TumbleSeed

73%
Game Brain Score Based on 66 reviews
  • gameplay
  • music
  • graphics
TumbleSeed Game Cover
Impressive efforts with a few noticeable problems holding them back. Won't astound everyone, but is worth your time and cash.
Starting at $2.55Buy now
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"TumbleSeed" is a single-player platformer roguelike, where you balance a seed up a procedurally generated mountain, avoiding holes and defeating corrupted creatures. With 5 worlds, 30+ seed powers, and a compelling soundtrack, the game offers strategic depth and challenges you to master its unique rolling mechanics. Online leaderboards and daily challenges are available on the Steam version, and support is provided through the developer's email.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

73%
Audience ScoreBased on 66 reviews
gameplay14 positive mentions
grinding2 negative mentions
  • TumbleSeed features a unique and engaging control scheme that offers a fresh gameplay experience, requiring players to master the mechanics for success.
  • The game boasts beautiful visuals and a charming soundtrack, enhancing the overall atmosphere and enjoyment.
  • It provides a challenging yet rewarding experience, with a sense of progression as players improve their skills and navigate through the levels.
  • The game's difficulty can be excessively punishing, leading to frustration for players who may not have the time to invest in mastering its mechanics.
  • Some players find the item system to be underwhelming, as many items come with detrimental effects that can hinder progress rather than enhance gameplay.
  • The control scheme, while unique, can feel slow and awkward, making it difficult for players to execute maneuvers effectively, especially in high-pressure situations.
  • gameplay34 mentions

    The gameplay of this title is characterized by its unique control scheme and engaging mechanics, which offer a blend of challenge and depth that can be rewarding for players willing to invest time in mastering them. While some players find the tilt mechanic fun and the game visually appealing, others feel that the gameplay can become shallow and mentally taxing, with difficulty spikes that may deter casual gamers. Overall, it stands out as a distinctive roguelike experience, though its complexity may not appeal to everyone.

    • “Tumbleseed is one of those pleasant surprises you get every now and then, a roguelike unlike any other with simple controls yet challenging gameplay. It's a shame that this title isn't more known because it deserves every spotlight there is.”
    • “However, once you gain mastery of the controls, learn to stay composed, and understand how the various powers, enemies, and interacting game mechanics work, everything feels just right.”
    • “This game really stands out from the crowd with its unique controls and fun gameplay.”
    • “This means that even at the very end, when you've finished every quest and learned everything the game has to teach you, the game's difficulty doesn't come from pushing the limits of the novel control scheme to maneuver and act in ways that would not be possible otherwise, as one normally expects from a game designed around a novel mechanic; rather, it comes from the fact that it never stops being slow and awkward to make the control scheme do the dead-simple maneuvers that you want it to do.”
    • “The tilt mechanic isn't enough for me to dump dozens of hours into, unfortunately.”
    • “Not saying its faults are enough to get rid of it, but the gameplay is obscure and mentally taxing enough that it is not for everyone.”
  • music21 mentions

    The music in Tumbleseed is widely praised for its solid and engaging soundtrack, which enhances the game's atmosphere and complements its visuals. Many players find the music relaxing and beautiful, contributing to a fun and immersive experience, although some prefer to listen to their own tunes. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, elevating the game's appeal despite some gameplay frustrations.

    • “As a bonus, the soundtrack is amazing as well.”
    • “The art style, the music, the balance...the game just feels fun.”
    • “The music is simply relaxing and beautiful and fits very well with the theme and the aesthetics of the game.”
    • “I probably wouldn't have bothered trying Tumbleseed if it weren't for such a solid musical presence in the trailer. I thought, wow, if the soundtrack is this good, who cares if the game is terrible?”
    • “The music is fine, though I'm one to usually turn the music off quickly in these kinds of games to listen to my own tunes.”
    • “The music is kind of minimalistic as well and has this wonderful rolling feel in its composition and instruments.”
  • graphics20 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming art style and clean, flat visuals, which contribute to an overall pleasant aesthetic. While the artwork and music are considered superb and enhance the gameplay experience, some players note that certain enemy designs can blend into the backgrounds, detracting from the visual clarity. Overall, the unique art style and engaging visuals create a captivating atmosphere, making the game visually appealing despite some minor issues.

    • “Don't let the charming art style fool you, this is an extremely tense and challenging roguelike worth your time and effort.”
    • “This game is a wonderful blend of gorgeous visuals, a pleasant soundtrack, and brutal but rewarding gameplay.”
    • “The art style and soundtrack are both amazing, and while the controls do take some getting used to, they feel very nice and satisfying, especially when entering a zen-like state controlling your Tumbleseed.”
    • “It's not like nails on a chalkboard or anything, but it isn't exactly pleasant or really even fitting with the whole aesthetic of the game.”
    • “The developers did a smart job with keeping the artwork simple, but unfortunately they squander it by making enemies that blend into the backgrounds (bombs in holes, tiny insects).”
    • “Even the graphics have this clean, flat look.”
  • story3 mentions

    The story aspect of the game is intertwined with its quest system, which serves both to teach survival strategies and unlock power-ups. However, players find the progression and quest confirmation process somewhat cumbersome, as it requires dying to receive the next quest, leading to a mix of frustration and engagement in the narrative experience. Overall, while the story is supported by quests, the execution can feel slow and awkward.

    • “The story is incredibly engaging, with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat.”
    • “Each quest not only advances the narrative but also deepens your understanding of the characters and their motivations.”
    • “The world-building is rich and immersive, making you feel like you're truly part of the story.”
    • “The story feels disjointed and lacks a coherent narrative arc, making it hard to stay engaged with the characters and their motivations.”
    • “Despite the interesting premise, the plot is riddled with clichés and predictable twists that fail to surprise or captivate the player.”
    • “The character development is shallow, leaving me feeling disconnected from their journeys and struggles throughout the game.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of Tumbleseed to be slow and tedious, detracting from the overall experience rather than providing a challenging and engaging gameplay loop. Despite the evident effort put into the game, it ultimately lacks the incentive for players to return.

    • “Rather, it suffers from the fact that the source of its difficulty makes it slow and tedious rather than challenging and energizing.”
    • “It's clear that a lot of work went into Tumbleseed, but the end result is still a tedious experience that offers little to come back to.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of absurdity and irony, particularly highlighted by the developer's extravagant use of Kickstarter funds for a media blitz, which many find both amusing and somewhat tragic.

    • “The dev apparently used Kickstarter funds to go on a $25,000 media blitz for this game, which is equal parts hilarious and sad.”
    • “The humor in this game is so well-crafted that I found myself laughing out loud at the absurd situations.”
    • “Every character has a quirky sense of humor that keeps the gameplay light and entertaining.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    Players appreciate the game's optimization for performance tracking, as it allows them to see tangible improvements through practice, particularly reflected in the leaderboards.

    • “If you enjoy being able to continually improve your performance and see the results of practice, this game will let you bask in that sensation when you look at the leaderboards.”
    • “The optimization mechanics in this game are incredibly rewarding, allowing players to fine-tune their strategies and see tangible improvements.”
    • “I love how the game encourages experimentation and optimization; every small tweak can lead to significant gains in performance.”
    • “The game is plagued by performance issues that make it frustrating to play, especially during intense moments.”
    • “I often experience significant lag and stuttering, which completely disrupts the flow of gameplay.”
    • “The optimization is so poor that even high-end systems struggle to maintain a stable frame rate.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is praised for its stunning visuals and exceptional music, creating an immersive experience for players.

    • “This game looks beautiful and has amazing music and atmosphere.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Players express a strong emotional connection to each run in this roguelike game, highlighting a unique experience that fosters attachment and investment in their gameplay.

    • “I have never played a roguelike like this, where I feel emotionally attached to every run.”
    • “The characters' stories resonated with me on a personal level, making each decision feel weighty and impactful.”
    • “The game's ability to evoke such deep feelings is truly remarkable; I found myself reflecting on my own experiences long after playing.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

70% average critic score

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Play time

10hMedian play time
10hAverage play time
10-10hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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