Carto

 Switch
Carto Image
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 19 Ratings

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  • Summary: Carto is a chill adventure game wrapped around a unique, world-shifting puzzle mechanic. Use this power to explore mysterious lands, help a quirky cast of new friends, and guide Carto on her journey home.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.

See all 8 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 9
  3. Negative: 2 out of 9
  1. 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.… Expand
  2. liamichael
    Mar 24, 2022
    10
    Carto is the best game i’ve played in two years, and i’ve tried and played many games in the past two years. i think the difference between myCarto is the best game i’ve played in two years, and i’ve tried and played many games in the past two years. i think the difference between my review and the others is that the game is sort of for a selected taste, you have to endure not being stimulated 24/7. it’s very calming and peaceful and overall just a fun puzzle game and i haven’t seen anything like it before. the animation is beautiful, the soundtrack is good, and overall the play through is excellent and i thoroughly enjoyed it. after enjoying it so immensely, i’ve searched for games similar to it but i’ve yet to find anything and i genuinely think it’s unmatched in its own aspect. i loved it. however, if you don’t like to solve puzzles and actually think with very little guidance, it might not be for you.… Expand
  4. xiekaidream
    Sep 17, 2021
    9
    轻松治愈的台湾解谜游戏，画风也好棒， 组合地图的玩法想到了御天之剑最后一关， 难度曲线很舒服，游戏几乎毫无冗余的地方，值得闲暇时候玩一会儿， 除了最后两关卡关看了攻略，关卡设计都很赞的说！轻松治愈的台湾解谜游戏，画风也好棒， 组合地图的玩法想到了御天之剑最后一关， 难度曲线很舒服，游戏几乎毫无冗余的地方，值得闲暇时候玩一会儿， 除了最后两关卡关看了攻略，关卡设计都很赞的说！
  5. RedPixel
    Sep 6, 2021
    8
    Carto is an enjoyable little puzzle game. I was deceived by the illustration style that looks like a children's book... this is not a game forCarto is an enjoyable little puzzle game. I was deceived by the illustration style that looks like a children's book... this is not a game for young kids because the puzzles are too drawn out. (Meaning that as you advance, there's a series of steps to be taken that can be hard to keep track of.) OTOH, the story is still sort of childlike, ¯_(ツ)_/¯ . You definitely need to enjoy spatial puzzles to enjoy this game, and that style won't be for everyone. Also, I had a rough start because I didn't understand the puzzle mechanics and the task I was given; I think there could have been a better lead-in to understanding how to play. Once i understood the style of play, it was all fine, and I enjoyed the game.… Expand
  6. 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.… Expand
  7. 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.… Expand
  8. 22Stratford
    Sep 10, 2021
    0
    Absolutely garbage ,not child friendly, not worth the money ,there are many other great products on the market to choose from

See all 9 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

76
#76 Best Switch Game of 2020