The Garden Path review

The Garden Path review

As a seasoned gamer with a busy lifestyle, I find myself drawn to games like The Garden Path that cater to those who value their time but still crave a touch of escapism. This game is not about marathon gaming sessions, but rather short, sweet moments of engagement where you can tend to your garden, interact with quirky characters, and enjoy the simple pleasures it offers.


If you share my lifestyle, you might find yourself frequently pressed for time, unable to devote lengthy sessions to gaming. Life is hectic, and moments can slip away quickly. The Garden Path is designed with time-constrained individuals in mind, but it can sometimes feel demanding as well. It’s not meant to be played continuously, but rather in brief intervals that allow you to tend to your garden, welcome visitors, and accomplish minor tasks that collectively foster the development of your personal sanctuary.

As a fledgling explorer in The Garden Path, I found myself initially meandering aimlessly across the map, intertwining with stone statues and plucking materials without a clear comprehension of their purpose. The map, when consulted, revealed enigmatic question marks that, upon investigation, led to encounters with peculiar inhabitants like Augustus the Bear and Lars the Yak. It wasn’t until these chance meetings that I started to learn the intricacies of fishing, tool-crafting, and ultimately, grasping the essence of this captivating game.

The Garden Path review

Real-time events unfold continuously in our lives. For instance, your flowers gradually bloom day by day, and it takes several days before they’re fully blossomed. Similarly, the seasons transition over the span of a full month. After spending around half an hour on something, you often need to step away and wait for the next day. This pace may not be instant gratification for everyone, but each new day brings fresh interactions with new characters who can trade or play games with you, creating a gradual progression rather than an immediate explosion of events.

Regardless of its real-time basis, there’s a fulfilling sensation when your efforts eventually bear fruit. If you understand that The Garden Path is designed for brief sessions and appreciate this leisurely experience, you’ll find plenty of pleasure in it. Its charming art style, reminiscent of Studio Ghibli and Where the Wild Things Are, brought me immense joy. Once you grasp its mechanics, it becomes tranquil and soothing, a sensation few games can provide.

The Garden Path review

It seems the essence lies in whether you prefer a game that offers noticeable progress only after investing considerable time and dedication. Though not demanding all your hours, it does require persistence. I personally found its pace and independence appealing, but some players might find it too lengthy or repetitive before seeing tangible rewards. For enthusiasts of life-simulation games, this style offers a unique twist, providing reasons to revisit a charming world populated with endearing characters and visually pleasing environments.

The Garden Path may not appeal to everyone due to its tutorial that could use improvement in clarity. But if you’re open to investing daily time to nurture your garden, interact with new characters, and gradually discover the plot twists, this game offers enough engaging content for a brief daily immersion of less than an hour. It boasts a visually appealing design, easy-to-grasp mechanics, and provides a sense of fulfillment when you stick with it.

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2024-08-09 15:16