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Varenje

87%Game Brain Score
story, graphics
stability, grinding
87% User Score Based on 1,048 reviews

Platforms

Mac OSMac OSNintendo SwitchNintendo SwitchPCPCWindowsWindowsXbox OneXbox OneLinuxLinuxXboxXbox

About

"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.

Varenje screenshot
Varenje screenshot
Varenje screenshot
Varenje screenshot
Varenje screenshot
Varenje screenshot
Varenje screenshot
Varenje screenshot

87%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,048 reviews
story86 positive mentions
stability18 negative mentions

  • The game features beautiful and colorful artwork that enhances the overall experience.
  • The puzzles are engaging and provide a good balance of challenge without being overly difficult.
  • The hint system is creative, allowing players to earn hints by solving mini puzzles, which adds an interesting layer to the gameplay.
  • The story is jarring and feels out of place, with cutscenes that detract from the overall charm of the game.
  • Some puzzles lack clear instructions, leading to confusion and frustration for players.
  • The game is misleadingly marketed as free to play, as it only offers the first chapter, requiring players to purchase the full game as DLC.
  • story
    362 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in this game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it confusing, bizarre, or unnecessary, often detracting from the overall experience. While some appreciate the unique and whimsical elements reminiscent of titles like "The Tiny Bang Story," others criticize the narrative for being poorly executed and lacking coherence. Overall, players suggest focusing on the gameplay and puzzles rather than the story, which many feel does not enhance the game significantly.

    • “Very interesting story with the narrator.”
    • “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.”
    • “Nothing in this game made sense to me-- maybe I need to buy the full version to understand the full story, but I don't want to spend money on a game that leaves me confused to this extent.”
    • “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.”
  • graphics
    212 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game have been widely praised for their colorful, quirky, and charming art style, which enhances the overall experience. Many players appreciate the unique visual elements and the creative use of different graphics to indicate interactive objects, although some noted that the artwork can be a bit busy or inconsistent at times. Overall, the visuals contribute significantly to the game's appeal, making it a delightful choice for fans of hidden object and puzzle genres.

    • “Beautifully quirky graphics.”
    • “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.”
    • “I really enjoyed the graphics as well as the unexpected turn of reality a few minutes into the game.”
    • “Dislikes: no graphics options - doesn't work on a 4:3 screen ratio.”
    • “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.”
  • music
    138 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is generally described as charming and relaxing, enhancing the overall atmosphere and gameplay experience. However, many users noted that it can become repetitive due to a limited number of tracks, leading some to find it annoying over time. Overall, while the soundtrack is appreciated for its whimsical quality, a desire for more variety is a common sentiment among players.

    • “The music gives the game a relaxing vibe while having fun to crack the puzzles.”
    • “The music was incredibly charming, however, and for the most part the game operated well.”
    • “Lovely game with fun puzzles and delightful soundtrack.”
    • “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 had to mute the music because it got too annoying but I can live with that.”
    • “The music while nice got repetitive after a while; it would have been nice to have a couple more tracks in the game.”
  • gameplay
    96 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is primarily focused on hidden object mechanics, reminiscent of titles like "The Tiny Bang Story," featuring simple point-and-click interactions and enjoyable puzzles. While the art style and music are praised, some players find the gameplay experience inconsistent, with issues such as a limited interface and occasionally tedious item searches. Overall, it offers a relaxing experience but may not meet the expectations of those seeking more polished mechanics or a cohesive narrative.

    • “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.”
    • “You're left to figure out the mechanics of the game and puzzles for yourself, which I found really interesting and challenging at the same time.”
    • “I enjoyed every second of it, and it has very well thought out game mechanics.”
    • “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.”
    • “However, gameplay mechanics are crude, and one area was kind of buggy - my mouse cursor kept stalling.”
  • humor
    24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is widely praised, with players enjoying the witty dialogues, hilarious cutscenes, and amusing storylines that keep them engaged. Many find the game to be a lighthearted experience, filled with funny references and a charming art style that enhances the overall enjoyment. Overall, the humor effectively contributes to a casual and entertaining gaming atmosphere.

    • “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”
    • “Varenje is such a cute and funny game!”
  • stability
    18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is plagued by significant stability issues, with numerous reports of bugs and technical glitches that hinder gameplay. Players frequently experience freezing, disappearing puzzles, and stalling mouse cursors, leading to frustration and an inability to progress. Overall, the game's stability is a major concern, detracting from the overall experience.

    • “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.”
  • atmosphere
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is described as bizarre and partially psychedelic, with a marvellous presentation that initially captivates players with its cute and whimsical charm. However, some reviewers noted that a mid-chapter cut-scene disrupts the calm and immersive experience, shifting the tone to something grittier and less cohesive. Overall, while the art is generally atmospheric and quirky, it lacks the depth found in similar titles like "Tiny Bang."

    • “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.”
  • grinding
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious and boring, with trial and error puzzles contributing to a frustrating experience. The lack of engaging puzzle design leads to a sense of chore-like gameplay, detracting from the overall enjoyment despite the appealing art style. Many reviewers do not recommend the game due to these issues.

    • “Extremely boring, tedious gameplay.”
    • “This game does not have good puzzle design; there is no great eureka moment. It's a tedious slog of a game 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.”
  • emotional
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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. Despite its simplicity, many feel it is worth trying for the emotional journey it offers.

    • “The game is relaxing and cozy; it also made me feel entertained and amused! Not difficult but definitely worth trying!”
  • optimization
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

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

  • replayability
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The reviews indicate that the game's replayability is high, with players appreciating the variety of choices and outcomes that encourage multiple playthroughs. Many highlight the presence of different character paths and unlockable content, which adds to the overall experience and keeps players engaged. Overall, the game offers a compelling reason to return for additional sessions.

Buy Varenje

4h Median play time
4h Average play time
3-4h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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