(the) Gnorp Apologue

About

In " Gnorp Apologue," become rich by helping small beings, gnorps, gather shards from a rock. With unique upgrades and visuals, acquire and level up gnorps, who each have distinct methods of shard collection. Engage in strategic incremental gameplay, managing gnorp operations for optimal shard production.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

97%

Audience ScoreBased on 10,388 reviews

gameplay210 positive mentions

grinding58 negative mentions

The game features charming aesthetics with vibrant colors and whimsical environments, enhancing the overall experience.
The humor and clever writing add a delightful touch, making the gameplay engaging and entertaining.
The game is well-optimized, running smoothly on various systems without performance issues, allowing for enjoyable gameplay.

Many players criticize the game for its lack of depth and clarity in certain systems, leading to a shallow experience after initial enjoyment.
The gameplay can feel grindy and tedious, especially in the later stages, which may deter some players.
The game has limited replayability, with many feeling it can be completed quickly and lacks meaningful choices for extended play.

gameplay
558 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
60%
3%
The gameplay of "The Gnorp Apologue" is characterized by a unique blend of idle and clicker mechanics, offering a satisfying and engaging loop that encourages experimentation with various strategies and upgrades. While many players appreciate the charming aesthetics and innovative mechanics, some criticize the game for its lack of depth and clarity in certain systems, leading to a somewhat shallow experience after initial enjoyment. Overall, it provides a fun, albeit short, gameplay experience that balances active engagement with idle elements, making it appealing for fans of the genre.
- “I absolutely loved playing this game, truly fun and innovative in how they chose to utilize the mechanics.”
- “The gameplay is a delightful mix of strategy and chaos as you guide your gnorps through various challenges and tasks, all in the name of wealth accumulation.”
- “Very fun idle game, the mechanics are incredibly satisfying to learn while being introduced at a pace that lets you figure out cool combos, feels sort of puzzle-like in the sense that you need to figure out new combos to progress.”
- “The gameplay and presentation is charming, but shallow and has little to nothing new to offer.”
- “On top of that, many of the mechanics in this game are vague, unintuitive, or just plain convoluted.”
- “Unfortunately, after spending some more time with the game, I can't really recommend it because this is apparently not even a 'game' but rather a glorified screensaver where core mechanics are either designed to not work or are completely broken.”
graphics
416 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
47%
1%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming, minimalist pixel art style, which enhances the overall aesthetic and gameplay experience. Many players appreciate the vibrant colors, cute animations, and whimsical environments, although some note issues like glitch-like effects and a lack of options for photosensitive players. Overall, the visuals are considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal and enjoyment.
- “The graphics are a treat for the eyes, with vibrant colors and whimsical environments that make you feel like you're playing inside a candy store owned by Warren Buffett.”
- “The visuals are the best I've ever seen on an idle game, every animation is just so satisfying to watch and there are lots of cute details everywhere.”
- “The animations and graphics are really good too.”
- “This game is a complete waste of time, has Atari-level graphics, and no storyline.”
- “The visuals are pretty, but if you're photosensitive, this game has no options to reduce the amount of flashing images.”
- “- the simplistic visuals and color palette are cute at first, but in the later stages of the game, it's just annoying - the cursor is near invisible half the time due to the color scheme, which is just a major oversight (no changing the background colors don't help with this).”
music
274 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
51%
1%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its catchy and charming quality, often described as a delightful blend of classical and chip-tune renditions that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the soundtrack's ability to serve as engaging background music, making it enjoyable to listen to while playing or even during other activities. Overall, the music is considered one of the standout features of the game, contributing significantly to its charm and appeal.
- “The soundtrack is just... gorgeous.”
- “The music, visuals, and sound effects are so charming.”
- “The music is great, ranging from nice songs to familiar chip-tuned classical pieces.”
- “There's no plot, the graphics are basic, the sound and music is nothing notable, it's all about the gameplay.”
- “I do wish there were more songs though, after an hour or two I think I've heard everything.”
- “Then you'll recognize about 80% of the soundtrack, as you've spent countless hours hearing them in your nightmares from previous years.”
humor
206 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its charm and cleverness, with many players finding the adorable "gnorps" and their antics both funny and engaging. The writing, including amusing tooltips and quirky upgrade descriptions, adds a lighthearted touch that enhances the overall experience, making it a delightful and entertaining idle game. Overall, the humor is described as subtle yet effective, contributing significantly to the game's addictive nature and enjoyment.
- “One of the few games I've played that had me laughing my butt off when I first started playing it.”
- “In summary, 'The Gnorp Apologue' is a hilariously addictive romp through the world of gnorp-driven economics.”
- “It's got character; the visual direction is consistent and unique; it's funny without trying too hard to be; and it's satisfying to get a good combo.”
replayability
92 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
80%
9%
Overall, the game's replayability is considered limited, with many players noting that it can be completed quickly and lacks meaningful choices for extended play. While there are options for speedrunning and experimenting with different builds, the motivation to replay is often low unless players are pursuing achievements or personal bests. Future updates and expansions are hoped for to enhance replay value, but currently, it is seen as a one-time experience for most.
- “You could definitely squeeze out more replayability if you engage with the speedrun timer the game offers you after your first completion.”
- “With an upgrade system and several strategies you can focus on, the game is pretty fun and somewhat replayable.”
- “The talent tree allows for some replayability to try different builds and the time trial mode lets you compete against yourself for faster times.”
- “I figured it would get updated over time and more would be added for replayability, but it is a one and done really.”
- “I simply don't think this game has much fun beyond the first victory, as it completely lacks meaningful choices which would give it solid replayability.”
- “Highly recommend, but with the caveat that you don't expect too much strategic depth; the game can easily be beaten within a day and replayability feels frustratingly low.”
story
74 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
65%
16%
The game's story is a mixed bag, with some players finding it amusing and charming, while others criticize it for being shallow or lacking depth. Many reviews highlight the humorous and absurd nature of the narrative, centered around quirky characters on a quest involving a rock, but some feel that the story is not essential to the gameplay experience. Overall, while the story may not be profound, it adds a lighthearted touch to the game, making it enjoyable for those who appreciate its comedic elements.
- “If you've ever dreamed of leading a group of endearing, squishy little creatures on a quest for absurdly excessive wealth, then 'the gnorp apologue' is your golden ticket to capitalist glory!”
- “Its distinctive storyline and gameplay offer a truly immersive experience that sets it apart in the gaming world.”
- “A very enjoyable experience; it is great to see your upgrades influence the visuals and the animations, music, and simple story are all extremely charming.”
- “This game has little-to-no story, but doesn't really require it; hit the rock and advance gnorpization.”
- “I never got to understand the story of the rock, or the purpose of the rock.”
- “I thought there would be better progression, more gameplay elements, and maybe a story... the game is very shallow and honestly boring after a short time.”
grinding
66 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
3%
88%
The reviews indicate a mixed perception of grinding in the game, with some players finding it enjoyable and engaging, while others describe it as tedious, especially in the later stages. Many appreciate the balance between progression and grinding, noting that it avoids the pitfalls of excessive grind typical in the genre, but some still feel that certain aspects require significant time investment. Overall, the game is seen as fun and rewarding, particularly for those who enjoy incremental gameplay, but it may not suit players looking for a more streamlined experience.
- “Progression is relatively swift and isn't tedious.”
- “It has a lot of technical depth that I didn't expect, and enough automation (if desired) that it's not tedious at all and doesn't punish you for not paying close attention.”
- “Progress/prestiging isn't tedious as in other games of the genre.”
- “I think that some parts of it are extremely grindy and to reach certain thresholds for achievements I just had to leave my computer on.”
- “The end game feels very tedious, without much interaction.”
- “Nothing is wrong with a game that only has an hour of content, but don't try to stretch it into 10 hours by making it super grindy.”
optimization
52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
48%
6%
The game is widely praised for its exceptional optimization, running smoothly on various systems without performance issues, even with numerous sprites on screen. Players appreciate the balance between idle gameplay and strategic optimization, with many noting the fun and engaging nature of experimenting with different builds. Overall, it is considered an excellent choice for both idle game enthusiasts and those who enjoy optimization challenges.
- “Besides the fantastic gameplay, what really blows me away is how well optimized this game is.”
- “It seems to be insanely well optimized, not even a single stutter, lag or anything of the kind with god knows how many thousand sprites on screen at capped 120 fps.”
- “Overall the game is extremely well optimized, is perfect if you have an ultrawide monitor, and has some nice quality of life features.”
- “I thoroughly enjoyed this extremely cute and innovative incremental game, but it is nowhere near as flexible or focused on build optimization as I was led to believe.”
- “I think you could beat it in 3 hours easily as an experienced incremental player and probably much faster with optimizations after beating it once.”
- “Full-game runs start out with about 3 characters running slowly and hitting the rock over and over, and end with things hitting the rock hundreds of times per second with tons of arrows, missiles, and more.”
monetization
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
29%
35%
The monetization aspect of the game is generally praised for its absence of ads and microtransactions, allowing players to enjoy the experience without interruptions or additional costs. Reviewers appreciate the game's affordability and the ability to complete it without feeling pressured to spend more money, contrasting it with other idle games that rely heavily on ads and in-game purchases. Overall, the game is seen as a refreshing alternative in a genre often plagued by aggressive monetization strategies.
- “No ads, no microtransactions and you can beat the game.”
- “Something else Gnorps does masterfully is the avoidance of microtransactions.”
- “An idle game that can be completed in a couple of days, doesn't have any microtransactions or other parasitic monetization, and has some interesting mechanics to unravel.”
- “It's quite literally a blatant reskin of this game but drowned with ads.”
- “Message to the devs: there is a mobile game which is just shamelessly stealing everything about this game and it's filled with microtransactions according to a 1-star reviewer.”
- “I'll install one just to play on the toilet, and the next thing I know I'm cancelling plans, watching ads and not even really having fun.”
emotional
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the game to be an emotionally resonant experience, describing it as a touching tale that evokes both happiness and sadness. The heartfelt narrative and beautiful cinematic world of the "gnorps" leave a lasting impact, making it a standout title that resonates deeply with players, reminiscent of other emotionally engaging games like "Vampire Survivors." Overall, it is praised for its simplicity and the genuine connection it fosters with its audience.
- “Out of my current 16ish hours total, I maybe actively played half, tops, but it's just a nice, heartfelt little game - and it will get a free DLC, does not have Denuvo and supports an indie dev who might go on to make many more cool games without just staring at shareholder interests.”
- “Amazing game, the cinematic world of gnorps made me cry at how epic and beautiful it is.”
- “When the gnorp looked directly at me and said 'it's gnorping time' and started snorting all the white powder... I cried both tears of happiness and sadness.”
stability
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
20%
20%
The game demonstrates excellent stability, running smoothly at 90fps on the Steam Deck OLED without any glitches or performance issues, even when multitasking with other games. Players report a bug-free experience, although some mechanics may require multiple playthroughs to fully understand.
- “I ran into no glitches and had no issue running it in the background even while I was playing other games.”
- “It was nice that the game felt bug-free, although it unfortunately punishes you if you spend on the wrong stuff and you will have to start over a few times as you learn what to buy.”
- “Runs great.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The character development in the game is highly praised, particularly for the gnorps, which are noted for their exceptional design and creativity, receiving a perfect score of 10/10 from users.
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by a warm and nostalgic vibe, reminiscent of old clocks, which enhances the overall enjoyment and addictiveness of the gameplay.
- “It reminds me of the old clocks my grandma has, and provides a warm and fun atmosphere to an already very addicting game.”