Varenje

87%
Game Brain Score Based on 524 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • music
Varenje Game Cover
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"Varenje" is a whimsical adventure game where players become tiny, exploring a world inhabited by bugs and creatures. After sampling a mysterious berry, the player must collect raspberries to cook grandmother's jam, a remedy for returning to normal size. Along the way, players will uncover the secrets of this miniature world and its inhabitants, forming friendships to help in their journey.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Linux
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

87%
Audience ScoreBased on 524 reviews
story43 positive mentions
stability9 negative mentions
  • Cute and colorful art style that appeals to both kids and adults.
  • Engaging puzzles that provide a good challenge without being overly difficult.
  • Relaxing gameplay with a hint system that allows players to skip puzzles if needed.
  • The story is confusing and feels out of place, with jarring cutscenes that detract from the overall experience.
  • Some puzzles lack clear instructions, leading to frustration and pixel-hunting.
  • The game is short, with only the first chapter available for free, making it feel incomplete without purchasing additional content.
  • story181 mentions

    The story in this game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it confusing, bizarre, or lacking depth compared to similar titles like "The Tiny Bang Story" and "My Brother Rabbit." While some appreciate the unique art style and humor, others feel the narrative detracts from the gameplay, describing it as unnecessary or poorly executed. Overall, players suggest focusing on the puzzles rather than the story, which often feels disjointed and unengaging.

    • “The story was interesting and I'd love to see more games like it :)”
    • “Beautiful illustration and captivating story.”
    • “The background story did nothing to enhance the game and had a very tenuous link to what was going on in the gameplay.”
    • “The story itself is very surrealistic and not suitable for small children.”
    • “The voiceovers all sound like Google text-to-speech, and the actual plot presented in the cutscenes doesn't really seem to fit in with the gameplay.”
  • graphics106 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their colorful, quirky, and charming art style, which enhances the overall experience. Many reviewers appreciate the unique visual themes and the creative design of the puzzles, although some note that the artwork can be busy or lead to challenges in object visibility. Overall, the visuals are considered a strong point, contributing to the game's fun and relaxing atmosphere.

    • “Beautiful graphics, with very well hidden objects to find.”
    • “The art style is cute and a nice deviation from the standard semi-realistic style that seems to dominate the hidden object genre.”
    • “The artwork is a strong suit of this game, music is nice too, but the artwork and details will keep you enjoying the whole thing.”
    • “There were several different types of graphics used to show what to click on (arrows, feet, etc.) rather than sticking to one consistent graphic, which was easy to detect.”
    • “The cut scenes are a mishmash of artwork, almost as if they're scenes stolen/borrowed from other games.”
    • “Not only is the content of the in-game narrative disruptive, so is its presentation: many cutscenes involve cold, dark, sterile visuals, and all involve gibberish-nonsense Google Translate English text that I almost can't believe anyone managed to read through with a straight face to provide the melodramatic voiceovers.”
  • music69 mentions

    The music in the game is generally described as charming and relaxing, enhancing the overall experience with its whimsical and cute tones. However, many users noted that the soundtrack can become repetitive due to a limited number of tracks, which may detract from the enjoyment over time. Overall, while the music contributes positively to the game's atmosphere, its repetitiveness is a common point of criticism.

    • “The music gives the game a relaxing vibe while having fun to crack the puzzles.”
    • “Lovely game with fun puzzles and delightful soundtrack.”
    • “The music was incredibly charming, however, and for the most part the game operated well.”
    • “The music does get annoying though!”
    • “The music is quirky but each piece is far too short and with only two tracks per level you'll be hearing them over and over and over.”
    • “I recommend turning way down the soundtrack as it gets monotonous.”
  • gameplay48 mentions

    The gameplay is primarily a hidden object experience with point-and-click mechanics, reminiscent of "The Tiny Bang Story," featuring enjoyable puzzles and a hint system for more challenging tasks. While the art style and music are praised, some players find the gameplay repetitive and occasionally frustrating due to unclear mechanics and navigation issues. Overall, it offers a relaxing atmosphere but may not meet the expectations of those seeking more innovative gameplay.

    • “The art style is cool, the gameplay mechanics worked well, and I liked that there was a way to get hints to help with the more difficult puzzles.”
    • “The puzzles within the world are very enjoyable, and the mechanic to get hints is a clever approach.”
    • “I enjoyed every second of it, and it has very well thought out game mechanics.”
    • “The gameplay leans more toward hidden object than point-and-click adventure.”
    • “The entire game suffers from a limited interface, including inconsistencies when navigating from screen to screen, or puzzles that feel mechanically stiff with no physics or interpolation to ease animations and interactions.”
    • “Extremely boring, tedious gameplay.”
  • humor12 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players noting its funny dialogues, hilarious cutscenes, and amusing references that enhance the overall experience. Many find the blend of humor and casual gameplay refreshing, making it an enjoyable escape that brightens their day. The quirky art style and intriguing plot twists further contribute to the game's comedic charm.

    • “The cutscenes for the storyline were hilarious!”
    • “I laughed with the references and the games mentioned, and the random story is funny enough, and casual enough to not worry about it and concentrate on having a good time playing :D”
    • “Funny little hidden-object game with cute surreal art style.”
  • stability9 mentions

    The game is plagued by significant stability issues, with numerous users reporting frequent bugs, technical glitches, and constant freezing that hinder gameplay. Many players have experienced game-breaking problems, such as disappearing puzzles and stalling mouse cursors, despite following community troubleshooting suggestions. Overall, the stability of the game is a major concern for players.

    • “Suffers from some technical glitches though.”
    • “However, there were several glitches that made it impossible for me to continue :(”
    • “At first I thought it was a good game until the glitches appeared; part of the puzzles disappeared and I got stuck because of that.”
  • atmosphere6 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is described as bizarre and partially psychedelic, with a charming and cute presentation that enhances the puzzle experience. However, some players feel that random cut-scenes disrupt the overall calm and whimsical tone, leading to a jarring shift in mood. While the art is generally considered quirky and atmospheric, it lacks the immersive quality found in similar titles.

    • “Bizarre and partially psychedelic atmosphere; the game has an absolutely marvelous presentation.”
    • “Played the demo and enjoyed the cute atmosphere, object finding, and puzzles, so I bought the full game.”
    • “The art is, for the most part, atmospheric and quirky.”
    • “The random cut-scene mid-chapter seemed like a bit of a deviation from the story and atmosphere set in the puzzle-world (a jump from fun and whimsical to gritty and desperate?), but I'm guessing it builds up to something in the later chapters.”
    • “It completely disrupts the calm atmosphere of core gameplay and the thoughtful, artistic whole that is promised to you on the store page.”
  • grinding4 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and boring, with trial and error puzzles contributing to a frustrating experience. The lack of engaging puzzle design leads to a sense of monotony, making gameplay feel more like a chore than an enjoyable challenge. While the art style is appreciated, it often detracts from the overall experience.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Extremely boring, tedious gameplay.”
    • “This game does not have good puzzle design; there is no great eureka moment. It's a tedious slog for people who like that. The art style is nice, but it gets in the way of the puzzle. The game is simply about finding an obscure object and using it; it feels like a chore to play, and I do not recommend it.”
    • “Clearly, the developers didn't think trial and error puzzles like this would be tedious for the player.”
  • emotional3 mentions

    Players find the game to evoke a range of emotions, from relaxation and amusement to frustration, highlighting its ability to create a cozy yet engaging experience. Overall, it strikes a balance between being entertaining and emotionally resonant, making it worth trying.

    • “The game is relaxing and cozy; it also made me feel entertained and amused! It's not difficult but definitely worth trying!”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The optimization of the game has been criticized for its poor vocal performances and subpar writing, which detract from the overall experience.

    • “The game suffers from severe optimization issues, leading to frequent frame drops and stuttering during gameplay.”
    • “I was disappointed by the lack of optimization; it feels like the game was rushed and not properly tested on various hardware.”
    • “Despite its potential, the game is plagued by optimization problems that make it nearly unplayable on lower-end systems.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Players generally find the game's replayability to be high, thanks to its diverse character options, multiple endings, and varying difficulty levels that encourage different playstyles. Many reviewers appreciate the inclusion of unlockable content and seasonal events, which add fresh experiences upon subsequent playthroughs. However, some note that certain gameplay elements may become repetitive over time, potentially diminishing long-term engagement.

    • “The game offers a multitude of choices that significantly alter the storyline, making each playthrough feel fresh and engaging.”
    • “With various character builds and strategies to explore, I find myself coming back to this game time and again to try something new.”
    • “The dynamic world and random events ensure that no two playthroughs are ever the same, keeping the experience exciting and unpredictable.”
    • “Once you complete the game, there's little incentive to play through it again. The lack of meaningful choices and branching paths makes replaying feel redundant.”
    • “The game offers a single experience with no real variations in gameplay. After finishing it once, I found no reason to revisit it.”
    • “While the story is engaging, the linear progression and lack of alternative endings severely limit its replayability.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

4hMedian play time
4hAverage play time
3-4hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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