The Magnificent Trufflepigs

60%
Game Brain Score Based on 191 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
The Magnificent Trufflepigs Game Cover
The Magnificent Trufflepigs is an interesting dive into how early experiences can impact us for the rest of our lives.
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The Magnificent Trufflepigs is a first-person, romantic, metal-detecting game. It combines laid-back detecting and exploration with a strong narrative, all set in a beautiful English countryside. It's a game about trying to find something.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

60%
Audience ScoreBased on 191 reviews
story50 positive mentions
grinding9 negative mentions
  • The game features beautiful visuals and a calming atmosphere, making it a pleasant experience.
  • The voice acting is top-notch, with well-written dialogue that adds depth to the characters.
  • The story, while flawed, offers meaningful themes about personal growth and the complexities of relationships.
  • Gameplay is slow and repetitive, with unskippable dialogue that interrupts the flow of metal detecting.
  • The narrative feels rushed and underdeveloped, leading to an unsatisfying conclusion.
  • Characters are often unlikable, making it difficult for players to connect with their journeys.
  • story301 mentions

    The story in "Magnificent Truffle Pigs" is a central focus, exploring themes of youth, personal growth, and emotional struggles, particularly through the character of Beth. However, many players found the narrative to be rushed and poorly executed, with abrupt pacing and a lack of depth that left them feeling unsatisfied. While some appreciated the voice acting and writing, the overall consensus suggests that the game prioritizes storytelling at the expense of engaging gameplay, leading to a mixed reception regarding its narrative impact.

    • “The story is engaging with a few twists, and it leaves the player feeling very bittersweet.”
    • “It's a beautiful story that requires investment from the listener; as much as the game might be passive, one's cognizance of character congruence is certainly most active.”
    • “The magnificent Truffle Pigs is a chilled-out game with a poignant story at its core, set in a familiar place that feels like home.”
    • “While the voice acting is excellent and the dialogue can be pretty well-written, the overall story is messy, poorly told, extremely rushed, and ends abruptly with an unsatisfying resolution.”
    • “My biggest gripe with the game truly is the story that is too rushed and is constantly throwing new story beats at you, taking away from being able to get lost in the world.”
    • “The story felt shallow and uninspired.”
  • gameplay92 mentions

    The gameplay has been widely criticized for being monotonous and unengaging, often interrupting the narrative flow with tedious mechanics and lengthy dialogues. While some players found the metal detecting aspect enjoyable, many felt it lacked depth and exploration, leading to a frustrating experience that detracted from the overall enjoyment of the game. Overall, the gameplay is seen as a weak point, overshadowed by its storytelling ambitions.

    • “In terms of gameplay, I actually quite enjoyed it, methodically making my way through each field in search of buried treasure, though I do wish the game would let you finish a field before ending the day.”
    • “The mechanics are good and finding all 50 items was never a chore as the beeps were very satisfying.”
    • “A human, emotional story interwoven through a genuinely fun detecting mechanic.”
    • “This isn't a game, it's a gameplay disaster.”
    • “The gameplay mechanics feel intentionally annoying and dull.”
    • “Since the gameplay is just a pretense to tell the story, it gets a low grade from me since it's not really anything to engage with.”
  • graphics46 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their stunning visuals and beautiful rendition of the British countryside, often described as cute, peaceful, and reminiscent of a fantasy world. While many reviewers appreciated the aesthetic and vibrant color schemes, some noted that the environments can feel repetitive and limited, detracting from the overall experience. Overall, the visuals are a highlight, complemented by excellent voice acting and a fitting musical score, though some players found the gameplay lacking in depth.

    • “The game has amazing visuals, with stylized graphics and a bright color scheme, that makes you wonder how accurately they actually wanted to picture quaint English countryside, since it looks more like a fantasy than reality.”
    • “The visuals are absolutely gorgeous, and it has a very peaceful atmosphere.”
    • “The graphics are stunning - such a beautiful rendition of the British landscape.”
    • “I love this genre so much but this game is so boring, the performance is horrible and the graphics are worse than 2000s games.”
    • “Once you understand the story there is nothing else there for you, unless you really think you're going to be impressed by the graphics.”
    • “The graphics and atmosphere are cute but that was the only reason to keep me 40 mins to play.”
  • music23 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the overall experience, with a lovely soundtrack that complements the beautiful visuals and relaxing ambiance. Reviewers note that the soundscape effectively transports players, creating a charming atmosphere, although some suggest that the soundtrack may be overshadowed by sound effects. Overall, the music is described as fitting the mood of the game, contributing to its enjoyable and immersive qualities.

    • “At first glance, the concept seems to fit perfectly as a walking simulator, with apparently enjoyable gameplay, decent voice acting, lovely scenery, and a great soundtrack.”
    • “The music and general soundscape complemented the visuals just right and plucked me from these frigid January days in a most welcome manner.”
    • “On one hand the music is light-hearted, and the scenes are beautiful; yet the story is interpreted by many as a sudden rejection of Adam's romantic advances after he has done so much for her.”
    • “Kevin Penkin's music is more transparent than usual, but it fits the mood and the visuals.”
    • “The music in the trailer had a bit of a serious vibe, like there was going to be some big twist, like discovering a hidden conspiracy or something along those lines.”
  • emotional11 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its focus on character-driven narratives and internal journeys, offering a heartwarming experience despite some critiques of pacing and gameplay mechanics. While some players found the story to lack excitement and depth, others praised its genuine emotional resonance and character moments, making it a top-tier choice for those seeking a meaningful, story-driven experience. Overall, it balances mundane conversations with impactful emotional beats, creating a unique, albeit brief, emotional journey.

    • “A human, emotional story interwoven through a genuinely fun detecting mechanic.”
    • “It's more about the characters' internal emotional journey than any great occurrence; the final revelations feel like natural turning points for people reflecting on where they want to be.”
    • “As a walking sim and a story-driven game, I think it's one of the best out there, definitely top tier as an emotional experience.”
    • “The story is not exciting; there are no game elements, and it feels like you are watching a tedious narrative filled with mundane conversations.”
  • atmosphere10 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is characterized by beautiful, calming visuals that evoke the lush, green hills of northern England, creating a peaceful setting that enhances the storytelling. However, some players feel that the unsatisfying gameplay loop detracts from fully immersing themselves in this charming atmosphere. Overall, while the graphics are praised for their cuteness and beauty, they alone may not be enough to sustain player engagement.

    • “The visuals are absolutely gorgeous, and it has a very peaceful atmosphere.”
    • “The verdant hills of northern England are lush and green, the sky is atmospheric and mirrors the twists and turns in the story.”
    • “Beautiful, calming English countryside scenery and atmosphere.”
    • “On top of that, the gameplay loop is so unsatisfying that it impedes getting lost in the game's atmosphere.”
    • “The graphics and atmosphere are cute, but that was the only reason to keep me playing for 40 minutes.”
    • “The beautiful, calming English countryside scenery is nice, but it doesn't elevate the overall experience.”
  • grinding9 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and slow, often requiring multiple playthroughs to achieve completion. While the game features beautiful scenery and engaging storytelling, the repetitive tasks and unclear objectives can detract from the overall experience.

    • “This decision makes a slow game unnecessarily tedious.”
    • “Good game, tedious to get all achievements though (requires 2-3 playthroughs).”
    • “[Lining the metal detector up to the right spot can be tedious; objectives are unclear at times.]”
  • optimization5 mentions

    The game's optimization has received significant criticism, with users reporting poor performance and outdated graphics reminiscent of early 2000s titles. While some appreciate the captivating voice performances and interesting characters, the overall experience is marred by technical shortcomings.

    • “A beautiful game with captivating voice performances, for fans of Firewatch and Everybody's Gone to the Rapture.”
    • “[Interesting characters, great voice performances, relaxing gameplay, a short and sweet experience].”
    • “I love this genre so much, but this game is so boring. The performance is horrible, and the graphics are worse than 2000s games.”
  • monetization4 mentions

    The monetization strategy of Expyrience heavily relies on ad placements, with players experiencing a significant amount of advertising—two minutes of ads following just 30 seconds of gameplay. This approach has drawn comparisons to mobile hyper-casual games, raising concerns about its impact on the overall gaming experience.

    • “Expyrience is very similar to mobile hyper-casual games where after 30 seconds of gameplay, you get 2 minutes of ads.”
    • “I don't want to compare it to Firewatch and Rapture unfairly, but given that this game used those titles in the advertising, I do feel it's fair to do so.”
  • humor4 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by cheeky and amusing small stories set in the village and town, with moments that evoke laughter, such as the amusing dynamic between characters like Adam and Beth. Players appreciate the cleverness of these interactions, even as they hint at deeper themes within the narrative.

    • “The small stories of the village and town were cheeky and funny.”
    • “You can interpret this as a dejected Adam sitting in the passenger seat while Beth immediately ignores him with a telephone call to her close friend, which I admit is kind of funny.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    The game is generally considered to have no replay value, with multiple users expressing that there is little incentive to play it again after the initial experience.

    • “No replay value.”
    • “No replay value.”
    • “No replay value.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

69% average critic score

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