The UnderGarden
- November 10, 2010
- Retroism
A relaxing 2D puzzle adventure with a unique and soothing aesthetic, let down by repetitive gameplay and level design
Get on SteamExplore beautiful, serene caverns in The UnderGarden, a casual puzzle game. Grow "fruit" to solve physics-based puzzles, and find lost members of your musical band. Befriend strange life forms and enjoy a relaxing, visceral gameplay experience.
PC
Windows
Linux
PlayStation
Playstation 3
Xbox
Xbox 360
Reviews
- The Undergarden features beautiful and immersive underwater visuals, creating a tranquil and enchanting atmosphere.
- The game offers a relaxing and meditative experience, with soothing ambient music and simple, intuitive controls.
- It provides a unique gameplay experience focused on exploration and creativity, allowing players to bloom flowers and collect musical creatures.
- The puzzles are overly simplistic and lack challenge, which may leave some players wanting more depth and engagement.
- The game has a slow pacing that can feel tedious and aimless at times, potentially leading to boredom.
- There are frequent technical issues, including crashes and incomplete controls, which detract from the overall experience.
- music23 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The music in the game is a standout feature, characterized by soothing ambient tracks that create a tranquil atmosphere, enhancing the serene visuals. Players can collect musical creatures that contribute to a dynamic and evolving soundtrack, adding a whimsical and immersive quality to the experience. While the music is generally praised for its relaxing nature, some players noted occasional interruptions and a lack of variety in gameplay that can lead to monotony.
“The undergarden's standout feature is its emphasis on music and sound.”
“The ambient music is both soothing and atmospheric, perfectly complementing the game's serene visuals.”
“Its tranquil atmosphere, enchanting visuals, and soothing soundtrack create a truly immersive and relaxing experience.”
“The game's sounds and visuals are well-made for what they are, and seeing the flowers bloom and begin to glow as you fly near them while carrying other creatures who are playing various music instruments (a guitar, drums, etc.) is a cool, chill effect; however, the game doesn't do much to surprise you from these initial gameplay loops and characters, and begins to get mundane quickly.”
“Only downside is sometimes the music stops randomly, but it's been a while since I played it.”
“A whimsical, yet slightly melancholic soundtrack plays as we see a tiny, glowing creature floating through a barren landscape.”
- graphics10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The graphics of The Undergarden are widely praised for their stunning, whimsical art style that creates a tranquil and immersive atmosphere, complemented by soothing ambient music. While the visuals are beautiful and appealing, some players note that the gameplay can become repetitive, detracting from the overall experience. Despite this, the game's enchanting aesthetics make it well-suited for casual and family-friendly audiences.
“The undergarden's visuals are simply stunning.”
“The game's art style is both whimsical and evocative, creating a sense of wonder and tranquility.”
“Great, relaxing game with beautiful graphics.”
“The game's sounds and visuals are well-made for what they are, and seeing the flowers bloom and begin to glow as you fly near them while carrying other creatures who are playing various music instruments is a cool, chill effect; however, the game doesn't do much to surprise you from these initial gameplay loops and characters, and begins to get mundane quickly.”
“Tis an interesting concept, although, other than the pretty graphics, I found the controls clunky and quite annoying to say the least.”
“A relaxing 2D puzzle adventure with a unique and soothing aesthetic, let down by repetitive gameplay and level design.”
- gameplay9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by smooth, physics-based interactions and a relaxing, meditative experience, but it lacks depth and complexity, leading to repetitive and mundane gameplay loops. While the visuals and sound design are appealing, the overall experience may disappoint those seeking challenging puzzles or engaging narratives, making it feel too simplistic for adults and inadequate for children.
“The physics-based interactions are well-implemented, and the overall gameplay is smooth and responsive.”
“Relaxing and meditative gameplay.”
“The game's sounds and visuals are well-made for what they are, and seeing the flowers bloom and begin to glow as you fly near them while carrying other creatures who are playing various musical instruments is a cool, chill effect.”
“But if you're looking for a game with deep gameplay or complex puzzles, you might want to look elsewhere.”
“If you're seeking a game that challenges your intellect or provides hours of intense gameplay, you'll likely be disappointed.”
“A relaxing 2D puzzle adventure with a unique and soothing aesthetic, let down by repetitive gameplay and level design.”
- atmosphere6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a soothing and immersive soundscape, complemented by enchanting visuals and a tranquil soundtrack, creating a relaxing experience. However, some players feel that this captivating atmosphere can lead to a sense of aimlessness and may not sustain long-term engagement, as it prioritizes exploration over challenge. Overall, it offers a unique and refreshing take on the puzzle-platformer genre.
“The game's ambient soundscape is both soothing and immersive, creating a truly relaxing atmosphere.”
“The ambient music is both soothing and atmospheric, perfectly complementing the game's serene visuals.”
“Its tranquil atmosphere, enchanting visuals, and soothing soundtrack create a truly immersive and relaxing experience.”
“While the game's atmosphere is undoubtedly relaxing, it can also feel aimless and lacking in direction.”
“While the game's atmosphere is undeniably captivating, it may not be enough to keep players engaged for long.”
“It's a game that prioritizes atmosphere and exploration over challenge and complexity, making it a unique and refreshing addition to the puzzle-platformer genre.”
- story3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's story is criticized for being short and lacking depth, with little motivation for replayability. Reviewers note the absence of engaging narrative or exciting gameplay elements, likening it to a version of Aquaria stripped of combat and story.
“The game is relatively short, and there's not much incentive to replay it once you've completed the main story.”
“There is no story or exciting gameplay, so don't look for that here.”
“Aquaria without combat or a story.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be slow and lacking urgency, which can lead to a tedious experience over time.
“There's no sense of urgency or danger, and the leisurely pace can become tedious at times.”
“The grinding feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
“I find myself doing the same tasks over and over, which quickly becomes boring and unfulfilling.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users note that the game has limited scope, which significantly affects its replayability, making it less appealing for those seeking varied experiences in multiple playthroughs.
“The game has a limited scope and replayability.”
“Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to play again.”
“The lack of varied outcomes makes replaying feel redundant.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its whimsical and lighthearted tone, featuring a charming sea creature navigating dreamlike underwater environments while engaging in playful interactions with other quirky sea creatures. The comedic elements are enhanced by the absurdity of the scenarios, such as collecting whimsical items and solving simple puzzles in a vibrant, surreal setting.
“You're a funny little sea creature floating through dreamlike underwater caverns, bringing the flora and fauna back to life, solving simple puzzles, collecting various items, and sometimes trailing along with other little sea creatures playing instruments.”
“The humor in this game is delightful, with quirky characters and witty dialogue that keeps you smiling as you explore.”
“I love how the game combines charming visuals with hilarious moments, making every underwater adventure a joy to experience.”
