This weekend I went on a mission looking for a cute, comforting, and stress-free game to play and was suggested Tiny Garden developed by Ao Norte and published by Super Rare Games. I decided to give it a try, and I ended up loving it. I wanted to share the game demo with you so you could experience the same calming fun I’ve been enjoying!
My Experience
I started playing the demo for Tiny Garden on a weekend where I just wanted to relax and I found it to be so soothing just listening along to the delicate music. Before I knew it an hour had passed by, I was just so engrossed in decorating my little space, sticker bombing the outside of the toy and harvesting my plants to maximize the variety of crops I could unlock. I can easily see myself making a cup of tea or coffee, putting on my headphones, and drifting into a meditative space after a tough day or stressful week. It feels like a special bonus for players who may not have a garden of their own to care for.
Gameplay
There is no combat in Tiny Garden, its focus is on creating a peaceful and creative gameplay experience. The controls are simplified for an easy, stress free gaming experience, the controls are displayed on screen and you have a guide that introduces new elements as they unlock so there is no confusion how to access the tools, seeds or decorative items. There are also tabs with visuals to aid you in navigating the store. Every action whether watering plants or placing furniture feels intentional and satisfying, especially the handle you crank to progress your harvest..
The main gameplay features focus on:
Farming - Planting, Growing and Harvesting a variety of plants.
Puzzles - You may need to strategically plan your plant placement depending on the best environment for a particular plant. e.g some plants require to be close to a water source.
Customization - Trade in plants for furniture and decor like stickers, furniture, colour palettes for the tiny garden toys outer shell to make your tiny garden and living space uniquely yours. You can unlock new plant varieties, decorative items, and even fresh garden layouts as you advance.
Visual Style and Sound
The visual style is so sweet and is as soothing as the gameplay itself. It features a soft, pastel colour palette that evokes a warm and cozy atmosphere. The garden itself is full of delicate and beautifully designed plants. The garden's fold-up playset design adds a nostalgic touch reminding me of a number of toys I personally once owned as a child in the 90’s.
The sound is equally as charming and adds to the calming atmosphere, hearing the gentle rustling noises from the plants and the soft background music emphasizing the tranquility and stress free environment.
Final Thoughts
I’m really looking forward to the full release of Tiny Garden! The demo has me hooked, and I am ready to plant myself in this soothing, creative space when it releases on April 8th.
Get those green thumbs ready and add it to your Wishlist on Steam!
Steam's Next Fest starts today the 24th Feb - 3rd March which is a celebration of upcoming games being released. You have the chance to explore and play hundreds of demos, watch them livestreamed and have opportunities to chat with the developers.
Tiny Garden will be among the latest titles to be featured, so make sure you take some time to check it out!
Comments