The Treehouse Man

84%
Game Brain Score Based on 87 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • graphics
The Treehouse Man Game Cover
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In "The Treehouse Man" , players navigate a corrupted forest to unveil the truth behind the silence of the Treehouse Man, a former protector of the peaceful forest now blamed for its downfall. The game features unique gameplay, combining real-time and turn-based combat, as well as customizable boats and a strange world full of quirky inhabitants. The story revolves around the children's faith in the Treehouse Man and their struggle to survive in this newly hostile environment.

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Reviews

84%
Audience ScoreBased on 87 reviews
gameplay20 positive mentions
grinding8 negative mentions
  • Unique blend of turn-based and real-time bullet hell mechanics that creates engaging gameplay.
  • Beautiful art style and atmospheric soundtrack that enhance the overall experience.
  • Interesting narrative with themes of religion and self-discovery, providing depth to the gameplay.
  • Gameplay can feel slow and repetitive, especially during combat encounters.
  • Balancing issues with weapons and companions, leading to limited strategic options.
  • Technical issues and bugs that can disrupt the gaming experience, particularly during boss fights.
  • gameplay50 mentions

    The gameplay of "The Treehouse Man" is characterized by a unique blend of turn-based mechanics, bullet hell elements, and platforming, creating an engaging and atmospheric experience. While some players appreciate the creative mechanics and satisfying combat, others note issues with repetitiveness and pacing, particularly in later stages. Overall, the game is praised for its charming visuals and intriguing world, though it may require patience to fully appreciate its depth.

    • “Wishing this developer had continued making video games... this one and Gloom had great gameplay, narrative, and interesting worldbuilding that lacks in many other indie games.”
    • “The gameplay is satisfying but slow; this can add to the dreamy feel of your journey, but can also turn you off if you're not in the mood, and it did take some time for it to really click with me.”
    • “It's charming, unique, and the gameplay is easy to sink into for a good while.”
    • “Gameplay leaves a lot to be desired though... especially if you're an achievement hunter.”
    • “The story was quite interesting, delving into themes of religious hypocrisy and the behavior of people in the face of existential threats, but unfortunately the gameplay was rather dull.”
    • “Similar problems face the rest of the active gameplay, as between battles you are mostly just waiting for the next encounter, uninspired copy/pasted optional platforming section, or small drops of loot.”
  • story31 mentions

    The game's story is generally praised for its intriguing narrative centered around a forest-fae-cult's struggle against corruption, exploring themes of determination, desperation, and religious hypocrisy. While the plot is often described as short and simple, it is complemented by a poetic atmosphere and immersive visuals, making it engaging despite some criticisms of gameplay dullness and repetitiveness. Overall, players find the story to be deep and thought-provoking, even if its execution leaves room for more variety and clarity.

    • “A great story about a dwindling, boatfaring forest-fae-cult and their endeavor to stop the corruption that has taken over their land, playing with somewhat deep allegories about determination, desperation, and blind zeal.”
    • “The story is fascinating and the world/environments are strange and immersive.”
    • “Story is told through snippets of information and it's fun to piece together the what and why from this.”
    • “The dev could have introduced a bit more variety in the gameplay sequence or story.”
    • “It is a turn-based RPG with an active dodging system, which sounds like something I should really enjoy, but the bare-bones story and repetitive combat make this game a drag.”
    • “The plot is... existent.”
  • graphics28 mentions

    The graphics in the game are generally praised for their unique and appealing art styles, ranging from detailed pixel graphics to minimalist and greyscale aesthetics that enhance the atmosphere. While some players find the visuals stunning and fitting for the game's themes, others feel certain styles, like silhouette art, may not resonate with everyone. Overall, the combination of visuals and music contributes positively to the gameplay experience, creating an engaging and immersive world.

    • “The art direction and aesthetics are wonderful.”
    • “The visuals are very similar to the last game Gloom and I really appreciate it.”
    • “The game works to its strengths, with a great, ethereal soundtrack, gloomy (and sometimes beautiful) graphics, and genuinely interesting world building, which leaves you wanting more but does the clever dance of not quite telling you what's going on.”
    • “I'm not a fan of the silhouette art style, but at least it doesn't get in the way.”
    • “I really do not know what they were going for with this art style, but it just looks unfinished.”
    • “They also tried to go for some kind of creepy-cute art style where some things look like eldritch beasts while others look like barrels with a face plastered on them.”
  • music26 mentions

    The music in the game is generally praised for its atmospheric qualities, with many reviewers highlighting its ability to enhance the overall experience. While some find the soundtrack to be repetitive or average, others describe it as amazing and fitting, contributing significantly to the game's aesthetic and emotional depth. Overall, the music is seen as a strong element, though opinions vary on its memorability and impact.

    • “The music and sound design present the whole package in a fitting wrap.”
    • “The music is really good with amazing atmosphere.”
    • “Not only is the concept of this game very unique and refreshing, but it also has an enjoyable narrative, amazing atmosphere, and a fantastic soundtrack.”
    • “The music gets repetitive a little too often.”
    • “If you find yourself bored at the beginning, mute the soundtrack and put on some music of your own.”
    • “Coupled with a soundtrack that I either don't notice or wish I had turned off, there really is nothing this game has to offer.”
  • atmosphere24 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its engaging visuals and music, creating a captivating and immersive experience. However, some players note that the slow pacing can lead to moments of repetition, detracting from the overall tension and creepiness intended in certain scenarios. Despite this, the unique art direction and world-building contribute to a strong, atmospheric presence that many find compelling and enjoyable.

    • “Highly recommended, very fun gameplay and amazing atmosphere.”
    • “The visual style with audio creates great atmosphere while you are slowly progressing through the forest.”
    • “It has a beautiful atmosphere, with a clear artistic overview.”
    • “Art direction and atmosphere is uninspired but continuous and well implemented.”
    • “I know it was rough around the edges, but I thought the world-building and atmosphere (and music) were top-notch.”
    • “I would highly recommend this game, even if you don't think turn-based bullet hells are your thing, if only for the atmosphere alone.”
  • grinding8 mentions

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and slow, particularly in the later biomes, which can disrupt the overall momentum and enjoyment. While some appreciate the game's relaxing pace, others feel it borders on repetitiveness, especially when pursuing achievements or grinding for resources. Overall, the grinding can detract from the experience, though some still enjoy the unique elements of the game.

    • “I think a great game could be made with all of the assets included, but unfortunately there are some development choices that make this game quickly lose its luster and become very tedious.”
    • “The first biome is a great introduction to the mechanics of the game, but the second and third, which made up the bulk of my playthrough, completely drag any sort of momentum to a grinding halt.”
    • “I assume the game was meant to be relaxing, and it is to some extent, but it treads dangerously on the line of being tedious, quickly becoming repetitive and rather boring.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in the game is intended to be lighthearted and whimsical, focusing on revitalizing the forest's comedic spirit; however, the delivery often falls flat, with characters sounding more melancholic and confused than funny.

    • “His whole deal is bringing back humor to the forest, yet every time he speaks, he sounds like a depressed amnesiac.”
  • character development1 mentions

    The reviews highlight a strong appreciation for the character design, particularly noting the creativity and uniqueness of the enemies. However, there is no specific mention of character development in terms of growth or narrative depth.

  • stability1 mentions

    Users report significant stability issues, particularly experiencing game freezes after defeating a specific character, which necessitates restarting the game and replaying levels multiple times.

    • “The game completely freezes after beating the Candlestick Man. I've rebooted the game twice now, only to have to redo the entire level again, and it freezes again.”
    • “I experienced multiple crashes during gameplay, which made it impossible to progress.”
    • “The stability issues are frustrating; I lost my progress several times due to unexpected shutdowns.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    While the game offers a unique experience, reviewers note that it lacks significant replay value compared to similar titles like Gloom.

    • “Unlike Gloom, this game probably does not have as much replay value, but I think it's a very unique experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

5hMedian play time
5hAverage play time
5-5hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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