Thistlemine

About

Thistlemine is a single player puzzle game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by Thistlebro and was released on June 18, 2024. It received positive reviews from players.

Thistlemine is a puzzle RPG that tells a story about the work that takes place within an Anomalis Exclusion Zone – a hostile environment where space and time are warped, and the thick miasma suffocates those trapped within.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

88%

Audience ScoreBased on 17 reviews

music5 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

Thistlemine offers a unique blend of challenging puzzles and turn-based combat, providing a refreshing experience that keeps players engaged.
The game features a charming art style and a fantastic soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere and enjoyment.
High replayability due to multiple strategies and paths for solving puzzles and battles, making it a compelling choice for puzzle enthusiasts.

The game can be extremely difficult and frustrating, with some players feeling lost due to a lack of guidance and hints.
Item management can lead to tedious backtracking, causing players to re-solve puzzles and potentially softlock themselves.
Certain puzzles and battles may feel cryptic or overly complex, which could deter players looking for a more straightforward experience.

music
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game is highly praised, featuring a fantastic soundtrack that enhances the overall experience with its charm and addictiveness. Players appreciate the good battle music, which adds excitement to the challenging gameplay, while the sound design complements the witty writing and intriguing worldbuilding.
- “This game is extremely difficult and it will take you a while to figure out some of the puzzles and you will die a lot when fighting the actual enemies because they themselves are also puzzles, which is the main charm of the game. The game also has a fantastic soundtrack.”
- “Overall, I did enjoy Thistlemine's OST and art style, being a fan of Fruitbat Factory.”
- “The witty writing, intriguing worldbuilding, charming artwork, addicting music, and satisfying sound design all serve to make it into a full experience.”
gameplay
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
The gameplay is characterized by satisfying puzzle-solving that rewards patience and experimentation, though some players have experienced issues with item depletion leading to potential softlocks. Overall, the distinctive core mechanics are complemented by enjoyable presentation, enhancing the overall experience.
- “The puzzles and gameplay are really satisfying when you solve them, but I feel like item depletion has me softlocked.”
- “And built on top of the distinctive core gameplay system is some of the most enjoyable presentation you could ask for.”
- “The core gameplay requires a lot of patience and experimentation, and I mean a lot, which I feel is important to know going in.”
graphics
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The graphics of Thistlemine are praised for their stunning hand-drawn anime artwork, which complements the game's charming aesthetic and enhances the overall experience. Users appreciate the combination of the art style with engaging worldbuilding and a captivating soundtrack, creating a visually appealing and immersive environment.
- “Stunning hand-drawn adorable anime artwork.”
- “The witty writing, intriguing worldbuilding, charming artwork, addicting music, and satisfying sound design all serve to make it into a full experience.”
- “Overall, I did enjoy Thistlemine's OST and art style, being a fan of Fruitbat Factory.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The game boasts high replayability, a deliberate design choice that sets it apart from typical puzzle games. Players are encouraged to explore different paths and strategies, enhancing the intrigue and prompting them to return for new experiences.
- “Unlike most puzzle games, the replayability for this game is very high, which is by design!”
- “The game has a unique angle with its replayability, allowing players to explore different puzzles, save items, and take various paths. The time element encourages experimentation, making me want to return to the game and try different strategies.”
- “The replayability of paths for a puzzle game is great and adds a good amount of intrigue.”
- “The replayability for this game is very low, which is disappointing.”
- “After completing the game once, there isn't much incentive to play again.”
- “The lack of varied outcomes makes replaying the game feel tedious.”
story
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
150%
The story aspect of the game is criticized for its lack of depth and lore, leaving it feeling somewhat hollow despite interesting character designs and some narrative elements conveyed through enemies. Reviewers suggest that an expanded introduction with more lore would enhance the overall storytelling experience.
- “The character designs are interesting and tell a fun story, while also being well-themed.”
- “The lack of lore and flavor really does make it feel a bit more hollow. There's all sorts of items to inspect and some storytelling through the enemies, but there should be some expanded-upon lore in the intro if it's added.”
- “The story feels disjointed and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters or care about the outcome.”
- “While the game has potential, the narrative is poorly executed, leaving many plot points unresolved and characters underdeveloped.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players find the grinding aspect tedious, as it often involves revisiting previously solved puzzles to strategize for leveling up or item collection. This repetitive nature detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.
- “Wandering to strategize where to level up or get more items has me re-solving some of the same puzzles I've already done, and it feels tedious.”
- “The grinding in this game is mind-numbing; it feels like I'm just going through the motions without any real progress.”
- “I find myself spending hours on repetitive tasks that don't seem to contribute to my overall enjoyment of the game.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The humor in the game is characterized by a playful, self-aware tone, with players feeling as though the developers are sharing a laugh at their expense during challenging moments, particularly when faced with setbacks in puzzle-solving.
- “I can hear the developer laughing at me when I fail to solve another puzzle and am sent back 5 rooms.”
- “The witty dialogue and clever puns had me chuckling throughout the entire game.”
- “Every character has a unique sense of humor that keeps the gameplay light and entertaining.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
100%
The atmosphere is characterized by an eerie quality, contrasting with the cuteness of the characters, creating a unique and engaging environment for players.
- “The atmosphere is eerie, but the characters are adorable.”
- “The game creates a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere that draws you in.”
- “The immersive atmosphere makes you feel like you're part of a living, breathing world.”
- “The atmosphere is eerie, but the characters are cute.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Character development is praised for its interesting designs that effectively convey engaging narratives, with a strong thematic coherence enhancing the overall storytelling experience.
- “The character designs are interesting and tell a fun story, while also being well-themed.”
- “The depth of character development truly enhances the overall narrative experience.”
- “Each character evolves in a meaningful way, making their journeys feel authentic and engaging.”