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.
The combat mechanics are unique, satisfying, and fluid, particularly in one-on-one scenarios, making for an engaging gameplay experience.
The game features a charming artistic style and immersive atmosphere, enhanced by detailed character designs and a fitting soundtrack.
The extensive modding community and sandbox features provide significant replay value, allowing players to create their own content and enhance the overall experience.
The game suffers from a lack of polish, with janky physics, inconsistent mechanics, and a repetitive gameplay loop that can lead to frustration.
The short campaign and underwhelming story, characterized by minimal character development and shallow writing, leave players wanting more depth and engagement.
Frequent bugs, crashes, and performance issues, particularly on lower-end systems, detract from the overall experience and make the game feel unfinished.
story
3,701 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
68%
11%
The story aspect of "Overgrowth" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it underwhelming and simplistic. While some appreciate the basic premise of a rabbit fighting to free its kind from oppression, the execution is often criticized for being shallow, poorly written, and lacking character development. The main story can be completed in just a few hours, leaving players wanting more depth and engagement, though the modding community has created additional content that some find more compelling than the official narrative. Overall, the game is seen as more focused on combat mechanics than storytelling, which may appeal to players looking for action rather than a rich narrative experience.
“The main story has you freeing a bunch of adorable yet mighty rabbits from evil overlords (because every good story needs a dose of rabbit justice), and that’s just the start.”
“Great balance of story, combat, traversing the environment and climbing huge structures.”
“The story is interesting but don't expect like some 10/10 writing.”
“The story is trash, but we're not here for that.”
“The story is crap; for example, many deaths happen offscreen and there is 0 story pacing. Oh, you made a friend? Next scene, now you have to kill him.”
“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
2,135 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
56%
6%
The gameplay of "Overgrowth" is characterized by its unique and ambitious combat mechanics, which are often described as satisfying and fluid, particularly in one-on-one scenarios. However, many players note that the game suffers from a lack of polish, with janky physics, inconsistent mechanics, and a repetitive gameplay loop that can lead to frustration, especially in encounters with multiple enemies. While the game offers a solid foundation for combat and parkour, it is criticized for its short campaign and limited content, making it more appealing for those interested in modding and community-created content rather than a fully fleshed-out experience.
“The gameplay loop here is so addictive and the combat, while challenging, is very satisfying when you pull off some cool moves.”
“The core combat mechanics are so expertly crafted that every blow you land feels like a minor victory, and the platforming (while a little janky at times) is very fun and has a great sense of flow when running and jumping off walls or crossing huge gaps.”
“The mechanics are solid and responsive, the action is fun and can be played in a couple different ways (stealth or direct).”
“The mechanics are solid but quirks of physics and design choices often get in the way of fairness and fun.”
“While the game's ambition is commendable, certain shortcomings in execution and gameplay mechanics prevent it from reaching its full potential.”
“The gameplay loop is very repetitive and the story doesn't end.”
graphics
854 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
48%
6%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the artistic style and character designs, while others criticize the overall quality as dated or inconsistent. Some areas are noted for their beauty and effective use of lighting, but texture issues and performance problems, especially on lower-end systems, detract from the experience. Overall, while the graphics are generally considered good for an indie title, they may not meet the expectations set by more modern games.
“The game's anthropomorphic characters and visually striking environments contribute to an immersive and aesthetically pleasing experience.”
“The graphics are great, the animations are great, it all feels somewhat realistic, not to mention the level design is very well done as well.”
“The graphics in this game are surprisingly good.”
“Graphics: 2/10”
“Visuals/story: dated, barely competent, the environments (especially the earlier ones) are basically barren, as if someone grabbed a literal concept art and stretched it over 3 dimensions.”
“The graphics are old and outdated”
stability
283 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
96%
The game is widely reported to be extremely buggy, with frequent crashes, glitches, and unresponsive mechanics that detract from the overall experience. While some players find enjoyment in the gameplay despite these issues, many express frustration over the game's instability, particularly in its early access state. Overall, it is characterized as a fun but frustratingly unfinished product that requires significant improvements in stability and optimization.
“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 on full resolution.”
“Fair: almost bug-free (1 crash in 75 minutes); the art is fair, 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.”
“A buggy, unplayable mess. I got it for half the price it's at in the Steam store and I still feel totally ripped off. The game has no tutorial whatsoever, so far as I can tell the combat is just button mashing.”
“The bigger problem is how often the game freezes, crashes, and so on, especially when changing between modes. It performs terribly, since my PC can play pretty much every new game out on high graphics without an issue. I can only assume Overgrowth is coded/optimized poorly.”
humor
232 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is predominantly derived from its quirky ragdoll physics and absurd combat scenarios, leading to many laugh-out-loud moments, such as characters dying in comically exaggerated ways. Players appreciate the blend of funny dialogue and chaotic gameplay, although some find the humor can become repetitive or overshadowed by gameplay frustrations. Overall, the game is seen as a lighthearted experience filled with silly antics, making it enjoyable for those who appreciate its unique comedic style.
“Ragdolls are hilarious, and the storyline's not half bad.”
“The physics are amazingly hilarious and something about the dialogue has some kind of charm.”
“Great game, really funny! I highly recommend it to any fans of games such as Castle Crashers, Battle Block Theatre, or turn-based combat games.”
optimization
232 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
55%
28%
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including lag, stuttering, and long loading times, particularly on lower-end systems. While some users have found ways to improve performance through mods or settings adjustments, the overall consensus is that the game is poorly optimized and often unplayable without a high-end PC. Despite its potential and engaging gameplay, the lack of polish and optimization detracts from the experience for many players.
“I really love this game, this unusual graphics, very good optimization, unusual plot.”
“So far, the game seems well optimized (getting up to 200fps on a ryzen1700+gtx1070 on medium settings) and has mods such as arena and versus available for post-campaign meta.”
“Update: the game is optimized better, so you can play with multiple enemies/allies.”
“The game is unoptimized, often slightly glitchy, and laggy.”
“Let's start with the elephant in the room - Overgrowth is horrifically poorly optimized.”
“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.”
music
222 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
55%
9%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its atmospheric qualities and ability to enhance the game's mood, particularly during exploration and combat. However, some criticize it for being repetitive, generic, or poorly mixed, detracting from the overall experience. While some find the soundtrack memorable and fitting, others feel it lacks variety and can become annoying during gameplay.
“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 music is fantastic, I find it very fitting for the setting and it does pretty well at setting the mood for scenes.”
“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 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.”
“Load times are utterly wretched and leave you listening to either the same repetitive 8-note music loop or silence as the game forgets it's supposed to be playing that same repetitive 8-note music loop.”
“The soundtrack is quite weak and I absolutely zoned it out while playing.”
replayability
98 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
51%
14%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players praising the extensive modding community and sandbox features that offer infinite replay value, while others criticize the short campaign and lack of content, leading to a perception of limited replayability. Many reviews highlight that the combat mechanics and user-generated content can enhance the experience, but the overall sentiment suggests that the game may not justify its price without significant discounts. Ultimately, while there are enjoyable elements that can extend playtime, the core game may feel lacking for those seeking deeper replayability.
“Hours of replay value in endless mode and the story is fantastic.”
“The gameplay is to die for, the story while short is fantastic and absolutely replayable. The modding community is so integrated and user-friendly that you can create your own levels and stories, enhancing the experience even further.”
“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.”
“However, I really don't recommend buying this game because, as I've said, there's just such little content, and the game has such little replay value, if any play value in the first place.”
“It has a very bad replayability factor; it is fun for a little bit then it gets boring. There are months and months between updates, and even when the next update comes out, it'll still be only like 10% done like it was ever since 2012.”
character development
66 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
49%
21%
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 narrative. While the character designs and combat mechanics receive praise, the absence of meaningful character growth and engaging dialogue detracts from the overall experience, leaving players feeling disconnected from the characters and their motivations. Overall, the game is seen as needing significant improvement 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.”
“The game is an interesting concept, but more character development is needed if you're in it for the story and not the fighting.”
“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.”
“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.”
atmosphere
64 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
66%
29%
5%
The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its immersive quality, enhanced by a stunning soundtrack and detailed character design that creates a captivating world to explore. Players appreciate the unique blend of fantasy elements and fluid gameplay mechanics, although some note that the world-building can feel stilted at times. Overall, the game's rich landscapes and atmospheric soundscapes contribute significantly to its appeal, making it a standout experience despite some technical shortcomings.
“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.”
“Heavy atmosphere, rich landscapes, fluid controls... I was sucked in right away and honestly my only complaint was it couldn't last forever.”
“The one campaign Therium does give multiple routes which is interesting, but ultimately that does little to combat the stilted feel, and the worldbuilding doesn't really land if the atmosphere doesn't.”
“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.”
“The game really shines in the gameplay and atmosphere aspects, where it lacks is the story.”
grinding
48 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
40%
54%
The reviews overwhelmingly indicate that the game features excessive grinding, often described as tedious and repetitive, requiring significant time investment to progress. Players express frustration with the combat and platforming mechanics, which can become monotonous and frustrating due to inconsistent controls and challenging enemies. Overall, many feel that the grinding aspect detracts from the enjoyment of the game, making it feel like a chore rather than a fun experience.
“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 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
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
73%
27%
The emotional aspect of the game is mixed, with some players expressing nostalgia and a sense of personal connection, particularly recalling childhood memories tied to gameplay. However, many criticize the story as lacking depth and emotional engagement, describing it as boring and filled with unlikable characters, which detracts from the overall experience. Despite this, there are moments that resonate emotionally, especially regarding the developers' journey and the game's potential for deeper storytelling.
“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 (on update 1.3 at the time of review) 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.”
“I was about 10 years old when my mother said to him, 'if you ever want to see your grandchildren graduate, you have to stop immediately.' Tears welled up in his eyes when he realized what exactly was at stake.”
“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.”
“Fun gameplay, boring story.”
“Really fun game, short, boring story, but really fun to kill all these animals.”
monetization
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
12%
75%
The game's monetization model is straightforward, requiring only an 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 do 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.”
“It can be entertaining, though I'm not surprised by the fact that it has to use the Steam Workshop as one of its main advertisements.”