Indie Ranger
  • Reviews
  • News
  • Opinion
  • About Us
  • Review Guide
No Result
View All Result
  • Reviews
  • News
  • Opinion
  • About Us
  • Review Guide
No Result
View All Result
Indie Ranger
No Result
View All Result

‘The Gardens Between’ Offers a Sweet and Surreal World

Phill Vd Walt by Phill Vd Walt
March 20, 2019
in PC, Reviews
0
0
Home Reviews PC
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The Gardens Between is a narrative puzzle game centered around two teenagers, a girl named Arina and a boy named Frendt. The key mechanic of The Gardens Between is that you control both characters at the same time by manipulating time and changing the environment of Arina and Frendt, who move in a predetermined direction. All of this takes place in a very surreal, dream-like world.

The gameplay of The Gardens Between is that of a puzzler. Every puzzle is essentially the same, with our two heroes finding a way to the end of the stage. However, this is not as simple as it may sound. As you progress through the game, new mechanics will be introduced. Light, shadows and time manipulation, and it’s up to you to learn how all the mechanics play into each other.

The orb of light collected in the lantern will lead you through the darkness

The level design is near perfection, with each stage being unique, featuring themes relevant to Arina and Frendt’s lives. The stand out examples for me would be the Computers level where you are required to move time back and forth in order to type a security code on a keyboard and the Electricity level where you need to manipulate time in order to close an electrical current with a falling drop of water. These stellar levels show off the game’s time-bending mechanic in a way are a unique fashion.

It was this level that convinced me this was something special

The presentation of The Gardens Between is just as unique as the gameplay, with a storybook inspired art style which adds to the surreal aesthetics and contributes to the story about childhood memories. Although music is appropriate, it comes across as a little bland and does shine like the visuals and level design.

The game boasts a beautiful, surreal art-style

This game’s story focuses on Arina and Frendt, childhood friends and partners in this adventure. Together they travel to different islands to solve their mysteries. After each island is completed a short scene of Arina and Frendt in the real world will play. This is how the bulk of the narrative is presented, and it works. The scenes, in isolation, are touching, but to experience the true impact you need to complete the game.

The Gardens Between is a truly special game, filled with charm and it is clear that developers The Voxel Agents poured their hearts and souls into making this game special. The creative time manipulation mechanics coupled with the incredibly diverse levels makes this a perfect way to spend a half-day.

[penci_review id=”6848″]

Spread the word:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related

ShareTweetShare
Previous Post

Helios Games brings the Island of Dolls to life in ‘Pavor’

Next Post

Nindies Spring Showcase, Cuphead, Crypt of The Necrodancer and More

Phill Vd Walt

Phill Vd Walt

Next Post
Nindies Spring Showcase, Cuphead, Crypt of The Necrodancer and More

Nindies Spring Showcase, Cuphead, Crypt of The Necrodancer and More

‘Agent 9’ Is a Spy I Couldn’t Love

'Agent 9' Is a Spy I Couldn't Love

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
‘No Players Online’ – All Major Secrets and How to Reach the Ending

‘No Players Online’ – All Major Secrets and How to Reach the Ending

November 18, 2019
‘Founders Fortune’ is a Game Worth a Fortune

‘Founders Fortune’ is a Game Worth a Fortune

July 20, 2019
The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+ Receives Final Booster Packs on Nintendo Switch

The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+ Receives Final Booster Packs on Nintendo Switch

January 22, 2019
10 Mobile Games to Play Instead of Mafia City

10 Mobile Games to Play Instead of Mafia City

February 15, 2019
A First Look at HyperParasite: A Roguelike With An Infectious Twist

A First Look at HyperParasite: A Roguelike With An Infectious Twist

1
Skybound Games to Pick Up The Walking Dead After Telltale Closure

Skybound Games to Pick Up The Walking Dead After Telltale Closure

1
The Long Dark Is A True Survival Game Through And Through

The Long Dark Is A True Survival Game Through And Through

1
No Man’s Sky Underpins the Importance of Allowing a Game to Speak for Itself

No Man’s Sky Underpins the Importance of Allowing a Game to Speak for Itself

1
Scott Pilgrim Physical Edition Release

Scott Pilgrim Physical Edition Release

January 12, 2021
Keen – One Girl Army Review, another Darling in the making

Keen – One Girl Army Review, another Darling in the making

September 11, 2020
PlayStation Plus and Indie Games: A Match Made in Heaven?

PlayStation Plus and Indie Games: A Match Made in Heaven?

September 1, 2020
Sci-Fi RPG Star Renegades Lands on PC September 8

Sci-Fi RPG Star Renegades Lands on PC September 8

August 14, 2020

Recommended

Scott Pilgrim Physical Edition Release

Scott Pilgrim Physical Edition Release

January 12, 2021
Keen – One Girl Army Review, another Darling in the making

Keen – One Girl Army Review, another Darling in the making

September 11, 2020
PlayStation Plus and Indie Games: A Match Made in Heaven?

PlayStation Plus and Indie Games: A Match Made in Heaven?

September 1, 2020
Sci-Fi RPG Star Renegades Lands on PC September 8

Sci-Fi RPG Star Renegades Lands on PC September 8

August 14, 2020
Indie Ranger

© 2021 Indie Ranger - All Rights Reserved

Navigate Site

  • Submit an Article
  • Submit Your Game!
  • Contact
  • Steam Curator

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Reviews
  • News
  • Opinion
  • About Us
  • Review Guide

© 2021 Indie Ranger - All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.