestly, the game is so much better with a few workshop addons.”
    • “The combat mechanics are solid and responsive, the action is fun and can be played in a couple of different ways (stealth or direct).”
    • “Was apparently in early access for nine years, and yet it still looks and plays like an unfinished tech demo with dull combat, flimsy platforming mechanics, and pathetic level design.”
    • “However, despite making up 98% of the gameplay, the combat and movement is quite unpolished and frustrating.”
    • “The gameplay loop is very repetitive and the story doesn't end.”
  • graphics
    443 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players praising the beautiful art style, dynamic blood effects, and impressive animations, while others criticize the visuals as outdated or inconsistent, particularly in certain environments. Many appreciate the game's unique aesthetic and character designs, but note that performance issues and graphical bugs can detract from the experience. Overall, while the graphics are generally considered decent for an indie title, they may not meet the expectations set by more modern games.

    • “The graphics are stunning, and the gameplay is what makes it shine.”
    • “The graphics are amazing, the animations are great, it all feels somewhat realistic, not to mention the level design is very well done as well.”
    • “The graphics and fighting looked good, but I wasn't interested in the rabbit protagonist thing.”
    • “The graphics are mediocre, but the level design and imagery are powerful and energetic.”
    • “The graphics feel dated for only being about 2 years old at the time of this review.”
    • “The graphics are old and outdated.”
  • stability
    139 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is frequently criticized, with numerous users reporting a variety of bugs, glitches, and crashes that detract from the overall experience. While some players find the gameplay enjoyable despite these issues, many describe the game as a "buggy mess" that feels unfinished and poorly optimized, particularly in terms of mechanics like combat and movement. Overall, the game is seen as fun but plagued by instability, making it more suitable for those willing to tolerate its flaws.

    • “This game works natively on Linux and runs great, except for the swamp levels where the frames dip a bit.”
    • “With games like this, you would expect bugs and running errors, but even on my old laptop, this game runs great at full resolution.”
    • “Fair: almost bug-free (1 crash in 75 minutes); the art is decent, and the difficulty on the hardest setting is challenging enough to not be boring.”
    • “The game is riddled with bugs and glitches, so dying to something you have no control over is often the case.”
    • “The entire game is a buggy, irritating, unfun mess.”
    • “It's been 6 goddamn years for them to create a suitable and working game and still it's filled with bugs, glitches, hardly any updates to write home about and a campaign in the beta that is literally a copy of a previous game, not even bothering with any improvement to design.”
  • humor
    124 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is predominantly derived from its chaotic ragdoll physics and absurd combat scenarios, leading to numerous laugh-out-loud moments as players witness their characters' exaggerated tumbles and silly deaths. Many users appreciate the blend of funny dialogue and entertaining gameplay, although some note that the humor can become repetitive or overshadowed by frustrating mechanics. Overall, the game is celebrated for its lighthearted, comedic approach, making it a fun experience for those who enjoy whimsical and absurd gaming.

    • “Battling it out with friends as agile, kung-fu-fighting rabbits was hilariously fun and chaotic.”
    • “The physics are amazingly hilarious and something about the dialogue has some kind of charm.”
    • “I've played this game and spent so much time just fooling around with the fantastic, entertaining (and sometimes humorous) ragdoll effects as well as the beautiful blood that comes out after each slash with a blade or a hard punch to another bunny.”
  • music
    115 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its atmospheric qualities and ability to enhance the overall experience, particularly during exploration and combat. However, some criticize it for being repetitive and lacking variety, with a few noting that it can detract from the gameplay. Overall, while the soundtrack is often described as fitting and enjoyable, it also has its share of detractors who find it forgettable or poorly mixed.

    • “The music is another highlight, whether it be the atmospheric tracks during platforming and exploration, or the more intense music during combat; it's consistently pretty good and always fitting.”
    • “The art, music, and sounds are just amazing, so much effort has been poured into them that it's hard to ignore; the scenes for the campaign and challenge maps are crafted in a way that really makes for that feeling of epic.”
    • “The music is stunning, and reading the web comics while listening to the music really helps to set the genre and atmosphere of the game.”
    • “The music on its own is tolerable, but its mixing is quite poorly done, and in the end it comes across as highly repetitive and grating, aside from the longer and more in-depth main theme.”
    • “The music is also awful in some stages including the final.”
    • “The soundtrack is quite weak and I absolutely zoned it out while playing.”
  • optimization
    114 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its impressive engine and smooth performance on higher-end systems, while others report significant issues such as lag, stuttering, and long loading times, particularly on lower-end hardware. Many users suggest that mods can help improve performance, but overall, the game is often described as poorly optimized, requiring substantial improvements to run smoothly across a wider range of systems.

    • “It also has one of the most impressive and well-optimized engines I have ever seen.”
    • “I didn't have any performance issues and the game ran flawlessly.”
    • “So far, the game seems well optimized (getting up to 200fps on a Ryzen 1700 + GTX 1070 on medium settings) and has mods such as arena and versus available for post-campaign meta.”
    • “The game is unoptimized, often slightly glitchy, and laggy.”
    • “An unfinished, unoptimized mess of a game that severely underestimated and did not reach for its full potential.”
    • “This is probably the most poorly optimized game I have ever played; I'm sick of the long loading screens, the 30fps, and god forbid the world's laggiest and boring campaign.”
  • replayability
    50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players praising its dynamic combat system and modding community that significantly enhance replay value, while others criticize its short campaign and lack of content. Many reviews highlight the potential for endless replayability through user-generated content and various game modes, but some feel that the core experience is limited and not worth the full price. Overall, while there are enjoyable elements that encourage replay, the game's content depth varies widely among players.

    • “Relatively short game that has a lot of replayability thanks to a responsive and dynamic physics-based combat system.”
    • “The gameplay is to die for; the story, while short, is fantastic and absolutely replayable. That is just the main story, let alone the three other campaigns it comes with. If you're not sold yet, the modding community is so integrated and user-friendly that you can create your own levels and stories, maximizing your enjoyment of the game's physics.”
    • “Endless replayability and just incredibly enjoyable.”
    • “The game has the worst story I have ever had the displeasure of experiencing, and while I wouldn't have much of a problem with this, it controls the gameplay and the game's replayability.”
    • “Overall, I enjoyed the game, but if we can just get some of those proper challenges rolling, then that will massively help out its replayability, and I could spend a lot more time actually playing the game.”
    • “I want to like this game, and a lot of replayability, but with so little content the replayability factor wears down.”
  • atmosphere
    33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and unique qualities, enhanced by detailed character designs, diverse landscapes, and a fitting soundtrack that complements both exploration and combat. While some reviews note inconsistencies in graphics and world-building, the overall ambiance is described as captivating, with a blend of visceral character animations and atmospheric music that draws players into its intriguing world. Despite minor criticisms, many players find the atmosphere to be a standout feature that elevates the gameplay experience.

    • “The art direction may look minimal at first glance, but the environments are surprisingly atmospheric, and the character animations bring the world to life in a visceral way.”
    • “The attention to detail in character design and the diverse landscapes enhance the overall atmosphere, creating a world that is intriguing to explore.”
    • “A beautiful game with a great, immersive atmosphere.”
    • “The campaign does give multiple routes which is interesting, but ultimately that does little to combat the stilted feel, and the world-building doesn't really land if the atmosphere doesn't.”
    • “The music is good and is one of the things responsible for the depressing atmosphere, using woodwinds, percussion, strumming, and chanting to create sinister and tranquil tracks.”
    • “With all of this, I see that they're still working hard at this, so while I admire the graphics, the atmosphere, and an ass-kicking rabbit, I'm going to have to say in its current state I cannot recommend it.”
  • character development
    33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is largely criticized for being minimal and one-dimensional, with many players noting a lack of compelling storylines or character arcs that would encourage deeper investment in the characters or world. While the character designs and combat mechanics receive praise, the absence of meaningful dialogue and character growth detracts from the overall experience, leaving players feeling disconnected from the narrative. Overall, the game is seen as needing significant improvements in character development to enhance its storytelling potential.

    • “The attention to detail in character design and the diverse landscapes enhance the overall atmosphere, creating a world that is intriguing to explore.”
    • “Just started playing a few hours, got immersed in the lore (that's still being pieced together through user-created stories and developers' comics, etc.) and immediately have a soft spot for this game. The character design is great, the potential for other races/stories/characters is massive, and I can't wait to see it develop further.”
    • “Character design and animations are fitting most of the time for each species.”
    • “If the story was longer, I feel that there could've been room for some character development among the cast and better reasoning across the board than 'I have no choice!' from every character.”
    • “There isn't a lot of background given on the setting or characters, and there isn't a lot of deep character development, so it is difficult to feel invested in the story.”
    • “While the story consists entirely of dialogue, there is little to no character development or any engrossing dramatic scenes.”
  • grinding
    25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players consistently describe the grinding aspect of the game as excessively tedious and repetitive, often requiring significant time investment to progress. Many reviews highlight that the combat and platforming elements become boring and frustrating due to inconsistent controls and the need to repeatedly tackle challenges. Overall, the grinding experience is seen as a major drawback, detracting from the enjoyment of the game.

    • “A bit grindy at times.”
    • “A lot of grinding.”
    • “Hard and long grinding required.”
    • “You do not adequately prepare me for this game -- even though I played the original years ago and became able to beat multiple wolves at once, although I agree I am older now -- by having a mission where there is a dog with a sword but if you fail you must tediously repeat other kills over and over and over again with the morose music getting on your nerves.”
    • “After some time, this just becomes grindy and repetitive.”
    • “I enjoy this game but it gets repetitive, hard, rage-inducing, and above all tedious and annoying due to the fact that the enemies are all impossible to beat most of the time!!!”
  • emotional
    17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is mixed, with some players feeling nostalgic and touched by its heartfelt design, while others criticize the lack of a compelling story and character development. Many express disappointment that the gameplay, though fun, overshadows any potential emotional depth, leading to a sense of detachment from the narrative. Overall, while there are moments of emotional resonance, they are often undermined by a weak storyline and unlikable characters.

    • “A heartfelt game made with love and passion for the medium.”
    • “Just playing the first level of the story got me so emotional because I just remember how I played it as a kid.”
    • “Update 1.4 is supposedly going to be the final update, and seeing the devs put the final touches on this weird project they've been working on for just about a decade is surprisingly a bit emotional for me.”
    • “Yet there is no real story mode to hold it all together, and the two campaigns that are available are a weak remake of the game Lugaru (which has a much worse story) and Overgrowth itself, which is a boring story filled with unlikable characters and weak, dry writing.”
  • monetization
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization model of the game is straightforward, requiring only the initial purchase with no additional DLC or in-game purchases, which some players appreciate. However, there are concerns that the reliance on the Steam Workshop and the overall presentation may give the impression of a cash grab, despite the developers' apparent effort and care in creating the game.

    • “Honestly, even if you finish the story, there are a couple of different game modes you can try. The price of the game is the only thing you have to pay for - there's no DLC or in-game purchases.”
    • “In summary, I truly want to believe the creator(s) put a lot of time and care into making this the best game it could possibly be, but at every turn, every time I look back at it, it just starts to look more and more like a cash grab.”
    • “It's clear enough that this isn't just some cash grab, but it makes me nervous all the same.”
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7h Median play time
17h Average play time
4-26h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 30 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Overgrowth is a tactical hack and slash game with fantasy and violence themes.

Overgrowth is available on PC, Mac OS, Steam Deck, Windows and others.

On average players spend around 17 hours playing Overgrowth.

Overgrowth was released on October 16, 2017.

Overgrowth was developed by Wolfire Games.

Overgrowth has received neutral reviews from players and neutral reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its stability.

Overgrowth is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Sword With Sauce, Blade Symphony, RWBY: Grimm Eclipse, Cortex Command, Not Enough Madness and others.