Paleo Pines

Explore the titular island in Paleo Pines as you embark on a quest to collect all of the numerous dinos and variants in a fun exploration-focused title that leaves its life simulator aspects behind — oftentimes, for the better.

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In "Paleo Pines" , join Lucky, your dino companion, to uncover the mysteries of a charming island where humans and dinosaurs coexist. Build a thriving ranch, help locals, and befriend various dinosaurs while unearthing the island's hidden history. Together, you and Lucky will embark on a mission to find the missing parasaurolophus and build a cozy dino sanctuary.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,035 reviews

story41 positive mentions

grinding380 negative mentions

Adorable dinosaur designs and animations that bring joy to players.
Relaxing gameplay that allows players to explore and collect without pressure.
Unique mechanics where dinosaurs help with farming tasks, adding a fun twist to the genre.

Limited number of dreamstones restricts the number of dinosaurs players can keep.
Repetitive quests that often feel like fetch tasks with little variety.
Lack of crafting and interior customization options for the player's home.

grinding
388 mentions
1 % positive mentions
1 % neutral mentions
98 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of "Paleo Pines" has received mixed feedback from players. While many appreciate the game's charming blend of farming and dinosaur collecting, they often find the gameplay repetitive and tedious, particularly when it comes to leveling up dinosaurs and managing farming tasks. Some players enjoy the relaxed pace and unique mechanics, but others feel that the grind can detract from the overall experience, making it feel less rewarding and more like a chore.
- “Adorable dino farming sim, this game hooked me when I tried the demo out and I admit I loved it so much I bought it as soon as I had cash available. As I'm writing this, I have 146 hours logged into the game. I have completed the main storyline twice now and just enjoy a chill farming life collecting all the dinosaur colors.”
- “It's a dino farming game... instead of upping your skills, you upgrade your dinos' skills and they help you farm.”
- “Wonderful little dino farming game that is easy and relaxing.”
- “I adore this game but it gets a bit grindy when trying to level up dinos.”
- “It just feels tedious to have to plant 20 different 'juicy' plants so you can find the single one your dino actually likes best.”
- “Grinding can be an absolute nightmare, mini and main quests a slog to put up with, plenty of functions and even basic tasks aren't ever explained, and not to even mention dino storage.”
story
349 mentions
12 % positive mentions
84 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally described as simple and cute, with a focus on a main quest involving the protagonist's dinosaur companion, Lucky. While some players appreciate the charming character interactions and the engaging farming mechanics, many criticize the repetitive fetch quests and lack of depth in the narrative, leading to a feeling of emptiness after completing the main storyline. Overall, the story serves as a light backdrop to the gameplay, appealing to those seeking a relaxed experience rather than a complex narrative.
- “The main plot is sweet and simple, and all of the side characters have their own storylines as well.”
- “I love the inclusivity and wholesomeness of the storylines and how educational the game can be as well.”
- “The story is simple but engaging, and there are so many side things to do in the meantime before actually doing the story that this game has kept me entertained for hours and hours... and I'm not even halfway through!”
- “If you're looking for something with a complex story, I wouldn't buy this.”
- “The quests are all just fetch quests; literally, it’s all just 'bring me x' or 'give x to y and report back to me.' There are no other quests.”
- “The story was also hard to follow; I felt my goal was less on the story and more on the dinos.”
gameplay
191 mentions
32 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this game is characterized by a charming yet simplistic farming experience, where players befriend adorable dinosaurs to assist with various tasks. While the mechanics, such as crop rotation and the flute-based taming system, offer unique elements, many players find the overall gameplay loop repetitive and lacking depth, with some mechanics poorly explained or clunky. Despite its relaxing atmosphere and cute aesthetics, the game is criticized for feeling unfinished and grindy, leaving players wanting more engaging content and polish.
- “Very enjoyable gameplay loop with dinos helping you manage your farm.”
- “The mechanics are simple and fun and easy to grasp.”
- “Cute dinos, cute sounds, a teeny bit of jank as to be expected on day one of an indie game release, but the gameplay loop is very satisfying and you can make both a lot of and only a little progress at the same time.”
- “They have nice ideas for example the taming and dino care mechanics and that the dinos help you on the farm, but it's all just poorly executed, feels unfinished and seems more like a demo.”
- “The stamina mechanic (not being able to run around on the dino without using the stamina that doesn't recharge till the next day) is what keeps me from playing the game, it's just not fun being limited to where I can even go on the map within a decent amount of time.”
- “The gameplay loop is extremely boring, the graphics get dull extremely quickly, the voice acting is annoying, the world is tiny, and the character designs are... uncanny.”
graphics
103 mentions
44 % positive mentions
52 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their adorable and charming art style, featuring cute dinosaurs and a soothing color palette that enhances the overall cozy atmosphere. While many players appreciate the visuals and find them appealing, some note that the simplistic design may feel juvenile, and there are occasional technical issues that detract from the experience. Overall, the graphics contribute positively to the game's relaxing vibe, making it enjoyable for fans of cute aesthetics.
- “Beautiful graphics; cute, goofy dinos; a handful of villagers; and plenty of story to uncover <3”
- “The graphics and overall style of this game are downright adorable, making the dinosaurs even cuter!”
- “I love the visuals, the cute dinosaurs, and the vibrant and eye-catching color the entire world has.”
- “Man, the graphical difference between Switch and Steam is night and day.”
- “As a last thought, because I know a lot of people don't care about it that much, but the graphics are very poor as well.”
- “Cute dinosaur farming game, but extremely rough visuals and movements.”
music
42 mentions
29 % positive mentions
64 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally described as charming, cute, and relaxing, enhancing the overall calming atmosphere. However, many players note a lack of variety, with only a few tracks that can become repetitive, leading some to mute the sound entirely. Despite these criticisms, the integration of music into gameplay, particularly in befriending dinosaurs, is appreciated and adds a unique element to the experience.
- “If you want a game that's relaxing, while still managing to be rewarding and easy-going, with a charming soundtrack and adorable characters, you should give this one a go.”
- “The music is quite pleasant and very fitting for the game.”
- “It's fun, it's adorable, the music is beautiful and it's a wholesome game I can get lost in, which was a much-needed escape at the right time.”
- “The most glaring one is the music.”
- “This is the only game I've ever played where I kept the music muted at all times.”
- “The only things that really bothered me were the music; there were only 2-3 solid tracks, and changing location did not change that.”
emotional
33 mentions
97 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its wholesome and cozy atmosphere, with players frequently expressing feelings of joy and heartwarming experiences while interacting with adorable dinosaurs. Although the story is often described as surface-level and lacking depth, the game's charm and relaxing gameplay provide a comforting escape, making it a delightful experience for those seeking a sweet and uplifting environment. However, some players note a lack of emotional attachment to NPCs and a desire for more meaningful dialogue and story development.
- “What a cozy and heart-warming game.”
- “My heart has melted many times by the sweetness and heartwarming feelings all the dinosaurs give off.”
- “It's fun, it's adorable, the music is beautiful and it's a wholesome game I can get lost in, which was a much needed escape at the right time.”
- “My minor complaints include a boring story (a matter of opinion, I know, but it's a bit of a drag), the animation of human characters that emote during dialogue is just kind of uncanny and introduces unnatural pauses in conversation, and the gameplay quickly becomes very grindy and boring.”
stability
22 mentions
14 % positive mentions
-9 % neutral mentions
95 % negative mentions
Overall, the stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting minimal bugs and smooth gameplay, while others have encountered significant glitches that can hinder the experience. Some users appreciate the game's charm and engaging elements despite the occasional issues, while others express disappointment over the frequency and severity of the bugs, particularly in the initial release. As a newly launched title, there is hope for future patches to address these stability concerns.
- “Initial impressions are that this game is adorable. I love my little ranch! It's perfectly cozy and runs great on my PC. I've been looking forward to this and rushed home to play as soon as it launched today. I can't wait to spend more time with my little dinos.”
- “The game runs smoothly without any crashes or bugs, making for a seamless experience.”
- “I've played for hours without any performance issues, which is a huge plus for me.”
- “And since the official release, it has been extremely buggy.”
- “However, it has glitches that make it virtually unplayable.”
- “This isn't a bad game, but it probably should have been playtested a bit more, between glitches and general progression grinding to a halt several times.”
optimization
10 mentions
30 % positive mentions
40 % neutral mentions
30 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant performance issues, including crashes and stuttering, particularly after updates. While others noted that the final version is better optimized than the demo, many still found it to feel unfinished and unpolished, leading to frustration during gameplay. Overall, optimization appears to be a major concern for a portion of the player base, affecting their overall experience.
- “The final game really looks, feels, and is optimized way better than the demo was.”
- “A few small glitches but graphics are great, runs smoothly, optimized really well, and has engaging gameplay.”
- “It's annoying, but it isn't game breaking, especially as performance upon release has been otherwise super smooth for me.”
- “At first, I had no issues playing the game; then at some point, an update was released where the optimization went down the drain. I'm running a mid-tier computer setup that can handle some pretty beefy games (AMD Ryzen 5 5600X, GeForce RTX 3050, 16GB DDR4 RAM). I'm running above the recommended specs by a landslide, but I cannot play the game without it crashing almost immediately, ruining my system.”
- “Just a heads up, this game is poorly optimized at the time of release and can cause your GPU temperature to skyrocket.”
- “I was so excited for this game, but as soon as I started playing, I realized that it feels unfinished, unpolished, and unoptimized.”
humor
9 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by its quirky dialogues, amusing item descriptions, and the absurdity of certain gameplay mechanics, such as dinosaurs performing unexpected feats. Players appreciate the lighthearted interactions with townsfolk and find joy in both intentional comedic elements and unintentional glitches, contributing to an overall fun experience. The combination of charming characters and humorous quests enhances the game's appeal, making it a delightful adventure.
- “Some townsfolk have quirky yet very on-brand dialogues ("I'm as busy as a baryonyx" and many others), and funny item descriptions that gave me a chuckle (spring onion "once picked, it's a sprung onion", mango "man come back").”
- “I recently bought Paleo Pines and I've become obsessed with the game already due to many factors, including the adorable/refreshing dinosaur designs; the interactive townsfolk with different personalities and great sense of humor; and the endless amount of quests, which lead you to develop better relationships with other characters as well as increasing your farming success.”
- “Also, every glitch I run into makes me bust out laughing!”
character development
7 mentions
43 % positive mentions
14 % neutral mentions
43 % negative mentions
Character development in the game receives mixed reviews, with many players praising the unique and cute character designs, likening them to those in "Stardew Valley." However, some users express disappointment in the lack of depth and development for NPCs, suggesting that while the designs are appealing, the overall character growth and engagement could be improved.
- “The character designs are very cute, and I love the fact that the game has such a hands-on development team who are willing to take suggestions and update the game. It's a very cozy game, and I've already been playing for hours.”
- “This game is so cute; it's like Stardew Valley but better! I love the dino designs and the character designs, and the story is so charming.”
- “I love the character designs; every one of them is unique and fun!”
- “Human character design is the worst part of this game, in my opinion.”
- “The gameplay loop is extremely boring, the graphics get dull extremely quickly, the voice acting is annoying, the world is tiny, and the character designs are... uncanny.”
- “There is a lack of character development with the NPCs.”
atmosphere
7 mentions
29 % positive mentions
29 % neutral mentions
43 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its therapeutic and calming qualities, enhanced by cute dinosaur designs and engaging mechanics. Players find the overall vibe to be cozy and fun, making it an enjoyable experience that encourages relaxation and immersion, especially when accompanied by sound and music.
- “I recommend playing with sound and music on because it really adds to the wholesome atmosphere.”
- “I love the dino designs and the atmosphere is so cute and fun; can't wait to see what else is in store for me!”
- “And to be fair, the cute designs of the dinos, the interesting capture/tame mechanics, and the cozy atmosphere seemed like a winning package, at least at first.”
- “The atmosphere and tone of the game is therapeutic and calming.”
- “It's a good way to pass the time and relax into the atmosphere.”
monetization
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The monetization of the game is perceived as exploitative, resembling a cheap cash grab that lacks depth and engagement, leaving players feeling that the game is unfinished and shallow despite its potential.
- “Feels like one of the cheap cash grab horse/ranch games I played as a child; it feels just as empty, lifeless, and shallow, unfortunately.”
- “The bones for a great game are here, but the game feels half-done or even a quarter done. It teeters a little on the cash grab side.”
replayability
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
-100 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is considered low by users, as after completing the main storyline, players are left with limited activities, primarily focused on finishing side quests and farming for collectibles. The cap on collectible dinosaurs and the lack of renewable resources may deter players from wanting to replay the game, making it feel restrictive and less engaging for those seeking varied experiences.
- “The variety of choices and paths you can take makes each playthrough feel fresh and exciting.”
- “With multiple endings and countless strategies to explore, I find myself coming back for more every time.”
- “My only big gripe is that after playing through the game, there's not much to do aside from finishing off side quests and continuing to farm and collect dinos, which are unfortunately capped at 45 with no renewable way to grab dreamstones. This is more than enough for every dino but can be a bit restricting unless you start a new farm just for collecting those rare critters. While that can be fun, many might not enjoy replaying the game since the replayability, personally, is not super high outside of wanting to collect more dinos.”
- “A farming game that isn't replayable feels like a hate crime.”