Preserve
- August 8, 2024
- Bitmap Galaxy
- 4h median play time
Get on SteamDigital Deluxe Edition DISCORD Roadmap COZY GAMES BY FRIENDShttps://store.steampowered.com/app/2427980/Monterona/ About the Game Preserve is a puzzle nature-building game that takes players on a journey into a harmonious ecosystem. The objective is to foster and sustain a thriving and diverse biomes, where each component coexists in a symbiotic harmony. By utilizing strategic thinking and…
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Reviews
- Beautiful graphics and soothing music create a relaxing atmosphere, making it enjoyable to play.
- The game offers a variety of biomes and gameplay modes, providing both challenge and creativity for players.
- It's a charming and engaging puzzle game that is suitable for all ages, making it a great choice for family play.
- The game can experience performance issues on certain devices, particularly on older Macs, leading to frustrating lag.
- Some players find the difficulty curve steep, with certain modes feeling either too easy or too challenging.
- The game currently lacks replay value due to its limited scoring system and fixed solutions for puzzles.
- gameplay31 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its relaxing and engaging puzzle mechanics, enhanced by beautiful visuals and soothing music. Each biome introduces unique mechanics that require different strategies, providing variety and depth to the experience. Players appreciate the balance between casual exploration and the challenge of achieving high scores, making it both enjoyable and replayable.
“Relaxing puzzle game with really interesting mechanics, beautiful art style, and engaging music and sound effects.”
“Each unique biome not only introduces new gameplay mechanics, but also new flora and fauna that are visually pleasing to the eye.”
“The gameplay is simple and relaxing—you can take your time exploring, planting, and caring for animals.”
“I sort of thought this game would be somewhat like Terra Nil, an ecological restoration puzzle game I adore and super recommend, but it really wasn't and seems so lacking in comparison—both in engaging gameplay and enjoyment.”
“Don't get me wrong, it absolutely does and I love it for that, but the main hook are the score mechanics, luck of the cards, and gnawing towards that next milestone where you may or may not get the animal you need for a three-different-critters-in-a-habitat combo.”
“Preserve is a very decent one, mechanically almost identical to Terrascape (3 hexes make a combo, cards get dealt after completing certain point caps, etc.) but manages to introduce a lot of biome-specific mechanics that make the game require a completely different approach each level.”
- graphics30 mentions
- 73 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful, vibrant, and cozy art style, which enhances the relaxing gameplay experience. Many users appreciate the charming visuals and soothing soundtrack, although some note that the graphics can feel somewhat mobile-game-like and may cause performance issues on lower-end systems. Overall, the graphics contribute significantly to the game's enchanting atmosphere and appeal, making it a delightful choice for players seeking a calming experience.
“Beautiful graphics, fun game promoting the importance of biodiversity in beautiful landscapes and wonderful progression.”
“Prepare to be enchanted by the cozy atmosphere, stunning graphics, captivating music, and creative puzzles that will ignite your imagination.”
“The vibrant visuals and charming soundtrack create such a chill vibe—perfect for kicking back and relaxing.”
“The graphics are decent, a bit mobile-game like, but it serves the purpose, and the kids will love it.”
“It would be nice if there were more settings related to graphics and performance, perhaps an ability to turn off the animal animations to try and reduce the lag (although the animal animations are very cute!).”
“I turned down the quality on the graphics and that helps, but it still runs slow even with that change.”
- music27 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 37 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its relaxing and soothing qualities, enhancing the overall calming atmosphere and gameplay experience. Players appreciate the beautiful soundtrack that complements the stunning visuals and engaging mechanics, creating a zen-like environment that encourages prolonged play. While some users noted the absence of music in creative mode, the general consensus is that the music significantly contributes to the game's charm and appeal.
“The music and art are beautiful, and the gameplay is addictive; I keep getting back to try to get a higher score!”
“The vibrant visuals and charming soundtrack create such a chill vibe—perfect for kicking back and relaxing.”
“From the very start, I was swept away by the incredible, zen-like music and lovely visuals.”
“My only gripe is that the relaxing music doesn't appear in the creative mode that allows you to place things with no rules, though I assume that the team will add that later.”
“And the music.”
“I recommend playing it with in-game music, or even with a favorite series or movie on in the background (like Friends or The Office).”
- optimization6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is generally well-optimized for an early access title, with users reporting no significant bugs or performance issues. However, there is a desire for more graphics and performance settings, particularly to manage lag with animal animations. While it performs well on the Steam Deck, some users noted the need for touch UI optimizations for better accessibility.
“Very polished for an early access game; I didn't encounter any bugs or performance issues.”
“Performance is good, and I think it would be amazing to play on iPad and tablets.”
“Out of the box, the game is also Steam Deck friendly; however, it may need some touch UI optimizations as the controller is the only supported input for now.”
“It would be nice if there were more settings related to graphics and performance, perhaps an ability to turn off the animal animations to try and reduce the lag (although the animal animations are very cute!).”
“The large maps are my favorite, but I think I'll have to stick to playing the medium-sized ones to balance game performance and creating an expansive environment.”
“Out of the box, the game is also Steam Deck friendly; however, it may need some touch UI optimizations as the controller is the only supported input for now, and many users could expect to move the cards over to the island.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a peaceful and enchanting ambiance, enhanced by captivating music and stunning graphics. Players appreciate the cozy environment that encourages exploration and learning, reminiscent of the educational elements found in games like Wingspan. Overall, the atmosphere is described as immersive and relaxing, making it easy to lose track of time while playing.
“The music adds to the peaceful atmosphere, making it easy to lose track of time while you play.”
“Prepare to be enchanted by the cozy atmosphere, stunning graphics, captivating music, and creative puzzles that will ignite your imagination.”
“Lovely little game, very atmospheric and chill.”
“The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking any real depth or engagement.”
“Despite the beautiful visuals, the atmosphere is often overshadowed by repetitive gameplay that fails to immerse you.”
“The game tries to create a mood, but the lack of variety in environments makes it feel stale and monotonous.”
- replayability3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate its calming aesthetics and variety, others feel constrained by a singular solution that limits the experience. This lack of multiple pathways or outcomes diminishes the potential for replay value, leaving some users wanting more depth and freedom in gameplay.
“Gorgeous looking game, high replay value, very chill and calming, amazing music and sound.”
“Ultimately, I like the gameplay because it has a bit more variety than Dorfromantik and clear potential for greater replayability than Terra Nil.”
“This game could have been amazing, but its 'one solution to reach one of the scores' does not create the replay value that is sorely needed. I would love to feel the magic of being able to keep going, but knowing there is a limit and a perfect solution with a ceiling just evaporates that feeling and leaves a sour taste in my mind, knowing this is just a puzzle with an end.”
“The lack of multiple solutions really hampers the replayability. Once you've solved the puzzles, there's little incentive to return, making the experience feel finite and ultimately disappointing.”
“While the game has great mechanics, the replayability is severely lacking. After completing it once, there’s no real reason to dive back in, as the thrill of discovery is replaced by a sense of monotony.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the emotional aspect of the game deeply impactful, particularly highlighting a specific track in the African biome that evokes a sense of wholesomeness and tranquility. The game is described as a "sandbox of wholesomeness," offering a serene experience that encourages players to pause and appreciate its emotional depth. Overall, it resonates strongly with those seeking a heartfelt and immersive gaming experience.
“Very good altogether, but that one track in the African biome, with that solemn voice, was so wholesome that I stopped playing and just laid back to listen.”
“This game is a sandbox of wholesomeness I've been patiently waiting for a year and a half. Ever since I discovered it, I've been looking forward to spending at least ten hours playing it - not just because it radiates serenity, bright colors, and cute animals.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game can become tedious, leading to a more chaotic approach to world-building rather than strategic planning. However, the freedom to create custom environments and interact with various plants and animals adds an enjoyable layer to the experience.
“It may get tedious, and it will eventually make you quit planning ten steps forward and just throw forests and grasslands around.”
“The grinding aspect feels repetitive and can drain the enjoyment out of the game.”
“After a while, the constant need to gather resources becomes a chore rather than a fun activity.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Users express a desire for improved stability, indicating that the game currently has numerous bugs that detract from the overall experience.
“I am looking forward to it being less buggy.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable.”
“I experienced constant lag and glitches that ruined my experience.”
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the humor in the game, highlighting its cute visuals and funny gameplay that contribute to a relaxing overall mood.
“Cute visuals, funny gameplay, and a relaxing mood... love it!”
“The humor in this game is absolutely delightful and keeps me laughing!”
“I can't get enough of the witty dialogue and hilarious character interactions!”
