Concrete Genie

 PlayStation 4
User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 467 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 344 out of 467
  2. Mixed: 81 out of 467
  3. Negative: 42 out of 467
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  1. WellEvil
    Sep 1, 2023
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Great game with a huge focus on story, characters, and world-building. I don't remember the last time when the story absorbed me so much. Yes, there are a few bugs here are there, but nothing game-breaking. Usually minor visual glitches.… Expand
  2. Kai82
    Jan 18, 2023
    9
    I would use this action adventure as an example that videogames can be art. Also I can see this turned into an awesome animated movie. It is the story of the teenager Ash who lives in the coastal town Denska. Denska has become a desolate place as darkness and decay have taken over. However Ash is a skilled artist and discovers that his drawings can banish the darkness. So begins his questI would use this action adventure as an example that videogames can be art. Also I can see this turned into an awesome animated movie. It is the story of the teenager Ash who lives in the coastal town Denska. Denska has become a desolate place as darkness and decay have taken over. However Ash is a skilled artist and discovers that his drawings can banish the darkness. So begins his quest in bringing back the better days by purging the darkness. The game is unique. You draw pictures to safe the day. You have an artbook with motives you can use and will expand it by finding more sheets. On special places you can draw Genies. Those colorful creatures are living in the walls and have special abilities that can help you. Of cause there is opposition as the darkness blocks your path and there is a gang of bullies that will trash you. I like the story and gameplay a lot. Even more when I thought the game will get repetitive it surprised me with a nice twist for both. The art style is amazing and especially the genies are truly magnificent. I almost forgot those were not real a few times. Like I said it is easily adaptable into an animation. The riddles are nice integrated into the system and I want more like that. A quick advice: The motion control did not work that well for me and I switched it to the right stick in the options. Back to the review. The game was refreshing and felt unique. It created emotions and I enjoyed the whole experience. After the conclusion of the story I would applaud the whole team behind it. To be fair I must warn you that I finished the game in maybe 8 hours so it is a bit short and it might not be for everyone. Also you are a bit limited at the start in drawing options. Overall the art style, characters, story and gameplay won me over. I give a 9/10 and recommend it if you want something unique that feels like an animated movie.… Expand
  3. nathanliapis
    Dec 11, 2021
    9
    Gameplay: 8/10, Graphics: 9/10, Audio: 9/10, Loading: 9/10. Underrated game, beautiful artistic world. Very relaxing game!
  4. Turbo123
    Oct 19, 2022
    10
    A superb adventure that anyone can enjoy graphics are amazing cartoon style and so much fun love this game a most play period
  5. BrianDavid94
    Sep 11, 2022
    8
    Quick background on me the reviewer, I tend to like single player games that is heavy on narrative the most. I also play a lot of racing games and use to play multiplayer games in my high school days but now that it's hard for me and my friends to find a good time to link up so now it’s rarer for me to get into a multiplayer game. Up to try any genre of games and sometimes I find somethingQuick background on me the reviewer, I tend to like single player games that is heavy on narrative the most. I also play a lot of racing games and use to play multiplayer games in my high school days but now that it's hard for me and my friends to find a good time to link up so now it’s rarer for me to get into a multiplayer game. Up to try any genre of games and sometimes I find something new that I didn't think I'd like. I own a PC (built by me), Xbox One X, Xbox Series X, PS3, PS4, PS5, and a Switch. I prefer Playstation due to their focus on narrative games. For scoring, I’ll be using the Gameinformer review scale and of course influenced by my personal opinions.

    (8) Very Good. Innovated, but perhaps not in the right choice for everyone. This score indicates that there are many good things to be had, but arguable so.

    Had this game in my library for a long time before trying it out and then ended up plating it over the weekend. I’m not creative as a person so I initially stayed away since it seemed like an art game. It is a very short game, like 5-8hrs. In that time frame, about 2/3rd of it is puzzle solving with the other 1/3rd is combat. It’s a good-looking game and has a good art direction. This game has a massage about bullying.    … Expand
  6. Eyssa
    Sep 6, 2022
    10
    Отличная игра, для разнообразия самое то, платина тоже легкая.
  7. EduardoMeurer
    Feb 19, 2022
    9
    Jogo muito subestimado, a forma como trata do bullyng é muito boa, além de ser uma obra de arte, uma pena ser muito curto.
  8. Med_Ryan
    Feb 19, 2022
    10
    Masterpiece
    From Well Written Story to the engaging Gameplay & Combat to the freedom of exploration & stunning world to the emotional music, what an excellent experience delivered by PlayStation Studios I think everyone should absolutely experience this gem
  9. Kulikov-den
    Feb 4, 2022
    10
    I can't find at least one flaw in this game, everything is so perfect in it: music, visuals, the atmosphere of a half-dead city, the plot, the meditative gameplay. So this creation has fallen into my soul.
  10. Raios-Rogue
    Jan 18, 2022
    10
    What a beautiful magical game with incredible story great graphics. the innovation and magic of Pixel opus shows us why we love Playstation games so much i'm looking forward towards their next game
  11. superpyro296
    Jan 9, 2022
    8
    I think Concrete Genie is a great game with an amazing art direction. It is quite a short game (maybe 6 or 7 hours) but it definitely worth it. It's not a game with deep mechanics, leveling system, etc....but it is a nice platforming story game with some interesting puzzles. I think this game could have been even better if they implemented the combat before in the campaign. It is a easyI think Concrete Genie is a great game with an amazing art direction. It is quite a short game (maybe 6 or 7 hours) but it definitely worth it. It's not a game with deep mechanics, leveling system, etc....but it is a nice platforming story game with some interesting puzzles. I think this game could have been even better if they implemented the combat before in the campaign. It is a easy recommendation for me that deserves a 8/10. I hope this studio will make other games in the future and Sony will encourage it.… Expand
  12. Kigunasu
    Dec 13, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I made an account just to review this game because i feel like i had to as I ended up in tears.
    I was feeling a bit down personally, games seemed boring to me, luckily I had this on my ps4 since it was free with ps plus months ago. When I saw the trailer back then I was super hyped about painting your own stuff and making it "alive" (well kinda, since you get some patterns and it's not free painting). Decided to give it a try after being tired of the same games over and over again.
    Well, this felt not only a real breath of fresh air, but also a game showing morals and values, something society lacks of right now.
    I really connected with the main protagonist, Ash, a boy with a will to explore, and to restore Denska to its original state where people were still happy and it was a colorful city.
    I couldn't help but cry when I thought Luna was gone forever, and when after all the progress made the bullies destroyed your art. Ash finally having friends and getting recognized what he achieved while keeping on doing what he loves the most is the greatest finale to a short game that ended up being a top 10 in my all time game list. Thanks to Sony and Pixel Opus devs and workers for making this happen. This is the kind of game that changes people.    … Expand
  13. FRIST_008
    Nov 8, 2021
    8
    Очень неплохая семейная игра, которая рассказывает не плохую историю и имеет необычный игровой процесс.

    Забавный VR режим=)
  14. ET0
    Oct 31, 2021
    8
    It is an ambitious, inspiring and charming game, but it lacks team experience to offer excellent gameplay، I hope that in their next project, they will learn from their mistakes and continue with their beautiful creative ideas ❤️
  15. Silvio96
    Oct 28, 2021
    9
    Gioco molto piacevole
    Mi ha sorpreso in positivo
    Forse un po' troppo breve ma va bene lo stesso
  16. xiekaidream
    Sep 17, 2021
    8
    美版神笔马良（不是； 前半段轻度解密跑酷，体感画画有点像大神，后半段变成了战斗玩法略重复； 剧情转折略生硬； 不过只狼打的怀疑人生之后玩这个小品游戏真是太治愈了
  17. skskskddd
    Sep 11, 2021
    8
    Cute game. I am a terrible arist and i can't draw even a sun but this game make me feel exciting for drawing. Its a game for kids but you can play it if you are a adult and you want to see a cool story. Its very short so it never makes you feel tired while you playing it. Its an easy 5 hours platinum with also a cool story and graphics for this type. The only bad thing is that i think itCute game. I am a terrible arist and i can't draw even a sun but this game make me feel exciting for drawing. Its a game for kids but you can play it if you are a adult and you want to see a cool story. Its very short so it never makes you feel tired while you playing it. Its an easy 5 hours platinum with also a cool story and graphics for this type. The only bad thing is that i think it has very low fps (i played on ps5).… Expand
  18. Stefanobed
    Sep 7, 2021
    10
    excellent, wonderful good experience , a interactive game style pixar. Another great exclusive PlayStation
  19. EndikaC
    Aug 31, 2021
    10
    Para mi uno de los juegos más bellos hecho por Sony, algo corto la verdad, pero una idea muy original
  20. nexus151196
    Jul 4, 2021
    8
    Добрая и милая игра-сюрприз. Прошёл за один раз , прям в запой. Картинка приятная и очень красивая, духи очень веселые, заставляли улыбаться. Сюжет также порадовал, простой , но увлекательный. Всем советую, отдохнул, пока играл.Добрая и милая игра-сюрприз. Прошёл за один раз , прям в запой. Картинка приятная и очень красивая, духи очень веселые, заставляли улыбаться. Сюжет также порадовал, простой , но увлекательный. Всем советую, отдохнул, пока играл.
  21. Mr1
    May 12, 2021
    10
    Уникальный игровой опыт для меня, очень красивый проект!
  22. Chandler43
    Mar 28, 2021
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Concrete Genie is an excellent game for all ages. There isn't much of a story but is enough to get by without dragging on a boring plot. The game does a well job in making each character relatable and not wasting time on their back story, it's straight to the point. At first, i thought the bullies were just going to be annoying kids throughout the game, but the creators did a good job showing the players why these bullies are mean and makes players who cannot relate understand why bullies exist. They are calling out for help, it's up to us to find a way to be there for them instead of seeking revenge. It is also interesting of the way the creators made us see genies in a different forms, instead of the genie in a lamp scenario which most people think is where they came from. The collectables are fun to collect without being too overwhelming like some games that overkill with collectables. The city is a cute little place that makes exploration exciting and makes you want to look around every corner to see what you can find. I wasn't a huge fan of the art design choice, but it is different, so kudos for standing out. Overall, Concrete Genie is a masterpiece and especially for kids its worth a try!… Expand
  23. Marat655
    Mar 12, 2021
    10
    Отличная игра, для разнообразия самое то, платина тоже легкая.
  24. DjaySuzi
    Mar 11, 2021
    9
    I expected this to be a 6/10 before I started playing and it far exceeded my expectations. The gameplay, artwork (including the joy of being able to create my own and see it displayed all over), story, voice acting, style, and everything else was a blast to be a part of. The only things I didn't care for are the ability to skip cutscenes (even though I enjoyed them, I realize not everyoneI expected this to be a 6/10 before I started playing and it far exceeded my expectations. The gameplay, artwork (including the joy of being able to create my own and see it displayed all over), story, voice acting, style, and everything else was a blast to be a part of. The only things I didn't care for are the ability to skip cutscenes (even though I enjoyed them, I realize not everyone will) and implementation of motion control (thankfully can be switched to the right stick), as well as the way painting feels while trying to walk around - the forced camera angles can tend to be quite cumbersome. I played this alongside my girlfriend and she had just as much fun.… Expand
  25. TheBober
    Mar 2, 2021
    10
    Bardzo przyjemna i pouczająca produkcja dla dzieci jak i dla dorosłych. Polecam
  26. rcoberle54
    Mar 2, 2021
    8
    This is a simple and sweet little indie-like platformer with hack and slash elements. It reminded me of Infamous First Light meets Splatoon. It's creative and inventive and I had a blast getting lost in this world. Great game for kids and adults alike. It's different enough to be a breath of fresh air, but familiar enough for players of every kind to jump into.
  27. alank8704
    Mar 1, 2021
    9
    amazing game a must play. get it while you can on ps plus but even after that it is worth the buy. loved the game and platinum the game.
  28. TheRavS
    Feb 22, 2021
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Concrete Genie's average score of 8,2 is the perfect description for this game.

    As an indie game, it delivers far more than what it is expected to. With this, I am talking about the ratio between the art, the length and the gameplay itself.

    On one hand, the art is simple yet charming and it's distinct enough to guide you during gameplay without the need to overrely on UI elements that keep your view away from the greatly designed port you're trying to bring back to life. Then, the length of the game is short enough to be enjoying without overstaying its welcome but with enough care to have a simple and clear story that shines by its conciseness and positivity. Gameplay, if anything, is the lesser of the three elements, but that's not to say it's deficient.

    Some criticism may point towards the art or the artistic range you have is limited or lacking compared to other games. However, I don't see a point in comparing this game to something beyond the games of "Draw you life" from the Nintendo DS era. The controls are simple; the creations you have stick, both the "drawings" and the genies that you create, which gives you a feeling that what you're doing matters, to an extent; and the gameplay is a mix or platform and drawing without any difficulty attached.
    At the end portion of the game, you're thrown into a section with combat that, if you've been savoring previous three fourths of relaxing gameplay, feels a bit out of touch, but I suppose this was a way to give the story a needed catharsis. Personally, I thought this was poorly thought out and I am of the opinion that the conflict could have been resolved more organically than "There are monsters now, go fight and everything will be alright". However, given the length of the game, I understand it, but it keeps Concrete Genie from being something unique and throws it into a weird limbo between an action platformer and an art game, which is not a combination that I think works too well. Sure, here is put together decently, but there is a clear distinction between the combat and non-combat parts that is a bit confusing.

    Nevertheless, Concrete Genie is an actually good game for its length marketed to all ages that has a likable protagonist, a sweet story and an engaging gameplay that, though strange, works.    … Expand
  29. mmarkk3
    Feb 21, 2021
    8
    Never played a game like this. It is very artistic, and pleasing to the eyes, and it is about exploring and painting. It is definitely not for everybody, but it is surely a unique experience.
  30. Xonkire
    Feb 21, 2021
    10
    Игра своеобразная и зайдёт далеко не всем, ведь сделана она в полу-мультяшном полу-кукольном стиле с примесями Индюшатины, сюжет интересный, концовка банальная, а старые добрые стереотипы никуда не делись. Игра захватывает в себя, и ты буквально не можешь оторваться её, но это её же и минус. Игра очень короткая. Один (ну может два) вечера и игра пройдена на платину. В центре истории какИгра своеобразная и зайдёт далеко не всем, ведь сделана она в полу-мультяшном полу-кукольном стиле с примесями Индюшатины, сюжет интересный, концовка банальная, а старые добрые стереотипы никуда не делись. Игра захватывает в себя, и ты буквально не можешь оторваться её, но это её же и минус. Игра очень короткая. Один (ну может два) вечера и игра пройдена на платину. В центре истории как всегда, мальчик, которого все гнобят, а тот пытается всем доказать, что он клёвый. Игра зайдёт моралфагам, ведь ГГ не сделает ничего плохого главным антагонистам, даже если они убьют всю его семью. Если же не отвлекаться на это, то игра очень чувственная и живая, очень красивая и светлая, с очень необычной и интересной историей, которая, к сожалению, практически полностью состоит из клише. Был бы тут выбор оценок пошире, поставил бы 95, ну а так ставлю 10.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

34
#34 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2019

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 83 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 50 out of 83
  2. Mixed: 32 out of 83
  3. Negative: 1 out of 83
  1. Edge Magazine
    Dec 5, 2019
    60
    One thing is certain: Concrete Genie's identity crisis proves its creators still have some maturing left to do. [Issue#340, p.106]
  2. GAMINGbible
    Dec 5, 2019
    80
    The whole game offers up an innocent thrill with the kind of naive charm you get from a well-crafted kids movie, like The Goonies. The characters all have a delightful appeal, the world of Denska is enchanting, and the story is well delivered. It is on the short side, and doesn't feel like a challenge even when the story suggests you're in a difficult moment, but it's definitely worth replaying again and again. In short, Concrete Genie is a beautiful game all about emotions and doing what's right, and it's truly very special.
    Read full review
  3. PLAY! Zine
    Dec 2, 2019
    85
    Concrete Genie is a stylized marvellous platform that will channel your inner artist. Too bad VR support is not more integrated into the core gameplay.
    Read full review
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