Carto

 Switch
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
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  1. NintendoWorldReport
    Oct 27, 2020
    95
    Carto’s creativity is constantly on display in ways that surprised and delighted me essentially at every turn. It’s a tightly packed shot of brilliance that manages the balancing act of spending just the right amount of time in an area and on an idea. I was left satisfied but still wanting more at the end of the adventure. The blend of soothing puzzle gameplay and optimistic story makes Carto both a top-shelf Switch indie and a welcome respite for this year.
  2. Worth Playing
    Mar 5, 2021
    85
    Carto is a feel-good kind of game. Most of the puzzles feel clever, and the brisk pace means that the concept never lingers for too long. The story is very good with a cast of friendly characters and nary a conflict. It's the kind of game that you want to play at least once and feel good about once you reach the end credits.
  3. Gameblog.fr
    Nov 11, 2020
    80
    Carto is a nice, very clever puzzle-game which offers brand new mechanics to change the world by twisting map pieces. Thanks to beautiful landscapes and very well thought enigmas, Sunhead's game only suffers from a lack of clues, which might drive the most impatient players crazy.
  5. Siliconera
    Oct 26, 2020
    80
    It’s hard to imagine someone who would play Carto and have a bad time. It’s that committed to low-stress, just-engaging-enough fun and a world you’ll like traipsing about for a couple of hours. It doesn’t transcend to something that will be many players’ all-time favorite, but few games do. As it is, maybe you want a game that restores just a bit of your faith in community. That bolsters your hope that things will work out. That makes you feel like you are going to multiple different places that are not your home. Carto is great for that.
  6. COGconnected
    Oct 27, 2020
    77
    It’s a well-crafted children’s book come to life with some puzzles that will absolutely leave you stumped and trying new things. I was happy to see a chapter select option upon the games completion as well as the reveal of hidden collectibles I can’t wait to go back and find. I would have liked if some of the environments had a little more going on in regards to the aesthetic detail, but I also acknowledge their design better reflects the nature of a map as is its intention. Carto is the kind of game you love to play on a quiet rainy day and I’m excited to play it over and over again.
  7. TheSixthAxis
    Jan 25, 2021
    70
    Carto is a unique experience that perhaps doesn’t make the most of its central puzzling mechanic. The puzzle-solving itself is fun, but the story ends up quite forgettable. If you’re after a short experience to keep you busy for an afternoon, then Carto is for you - just don’t expect to be blown away.
  8. GameCritics
    Dec 10, 2020
    70
    Gamers looking for a fresh take on puzzle solving adventures will absolutely find it with the map manipulation in Carto.
  9. Nintendo Life
    Nov 10, 2020
    60
    Carto's main concept is compelling, but it runs out of steam in the mid-game and succumbs to repetition far too swiftly. It's nonetheless a beautifully-drawn title that's often a pleasure to play, but when it's tedious, it's really tedious. It's arguably the perfect title to play with kids and novices who are likely to be more forgiving of Carto's many shortcomings, but everyone else should approach with a little more caution.

Awards & Rankings

76
#76 Best Switch Game of 2020

User Reviews

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User Score
6.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 19 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 19
  3. Negative: 4 out of 19
  1. VonSeux
    Aug 16, 2021
    5
    Artwork and map manipulation concepts are beautiful but by chapter 3 characters start talking way too much and not being much interesting, myArtwork and map manipulation concepts are beautiful but by chapter 3 characters start talking way too much and not being much interesting, my kids lost interest at that point, as to make things worse the puzzles become too complex for their age. The game needed a better director to meet it's target audience.… Full Review »
  2. citychicken
    Apr 18, 2021
    10
    This was a fun little puzzle / adventure game. The artwork is beautiful, and the story is really simple to follow. It’s a nice short game. YouThis was a fun little puzzle / adventure game. The artwork is beautiful, and the story is really simple to follow. It’s a nice short game. You can finish it in a weekend. I think the gameplay is pretty unique. You need to build and continue to change the map in order to complete each level. So, part of the puzzle is making sure you have the map built in a way that you can reach the places you need to go; and part of the puzzle is figuring out what you need to do when you get there. For the most part, cut scenes are replaced by little illustrated scenes. The character dialogue is quick and to the point, but clever. It’s an “easy” game but as an adult I found it just challenging enough to be fun.… Full Review »
  3. btmgov
    Dec 3, 2022
    7
    Ignore the complainer (posting multiple reviews under different names btw and should be banned) whining about the game not being "kidIgnore the complainer (posting multiple reviews under different names btw and should be banned) whining about the game not being "kid friendly". Not sure where it was ever claimed to be "kid friendly". Nothing like just looking at a few screen shots and making an assumption, I suppose. Game is pretty solid. Not mind blowing, but worth a try. Good puzzles, decent adventure, cool map building concept.… Full Review »
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