The Gardens Between

93%
Game Brain Score Based on 918 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

93%
Audience ScoreBased on 918 reviews
story135 positive mentions
replayability5 negative mentions
  • Beautiful graphics and art style that create a charming atmosphere.
  • Inventive puzzles that utilize a unique time manipulation mechanic, providing a satisfying gameplay experience.
  • A heartfelt story about friendship that resonates emotionally, especially for those with nostalgic memories.
  • The game is quite short, typically taking only 2-3 hours to complete, which may not justify the full price for some players.
  • Puzzles can be too easy, lacking significant challenge for experienced players.
  • Limited replayability, as once the puzzles are solved, there is little incentive to revisit the game.
  • story356 mentions

    The game's story is a bittersweet and nostalgic exploration of childhood friendship, conveyed primarily through visual storytelling without dialogue. While some players appreciate the emotional depth and artistic presentation, others find the narrative to be simplistic and lacking in detail, serving mainly as a backdrop for the puzzles. Overall, it offers a charming experience that resonates with themes of memory and connection, though it may not satisfy those seeking a more complex narrative.

    • “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.”
    • “The story is presented with pure 'show, don't tell' where you interpret it based on the environment and character actions.”
    • “The gardens between tells the story of a friendship through time using puzzles as the two best friends interact with objects from their childhood to move through different memories they share.”
    • “Weakness: the plot is almost nonexistent.”
    • “The game itself doesn't have much of a story, but at the end, you realize you are reliving a sad childhood memory.”
    • “I thought at least the story would be deep, but I saw and felt nothing.”
  • gameplay325 mentions

    The gameplay in "The Gardens Between" is characterized by its unique time manipulation mechanics, allowing players to control the flow of time to solve puzzles in a visually stunning environment. While the puzzles are generally easy and the game can be completed in about 2-3 hours, the innovative mechanics and charming aesthetics create a relaxing and engaging experience, though some players feel the gameplay lacks depth and challenge. Overall, it is recommended for those who appreciate artistic puzzle games, especially if purchased on sale due to its short duration.

    • “The mechanics of this game are incredibly creative; you start considering the different ways that the level can be solved, and the gardens between come up with wonderful visual methods to solve it.”
    • “A leisurely few hours of relaxed gameplay with beautiful music and a simple yet touching story.”
    • “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 backward... 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, at $20, it's a bit steep for two hours of gameplay with, for a PC, low-quality graphics and no replayability.”
  • music249 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its relaxing and atmospheric qualities, enhancing the overall experience with beautiful soundtracks that evoke nostalgia and emotion. Many players noted that the music complements the stunning visuals and gameplay, creating a cozy and immersive environment, while some highlighted specific tracks, especially the ending song, as particularly memorable. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant aspect of the game, making it a delightful choice for those seeking a soothing auditory experience alongside engaging puzzles.

    • “The music is wonderful as well, definitely recommend if you want a shorter game that is still challenging and fun but also cozy!”
    • “The gardens between is a very short puzzle game with beautiful surreal design and emotional soundtracks.”
    • “The music is relaxing and the interactions between the two characters are quite cute to look at.”
    • “The characters don’t talk to each other, they only communicate through gestures, so the game ends up being silent most of the time apart from the sound effects and background music, which is very relaxing and helps you focus on the game.”
    • “But considering weak story/soundtrack and short gameplay duration, fans of puzzle games should wait for a sale/discount.”
    • “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.”
  • graphics234 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning beauty and artistic style, often described as charming, relaxing, and visually captivating. Many reviewers highlight the seamless integration of the visuals with the gameplay and soundtrack, creating an immersive atmosphere that enhances the overall experience. While some note minor issues with detail or engagement, the consensus is that the game's aesthetic appeal is a significant strength, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of artistic puzzle games.

    • “The graphics are beautiful and add a relaxing side to the game with the music.”
    • “Absolutely breathtaking environment, the music is immersive too, and the art style is simple but detailed at the same time, super impressive!”
    • “The superb effort on visuals seamlessly complements the puzzles in each set piece and helps to tell the game's story in its surreal settings.”
    • “The visuals are just a bit off.”
    • “But, at $20, it's a bit steep for two hours of gameplay with, for a PC, low-quality graphics and no replayability.”
    • “There's very few 'wow' moments and the ending series of puzzles were more convoluted than challenging, and they didn't tie into the ending scene at all making gameplay and story not tie together beyond visuals (and not even that in the last few moments).”
  • emotional97 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its heartfelt storytelling and beautiful visuals, often evoking nostalgia and touching moments related to friendship and memories. While some reviewers note the game's brevity and lack of explicit narrative depth, many find the emotional impact profound, with the music and art enhancing the overall experience. Overall, it is recommended for those seeking a relaxing puzzle game with a strong emotional core, despite its simplicity.

    • “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.”
    • “The friendship between these two is touching and the ending made me appreciate all the little moments that were shown in the memory segments.”
    • “The musical compositions and storyline are tender, endearing, and heart-wrenchingly wholesome.”
  • atmosphere55 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and relaxing qualities, enhanced by beautiful visuals and a captivating soundtrack that evokes a range of emotions. Players appreciate the unique art style and the way the environment complements the gameplay, creating a chill and engaging experience. However, some reviewers note that while the atmosphere is strong, it may not be enough to compensate for the game's brevity and simplicity.

    • “I love the immersive and relaxing atmosphere of the game, a story of friends and memories not forgotten.”
    • “The atmosphere, aesthetic, and soundtrack were tops.”
    • “The gardens between is an atmospheric wonder that gets all the little things right.”
    • “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.”
  • replayability18 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is largely criticized, with many players noting its short length and lack of engaging content to encourage multiple playthroughs. While some mention the potential for achievement hunting as a minor incentive, the consensus is that the game offers little in terms of replay value, often feeling more like a brief experience rather than a game worth revisiting.

    • “✅ 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 only major drawback is that it's quite short and holds little replayability.”
    • “Because there really isn’t any replay value and lasts about as long as a movie.”
    • “The game is short, only needing around two to three hours to complete, with not much replayability once you have completed it.”
  • grinding11 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, often describing it as slow and unchallenging. While the gameplay can be enjoyable in short bursts, extended sessions tend to lead to frustration and a lack of engagement, making it less appealing for those seeking a more dynamic experience.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Tedious, slow, unchallenging.”
    • “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.”
  • stability7 mentions

    The game's stability is inconsistent, with reports of various bugs and glitches that disrupt gameplay, leading to frustration for some players. While a few users experienced smooth performance without issues, many noted frequent freezes and slow controls that detracted from their overall enjoyment. Overall, the game appears to have a mixed reception regarding its stability, with significant room for improvement.

    • “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 development3 mentions

    Reviews indicate a significant lack of character development in the game, with players expressing disappointment over its brevity and the absence of deeper storytelling. Many feel that the interactions between characters are limited to lighthearted moments, leaving a desire for more substantial growth and exploration of their backstories.

    • “The game is short, which is a shame because I crave more memories to explore and more character development.”
    • “There is a lack of story and character development.”
    • “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, just happy fun times between the characters.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted by its clever and unique puzzle designs, as well as the inclusion of hidden secrets and amusing achievements that add an extra layer of fun beyond the main storyline.

    • “The puzzles are quite funny with some unique ideas.”
    • “There are also a few hidden secrets and funny achievements to grab that are not related to the story.”
  • optimization1 mentions

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

    • “It runs smoothly on my iMac at high settings with 60 fps consistently.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

79% average critic score

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Play time

3hMedian play time
3hAverage play time
3hMain story
3hCompletionist
3-4hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 10 analyzed playthroughs

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