Tinykin

98%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,478 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • graphics
Tinykin Game Cover
Tinykin is a joyous and unthreatening exploration based 3D platformer, with a ridiculous amount of charm.
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"Tinykin is a single-player platformer game with an awesome story, phenomenal mechanics, and ingenious visuals. Players join Milo, who's shrunk and arrived on an abandoned Earth in 1991, in a quest to find a way home through a tiny ant-sized metropolis. The recent update offers Time Attack Challenges and new outfits, enhancing the game's plenty of humor and highly emotional atmosphere."

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

98%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,478 reviews
gameplay129 positive mentions
grinding35 negative mentions
  • Charming and whimsical art style that combines 2D characters with 3D environments.
  • Engaging and satisfying gameplay with a focus on exploration and collecting, reminiscent of classic platformers.
  • Relaxing experience with no combat or time limits, allowing players to enjoy the game at their own pace.
  • Some achievements are bugged and may not unlock properly, requiring players to revisit levels.
  • Finding the last few collectibles can be tedious due to the lack of a tracking system.
  • The game is relatively short, taking around 6-10 hours to complete, which may leave some players wanting more.
  • gameplay331 mentions

    The gameplay of Tinykin is characterized by its smooth and engaging mechanics, blending elements of 3D platforming and collect-a-thon gameplay reminiscent of classics like Pikmin and Super Mario Odyssey. Players enjoy a relaxed exploration experience, utilizing various types of Tinykin to solve puzzles and navigate creatively designed environments, although some reviewers noted a desire for deeper gameplay complexity and variety as the game progresses. Overall, the game is praised for its charming visuals, intuitive controls, and satisfying gameplay loop, making it a delightful experience for fans of the genre.

    • “Everything great about third-person Pikmin-type games, but without all the clunky UI and group management blunders that bog down the gameplay... super fluid and fun.”
    • “The light touch of nostalgia, sharp controls, relaxed collecting gameplay, and seamless flow combined with its verticality create an experience that feels perfectly crafted.”
    • “The mechanics are intuitive and satisfying, encouraging experimentation without ever feeling overwhelming.”
    • “While it’s visually delightful, the lack of deeper, more innovative gameplay makes it less enjoyable overall.”
    • “It is quite fun the first hours, but the more you go forward the more it becomes slow and insufferable, even not counting the gliding starting mechanic, that is one of the worst and most fluidity killer I've ever seen.”
    • “The gameplay is a bit light-handed, considering the controls are simple, the platforming is not terribly difficult, there is no combat nor punishing death, but it works absolutely fine for a ~8-10 hour long game.”
  • story298 mentions

    The story in "Tinykin" is generally considered light and somewhat simplistic, serving primarily as a backdrop for exploration and collection rather than a central focus. While some players find charm in its quirky characters and environmental storytelling, others feel the narrative lacks depth and can feel tacked on, culminating in a somewhat abrupt conclusion. Overall, the game is praised for its engaging gameplay and delightful art style, with the story being a pleasant but secondary element.

    • “The story is interesting and the dialogue is hilarious, so don't be afraid to chat with some of the random strangers you encounter along the way.”
    • “The story of the game was also fantastic, the plot was engaging and entertaining, and the mysteries unfolded at a perfect pace - not too slow that you forget things, but not too fast that you figure out the ending before you get there.”
    • “The story isn't anything to write home about, but it has its charm and parts of it could tug on your heartstrings a little.”
    • “Almost the entire story is simply dumped on the player at once in the last few minutes, resulting in a story that is as shallow and underwhelming as the gameplay, to the point it is hard to tell what is actually supposed to be substantial and what's just there for the sake of having a conflict.”
    • “The story is basically just doing fetch quests to obtain each level's macguffin, and the characters aren't really all that memorable, as most of the insects of the same species are only differentiated by having a different hat or palette color.”
  • graphics240 mentions

    The graphics of "Tinykin" are widely praised for their charming blend of 2D characters in a vibrant 3D environment, creating a whimsical and nostalgic aesthetic reminiscent of classic cartoons. Players appreciate the game's colorful visuals, detailed level design, and smooth animations, which enhance the overall exploration experience. While some critiques mention minor graphical issues, the overwhelming consensus is that the art style and graphics significantly contribute to the game's appeal and enjoyment.

    • “The art style is a blend of 2D and 3D which you get used to quickly, and the animated cutscenes add extra charm.”
    • “The graphics are easily some of the best of any indie game, blending realistic and cartoony graphics with ridiculously high attention to detail.”
    • “The visuals are absolutely stunning and cartoony, making it a joy to look at.”
    • “The graphics aren't as good.”
    • “Feels like a rip-off of Pikmin in the worst ways; the story itself is bare-bones and exposition is shallow (why is there a museum with nobody there?? Just lazy and lacks immersion), graphics are amateur, and to some degree I don't think anything was meant to be polished.”
    • “I do wish there were a few more graphics options to adjust the draw distance and overall clarity, but the game still looks great as is.”
  • music176 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its enchanting and dynamic qualities, enhancing the overall cozy atmosphere and gameplay experience. Reviewers highlight the catchy, whimsical soundtrack that adapts to different environments, creating a polished and immersive feel. Many players find the music not only enjoyable but also integral to the game's charm, with some expressing a desire to purchase the soundtrack separately.

    • “The music is fantastic and enjoyable, especially some of the boom box tracks.”
    • “The music, the visuals, everything about the atmosphere here is on point and there's something special about this simple little game.”
    • “The music has been fantastic and I found myself head-bopping to it as I went through the levels because it just hits right.”
    • “The music drove me slightly nuts by the end.”
    • “However, the soundtrack didn't really stand out.”
    • “I found the story pretty bland and the music, while not being out of place, to be serviceable at best.”
  • humor70 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its light-hearted and whimsical nature, featuring witty dialogue, charming characters, and amusing pop culture references that enhance the overall experience. Players enjoy the quirky interactions with insect NPCs and the clever design of levels filled with funny easter eggs, making exploration both entertaining and rewarding. Overall, the game is described as a delightful blend of humor and engaging gameplay, appealing to players of all ages.

    • “Everything in the house is humorously to scale, including a bathtub that's a giant pool party and elitist bugs that live up in the high shelves.”
    • “The characters are charming, pop culture references are hilarious, and the gameplay is smooth.”
    • “The story is interesting and the dialogue is hilarious, so don't be afraid to chat with some of the random strangers you encounter along the way.”
  • grinding39 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with many players finding the search for collectibles, particularly the last few items, to be tedious and time-consuming. While some enjoy the exploration and the relaxing nature of the gameplay, completionists may find the lack of guidance and the vast environments frustrating. Overall, the game offers a balance between enjoyable exploration and the potential for grind-heavy tasks, especially for those aiming for 100% completion.

    • “No jumping to the internet to look up unexplained mechanics or puzzles, no grinding out resources or scores, etc. It's been years since I've felt like this while playing a game.”
    • “Not grindy.”
    • “Because nobody and nothing stops you from exploring or gathering story things, the play turns into a boring vacuum sucking activity and tedious search.”
    • “I think this is probably the biggest and only flaw of the game in my opinion, since it can be incredibly tedious to find one tiny little collectible in such a huge environment.”
    • “The only downside is finding the last missing collectibles in a level can be tedious, as there is nothing to help guide you to the 1% you are missing.”
  • emotional24 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its beautiful art style, witty and heartfelt dialogue, and a complex yet engaging storyline that offers a surprise emotional payoff. Players describe it as a wholesome and heartwarming experience, filled with charming moments and humor, making it suitable for all ages. While some may find the lack of challenge disappointing, the overall sentiment is that it provides a relaxing escape with significant emotional depth, particularly in certain poignant moments.

    • “The art style is beautiful and the dialogue for each of the characters is brimmed with witty and heartfelt personality.”
    • “The game is very generous with not having to collect everything unless you crave 100% completion, and there is a surprise emotional payoff in the end.”
    • “[spoiler] but if you are a big softy like me, be warned; the start of the 'the last refuge' chapter was an emotional kick in the teeth that still makes me tear up when I think about it.”
  • atmosphere18 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its cozy and immersive qualities, enhanced by a vibrant hand-drawn art style and a dynamic soundtrack that sets the mood for exploration and collection. Reviewers highlight the charming visuals, engaging sound design, and overall whimsical feel, which together create a delightful experience that keeps players engaged and smiling throughout their journey. The combination of these elements effectively captures a unique sense of wonder, reminiscent of classic titles like Pikmin.

    • “The setting and art help create a cozy and unique atmosphere that's hard to put down once you're busy collecting and exploring. Just one more thing and I'll put it down.”
    • “And then there’s the art style—a vibrant, hand-drawn aesthetic that’s both cozy and immersive, paired with a delightful soundtrack that complements the whimsical atmosphere.”
    • “Great atmosphere, the dynamic soundtrack really sets the mood for a cozy collectathon.”
    • “I've never actually played a Pikmin game myself, only having seen streams of it, but from what I know, Tinykin really captures the same atmosphere of experiencing the world from a minuscule point of view.”
    • “The gameplay, atmosphere, quirky story, music, everything just hit the spot for me.”
    • “Tinykin is a really fun and well-polished platformer, full of exploration and atmosphere.”
  • character development16 mentions

    Character development in the game is highlighted by its charming and distinct character designs, which effectively blend 2D and 3D art styles, creating a visually appealing experience. While the characters are cute and expressive, some players felt a lack of attachment due to their limited roles and unique models. Overall, the inventive character designs and vibrant environments contribute positively to the game's atmosphere, though deeper character engagement may be lacking.

    • “The character designs are cute and distinct, making it easy to distinguish between different tinykin types and NPCs.”
    • “From its wonderful music, insanely charming character design, to even the levels being worthy of their mention, what an enjoyable wonderful ride.”
    • “I really dig the combination of the few art styles used (2D-ish character design, with cartoon elements in a 3D world that's filled with little details).”
    • “I enjoyed the environment, the exploration of the levels (with little things hidden everywhere) and its character design; too bad I didn't actually enjoy interacting with said characters.”
    • “The contrast between the slight realism in the environmental design and the much more cartoonish character design works really well, the bright colors standing out and grabbing your attention.”
    • “Character design:”
  • stability13 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is generally praised, particularly for its performance on the Steam Deck, where it runs smoothly with minimal glitches. However, several users report issues with buggy achievements and difficulties in tracking collectibles, which can detract from the overall experience. While frame dips are noted occasionally, they do not significantly impact gameplay.

    • “A hidden gem that runs great on the deck too, recommended!”
    • “While I did encounter a few frame dips a couple of times, generally the game runs great and it'll take you between 8-9 hours to complete if you do all the side quests and hunt for achievements, which is a lot of bang for your buck.”
    • “Its gorgeous, it's funny, it controls perfectly and it's bug free (excluding all the talking bugs).”
    • “Some achievements are buggy.”
    • “Some of the achievements are a bit buggy; some are very annoying, and because of the more time-consuming ones (finding the last 3 of 1200 collectibles you need in this level), the game slightly overstayed its welcome.”
    • “A few achievements are a bit buggy (need to revisit every room to complete despite being 'done'), and the game is unfriendly toward finding missing collectibles (no tracker or counter to help find them), so be careful with that if you plan to 100% everything.”
  • replayability11 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players find limited replay value beyond a single playthrough, others appreciate the opportunity to revisit levels for collectibles and exploration. The presence of a level select feature enhances replayability for those aiming to complete the game fully, but the lack of varied gameplay elements may deter some from replaying. Ultimately, it offers a satisfying experience for completionists, though casual players may not feel compelled to return.

    • “There is a level select in the game, so if you miss collectibles, you can go back and get them, offering even more replayability to the game!”
    • “There's a lot of content in the game - you'll want to go back in the levels to explore all the puzzles and collect everything, which gives it more replay value.”
    • “Collectibles add enough replay value to the levels, as it's unlikely you'll get every single one the first time.”
    • “I don't think there will be much replay value for people, but it's worth it for the single playthrough.”
    • “There's no timer, enemies, or multiple paths to unlock for carrying things, so the strategy aspect that makes Pikmin so replayable is missing.”
    • “While I think it's fun enough to finish, I don't really see any replay value except for if you want to 100% it.”
  • optimization7 mentions

    Overall, the game is well-optimized, particularly for the Steam Deck, where players report smooth performance without the need for adjustments. While some users noted minor visual discomfort, the gameplay experience remains impressive and stable across various configurations.

    • “The humor, gameplay, the world, and the performance on Steam Deck were all top notch.”
    • “I played the entire game on Steam Deck without any issues or crashes and did no tweaking at all to the graphics or performance settings.”
    • “Performance is another area where the game impresses.”
    • “They probably did it to improve performance, but sometimes I find it a little unpleasant for my eyes.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The reviews do not provide specific information about the monetization aspect of the game "Tinykin." Instead, they focus on the initial intrigue generated by its promotional presence at an event.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

84% average critic score

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Play time

8hMedian play time
8hAverage play time
7-10hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 12 analyzed playthroughs

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