Tiny Brains

Problems aside, Tiny Brains is an undeniably enjoyable experience. While it may not amaze you, it’ll definitely be worth your time if you and a few friends are looking to have a go at a co-op puzzle experience that isn’t extremely demanding.

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"Tiny Brains" is a physics-based puzzle game where players control four super-powered lab creatures. They must work together to escape a mad scientist's experiments by solving complex puzzles using their unique abilities. The game features both single-player and multiplayer modes, with the latter encouraging co-op gameplay for up to four players.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

67%

Audience ScoreBased on 235 reviews

story11 positive mentions

stability10 negative mentions

Highly entertaining and fun-filled co-op game to be enjoyed with friends.
Great for local couch co-op, providing a fun experience with unique character abilities and puzzles.
Cute graphics and humorous story elements make it enjoyable for players of all ages.

Online multiplayer is broken and has been for years, making it unplayable for many users.
The game is very short, typically completed in under 3 hours, leading to low replay value.
Frequent technical issues, including lag and glitches, can detract from the overall experience.

story
33 mentions
33 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The story of the game is generally described as humorous and entertaining, featuring quirky characters and clever writing that elicits smiles. However, many reviewers note that the main story mode is quite short, typically taking around 2 to 3 hours to complete, and while it has its fun moments, it lacks depth and can feel abrupt. Overall, the game shines in cooperative play, enhancing the enjoyment of the story despite its brevity and some technical issues.
- “The writing is really funny, and so is the overall story.”
- “The characters are lovable and zany, and the story is completely out of left field, as to be expected from indie publishers.”
- “It's really hard to explain what was the most fascinating aspect of the game, the lovely little crazy characters, the narrative of the story, how you have to handle the puzzles or just how much raw fun is in this tiny game.”
- “Of course, any game in the modern era has to have a story, and this is where Tiny Brains starts to have trouble.”
- “The unimaginative puzzles also dampen the experience somewhat despite the actual story attached to the game being slightly bonkers with a plot twist that no one will see coming.”
- “Has a lot of potential but the story mode is way too short for $20.”
humor
24 mentions
92 % positive mentions
-4 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is generally described as light-hearted and amusing, often enhanced by the chaotic nature of cooperative play with friends. While some players find the writing and narration to be cheesy or hit-or-miss, many appreciate the funny scenarios and character interactions that arise during gameplay. Overall, it offers a fun, if not consistently hilarious, experience that is best enjoyed in a group setting.
- “Tiny Brains is a very funny puzzle game involving 4 main characters with different powers.”
- “The writing is really funny, and so is the overall story.”
- “Bought this on a whim and holy crap, it's a hilariously cute co-op that you can have a blast playing with friends or family.”
- “The humor falls flat and feels forced, making it hard to enjoy the game.”
- “I expected a lot more laughs, but the jokes are stale and unoriginal.”
- “The attempts at humor often miss the mark, leaving me more confused than amused.”
gameplay
22 mentions
36 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally praised for its fun co-op mechanics and refreshing puzzle elements that encourage teamwork, though some players find it disjointed and repetitive over time. While the game offers engaging humor and a unique blend of styles reminiscent of titles like Portal and Trine, many reviewers note that the overall experience is short, averaging around 2 to 3 hours, which may leave players wanting more depth and challenge in the puzzles.
- “Very fun co-op gameplay, didn't want to stop.”
- “Refreshing puzzle mechanics with different powers per character.”
- “Tiny Brains is a one-of-a-kind game with deep mechanics, and much fun to deliver.”
- “The overall theme is fine and entertaining, but only loosely incorporated into the actual gameplay.”
- “This is one of those games that they put a lot of detail into visually, but then seems to forget to extend the gameplay.”
- “Where spearhead takes this so far however is in seemingly forgetting to design its puzzles as anything requiring involved thought or clever utilization of its awkwardly implemented mechanics.”
graphics
17 mentions
35 % positive mentions
47 % neutral mentions
18 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Tiny Brains" are generally considered average, with some reviewers noting a colorful and cartoony aesthetic that adds charm to the game. However, there are criticisms regarding bland visuals, buggy elements, and inconsistent artistic decisions that detract from the overall experience. While the art style has its merits, it is often overshadowed by technical issues and a lack of polish.
- “I loved the puzzles, the rooms, the different abilities, the co-op required with multiple abilities and the graphics.”
- “Nice colorful visuals.”
- “The graphics themselves are cartoony fun, mixed with horrifically dark themes.”
- “The graphics, of course, leave a lot to be desired.”
- “It tries to hit the same spark that Portal did all those years ago, but is held back with strange and sometimes buggy graphics and programming, not to mention finicky collision boxes and sub-par voice acting.”
- “- Graphics are bland; it needed someone to make stronger artistic decisions, in my opinion.”
stability
10 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The stability of Tiny Brains is frequently criticized, with users reporting significant bugs, glitches, and lag, particularly in online co-op mode, which often renders the game unplayable. Many players have experienced frustrating freezes, visual glitches, and issues with game mechanics, detracting from the overall enjoyment and potential of the game. While some moments are fun when functioning properly, the persistent technical problems overshadow the experience.
- “Got this to play online co-op but had some serious glitches that made it unplayable.”
- “It has constant freezes that make the game frustrating in an unintentional way.”
- “This game has great potential to be an amazing puzzler, the only problem I have had with it was incredible lag and bugginess in multiplayer, to the point where it was unplayable.”
replayability
8 mentions
38 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
38 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is limited, primarily due to its short campaign and lack of substantial content for solo play. However, it offers some replay value through competitive modes and local co-op play, making it a fun option for game nights, especially with friends or family. While it may not warrant a high price tag, it can still provide enjoyment in a social setting.
- “Absolutely love this for local co-operative play; it is heaps of fun and has some great puzzles and mini games for replayability, great for kids.”
- “Replayability comes in the form of competitive game modes where you try to move the ball as far through a level, or play the campaign in hardcore mode where you only have 1 life available.”
- “[local co-op, moderate to high replayability, simple to grasp]”
- “Being a puzzle game, the campaign doesn't have much replay value, and I'm yet to try the minigames.”
- “Probably finished the entirety with 4 people in about 2.5 hours and no replay value as far as I can tell, so I wouldn't advise paying more than a couple of dollars for this.”
- “There may not be much replay value.”
music
4 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game's music has received positive feedback, with players praising its engaging soundtrack and particularly highlighting the quality of the ending song. Overall, the music complements the game's humor and polished gameplay, enhancing the overall experience.
- “Not to mention one of the best ending songs I've heard in a game.”
- “Great humor, nice soundtrack, interesting and cool gameplay which is sort of a Portal meets Trine.”
- “Very polished, nice script, cool music, and funny.”
optimization
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
-67 % neutral mentions
67 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is generally lacking, particularly in online play, where users report poor performance. While the single-player experience is enjoyable and the puzzles are straightforward, the overall experience is diminished by technical issues, making it more suitable for local co-op play rather than online. Players recommend purchasing it on sale, especially for those who can play with friends locally.
- “The game has 4 chapters, each populated with rooms that contain puzzles. By playing solo, you can switch characters with a button press, which adds a layer of strategy to the gameplay.”
- “After you finish the main story, there are side modes and a challenge mode where you have to complete shorter levels in the most efficient way, earning up to 3 stars based on your performance.”
- “The concept is simplistic, but the short playtime of around 3 hours keeps the experience engaging without feeling repetitive.”
- “I would recommend it on sale if you play it locally, but definitely not at full price. The performance is poor for online play.”
- “Performance and bug-related incidents are a significant issue.”
emotional
1 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its wholesome and family-friendly nature, providing a joyful experience that resonates positively with players of all ages.