The Gardens Between

86%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,870 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
The Gardens Between Game Cover
Melbourne studio The Voxel Agents' debut console game proves that they are already masters of the craft. This is a shining example of what indie games can be.
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"The Gardens Between" is a single-player adventure-puzzle game centered around best friends Arina and Frendt. They explore dreamlike island gardens representing their shared memories, solving time-manipulation puzzles and revealing a bittersweet narrative about their friendship. With a beautiful art style, ambient soundtrack, and accessible design, the game offers a serene, intimate journey of growing up.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Android
  • Linux
  • Mobile Platform
  • Play​Station
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

86%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,870 reviews
story273 positive mentions
replayability11 negative mentions
  • Beautiful graphics and art style that create a charming atmosphere.
  • Unique time manipulation mechanics that add depth to puzzle-solving.
  • Heartfelt story about friendship that resonates emotionally with players.
  • Very short gameplay, typically completed in 2-3 hours, which may not justify the price.
  • Puzzles can be too easy, lacking challenge for experienced players.
  • Some players may find the lack of direct character control frustrating.
  • story724 mentions

    The story in "The Gardens Between" is a minimalist yet poignant narrative that unfolds through environmental storytelling and visual cues, focusing on the friendship between two childhood friends as they navigate nostalgic memories. While the plot is simple and somewhat predictable, it effectively evokes emotions and nostalgia, particularly through its artistic presentation and atmospheric soundtrack. Although some players may find the story lacking in depth, many appreciate its heartfelt execution and the way it complements the game's unique puzzle mechanics.

    • “The gardens between is a masterpiece of minimalist storytelling, weaving a wordless tale of friendship and time.”
    • “By drawing upon a few, nearly-universal childhood events, it allows the player to fill in the story with their own emotions and memories, creating a shockingly moving, personal experience.”
    • “Relaxing as it is taxing, the gardens between offers a poignant coalescence of charming visuals, a relaxing soundtrack and a bittersweet story.”
    • “If you are deciding between a $15 movie or this game for $5 of entertainment for the night, I would go with the game, but be prepared for even less story than you would think.”
    • “I thought at least the story would be deep, but I saw and felt nothing.”
    • “The story behind it has pretty much no emotional depth.”
  • gameplay670 mentions

    The gameplay of "The Gardens Between" is centered around a unique time manipulation mechanic, allowing players to move time forward and backward to solve puzzles. While the puzzles are generally simple and can be completed in about 2-3 hours, they are creatively designed and often evoke emotional depth, making the experience engaging despite its short length. However, some players feel the gameplay lacks challenge and variety, suggesting it may be better enjoyed at a discounted price.

    • “The gameplay revolves around manipulating time and interacting with the environment in order to solve puzzles and progress through each level.”
    • “The mechanics of this game are incredibly creative; you start considering the different ways that the level can be solved and The Gardens Between comes up with wonderful visual methods to solve it.”
    • “The gameplay is what is interesting in this game; it uses a time loop where if you move forward, time moves forward, and if you move backwards... yeah, you get it.”
    • “The gameplay is quite lacking, overall.”
    • “The gameplay doesn't feel like it is weaving well with the game as a whole and just causes things to fall flat.”
    • “But considering weak story/soundtrack and short gameplay duration, fans of puzzle games should wait for a sale/discount.”
  • music504 mentions

    The music in "The Gardens Between" is widely praised for its atmospheric and relaxing qualities, enhancing the game's emotional depth and visual aesthetics. Many players find the soundtrack to be beautifully composed, with a mix of soothing ambient tracks that complement the gameplay and evoke nostalgia. While some note that the music can be repetitive at times, it generally contributes to a cozy and immersive experience, making it a highlight of the game.

    • “The gardens between is a very short puzzle game with beautiful surreal design and emotional soundtracks.”
    • “The art and music create a cozy environment in which a story is developed without words and leads to a beautifully melancholic ending that will make you miss your own childhood friends.”
    • “The music is incredible and the stylistic choices are aesthetically pleasing.”
    • “But considering weak story/soundtrack and short gameplay duration, fans of puzzle games should wait for a sale/discount.”
    • “Also, the soundtrack can be quite forgettable, except for that one level.”
    • “Other than at the very end credits, the music was very much in the background, and more apparent were the sounds of the items that I interacted with.”
  • graphics478 mentions

    The graphics of "The Gardens Between" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and unique art style, often described as beautiful, atmospheric, and emotionally evocative. Players appreciate the intricate details and vibrant colors that enhance the storytelling, creating a relaxing and immersive experience. While some noted minor issues with visual sharpness or gameplay engagement, the overall consensus highlights the game's exceptional aesthetic quality and its ability to complement the gameplay and narrative effectively.

    • “The graphics are really beautiful and add a relaxing side of the game with the music.”
    • “Absolutely gorgeous graphics.”
    • “The visuals are absolutely stunning.”
    • “I appreciate the overall aesthetics of the game, and the items that represent childhood and friendship... but it is completely boring and pretty much empty.”
    • “For a game about visuals, with no narration or text, there is no reason to get invested in the world nor the characters which are characters almost entirely in appearance.”
    • “But, at $20, it's a bit steep for two hours of gameplay with, for a PC, low-quality graphics and no replayability.”
  • emotional201 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "The Gardens Between" is widely praised for its heartfelt storytelling and nostalgic themes of childhood friendship, conveyed through beautiful visuals and a touching soundtrack. Despite its short length and minimal dialogue, the game effectively evokes strong emotions, often leading players to reflect on their own memories and relationships. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to create a poignant experience that resonates deeply, making it a memorable and worthwhile play for those seeking emotional depth in gaming.

    • “This is a beautiful game that takes the idea of time manipulation and runs absolutely wild with it, while telling a heartbreaking story that many people have experienced.”
    • “Without a single word, it tells a story that manages to be poetic without being pretentious, emotional without being corny, and with its very simple and perfectly revealing ending, touching without being intrusive.”
    • “The friendship between these two is touching and the ending made me appreciate all the little moments that were shown in the memory segments.”
  • atmosphere113 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its beautiful visuals, immersive soundtracks, and relaxing vibe, creating a captivating experience that enhances the gameplay. Many reviewers highlight the unique art style and the emotional depth conveyed through the environments and music, making it a memorable journey through themes of friendship and memories. However, some note that while the atmosphere is strong, the overall content may feel limited or simplistic, leading to mixed feelings about its lasting impact.

    • “Overall amazing atmosphere!!!”
    • “The gardens between is an atmospheric wonder that gets all the little things right.”
    • “A captivating and beautiful atmosphere, that conveys a heartfelt story through images and moments.”
    • “The atmosphere could save the day, but it doesn't - at least, not for me.”
    • “My only complaint is the overall miasma of sadness and despair in the atmosphere of the game.”
    • “In terms of atmosphere, it is, well, family friendly, so expect no fireworks.”
  • replayability37 mentions

    Overall, the game has been criticized for its low replayability, with many players noting its short completion time of around two to three hours and minimal incentives to replay. While some mention the possibility of achieving 100% completion as a reason to revisit, the general consensus is that the lack of additional content or challenges significantly diminishes replay value.

    • “✅ infinitely replayable”
    • “Although I only got half the achievements my first playthrough, so there is some replayability.”
    • “Have not completed all the achievements yet; perhaps they will add more replay value to the game.”
    • “The game is short, only needing around two to three hours to complete, with not much replayability once you have completed it.”
    • “Because there really isn’t any replay value and lasts about as long as a movie.”
    • “However, with how short it is and its lack of true replay value (the puzzles, once done, are insanely easy to do again, and with the 'speed run' mode turned on, I went back through and got 100% achievements in less than 20 minutes), I would never have paid the full price for this game.”
  • grinding23 mentions

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, particularly during longer sessions. While the gameplay can be enjoyable in short bursts, it often becomes unchallenging and monotonous, leading many to avoid replaying levels for achievements. Overall, the experience is described as fun but best enjoyed in moderation to prevent fatigue.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “But if I were to sum up the gameplay in one word, that word would be: tedious.”
    • “I finished the story in about 2 hours and have no intention of going back for the achievements, as I do not want to sit through the tedious act of completing any of these levels again.”
  • stability14 mentions

    The game's stability is a mixed bag; while some players report a smooth and polished experience with no bugs, others encounter frustrating glitches and slow controls that disrupt gameplay. Many users noted that the game can feel buggy, leading to moments of confusion and impatience, particularly with its hand-holding mechanics. Overall, the stability varies significantly among players, with some enjoying a seamless experience and others struggling with persistent issues.

    • “Runs great on Linux.”
    • “Great art, but the game is buggy and its simple mechanics will make you think it's just you who did it wrong.”
    • “Some people felt the game was more for kids or early teens, but I can imagine (and experienced) how such a buggy game can be frustrating.”
    • “I found myself getting impatient with the game, as the control of time is very slow with no way to speed it up, and the game freezes on events (collecting/losing your light, certain events in the world, etc.) which would be fine in a tutorial, but as it continues through the entire game I felt myself being stopped every so often just for the game to confirm 'yeah, you really did do the exact thing you intended to, good job you' and it felt a bit hand-holdy and really hindered my enjoyment of the game.”
  • character development6 mentions

    Reviews indicate a significant lack of character development in the game, with players expressing disappointment over its short length and the absence of deeper storytelling or emotional growth among characters. Many feel that the focus on lighthearted interactions detracts from the potential for more meaningful character exploration.

    • “The game is short, which is a shame because I crave more memories to explore, more character development, or maybe more diversion.”
    • “The game is short, which is a shame because I crave more memories to explore, more character development, or maybe more diversion or whatever.”
    • “There's no character development and only happy fun times between the characters.”
    • “Lack of story and character development.”
  • humor4 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted by its clever and unique puzzle designs, which often incorporate funny elements. Additionally, players can discover hidden secrets and amusing achievements that add to the comedic experience, even if they are not tied to the main storyline.

    • “The puzzles are quite funny with some unique ideas.”
    • “There's also a few hidden secrets and funny achievements to grab that are not related to the story.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The game is well-optimized, running smoothly on high settings at a consistent 60 fps on iMac systems.

    • “It runs smoothly on my iMac at high settings with 60 fps consistently.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The game features no microtransactions, providing a straightforward experience without additional costs.

    • “There are no microtransactions, which makes the experience feel more genuine and enjoyable.”
    • “I appreciate that the game doesn't pressure players into spending money on extras.”
    • “The absence of monetization tactics allows for a more immersive gameplay experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

79% average critic score

Buy The Gardens Between

Play time

3hMedian play time
3hAverage play time
3hMain story
3hCompletionist
3-4hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 22 analyzed playthroughs

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