Slime Rancher

76%
Game Brain Score Based on 50,472 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • grinding
Slime Rancher Game Cover
A slight and repetitive but cute farming game, Slime Rancher doesn't quite reach the heights of its sub-genre.
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Slime Rancher is a charming, single-player, open-world sci-fi game that puts you in the shoes of Beatrix LeBeau, a young rancher seeking her fortune on the Far, Far Range. With fantastic visuals and music, the game offers an atmospheric and humorous experience as you collect slimes, grow crops, and explore the wilds using your trusty vacpack. Despite being buggy and very grindy, Slime Rancher is highly emotional, with good replayability and an interesting plot that keeps you engaged.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Cloud
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

76%
Audience ScoreBased on 50,472 reviews
story1,092 positive mentions
grinding2,356 negative mentions
  • story3,104 mentions

    The story in *Slime Rancher* is generally described as light and optional, with players able to engage with it at their own pace. While some find the narrative touching and well-integrated through emails and notes from the previous ranch owner, others feel it lacks depth and can be easily overlooked in favor of gameplay. Overall, the story adds a charming layer to the game, but it is not the primary focus, allowing players to enjoy the farming and exploration aspects without feeling pressured to follow a strict narrative.

    • “Every single location is unique and has its own part of the story to tell.”
    • “The story of Slime Rancher is very well put together and requires you to buy/access all the areas in the game to understand.”
    • “The story is simple yet dynamic and unique, gameplay is overall very smooth and coherent.”
    • “However, players looking for a more complex or story-driven experience may want to look elsewhere.”
    • “The story aspects are pretty barebones and I did not care for the soundtrack, but the game runs very well and delivers on its premise.”
    • “The story isn't all that complex, and even though the gameplay may be repetitive, you can always count on lots of things waiting for you to be discovered.”
  • gameplay2,528 mentions

    The gameplay of "Slime Rancher" is widely praised for its engaging and addictive mechanics, combining farming, exploration, and resource management in a charming, colorful world. Players enjoy the simplicity of the controls and the satisfaction of managing their ranch, although some note that the gameplay can become repetitive over time, particularly in the late game. Overall, it offers a relaxing experience with a solid core loop that keeps players coming back, despite some desires for deeper mechanics and more varied content.

    • “Its unique blend of farming and exploration, charming presentation, and addictive gameplay make it a must-play for anyone looking for a fun and lighthearted gaming experience.”
    • “The gameplay is easy to pick up but hard to put down.”
    • “The gameplay loop is so good, it cured my nicotine addiction because I forgot to smoke.”
    • “One potential downside of Slime Rancher is that its gameplay can become repetitive over time.”
    • “The gameplay loop doesn't change much throughout the entire runtime.”
    • “The gameplay is simple, so there's no difficulty for that.”
  • grinding2,442 mentions

    The grinding aspect of "Slime Rancher" has received mixed feedback from players. While many appreciate the game's charming mechanics and find the farming and exploration enjoyable, some players feel that the gameplay can become repetitive and tedious, especially in the late game when managing resources and feeding slimes becomes a chore. Overall, the game is seen as a fun and cute farming simulator, but it may require a significant time investment for those aiming to fully explore its content and achieve all upgrades.

    • “I'm happy to have put a bigger effort into this game to beat all the achievements, because for the most part they aren't too grindy and enjoyable.”
    • “The music is choice, the little storyline is wholesome, the gameplay is relaxed and not grindy or pressuring, a nice area to explore, and the art style is absolutely kawaii and adorable.”
    • “This game is fantastic; it's grindy but not too grindy where it feels unfun, is full of places to explore, and is really well made unlike most games we have to deal with nowadays.”
    • “The only downside I see to the game is it can feel a bit grindy in the end.”
    • “In other words, while really good until the credits roll, the synergy between farming and exploration is lacking in the endgame; curiosity won't be a drive anymore since there will be nothing left to explore even if there are still a lot of things to unlock but not a lot of reasons to use them.”
    • “The game is fun initially, but rather quickly devolves into repetition and grinding.”
  • graphics2,413 mentions

    The graphics of "Slime Rancher" are widely praised for their charming, colorful, and whimsical art style that perfectly complements the game's lighthearted tone. Players appreciate the vibrant visuals and cute character designs, which create an inviting atmosphere for exploration and gameplay. While some users note performance issues on lower-end systems, the overall aesthetic remains a highlight, making it a delightful experience for fans of cozy and casual gaming.

    • “The graphics are colorful and vibrant, with a whimsical art style that perfectly matches the game's tone.”
    • “The game's graphics are colorful and whimsical, with a charming and playful aesthetic.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful, with the landscapes having a cartoony yet enrapturing look, and the slimes are also adorable.”
    • “The graphics are also not that good, and the scenery felt too monotonous for me.”
    • “The graphics could be better and the world is a little glitchy, but I can say the game is very fun to play and the slimes are super adorable.”
    • “The graphics lag whenever there are more than 15 slimes on the screen, and the controls are lacking.”
  • music1,445 mentions

    The music in "Slime Rancher" is widely praised for its charming and relaxing qualities, enhancing the game's vibrant atmosphere. Players appreciate the diverse soundtracks that change with different environments, contributing to an immersive experience. While some find the music occasionally repetitive, the overall consensus is that it effectively complements the cute visuals and gameplay, making it a delightful backdrop for exploration and farming.

    • “The music and sound design of the game are top-notch, creating an immersive and engaging experience that keeps you coming back for more.”
    • “The soundtrack is upbeat and catchy, and the sound effects are satisfying and playful.”
    • “The music, the creatures, the characters, and everything is just amazing beyond words.”
    • “The worst thing I can say, something I've noted to myself a few times, is that I wish there was more variety of music in-game.”
    • “It's got no story to speak of (least of all, something interesting that could temporarily take the player's mind away from the tedium), and a repetitive soundtrack as well (that I am pretty sure is repeating non-stop and leaving no place for silence or a chance for a sense of atmosphere to build up... though my memory could be wrong about that, because after a couple hours I decided that I couldn't bear with it any longer and muted the music for good).”
    • “The music is quite repetitive but I don't mind it.”
  • emotional671 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Slime Rancher" is overwhelmingly positive, with players frequently describing it as a deeply wholesome and heartwarming experience. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to evoke strong feelings, often leading to tears during key moments, particularly at the end, where the narrative delivers unexpected emotional depth. The charming visuals, cute slimes, and touching story elements contribute to its reputation as a comforting and uplifting game, making it a favorite for those seeking relaxation and emotional connection.

    • “The story is surprisingly emotional as well capable of even evoking emotions from adults.”
    • “This game made me cry, have an existential crisis, and never install it again.”
    • “The story you uncover through the various letters and messages by your friends and the previous owner of the ranch is heartwarming and worth reaching.”
    • “I cried.”
    • “Heartbreaking”
  • humor543 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its lighthearted and whimsical nature, primarily centered around the adorable and funny slimes that populate the world. Players find joy in the quirky behaviors and sounds of the slimes, as well as the amusing situations that arise during gameplay, such as managing their chaotic antics. Overall, the game is described as a charming blend of cute visuals and humorous elements, making it a delightful experience for players of all ages.

    • “The game's story is engaging and well-written, with a sense of humor that will keep players entertained throughout the game.”
    • “It's a funny game, with deep lore and a charming atmosphere that makes it a joy to play.”
    • “This game is so cute and funny, I like this game!!!”
    • “Slimes are funny, tarrs are not funny, and hen hens are funny. Overall, I'm not sure what to make of it. It's very colorful, and the soundtrack is ace. They need to make the missions where you give stuff to the scientists more balanced; some are too hard, while others are far too easy.”
    • “You're not funny!”
  • replayability250 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players praising its high replay value due to multiple endings, sandbox modes, and various gameplay challenges, while others find it limited after completing the main story. Many enjoy the cute aesthetics and exploration, but some express that the game can become repetitive over time, lacking substantial content for repeated playthroughs. Overall, it seems to offer decent replayability, especially with updates and community mods, but may not satisfy those seeking extensive long-term engagement.

    • “The game's replay value is high, with multiple endings and a sandbox mode that allows players to experiment and create their own farm.”
    • “A variety of modes and a new game plus sort of function provide massive replayability.”
    • “The replayability is great; I find myself making a new save file halfway through another one just to experience that 'fresh start' feel again.”
    • “Words can't describe how amazing this game is, but it can get pretty stale after you finish it due to the lack of replayability.”
    • “The one downside is that there isn't much replay value - once you've played through, you're likely to have seen all there is to see.”
    • “Not much replayability, but it's really fun to speedrun.”
  • atmosphere249 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its calming, cheerful, and whimsical qualities, enhanced by vibrant visuals and a soothing soundtrack. Players appreciate the cute slimes and the overall aesthetic, which creates a relaxing environment perfect for unwinding. While some note that the gameplay can become repetitive, the charming atmosphere keeps them engaged and content throughout their experience.

    • “Fills up my loneliness with all these cute slime faces, gorgeous gordo combinations, meaningful messages along the storyline, and just the whole calm, supportive atmosphere.”
    • “The music and whole atmosphere of this game is really cozy and peaceful, a good game to play if you want something like that.”
    • “The atmosphere is beautiful and the gameplay is simple to understand.”
    • “It's got no story to speak of (least of all, something interesting that could temporarily take the player's mind away from the tedium), and a repetitive soundtrack as well (that I am pretty sure is repeating non-stop and leaving no place for silence or a chance for a sense of atmosphere to build up... though my memory could be wrong about that, because after a couple hours I decided that I couldn't bear with it any longer and muted the music for good).”
    • “You can also cross-breed slimes, explore the area you are in, get some convenience upgrades, and there is a 'story', and while it's all creating a cute atmosphere, it just doesn't start out all that compelling and it's downhill from there.”
    • “As much as I like the game aesthetics, mood and laidback atmosphere, the game itself is just very boring grind.”
  • stability161 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is mixed, with many players reporting a range of minor to significant bugs and glitches. While some users enjoy a smooth experience with minimal issues, others encounter frequent crashes, freezing, and gameplay-affecting glitches. Despite these problems, many still find the game enjoyable and recommend it, particularly for its charming aesthetics and engaging gameplay.

    • “Great mod compatibility works on any PC almost. I play on my old laptop and it works fine; it can't run Minecraft, and this game runs great.”
    • “A solid, bug-free game and a lot of fun.”
    • “The game looks great, runs great, and sounds great.”
    • “Incredibly buggy mess.”
    • “I really wish I could recommend this, but any game that stutters, hitches, and freezes as much as this one does on a gaming rig that runs some of the beefiest games with ease, has some serious problems with it.”
    • “Was able to play for about 40 minutes after 10 crashes and looking up fixes (that barely helped) my specs are 1060 3GB graphic card 4300 3.5GHz processor and 20 gigs of RAM and I'm unable to play, it either freezes and crashes on the main menu or I play for 3 minutes into the tutorial and then it drops in FPS and then crashes.”
  • optimization131 mentions

    Overall, the optimization of the game has received mixed reviews. While many players report smooth performance and minimal bugs, some experience significant frame drops and crashes, particularly on lower-end hardware. The game is generally well-optimized for casual play, but there are calls for further improvements, especially as the complexity of the game increases with more slimes and activities.

    • “The game is well optimized for anyone, even those with absolute toss of graphics cards.”
    • “Slime Rancher performs incredibly well, and seems well-optimized for any machine.”
    • “Simple, gorgeous, addictive, well optimized, and full of the dev's love.”
    • “This is the most poorly optimized game I've ever played.”
    • “Very poorly optimized, uses 70% of my CPU quite often.”
    • “As the farm becomes more lively, traversing from one area to the other introduces stuttering and huge frame drops.”
  • character development24 mentions

    Character development in the game is generally viewed as minimal, with most players noting that while the character designs are adorable and visually appealing, the depth of character backstories and interactions is lacking. Some players appreciated the emotional investment provided through limited communications, such as emails, but overall, the focus on gameplay and farming detracts from meaningful character development. The charming aesthetics and enjoyable gameplay are highlighted, but many feel that the narrative and character growth could be significantly improved.

    • “The e-mails that you receive from your friend back home are the best part about the story, and though limited, they provide a surprising amount of character development and emotional investment.”
    • “Cute character designs, a balanced progression curve, awesome customization, and laid-back, occasionally mindless gameplay come together to form a great open world tycoon game.”
    • “Intuitive gameplay, beautiful character design, and relaxing ambient music.”
    • “If I could give a sideways thumb, I would. It's fun for a little bit for only one playthrough. Some things regarding the story seemed unnecessary and out of place (no, I'm not talking about Hobson's long character development), and the actual game itself is just a little lacking. Not a bad game by any means, just disappointing.”
    • “There are a few NPCs you have very basic interactions with, but they don't really have much in the way of backstory or character development or anything else that might break up the relative monotony of working on your slime farm.”
    • “Beatrix only receives character development through Casey's emails; the only thing the player really learns about her is that she's outdoorsy.”
  • monetization20 mentions

    The game is praised for its monetization model, which features no microtransactions or in-game purchases, focusing solely on cosmetic items. Players appreciate the absence of ads and paywalls, highlighting the game's value and wholesome experience in a market often plagued by exploitative monetization practices. Overall, it is seen as a refreshing alternative for those tired of cash grabs and excessive monetization in gaming.

    • “That's really refreshing considering how many games have just been reduced to microtransactions and paywalls.”
    • “Fantastic value for money and no in-app purchases, which is nice.”
    • “And in a world where most games these days have overpriced DLC, microtransactions, loot boxes, and other industry issues, this game stands tall with none of that.”
    • “This game has the unhealthy addictive qualities of those mobile farm games that get iterated a thousand times and I see endless unskippable ads for.”
    • “And in a world where most games these days have overpriced DLC, microtransactions, loot boxes, and other industry bullsh*t, this game stands tall with none of that.”
    • “Very good game if you like games like simulators or cash grabs; this is for you.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

65% average critic score

Buy Slime Rancher

Play time

18hMedian play time
61hAverage play time
15hMain story
39hCompletionist
7-63hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 318 analyzed playthroughs

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