The Gardens Between

 PC
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. GameCritics
    Oct 15, 2018
    90
    No good thing can last forever though, and as pretty and pleasant as the islands are, I couldn’t stay. After finishing a section, I often made Arina and Frendt run back and forth just to look at the details and to enjoy the complete, endearing picture, but that’s not how progress is made. I had to make them move on. Reminiscing on and remembering the past is sweet and often important, but we can’t spend too much time on it — The Gardens Between serves as a gentle reminder to anyone who may have forgotten that.
  2. DualShockers
    Sep 19, 2018
    90
    A wholly unique experience that you shouldn’t let fade away from your memory.
  3. Hooked Gamers
    Oct 1, 2018
    89
    The Gardens Between is a beautiful game and combined with the relaxing atmosphere set by the wonderful soundtrack and simple controls make it one worth checking out. The story of the two friends’ adventures is told without the use of any dialogue and although it is a little on the short side, it did leave me wanting more - which is always a good sign. The puzzles are not overly difficult, and the lovely story of friendship told within the environments where their adventures occur, make The Gardens Between a game for all ages, but will be especially nostalgic for those gamers who grew up in the 80's.
  5. GameStar
    Nov 11, 2018
    81
    Nostalgics will enjoy innuendos to pop culture, everybody else a slender, picture-pretty puzzle adventure that also speaks to your emotions.
  6. Impulsegamer
    Sep 27, 2018
    80
    The Gardens Between is a real treat. Once its gorgeously creative and visually striking aesthetic design lures you in, you’ll be captivated by the inventive, satisfying gameplay. Then it won’t take long for you to begin building a connection with the characters thanks to the expressive, detailed animations and fantastic music score. If you’re looking for a short, relaxing, simplistic puzzle game that is nonetheless wholly satisfying, then The Gardens Between should not be missed.
  7. Guardian
    Sep 24, 2018
    80
    The diversity and creative ingenuity of these little four-dimensional riddles is truly impressive. I was sad to finish the game after four or so hours, but enriched by the journey.
  8. Eurogamer Italy
    Sep 23, 2018
    80
    Often simple and straightforward but also brilliant and profound, The Gardens Between is a visually wonderful adventure puzzle in which the clever time-bending mechanics are intertwined with a delicate story of an extremely strong friendship. A great little game.
  9. Adventure Gamers
    Sep 23, 2018
    80
    The Gardens Between is a lovely time with a neat puzzle mechanic that takes place in a breathtaking world, packing an impressive amount of effort, creativity, and TLC into an experience that sadly won’t last more than a couple of hours.
  10. COGconnected
    Sep 20, 2018
    78
    Overall, The Gardens Between is not particularly complex or subtle with the linear-nature of its puzzle-solving and familiar story, but the level of creativity and depth the game reaches with its uncomplicated parts is not to be understated. It is a game to be played after a long day of school or work, when you might need to take a moment to remember simpler times.
  11. New Game Network
    Sep 27, 2018
    73
    The Gardens Between is an enjoyable and minimalistic adventure that has you watching two friends ascend abstract memory islands. The puzzle mechanics involving time manipulation are simple, but deliver ample variety over the short journey.
  12. Riot Pixels
    Dec 2, 2018
    70
    The Gardens Between wins you over with immediacy and candor rather than original concept or atmosphere. Don’t expect metaphysical references, hidden postmodernist rhetoric, or a multi-layered narrative — there is none of that. Moreover, it is devoid of conflict, story and text. This is a journey through a child’s imagination made out of clever puzzles.
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This publication has not posted a final review score yet.
These unscored reviews do not factor into the Metascore calculation.

In Progress & Unscored

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  1. Polygon
    Sep 19, 2018
    The Gardens Between successfully weaves its theme of memory with its mechanic of stopping time, presenting a satisfying story that offers challenge, escapism and magic.
  2. Rock, Paper, Shotgun
    Sep 19, 2018
    The Gardens Between is all about reminiscing. It plays like two friends talking about all the adventures they’ve had, with the conversation flowing as they remember details and go back over stories that’ve grown with the telling.

Awards & Rankings

58
#58 Best PC Game of 2018

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 39 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 39
  3. Negative: 4 out of 39
  1. griefin
    Mar 6, 2021
    7
    The game is based around single gameplay mechanic, but it still gives enough riddles for unexperienced puzzle-gamer like me. I enjoyed artThe game is based around single gameplay mechanic, but it still gives enough riddles for unexperienced puzzle-gamer like me. I enjoyed art style though the ending seemed too dark and gloomy.… Full Review »
  2. lenikk
    Jan 28, 2021
    8
    A short, not that hard but nevertheless pleasant puzzle game with original execution of classic puzzles
  3. Alexb1096
    Jul 24, 2020
    8
    ITALIAN:
    Puzzle game molto breve (l'ho completato in 3 ore) ma molto originale e curato.
    Graficamente il gioco ha uno stile bellissimo,    ITALIAN:
    Puzzle game molto breve (l'ho completato in 3 ore) ma molto originale e curato.

    Graficamente il gioco ha uno stile bellissimo, low poly e con tutte mappe circolari. Nonostante questa stilizzazione sono presenti belle e numerose animazioni, che rendono le location estremamente vive.
    Notevole la colonna sonora, mentre il resto del comparto audio è piuttosto basilare.

    Geniale l'idea alla base del gioco, in quanto non ci si può spostare ma si può controllare il tempo (avanti e indietro), oltre ad interagire con qualche oggetto. Il numero e la varietà di enigmi che sono riusciti a creare sfruttando quest'idea in un gioco così piccolo è sbalorditiva.
    I rompicapo inoltre risultano quasi sempre abbastanza difficili ma mai impossibili, e questo rende il gioco piacevole ed intrattenente.
    Molto bello che alcuni elementi non subiscano l'interruzione dello scorrere del tempo e quindi permettano di creare effetti particolari.

    A condire il tutto c'è una minimale ma empatica (soprattutto grazie alla colonna sonora) storia di amicizia. Oltre a brevi video presenti, la bella relazione tra i protagonisti è spesso evidenziata da alcuni gesti che compiono durante l'avventura.

    In conclusione, il gioco è molto breve ma divertente. Come gameplay forse renderebbe quasi meglio su smartphone o tablet, ma si perderebbe un po' dal lato emotivo. Consigliato come passatempo anche ai non amanti del genere.

    VOTO: 8.5/10    … Full Review »
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