Placid Plastic Duck Simulator

99%
Game Brain Score Based on 17,706 reviews
  • music
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Placid Plastic Duck Simulator Game Cover
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In Placid Plastic Duck Simulator, players take on the role of a plastic duck navigating through a turbulent world filled with challenging obstacles and environments. With various difficulty levels and a dynamic physics engine, this simulator offers a unique and engaging experience. Collect rewards, customize your duck, and strive to reach the end of each level in this quirky and entertaining game.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

99%
Audience ScoreBased on 17,706 reviews
music190 positive mentions
grinding30 negative mentions
  • music524 mentions

    The music in "Placid Plastic Duck Simulator" is widely praised for its relaxing and ambient qualities, creating a soothing atmosphere that enhances the overall experience of watching rubber ducks float in a pool. While many players find the soundtrack to be hypnotic and enjoyable, some note that it can become repetitive due to its limited selection. Overall, the combination of chill tunes and quirky sound effects contributes to a meditative and stress-relieving gameplay experience.

    • “The soundtrack is a masterpiece in itself, with a whimsical blend of cheerful tunes that perfectly complements the game's lighthearted atmosphere.”
    • “The serene ambiance, coupled with the soothing soundtrack, whisked me away from the stresses of everyday life into a realm of pure relaxation.”
    • “The music is perfect.”
    • “I paid $7 for a screensaver that sometimes plays music.”
    • “The music gets repetitive after a couple of hours since the radio is only a 30-minute loop, but it will be reworked soon.”
    • “The music content is limited and will soon grind on you but it is optional.”
  • gameplay466 mentions

    The gameplay of "Placid Plastic Duck Simulator" is a polarizing topic among players, with many noting its minimalist approach that often lacks traditional mechanics. While some find the experience engaging and relaxing, likening it to a meditative simulation of watching ducks, others criticize it for having little to no actual gameplay. Overall, the game is appreciated for its charming visuals and soothing atmosphere, but players should manage their expectations regarding interactive gameplay.

    • “The gameplay itself is a delight.”
    • “This game has an amazing soundtrack, excellent graphics, and thrilling gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is simple yet strangely addictive.”
    • “Imagine an incremental/idle game with virtually none of the gameplay.”
    • “There isn't much in terms of gameplay, though, so make sure to keep that in mind when setting expectations.”
    • “There is no gameplay.”
  • graphics456 mentions

    The graphics of "Placid Plastic Duck Simulator" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning realism and attention to detail, creating a tranquil and immersive experience. Players appreciate the beautiful water effects and charming animations of the ducks, which enhance the game's calming atmosphere. However, some users have reported performance issues and a lack of adjustable graphics settings, which can lead to high GPU usage and lag on lower-end systems.

    • “The graphics are unexpectedly detailed, enhancing the tranquil experience with realistic water effects and charming duck animations.”
    • “The graphics are a feast for the eyes, with vibrant colors and attention to detail that make the plastic ducks come to life in a way you never thought possible.”
    • “Its exquisite graphics, soothing gameplay, and overall charm make it a must-play for anyone looking to escape into a world of serenity and fun.”
    • “I was even prepared to overlook the huge graphical glitches, camera issues, and clumsy level design.”
    • “There are only a few 'graphics quality' settings, and none of them seem to fix the low framerate issues.”
    • “I get the game's intention but the performance is terrible even on my Steam Deck and it does not offer any options in regards to performance/graphics.”
  • story382 mentions

    The game's story is a mixed bag, with some players praising its depth, emotional impact, and engaging character arcs, while others criticize the lack of a clear narrative or overarching objectives. Many players find themselves creating their own stories and backstories for the ducks, leading to a unique and personal storytelling experience. Overall, the storytelling is described as both whimsical and profound, with moments that resonate deeply, despite some feeling it could benefit from more structured plot elements.

    • “The story is beautiful and like no other.”
    • “This game changed my entire worldview, the stunning visuals, constant action, and the amazing story—a story of love, death, reunion, and family. This game is one of, if not the best game I have ever played, and I will continue to play it henceforth.”
    • “The storytelling is immaculate.”
    • “Some players may find the lack of a storyline or overarching objectives to be a bit aimless, and the repetitive nature of certain tasks can become somewhat tedious over time.”
    • “I was sadly let down because the plot had me lost and wondering what even was the point of playing through.”
    • “There's no goal, no story, and nothing but ducks floating.”
  • humor312 mentions

    The humor in "Placid Plastic Duck Simulator" is widely praised for its lighthearted and whimsical nature, with players enjoying the funny antics of the ducks and the ability to name them creatively. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to evoke laughter through its silly mechanics and unexpected moments, making it a delightful experience for both children and adults. Overall, the game is described as a relaxing yet amusing way to pass the time, often serving as a source of joy and entertainment.

    • “This is the most silly, humorous, and beautiful game ever known to man.”
    • “Placid plastic duck simulator is a game where you watch ducks spawn in a pool, and get a different one each time, you can also name your ducks, you can't move them around or anything though, just purely watching and naming ducks, it's a funny and unique concept, it's also pretty cute and for a cheap price of $1.99 it was worth it to buy!”
    • “I was laughing maniacally for over 30 minutes, loved it 10/10”
  • emotional182 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is overwhelmingly positive, with players expressing deep attachments to the ducks and experiencing a wide range of feelings, from joy to heartbreak. Many describe it as a therapeutic and heartwarming experience, often leading to tears over the fate of their beloved virtual ducks. The game's ability to evoke genuine emotional responses and foster a sense of community is frequently highlighted, making it a standout in terms of emotional engagement.

    • “Every time another duck has been brought upon the beautiful scenery, I shed a tear, and I will continue to do so each time I launch this masterpiece.”
    • “The game's ability to elicit such genuine emotional responses is a testament to its brilliance.”
    • “This game, no this experience, has made me feel things I have never felt.”
  • grinding70 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is often described as excessively time-consuming and repetitive, with some players feeling it requires a significant investment of time to achieve goals. While some find the grinding tolerable, especially in gacha mechanics, others express frustration with the aimless nature of tasks and the tediousness of certain activities, such as unwrapping items or waiting for respawns. Overall, many players suggest that a considerable amount of grinding is necessary to progress, which can detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.

    • “The ducks are the most perfect things ever, I've enjoyed this more than any game. I don't need to do anything, no grinding, no skills, no nothing.”
    • “Some players may find the lack of a storyline or overarching objectives to be a bit aimless, and the repetitive nature of certain tasks can become somewhat tedious over time.”
    • “I had to play in the summer pool for an additional seven hours to unlock the last couple of achievements, which ended up making my relaxing experience more tedious as I waited for all of my unlocked ducks to respawn in that pool.”
    • “That final boss fight was absolutely insane; it took so much grinding for me to finally beat the boss.”
  • optimization68 mentions

    The game's optimization is widely criticized, with many users reporting severe performance issues, including high resource consumption and lack of graphics options. Players express frustration over the game's inability to run smoothly, even on lower settings, and call for significant optimization improvements to enhance the overall experience. Despite its simple premise, the game is described as one of the most poorly optimized titles, leading to concerns about hardware strain and gameplay enjoyment.

    • “The breathtaking graphics and the amazing optimization allow anyone to view and enjoy it.”
    • “Optimization options are something that the game clearly needs, yet lacks despite the amazing additions being made to the game along with 3 DLCs.”
    • “I hope for a performance update someday, considering it's such a simple game.”
    • “Unfortunately, this game is either extremely unoptimized, requires a lot of resources to run at an acceptable speed, or is doing some sort of Windows-specific black magic that causes the Steam Deck to chug like crazy.”
    • “I was promised a relaxing time, but all I got was panic and dread, worrying that several hundred dollars of mine had gone down the drain, all because of a severely unoptimized game about watching rubber ducks float around in a pool.”
    • “This has to be the worst optimized game I've ever played.”
  • atmosphere68 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its relaxing and charming qualities, featuring delightful visuals, soothing music, and a serene environment that invites players to unwind. Many reviewers highlight the game's unique approach of allowing players to observe rather than control, enhancing the tranquil experience. Overall, the combination of beautiful graphics, whimsical soundtracks, and a peaceful ambiance creates an enchanting atmosphere that players find captivating and enjoyable.

    • “With its charming visuals, intuitive gameplay, and relaxing atmosphere, it's the perfect antidote to the stresses of modern life.”
    • “The meticulously crafted environments, filled with lush vegetation and shimmering sunlight, create an enchanting atmosphere that embraces players in a cocoon of serenity.”
    • “The atmosphere is perfect, from the ambience to the lighting, it's unreal.”
    • “This game opened my eyes to the greater world outside the dull and toxic atmosphere of my former life.”
    • “The rubbery adversaries engage in conspiratorial quacks, creating an atmosphere more tension-filled than a Hitchcock film – except, you know, with ducks.”
    • “I left it on for atmosphere but kept checking in on it every now and then to see what might be happening.”
  • replayability24 mentions

    Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, with many players noting the immersive graphics, engaging gameplay, and multiple endings that encourage repeated playthroughs. However, some users suggest that additional content, such as DLC or workshop support, could further enhance the replay value. Despite these suggestions, the game is still regarded as a must-buy for its ability to provide countless hours of enjoyable content.

    • “The replayability factor is high, as you can always come back for more and try to beat your previous scores.”
    • “Exhilarating gameplay, countless hours of content, undeniable replayability, and has won all game of the year awards since July 6, 2022.”
    • “This is the best game I have ever played with its intense gameplay and amazing graphics along with tons of quests and multiple endings giving it tons of replay value; it is a must buy!”
    • “Unless you buy the DLC (which only extends how much you get out of it) or stream it with some people to make a story with it, then it's not very replayable.”
    • “9/10 could do with some changes such as more replayability options, like adding workshop support or more DLC/free ducks, but this game is pretty new so there obviously won't be too much content.”
    • “(the game could use a workshop for more replayability)”
  • stability20 mentions

    The game's stability is marked by frequent graphical glitches, camera issues, and occasional lag, particularly when resuming saved files. While some players report smooth performance on certain hardware, others experience significant bugs, such as duck spawning failures and rendering problems. Overall, while the game is enjoyable and visually appealing most of the time, its stability issues detract from the experience.

    • “Runs great on Steam Deck as well.”
    • “Runs great under Proton on Linux.”
    • “Bro, why is it so buggy? Half the time my duck doesn't even spawn, and the other half it's choppy as hell. My friend has a much older GPU than me, and it runs like a charm for him. I wanted to see some placid plastic ducks smoothly gliding across my screen, not a choppy render of an empty swimming pool.”
    • “My only complaint is it gets a little buggy when you resume a save file. It lags a little and then sends you to the game. Sometimes, if you accidentally click too many times out of confusion, the sky flickers between what you should see and black until the first duck lands.”
    • “It's better to pirate the game, like what I've read online, after troubleshooting it for more than 2 hours.”
  • character development8 mentions

    Character development in the game is praised for its depth and complexity, contributing significantly to the overall narrative and setting. Reviewers highlight the stunning character designs and exceptional storytelling, which enhance the gameplay experience.

    • “Extremely well done character development.”
    • “The story, the character development, and the setting are all beautifully intertwined.”
    • “The characters are so complex in their development that it left a lasting impression on me.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization strategy is characterized by accurate advertising, suggesting that users find the ads relevant and well-targeted to their interests.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

10hMedian play time
13hAverage play time
5-20hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 32 analyzed playthroughs

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