Sprout
- January 5, 2018
- MindfulMammoth
- 100h median play time
Embark on a casual, botanical-puzzle-adventure. Make friends, learn new skills, solve puzzles, and become the mighty oak that you were always meant to be.
Reviews
- Charming hand-drawn art style that evokes nostalgia.
- Simple and engaging puzzles that are suitable for all ages.
- Short playtime of about 10-20 minutes, making it a perfect quick game.
- Very short gameplay, which may leave players wanting more.
- Some puzzles can feel unintuitive, leading to trial and error.
- Lack of background music or sound can make the experience feel empty.
- graphics142 mentions
- 49 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming hand-drawn art style that evokes a nostalgic, child-like aesthetic, often described as cute and colorful. Players appreciate the simplicity and uniqueness of the visuals, which complement the gameplay and create an endearing atmosphere, making it a delightful experience despite its short duration. Overall, the artwork is a standout feature, enhancing the game's appeal and making it enjoyable for a wide audience.
“The hand-drawn art style partnered with the ambient sounds in the background leaves a charming package that can be enjoyed at one's own pace.”
“The puzzles are intuitive and humorous, and the artwork is so charming I wish the game had been longer so I could experience more of it.”
“Its hand-drawn graphics are absolutely gorgeous and the game is very simple to the degree that a very young child could understand the mechanics, yet it's still challenging enough to be fun.”
“The graphics are definitely unconventional but not unpleasant, and it's short, but for a free little game it's perfect.”
“The art style may seem subpar, but it has a nice charm to it, especially since everything has been drawn by hand.”
“I'm ashamed of my past self for being naive enough to think anything of this 'artwork'.”
- story64 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 66 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game's story revolves around a charming and simple narrative about a seed's journey to grow into an oak tree, conveyed through hand-drawn graphics and wordless cutscenes. While not complex, the story imparts uplifting themes of perseverance and growth, making it an endearing experience for players. Overall, it is praised for its creativity and positive message, despite its brevity.
“Starting as a seed might sound like the plot of an indie film, but it’s a surprisingly compelling theme for a game.”
“The story of a coconut seed that wants to grow into an oak tree is told first through a sweet, wordless cutscene, then through a series of simple puzzles as the seed grows up, produces more seeds, and gradually makes its way towards its goal.”
“In the short time it takes you to finish it, it manages to tell a charming little story about how you can become whatever you want to become, and hey, it's free!”
“If you are looking for edge-of-your-seat action and a deep, innovative story line then this game is not for you.”
“The story confused me a lot - what looks like a bean turning into different plants - but it's a fun game.”
“As for the story, it's not very complex, you are a sprout from a coconut tree that has to cross some land to get to an oak forest by using different 'transformations'.”
- gameplay58 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its simplicity and charm, featuring straightforward mechanics that are easy to grasp, making it accessible for players of all ages. While the game offers a short playtime of around 10-15 minutes, it includes engaging puzzles and a unique art style that enhance the overall experience. However, some players noted issues with random scrolling and a lack of depth, which detracted from the enjoyment.
“The gameplay, art style, and price make it worth a play despite its shortness.”
“It's a very short and simple game, but with interesting gameplay where you have to choose the kind of dispersion you need to progress across the game.”
“Charming graphics, simple gameplay, and a relaxing soundtrack add up to make this a good way to spend ten to fifteen minutes.”
“The game mechanics are simple and easy to understand, but sadly the game randomly scrolls to the complete right side and you cannot do anything against it. This especially happens during animations, so I mostly didn't see any of them. I didn't even see what happened to the bird when I got the achievement.”
“The gameplay is just clicking and deciding what grows out of the little seed. It's straightforward, but that is really what the game itself is.”
“The puzzles are not very hard as there isn't a very complex game mechanic behind it, merely some simple point-and-click, though I actually had to trial-and-error sometimes.”
- humor25 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its charm and lightheartedness, with many players finding the puzzles and story both entertaining and funny. The hand-drawn art style adds to the overall cuteness, making the experience enjoyable and often eliciting laughter. Overall, the game is described as a delightful blend of humor and creativity, making it a recommended play for those seeking a lighthearted gaming experience.
“The puzzles are intuitive and humorous, and the artwork is so charming I wish the game had been longer so I could experience more of it.”
“Funny little game, really entertaining to watch someone else try to figure it out when you already know the answers!”
“It's short, it's cute, it's funny, it's free, it's hand-drawn, this game is great!”
- music13 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate a general consensus that the game lacks a soundtrack, which leaves a noticeable gap in the audio experience. While the sound effects are well-crafted and provide some ambience, many players feel that the addition of background music would enhance the overall enjoyment. Overall, the absence of music is seen as a missed opportunity, though the sound design is appreciated.
“Charming graphics, simple gameplay, and a relaxing soundtrack add up to make this a good way to spend ten to fifteen minutes.”
“I enjoyed the artwork, music and sounds, and the animations.”
“There's no music available, but the sound effects are more than enough to provide some ambience.”
“The sound design focuses on well-crafted effects that complement the visuals, though the absence of a soundtrack leaves a quiet gap.”
“Sprout is a pretty decent game, but the addition of some music or ambient sound would do well.”
“What's missing is some sort of background music; however, there are some sound effects, so it's not completely silent, which makes it less of a big deal that it's lacking music.”
- emotional8 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its wholesome and cozy atmosphere, evoking feelings of nostalgia and satisfaction through its touching narrative and art style. Players appreciate the lack of urgency in the puzzles, allowing for a relaxing experience that culminates in a poignant conclusion, making it a heartfelt journey worth recommending.
“The end scene with their past selves growing around them, reminiscing on their journey made me strangely emotional.”
“A very touching hand-drawn puzzle-adventure that I would fully recommend to everyone.”
“Wholesome and relaxing, this game presents puzzles without a sense of urgency and a satisfying conclusion.”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Players consistently express that the grinding required in the game is excessively time-consuming, suggesting that it feels like a task that demands an unrealistic amount of dedication, akin to needing a "second life" to manage it.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The game has low replayability, with players enjoying the experience primarily through watching others solve puzzles rather than engaging repeatedly themselves. Many reviewers suggest that adding more puzzles and a hint system could significantly enhance its depth and replay value, making it a fun but short-lived experience. Overall, while enjoyable, the game lacks the content needed for sustained replayability.
“I would give this game a 9/10 just shy of 10/10 because I would have loved to see more and there to be a bit more replayability.”
“Adding a few more puzzles could enhance its depth and replay value.”
“Nice fun puzzle game, but I think more levels should be added and perhaps a hint system. Fun for 5 or 10 minutes, but not really any replayability. Since it's free, sure I'd recommend it, but I wouldn't tell you to expect something fantastic.”
“I would give this game a 9/10, just shy of 10/10, because I would have loved to see more and there to be a bit more replayability.”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized as calming and gentle, creating a low-stakes environment that minimizes frustration and encourages exploration. Players appreciate the fun and originality, noting that the soothing ambiance contributes to an enjoyable experience without the risk of rage quitting.
“Fun, original, short game with a nice atmosphere.”
“While this can (and did, for me) lead into a bit of a trial-and-error scenario now and then, the low stakes and gentle atmosphere mean there are few chances for frustration.”
“But the game never gets you to the point of rage quitting due to its calming atmosphere.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is praised for its depth and complexity, with players noting that characters evolve significantly throughout the story. Many reviews highlight the emotional arcs and personal growth of the characters, making them relatable and engaging. However, some players feel that certain characters could benefit from more backstory or resolution to enhance their overall impact.
“The character development in this game is incredibly deep, allowing players to form genuine connections with each character as their stories unfold.”
“I love how the characters evolve throughout the game; their growth feels organic and impactful, making every decision feel significant.”
“The way the game handles character arcs is masterful, with each character facing personal challenges that resonate with real-life experiences.”
“The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the protagonists.”
“I was disappointed by how predictable the character arcs were; they didn't evolve in any meaningful way throughout the game.”
“The choices I made seemed to have little impact on the characters' growth, leaving me feeling disconnected from their journeys.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -300 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game performs unexpectedly well at 4K resolutions, showcasing effective optimization that is often lacking in newer indie titles, which typically struggle with higher resolutions.
“It ran surprisingly well at 4K resolutions, which is an unexpected optimization considering that newer indie titles often struggle to accommodate resolutions other than what the developer used.”
“The game's performance is impressive, showcasing excellent optimization that allows for smooth gameplay even on lower-end hardware.”
“I was amazed at how well the game optimized its resources, providing a seamless experience without sacrificing visual quality.”
“It did run surprisingly well at 4K resolutions, so that's a random optimization I wasn't expecting, considering newer indie titles often struggle accommodating resolutions other than what the developer used.”
- stability1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users report that Sprout is highly stable, featuring a well-crafted interactive experience with no glitches, ensuring a seamless gameplay experience.
“Sprout is interactive and well-made, with no glitches, and everything makes sense.”