The Beauty Known as The Gardens Between Hits Multiple Platforms

By: GeekyGamerGirl87

Sometimes here at the dailygamepad.com, a game comes across to us and it’s one of those games that will either be a hit or miss. So, when we were offered  a free copy of The Gardens Between I didn’t know what to really expect from the game. I watched the trailer for the game and thought it was beautiful and I really enjoyed the music . However, it was the game play itself that left me a little weary that the game was going to be a hit or miss. When I first began the game, it seems like it would be a miss, but as the game progressed I found myself smiling as I knew that deep down inside that The Voxel Agents had a hit on their hands with The Gardens Between.

Developed and published  by The Voxel Agents; The Gardens Between is an adorable indie puzzle game that pulls you in from the beginning. From its beautiful art style. To its way of storytelling , The Gardens Between is a game that is going to leave you wanting more. Before I go further into my review I would like to thank The Voxel Agents for providing thedailygamepad.com with a free copy of the Steam version of the game. It is due to their generosity that I can write this review for you all to read.

One of the biggest trends that I am starting to see when it comes to a lot of indie puzzle games, is that they are all going with the less is more approach and in The Gardens Between this is no different. The game decides to tell its story through pictures instead of using words.  You will be playing as both Arina a young girl and Frendt , a young man –which I had no idea he had a name or I missed his name so I did have to look it up from the website thegardensbetween.com— who in the beginning of the game are chilling out in a treehouse during a storm, when suddenly lightning strikes or at least the screen flashes making one believe that lightning has struck. When this happens, they are then transported onto an island in which is based off some of their memories.  Now again this is a game left to interpretation when it comes to the story.

Personally, I have interpreted the game in two ways. The first way is the lightning did hit the treehouse and that they are in a coma which is why they were transported to the island. However, there was something that nagged me with this interpretation. For it to be my “coma interpretation”; it would mean that their friendship was so strong that they would each in turn be dreaming about the other in their own respective dream. Which could also be highly unlikely for this to occur. Therefore,  my other interpretation is that they are dead and are going through the memories together before reaching their final resting place (in other words they are in limbo.) This is the one I am leaning more towards because of the name of the game The Gardens Between, again the story and how you perceive the game is left to the players interpretation.

The game play is simple but the puzzles over time do become a little more difficult and make you really think. When  I first started the game, I thought that the game was going to continue to be simple because I was able to solve the first three  islands rather quickly. It was when I reached the fourth island that the game really started to grasp my attention more because of the puzzles. In the game you either push time forward or reverse time to solve puzzles or move things about. The main objective of the game is to reach the top with the Lantern (that only Arina can carry) and place it into its holder which can only be activated by both Arina and Frendt. Any other elements of the game are usually controlled by Frendt such as time glasses for example. One thing  I found interesting is that he cannot hold the lantern and Arina cannot control the elements that Frendt can control, which I thought was cool. To me by them doing this it makes so the game is a bit more challenging because you can’t simply rely on the other to do what the other can’t. They have their own set tasks, and this cannot be altered.

In terms of the controls for the game you can use keyboard or controller. I have played with both controls and they both are excellent. I personally prefer to play with the controller because it feels more natural in my hands. However, I did test the keyboard controls and because the controls are simple for both; you will be able to enjoy the game whether you are a strictly keyboard player or a controller player. Again, this is also left up to your play preference when it comes to gaming on PC.

I do want to take the time to discuss the art style of the game. I felt that the art style was beautiful and intriguing and what helped me get pulled into the game . It also has the music to match. I also liked how The Gardens Between took a gaming concept that you don’t see quite often in implemented it into the game in a new way. Yes, there has been games in which you can control two characters at once, but you get to control them separately. However, in The Gardens Between you control both characters simultaneously. Which means that when playing the game, you do have to pay attention to what each character is able to do. I thought this was a neat feature and enjoyed it a lot.

The game does offer seventeen achievements that you can collect. They are rather easy to obtain but there are three that are hidden achievements as well.  So, if you are an achievement hunter you will have that opportunity to collect achievements for the game.  The game as of right now does not have any trading cards. I imagine with a game like this that trading cards would be in the future for it. If you are someone who enjoys collecting trading cards you can always take to the forums on Steam to ask the developers when/if trading cards will be available. Personally, I hope that they will add them to the game because I would love to collect them.

Overall, The Gardens Between did start off a little slow for me but is a great game once it picks up and I do recommend it. Especially if you are a puzzle game fanatic . If you are more of a casual player I still recommend the game as the scenery and music will pull you into the game and with its controls being simple the game is good fun for any gamer type.  If you would like to experience the game for yourself you can do so by purchasing the game on Steam, Nintendo Switch, Playstation 4 for $19.99 USD.