PixelJunk Eden
- February 2, 2012
- Q-Games Ltd.
From the addictive gameplay to the beautiful visuals to the absolute abundance of features, PixelJunk Eden is the best game released on the PlayStation Network this year.
Get on SteamPixelJunk Eden is a vibrant platformer where you navigate through other-worldly gardens as a small creature called a "Grimp." Swing, climb, and jump through dynamic environments, growing gardens and collecting spectral energies along the way. With reimagined controls for PC, this version offers new features and challenges for both seasoned players and newcomers.
PC
Windows
PlayStation
Playstation 3
Reviews
- Beautiful visuals and a captivating soundtrack create a relaxing and immersive experience.
- Unique gameplay mechanics that combine exploration and platforming, allowing for creative movement through the gardens.
- Great for casual play, offering a chill atmosphere that can be enjoyed in short bursts or longer sessions.
- Technical issues such as poor controller support and display problems on certain monitors can hinder the experience.
- The time limit mechanic can create frustration, detracting from the otherwise relaxing gameplay.
- Lack of multiplayer support compared to the PS3 version disappoints fans who enjoyed co-op play.
- music182 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its captivating and relaxing qualities, often described as hypnotic and well-suited to the vibrant visuals. Many players appreciate the unique blend of electronic and ambient sounds that enhance the overall experience, with some even stating that the soundtrack is a primary reason for playing. However, a few reviews mention that the music can become repetitive over time, leading some to turn it off in favor of their own playlists.
“The music paired with the visuals almost puts you in a trance.”
“Eden combines music, physics, exploration, and collecting into one beautiful and addicting game.”
“The abstract visuals and incredible music combined with the fantastic gameplay create an unforgettable experience.”
“There are a few drawbacks unfortunately, first and foremost is the music; it's a repetitive dance track that varies in each stage, but to me, after hearing the same loop for the time I spent on the level, I found myself turning the music off.”
“The music is ambient trance and gets dull after a while.”
“It's okay for people who like that kind of music, but to me, it just seems like a jumble of sounds and it gives me a headache.”
- gameplay97 mentions
- 49 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is characterized by its blend of simple yet engaging mechanics, offering a mix of platforming and collectathon elements that can be both relaxing and challenging. Players appreciate the artistic visuals and immersive soundtrack, which enhance the overall experience, although some find the time limits and occasional difficulty spikes at odds with the game's chill vibe. Overall, the gameplay is described as enjoyable and rewarding, with a unique style that encourages exploration and experimentation.
“The game is a fun platforming adventure with many mechanics that continue to make the gameplay interesting throughout.”
“The gameplay is beautifully simple: jump from platform to platform to collect energy, defeat enemies, and gather the main objective of the game: weird glowy things called spectra.”
“The music, design, and gameplay are nice and well executed.”
“It's usually not a big deal to keep ahead of the timer while playing at a modest pace, but I really wish the mechanic wasn't there at all so you could really stop sometimes and enjoy the visual/audio experience.”
“I can see it being used as a sort of ambient game to play for when you just want to relax, but the mechanics put in place in terms of the time limit and how punishing the setback can be when you fall from up high is in conflict with the concept of using this game as a way to relax.”
“Unfortunately, as more mechanics got added on, the game became more difficult and less relaxing, and I was unable to really get any further.”
- graphics78 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are widely praised for their beautiful, unique, and vibrant art style, which complements the hypnotic soundtrack and enhances the overall immersive experience. While some players noted minor disorientation due to the visuals, the combination of aesthetics and music creates a relaxing and engaging atmosphere. Overall, the graphics are considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal despite some criticisms regarding gameplay depth.
“One of the most beautiful and engaging audio and graphic experiences ever made.”
“With vibrant visuals complemented by the beautiful music and relaxing gameplay, this game is absolutely stunning.”
“The graphics are minimalist, but nice.. rotatey-scaley-sprite.”
“I was questioning if I should buy this game or not, as a few negative reviews pointed out some game-breaking bugs and graphical issues, and that the game was no longer supported.”
“Generally I'd say that the graphics aren't astonishing; it's more about the design of the game.”
“Because of Pixeljunk Eden's engrossing and vibrant art style, actually playing the game can be very troublesome, very often, not to mention slow.”
- atmosphere14 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its relaxing and immersive qualities, enhanced by a soothing soundtrack and unique art style. Players appreciate the combination of calming visuals and music, which create a hypnotic experience, while the challenge of gameplay adds excitement. Overall, the atmosphere is described as both tranquil and engaging, making it a standout feature of the game.
“The game is an atmospheric 2D platformer, wherein you jump and swing around gardens collecting pollen in an effort to grow more plants that you can jump and swing around on.”
“This game creates a hypnotic and relaxing atmosphere by combining a unique art style with a soothing soundtrack.”
“So if zoning out and jumping around a fairly pleasing atmosphere with some somewhat calm electronic background music is your thing, this game is for you.”
“The incredibly chill atmosphere is offset by the occasional frustration of missing a jump and spending ten to fifteen seconds falling to the bottom of the level.”
“The atmosphere of the game allows you to feel very relaxed, yet the challenge of completing the garden is fun and keeps the game exciting.”
- story8 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The game's story is largely absent, with users noting a lack of narrative or plot, making it difficult to engage with. Instead, the experience is described as more personal and experiential rather than driven by a traditional storyline. While some appreciate the game's style and music, the absence of a compelling story detracts from the overall experience.
“I'd say that this game's story is more about your own experience of playing it rather than anything else.”
“Loved the style and the music; very soothing.”
“Without a story, it's hard to get into this one.”
“It doesn't even have a story and does not tell you at all where to find things. 0.5/10”
“There isn't a storyline per se because there isn't anything much to read.”
- replayability8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability, driven by a variety of achievements and the challenge of beating personal or others' high scores. Players appreciate the easy-to-learn controls and the engaging levels, which encourage repeated playthroughs. Overall, it stands out as a game that many find enjoyable to revisit multiple times.
“The replay value of this game really blindsided me; there are few games that I can truly play over and over again.”
“The variety of achievements creates a lot of replay value as you keep trying to best yourself.”
“There is a lot of replayability if you enjoy beating your own or other people's high scores.”
“The replay value of this game really blindsided me; there are few games that I can really play over and over again.”
“Adding to replay value are the achievements for clearing an area a second time or for activating all of a certain interactive object.”
“The controls are easy to learn and the levels have some replay value.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the emotional aspect of the game to be deeply engaging, as interacting with floating pollen clouds triggers the blooming of nearby flowers, creating a visually stunning and serene environment. This mechanic evokes a sense of wonder and connection to nature, enhancing the overall experience of the game.
“Touching floating pollen clouds causes nearby un-blossomed flowers to begin to bloom, creating a world full of abstract plants swaying in the breeze.”
“Various floating pollen clouds are scattered throughout the gardens, and touching them causes the closest un-blossomed flower to begin to bloom.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly when navigating between levels. However, those who enjoy grinding for achievements may appreciate the challenge it presents.
“It can be very tedious to navigate from one level to another.”
“If you like grinding achievements, this game is for you.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users report significant stability issues, particularly with controller detection, as many are unable to get their controllers recognized despite attempting various troubleshooting methods.
“Controllers are not detected, no matter what troubleshooting steps I try to follow.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable.”
“I experience constant lag and disconnections during online play.”
