Botanicula
A true delight!
Edit update 23.11.2016: Nominated for the 2016 Steam Awards “Game Within A Game” award
Botanicula is an Indie, point-and-click, puzzle adventure; brought to us by the Czech creators of Samorost 1&2 and Machinarium, Amanita Design – if you enjoy either of those games, you will take delight in this. The thoroughly organic world and its inhabitants are highly imaginative, some even bizarre-looking and -sounding. Some players may consider it too succinct, or even more attuned toward children. The simple story, though solid and sweet, does not require heavy ruminations – this is a game of the senses, pure and simple. You control a group of four friends on a mission to plant a seed. The main goal on each level progresses you to the next level; the puzzles are intuitive. The price of the game, whether regular or on sale, is appropriate. Yes, it is a Flash game. (Interesting to note that I cannot enjoy tBoI or Windosill on my current PC setup without gameplay becoming bogged down almost instantly; but with Botanicula, never any bogging or catching.) Summed up: the graphics, gameplay, sound and music - all superb, A+++. What more can I say to get you to try out this lovely gem?…
– Real player with 14.5 hrs in game
Read More: Best Exploration Story Rich Games.
AT A GLANCE
(Full review follows below)
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Game Name: Botanicula
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Original Release: 2012
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Genre Tags: Point & Click; Adventure; Casual; Puzzle
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My Overall Grade: A-
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Estimated Playtime (Campaign): 4-7 hours
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Multiplayer Aspect: None
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Recommended To: Established fans of the genre; Novelty seekers; Casual gamers
REVIEW
Botanicula is an incredibly charming, short-and-sweet game which is frequently described as having a “happy” identity. It is a point-and-click style, casual adventure game that takes you on a wondrous ride through a microcosmic fantasy world inhabited by bugs and critters. Any fan of point-and-click, adventure-puzzle games will likely enjoy the experience.
– Real player with 5.6 hrs in game
Beans or Bones
Beans or Bones is a fun 2-player online co-op pirate game for having a good time with your best buddy. Stranded on a cannibal island you are lucky: Improved seamanship has led to fewer and fewer shipping accidents in recent years - a major food source for the cannibals. So you are offered a deal: find Brownie George on a remote island, and get his relish recipe to make beans more tasty than your bones. So you go on a quest with your fellow pirate buddy, fly with birds, paddle in barrels, and use your bubble shooter to fight sharks.
Key Features:
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For fans of fun pirate games
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Focus on fun little game mechanics like flying a bird, or making sharks fly with your bubble shooter
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No-one is seriously harmed or killed - no blood, just blood orange juice
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A short game that lasts about an hour.
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A family project made by a non-vegetarian solo developer and his 3 non-vegetarian sons.
Read More: Best Exploration 3D Games.
Hair of the Dog
This game is right up my alley! From the very beginning it oozes charm and hilarity. The pace is swift and the characters intriguing. I’ve smiled constantly and laughed out loud many times. It delivers straight away and is delightfully observed too - for anyone into history, literature, cinema. I think I’ll have to watch Tall Story Games closely and see what they do next!
– Real player with 5.1 hrs in game
Read More: Best Exploration 2D Games.
I played this game after enjoying the demo for Lucy Dreaming - so much so that I joined the kick starter for it! This is a lovely game, beautifully made and with a great, dark sense of humour. The fact that this was made in just 2 weeks makes it even more impressive! A few of the puzzles really had me scratching my head (pun intended!) but it was always just difficult enough to be engaging, rather than infuriating.
If you liked this, then I highly recommend Lucy Dreaming.
– Real player with 3.6 hrs in game
Scrabdackle
Scrabdackle is a hand-drawn action/adventure game about going exploring, with non-linear progression and a unique mix of skill-based challenge and accessible gameplay. It features a vast, intricate overworld, tight and responsive combat, cheeky banter, and pages of lore to discover – all under a coat of playful charm.
You’ll discover secrets, meet the land’s curious inhabitants, master new spells, study magical creatures, and overcome challenging bosses.
Inspired by classics like Link’s Awakening, An Untitled Story, and Hollow Knight, Scrabdackle is a project designed, animated, programmed, and scored by one developer wanting to make a world worth getting lost in.
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Expansive, non-linear world allows for high replayability. The map can be navigated in any order on any playthrough. Try a different route every time!
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Secret characters, areas, storylines and oddities hidden where you least expect them. The more you explore, the more you’ll be rewarded with unexpected and delightful encounters.
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Tough-but-fair bosses with tight, challenging combat. With some practice, you can walk away from any fight unscathed. Or, toggle assist settings to define your own challenge.
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Unique storybook visual style made with hand-drawn line art and a pixelated brush.
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Optional dialogue that doesn’t take control away from the player. Just walk away mid-conversation, and characters will wave you off.
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Fill out your official wizardly notebook by scrying new creatures and documenting your findings! Review your field logs any time to see the world in closer detail!
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Charming original soundtrack with new tracks for every corner of the world.
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Tons of spells and relics to master. Swap magic powers on the fly to face any type of challenge any way you want!
The Smurfs - Mission Vileaf
The Smurfs - Mission Vileaf is a fun game, I picked the game for curiosity since it was never mention in steam, Is not a kids game, its a 3D platformed that can be enjoy by kids or adults that already know about the Smurfs like me.
Gameplay wise, is a slow paced 3D game, where you need to go from point A to B, however it allows you to explore the area for collectables, clear from contamination and fight enemies. It also burrow a aspect from the Metroidvania Genre where you get new abilities that open new areas for collectables to get and contamination to clear, not as fancy as them but still something neat.
– Real player with 26.9 hrs in game
The best Smurf game you’ll ever play. Might not be the greatest of claims considering some of the Smurf games that have come before it, but this is genuinely a fun and rather unique platformer. This is definitely up your alley if you like Smurfs, doubley so for the fans of the classic TV series. The Smurf village is your hub, and the game offers plenty to discover and explore as you go along. You use the Smurfizer to spray down plants and unlock areas, collectible items, and other characters. The device itself gets new movesets like sprinting, gliding, stomping, and sucking up small enemies/items. All of which are upgradable through the items you collect, giving you incentive to return to older areas when new abilities are unlocked or upgraded. You get to play as Hefty, Brainy, Chef, & Smurfette, interact with other Smurds like Papa Smurf, Handy, Lazy, Grouchy, etc., and the game even offers the ability to play co-op. There are also three levels of difficulty and the game has optional collectibles whose difficulty ranges. Similar to star hunting in a Mario game. The actual platforming is very fun, and never gets boring. My favorite level is the cooking school one, as that has some great platforming sections. Great game to play with family and friends or solo, the game took 15+ hours to beat, and I’m not even at 100%. Great game for fans of the Smurf series and anyone looking for a fun 3D platformer to play.
– Real player with 16.9 hrs in game
Your Show Has Been Cancelled
This game just keeps going. At least as much content after “finishing” the game as before. Really well put together 3!
– Real player with 104.5 hrs in game
I was not expecting to wholeheartedly enjoy this game as much as I did. From the amazing soundtrack to the laugh-out-loud humor (not even joking) to the real sense of growth in power as you progress, this game will remain near the top of my list for indie games for years. Best of all, you can feel the passion from the creator with every line of dialogue.
If the price is a bit daunting for you, I’d definitely recommend it on sale.
Overall I’d give this game a 8.5/10 - a game I would highly recommend, and I hope to see more from this developer in the future.
– Real player with 7.3 hrs in game
An Odd Tale
This is the best game ever made.! ! ! ! ! ! ! !?! !? ! ! The bugs are perfectly okay the story is amazing and dialogue is great!!!!??@?! I think that the music in the game is the best ive ever heard anywhere .!!?@! ! trhe songwriter must be sexy and his brain must be so fulll of amazing stuff !!@!#$! aanyways play da game and buy the soundtrakc its really cool
– Real player with 3.1 hrs in game
It took me less than 5 minutes to fall out of the map, and establish myself as a world record speedrun any% fall out of the map world champion. I love this game, when is the sequel?
– Real player with 2.1 hrs in game
Bilkins' Folly
Bilkins Folly is an exploration-based puzzle game with an emphasis on treasure hunting. Use maps and clues to track down the locations of different buried pirate treasures while trying to uncover the mystery of your family’s disappearance.
Interact with different characters and choose to help or betray them in your journey. Just be careful as you might end up facing the consequences of your actions.
With your trusty dog by your side, can you discover the secret of Bilkins’ Folly?
DEEEER Simulator: Your Average Everyday Deer Game
i am part of the 3.2% of people in achievements
– Real player with 10.5 hrs in game
DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEER
– Real player with 8.3 hrs in game
Fish Feast
10/10 Masterpiece
Fish Feast is a gameplay marvel, rewarding fishiness and agility in a way few games do.
There are lots of different fish and locations to admire. Fish Feast is lots of fun!
– Real player with 6.0 hrs in game