White Lavender
- June 20, 2022
- Tom van den Boogaart
- 1h median play time
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Get on itch.io Store"White Lavender" is a calming and introspective game where you play as a character living in a small village, tending to their garden and interacting with the villagers. The game features a soothing art style and soundtrack, encouraging players to take their time and enjoy the simple pleasures of gardening and daily life. Through these activities, players can uncover the stories and secrets of the village and its inhabitants.
Mac OS
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Reviews
- Charming art style and visuals that create a cozy atmosphere, making it a refreshing take on the soulslike genre.
- Engaging and fun combat mechanics, with a variety of character builds and replayability through different playstyles.
- Short playtime that allows for a quick yet enjoyable experience, making it accessible for casual gamers.
- Gameplay can be hindered by bugs, including issues with hit detection and the lock-on system, which can disrupt combat.
- Balancing issues with enemy difficulty and character scaling, leading to some builds feeling less viable than others.
- The game is quite short, which may leave players wanting more content and exploration opportunities.
- graphics26 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are characterized by a charming and cute art style that contrasts with traditional dark and broody souls-like aesthetics, creating a whimsical and serene atmosphere. While many players appreciate the visuals and the overall aesthetic, some have noted issues with visibility and camera mechanics that can detract from gameplay. Overall, the graphics are seen as a strong point, contributing to the game's cozy vibe, though there are suggestions for improvements in clarity and camera control.
“The visuals are impressive, though.”
“Its simple and charming art style presents a dreamy, pastel-colored world that exudes serenity.”
“I really like the art style and visual effects on the camera's perspective.”
“For one, the lock-on system is pretty wonky and can target seemingly randomly at times, especially targeting distant disengaged enemies instead of the closer engaged enemies. The camera in this game can also clip through geometry, making it hard to see at times. Due to the art style, it is a bit hard to tell what counts as a hit, but this game can be pretty loose with hit detection, so you're often hitting (and getting hit) more often than you'd think.”
“...surprisingly good and enjoyable for a souls clone, but set in the wobbly graphics of the 90's.”
“It's basically a heavily simplified version of a Bug's Life game with much less graphics.”
- gameplay21 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "White Lavender" effectively captures the essence of the souls-like genre with a charming art style and a relaxed pace, making it accessible for players who enjoy exploration and combat without the usual frustration. While some mechanics, such as movement and hit detection, can feel clunky, the overall combat experience is satisfying, with a unique loot system and a well-implemented stagger mechanic. Players appreciate the balance between challenge and enjoyment, though some desire additional content to fully explore the game's engaging mechanics.
“For such a small package, it's quite surprising how much of the mechanics of the souls genre is on display.”
“The gameplay focuses on combat, which feels satisfying and intuitive.”
“I think you did a really good job with the mechanics to a point where I just wanted to keep playing the game.”
“The art style is very charming, but my main complaint is a few gameplay tweaks that would really take it to the next level, and how a lot of non-boss enemies are hard to see in the third-person perspective.”
“The luck mechanic is broken; there are a ton of items that you will literally never see because they're random drops from enemies you encounter only once.”
“At first, I thought the movement was very clunky because of the camera shake, but if you go into the game settings, you can reduce the camera sensitivity and turn off the wobbling, which improved the gameplay for me.”
- music16 mentions
- 69 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its quality and ability to enhance the overall experience, with many reviewers noting its calming and groovy nature. While the soundtrack complements the visuals and gameplay well, some feel that certain musical styles, like trap, may not fit the game's whimsical aesthetic. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a highlight, with many expressing a desire for an official release of the OST.
“The visuals and the OST are really nice!”
“The art style, music, setting, characters, and general vibe of the game all work well together.”
“Would recommend if you are into a short but sweet game with a good soundtrack.”
“The only bad thing I can say about White Lavender pertains to the soundtrack.”
“You can turn down the sound effects/music volume, but that doesn't affect the buzzing noise.”
“It's basically a bugsoulslite with some decent mechanics, calming music, and a chill environment to run around and explore.”
- story14 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The story in the game is described as cute and simple, centering around a bug's quest to cure its sister, with a playtime of approximately 2-3 hours for the main narrative. While some reviewers found the storytelling to be subtle and reliant on environmental cues rather than a traditional narrative, others appreciated its charm and the balance it struck with gameplay. Overall, the story serves its purpose, providing a lighthearted backdrop to the engaging combat and exploration.
“Storytelling in 'White Lavender' is subtle and open to interpretation.”
“Cute little souls-like where you play as a bug on a quest to find a cure for your sister.”
“The combat was great, but the story was easy and fairly short, ranging from 15 minutes to 2-3 hours.”
“There isn't a traditional narrative in the game; instead, it relies on environmental storytelling and player exploration to create a sense of wonder and intrigue.”
“This approach may not appeal to those seeking a heavily story-driven experience, but it adds depth to the game's relaxing ambiance.”
- atmosphere5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by its charming and laid-back design, which effectively enhances the exploration experience. Each area offers a unique ambiance, fostering a sense of discovery while maintaining a soothing pace that makes it perfect for shared play. Overall, it successfully combines mystery, variety, and challenge within its atmospheric framework.
“A terrific little souls-like adventure, bursting with charm and atmosphere.”
“Each area of the game has a distinct atmosphere and charm, providing a sense of discovery as you move from one location to the next.”
“However, the gentle pace and soothing atmosphere make it an ideal game to play and share with friends or loved ones who appreciate calm, exploration-focused gameplay.”
- humor5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features a lighthearted sense of humor, highlighted by quirky character designs like a bug wizard wielding a laser sword and amusing side quests that offer funny rewards. Players appreciate the comedic elements woven into gameplay, including humorous interactions with the game's mechanics, such as the cinemachine camera. Overall, the humor adds an enjoyable layer to the experience, enhancing its fun factor.
“It's a fun little soulslike with some nice humor at times.”
“I actually recognize some of the quirks that come with working with a cinemachine camera, so that's kind of hilarious to me.”
“There are a few playful side quests, most of them are optional, and you get some pretty funny rewards for completing them, and even a few optional boss fights.”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players have mixed feelings about grinding; while some find it tedious due to tanky enemies that prolong battles, others appreciate the rewarding nature of grinding, noting that it enhances character strength and keeps the gameplay engaging. Overall, grinding is seen as a manageable and even enjoyable aspect of the game, contributing to its addictive quality.
“The enemies, especially after Flower Pot Village, are way too tanky; they are tedious damage sponges that simply do not go down, at least with a wizard build.”
“The game is slightly challenging but not too difficult with a bit of grinding.”
“Grinding doesn't feel tedious at all and items are usually worth it.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability due to its diverse character builds and the appeal of speedrunning, making it an engaging experience for players who enjoy a lighthearted take on the Souls genre. With playthroughs lasting 2-4 hours, it encourages multiple runs to explore different strategies and styles.
“It's like an easy Dark Souls; it's very goofy and has tons of replay value through character builds and speedrunning the game.”
“2-4 hours of a cute, easy Souls game with some replayability.”
“2-4 hours of a cute, easy souls game with some replayability.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is generally enjoyable and charming, but players have noted that it suffers from several bugs, impacting overall stability.
“Fun and cute, but it's a bit of a buggy mess.”
“A little buggy adventure through Dark Souls.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players report a strong emotional experience with the game, highlighting moments of laughter and tears. However, some have noted that the visual effects can initially cause discomfort, though this does not detract from the overall enjoyment.
“The perfect game, I laughed, I cried, and I wore a cup like a bomb squad suit of armor.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers praise the game's character development for its stunning visual presentation, including vibrant color work and appealing character designs, complemented by an engaging musical score that enhances the overall experience.
“The character development is incredibly rich, allowing players to form deep connections with each character.”
“I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, making their journeys feel personal and impactful.”
“The backstories and growth of each character are beautifully crafted, adding layers to the overall narrative.”
