Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles

82%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,647 reviews
  • story
  • grinding
  • graphics
Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles Game Cover
Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles does not disappoint. It’s a highly enjoyable and polished game, displaying a thoughtful approach to adventuring, an offering plenty to maintain interest.
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In "Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles," explore the vibrant island of Gemea as young hero Novo. Collect magical creatures called Sprites to banish the murky substance known as Murk that's plaguing the land. Engage in farming, crafting, cooking, and fishing as you uncover the ancient stories of Gemea.

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

Reviews

82%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,647 reviews
story173 positive mentions
grinding440 negative mentions
  • Beautiful graphics and vibrant environments that create an immersive experience.
  • Relaxing gameplay with no combat, allowing players to explore at their own pace.
  • Charming characters and cute animals that enhance the overall atmosphere of the game.
  • The main story is short and lacks depth, leading to a feeling of emptiness after completion.
  • Repetitive fetch quests and limited crafting options can make gameplay feel tedious.
  • Navigation can be frustrating due to the lack of fast travel options and clunky controls.
  • story1,161 mentions

    The story in "Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles" is generally perceived as simplistic and short, often described as a series of fetch quests that lack depth and emotional engagement. While players appreciate the charming world and the freedom to explore at their own pace, many feel that the main narrative is underdeveloped and serves primarily as a backdrop for the game's various activities, such as crafting and farming. Overall, the game is recommended for those seeking a relaxing experience rather than a complex storyline.

    • “The game follows the protagonist of choice who has been called by his family on a navigational quest to uncover secrets from his past on the island of Gemea and destroy the ancient darkness that terrorizes the region.”
    • “The story is interesting and easy to follow along.”
    • “The story and side quests are engaging and, all in all, make for pure escapism.”
    • “The main story feels like it's not fully fleshed out and is painfully short.”
    • “The story is weird and doesn't actually explain what's going on.”
    • “The quests are extremely boring and monotonous and the world is pretty much uneventful.”
  • grinding448 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, particularly in relation to crafting and completing fetch quests. While some appreciate the casual, stress-free nature of the gameplay, others feel that the farming and crafting systems lack depth and meaningful engagement, often leading to a sense of monotony. Overall, the game is seen as more focused on exploration and collection rather than farming, which may disappoint those expecting a more traditional farming simulator experience.

    • “Brilliant game, chill quest completing & beautiful scenery with no grinding, genuinely couldn't ask for more from a game of this genre :)”
    • “This game offers that and they are not tedious and the landscape is so cool; I normally do not get into cartoonish features like landscapes and characters, but this game really has some of the most amazing map sites out there for this genre.”
    • “Great things: lovely and atmospheric, light touches of comedy, and collecting items for crafting isn't really grinding.”
    • “Unfortunately bogged down by grindy pointless quests, frustrating controls, and petty negative late game areas.”
    • “The farming and crafting aspects of this game are pretty useless, and once you complete most of the quests/ main story-line, the game just becomes tedious and there is little replayability.”
    • “The farming aspect is very minimal, it's more like figuring out how to tame each animal and building a collection + making a base in each major area.”
  • graphics332 mentions

    The graphics of the game have been widely praised for their beautiful, cute, and vibrant art style, often compared to titles like "Breath of the Wild" and "Stardew Valley." Many players find the visuals to be relaxing and aesthetically pleasing, contributing to an immersive exploration experience. However, some users have noted issues with graphical clarity and performance, suggesting that while the overall design is charming, it may not meet the expectations of those seeking high-fidelity graphics.

    • “If you're looking for a relaxing, easy game with beautiful graphics, you'll love this one.”
    • “The graphics are like a cozy blanket for the eyes.”
    • “The graphics are stunning and the story-line is simple, well-written and not frustrating to follow.”
    • “But for some reason the graphics just smack the sick button in my head and I just cannot play it at all - usually I always try to push past it to play but I just can't see this game being worth it sadly.”
    • “I wouldn't recommend this to those with sensitive eyes or who are annoyed with fuzzy, just-off graphics.”
    • “There's nothing of substance behind the pretty visuals the game has to offer.”
  • gameplay282 mentions

    The gameplay of "Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles" is characterized by its relaxing and simplistic mechanics, focusing on exploration, crafting, and farming without the pressure of combat or time limits. While many players appreciate the charming visuals and soothing atmosphere, some criticize the lack of depth and interconnectivity in the mechanics, leading to repetitive tasks and a sense of unfinished content. Overall, it appeals to those seeking a casual gaming experience, but may disappoint players looking for more complex gameplay akin to titles like "Stardew Valley" or "Animal Crossing."

    • “I really like the fishing mechanic; I enjoy fishing mechanics that utilize the control stick to pull against the direction of the fish, and it is simplified in a very satisfying way in this game.”
    • “The gameplay is very relaxing, mostly unveiling the map, collections, and some quests.”
    • “The cheerful world, adorable creatures, and the super casual gameplay make this game one of the best games I have ever played.”
    • “The problem mostly comes from the intentional slow pace due to some design decisions affecting different gameplay elements.”
    • “Storyline is borderline non-existent and the gameplay is made up of tedious fetch quests (e.g. building bridges requires hundreds of stone and you get a maximum of four stone per node).”
    • “The gameplay is more about exploring, crafting, and clearing the murk than relationships with the people.”
  • music152 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its calming and beautiful qualities, enhancing the overall relaxing atmosphere of the gameplay. Many players appreciate the fitting soundtrack that complements the enchanting visuals and whimsical world, although some note that it can become repetitive over time. Overall, the music is considered a significant highlight, contributing to a stress-free and immersive experience.

    • “The game has a fantastic soundtrack; I can still hum along with certain parts.”
    • “The music is calming and ethereal, making it a good game to play if you just want to chill and wander around.”
    • “Beautiful graphics and music, creating a relaxing atmosphere that enhances the exploration experience.”
    • “The music was always the same no matter what biome or season it was, giving no particular uniqueness to any part of the world audibly.”
    • “The music is bland but it can still pass.”
    • “The soundtrack could be much better; it's so repetitive.”
  • atmosphere53 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its calming, cozy, and immersive qualities, featuring beautiful landscapes, peaceful music, and a child-friendly environment that encourages exploration without the pressure of combat. Players appreciate the relaxing experience it offers, making it ideal for unwinding after a stressful day, though some note that the gameplay can feel minimal and repetitive. Overall, the atmosphere is a standout feature, creating a delightful escape into a charming world.

    • “The atmosphere and setting is great, with the different habitats and the change in seasons and weather to set up an immersive in-game experience.”
    • “I do have to mention that the world the game takes place in is absolutely beautiful, brimming with atmosphere, and a joy to explore and inhabit.”
    • “With beautiful charm and a calming, positive atmosphere, this game has helped me de-stress in the toughest of times.”
    • “I would be so much more attracted to the story, but honestly there's a very small amount of atmosphere in the environment, and this game fails to establish a world that feels alive.”
    • “Frankly, I prefer the style of 'Ori and the Blind Forest,' where you truly feel the mood and atmosphere.”
    • “At this present time, it feels more like a walking sim combined with a very aesthetic atmosphere.”
  • emotional44 mentions

    Overall, the emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its wholesome and cute presentation, providing a relaxing experience that many players find enjoyable. However, while the game excels in creating a charming atmosphere, it often lacks depth in storytelling and emotional connection, leaving some players feeling indifferent or uninvested in the characters and narrative. Despite these shortcomings, it remains a recommended choice for those seeking a light-hearted, stress-free gaming experience.

    • “The story is charming and heartfelt, making it a truly spectacular work of art.”
    • “I wandered through the main story; it took about 12 hours, and I cried at the end.”
    • “All in all, you can tell that there was a lot of love put into this wholesome game, and it's well worth the price.”
    • “This game had a boring story, little for you to explore, terrible chest rewards, and a really bad money system. I had 10k in value from potatoes alone from a single farm with 3 gardens. The sprites had feet that sometimes sucked into their bodies.”
    • “I was met with a boring story, boring gameplay, and overall quirks that killed the experience.”
  • humor44 mentions

    The humor in the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating its lighthearted moments, whimsical characters, and clever dialogue. Many find the quests and environmental details amusing, while some humor elements, like references to online trolling, are seen as hit-or-miss. Overall, the game offers a charming blend of cute humor and relaxing exploration, appealing to both kids and adults.

    • “Yonder is visually appealing, has some funny and cute quests, and exploring its world is engaging.”
    • “The game is consciously aware of its easiness, and even references it humorously.”
    • “With the gorgeous scenery, funny characters, and bright happy colors, Yonder is a great game for someone who wants to stop and smell the flowers!”
  • replayability24 mentions

    Overall, the game has low replayability, with many players noting that once the main story and quests are completed, there is little incentive to return. While some find enjoyment in pursuing different goals or achieving 100% completion, the lack of complexity and variation in gameplay leads to a generally linear experience. Future updates may enhance replay value, but currently, it is seen as a relaxing experience rather than one with significant replay potential.

    • “Good replay value if you focus on different goals each time.”
    • “Overall, despite all the negative points, I do recommend it because even if it hasn't got massive amounts of replayability, the journey of getting 100% completion is pretty enjoyable and the world is aesthetically pleasing.”
    • “Not sure that it will have a lot of replayability, perhaps with future updates, if things like farming get a bit more depth, but for now, it's a perfectly peaceful relaxing way to spend some spare time.”
    • “The replay value is low - you know everything, there will be no variations.”
    • “My only 'complaint': replayability is nonexistent, because I would much love to be able to play this game again.. but once you know where everything is, you know where everything is.”
    • “The farming and crafting aspects of this game are pretty useless, and once you complete most of the quests/main storyline, the game just becomes tedious and there is little replayability.”
  • optimization16 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is highly praised, with many users reporting smooth performance, zero crashes, and minimal bugs. It is noted as exceptionally well optimized for an indie title, delivering impressive graphics and consistent frame rates even on high settings. Despite some criticisms regarding gameplay elements, the technical performance remains a strong point for the game.

    • “This game is exceptionally well optimized for an indie game.”
    • “Well optimized.”
    • “Unlike the majority of games that seem to have been released in the last few years, the game is actually optimized.”
    • “This game is really frustrating because everything works, but nothing is optimized.”
    • “If I were to compare this game to something other than Fantasy Life, it would be another indie game called Hardland (which is still in early access). Despite being built on the same Unity engine, it looks so much better and much more detailed without any sort of performance issues.”
    • “Think of it this way: they wanted a full orchestral performance, but only a handful of musicians showed up, and nary a one is trying to compensate for the missing sections.”
  • character development8 mentions

    Character development in the game is largely criticized, with many users noting a lack of depth and a simplistic story. While character design options are praised for their variety, the overall character development remains minimal, which some players feel benefits the gameplay.

    • “Character design is great; you get loads of clothes, accessories, hair designs, and so on.”
    • “There is no character development.”
    • “I expected a bit more story and character development, though.”
    • “Very (and I mean very) little character development and a small, simple story actually work to the game's advantage.”
  • stability8 mentions

    Overall, user reviews indicate a mixed experience regarding stability. While some players report a smooth performance with no bugs, others encounter significant glitches, particularly related to quests and environmental interactions. The presence of graphical errors and awkward crafting mechanics also detracts from the overall stability of the game.

    • “I really like the aesthetic of the game; it looks great, it sounds great, and it even runs great.”
    • “Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles runs great on ultra settings, with no sign of lag at all.”
    • “One thing that absolutely blew my mind was that I picked up this game maybe 5 minutes after release and found it completely bug-free.”
    • “Besides, the quest is buggy anyway, as I collected way more than 55 cats to complete it.”
    • “Crafting is awkward, the story is only kind of there, there isn't actually enough variety in crops or livestock to justify maintaining six farms, the models are clunky, there are tons of graphical errors and glitches all over the place, and since there is no currency system you end up getting flooded with hoards of useless items pretty quickly.”
    • “It can get buggy and glitchy when near certain rocks and obstacles.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    Players appreciate the absence of microtransactions, highlighting a more enjoyable gaming experience without the pressure of in-game purchases.

    • “It's refreshing to play a game without microtransactions.”
    • “The monetization model is fair and doesn't pressure players to spend money.”
    • “I appreciate that the game offers a complete experience without needing to purchase additional content.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

69% average critic score

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Play time

20hMedian play time
23hAverage play time
11-30hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 29 analyzed playthroughs

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