Lil Gator Game

 Switch
Metascore
84

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. Gaming Age
    Jan 3, 2023
    100
    Unlike some games that try hard to be good-natured and relaxing but actually aren’t, Lil Gator Game is exactly what it looks like on the surface: a sweet, adorable game that never feels like it’s trying too hard to be either of those things, but that’s guaranteed to win you over all the same.
  2. The Jimquisition
    Jan 8, 2023
    95
    Lil Gator Game is charm incarnate. Deftly, exceptionally charming. With its sincere, sweet little story and perfectly dorky humor, it provides a wonderfully enchanting adventure that kept me grinning and tittering all the way through. More importantly than anything else, Lil Gator Game made me happy. I’m damn happy this adorable goofiness exists, and while I’m sad I ran out of things to do, I’m delighted by everything I did.
  3. Gamezebo
    Oct 19, 2023
    90
    Lil Gator is a wonderfully refreshing and often very funny adventure we’d recommend everyone to check out.
  5. Starbit
    Oct 1, 2023
    90
    Lil Gator Game invites the player with its charming presentation and a no-stress and accessible gameplay approach to an adventure game, only to leave its marking with marvelous writing and delightful storytelling that deliver a touching and unforgettable homage to the powers of childhood imagination and friendship. Truly an indispensable gem in the Nintendo Switch catalogue, and a game with a soul that can bond with anyone.
  6. Switch Player
    Jan 3, 2023
    90
    Lil Gator Game is a shining example of a game with a brilliant premise realised to its fullest extent. Full of heart, humour, and heaps of fun, this quality release simply cannot be missed.
  7. Destructoid
    Jan 3, 2023
    90
    There isn’t all that much to say about Lil Gator Game because there really isn’t much to it. It’s simply a wonderful game that I think will resonate with those who have cherished memories of the simpler days of youth and long afternoons spent exploring the world around us. We all have to grow up sometime, but Lil Gator Game is a great reminder of why you should never completely stop being a kid.
  8. Pocket Tactics
    Dec 14, 2022
    90
    Taking many of the best elements from both Animal Crossing and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Lil Gator Game tells a beautiful story and provides countless enjoyable experiences along the way. This is easily the most wholesome game of the year, if not the decade.
  9. GameCritics
    Feb 9, 2023
    85
    Lil Gator Game is a short but sweet experience about the importance of holding on to childlike wonder, in addition to being a solid open-world adventure and having one of the funniest scripts around. For players looking for something that harkens back to a simpler time and delivers delight in spades, they can’t go wrong with this one.
  10. Game Informer
    Jan 18, 2023
    85
    Lil Gator Game is as short as it is sweet, with the main story lasting just under five hours, but that's all it needs to be. I loved exploring each nook and cranny of the world during that time for new friends, loot, and memories. By the time the story wrapped up, the game had delivered a poignant and touching message about balancing the important parts of our lives. Lil Gator Game isn't the best Zelda-like I've played, but it's probably the one that will stick with me for the longest.
  11. Vandal
    Dec 14, 2022
    85
    Lil Gator Game delivers a fantastic experience, based on free roaming and exploration where the main is goal is clear: let the player have fun. And, at that, it succeeds.
  12. NintendoWorldReport
    Jul 10, 2023
    80
    This game is primarily geared to a younger audience, but even still if this type of relaxed experience suits you, I hope you accept the invitation to relive your childhood. And to parents introducing their kids to The Legend of Zelda, putting Lil Gator Game on ahead of Breath of the Wild might be a magical thing to see.
  13. Siliconera
    Dec 21, 2022
    80
    Lil Gator Game is an adventure that ambles along, taking elements from games its developer loved and implementing them along the way. In a way, that might also keep some players from connecting with it. But even so, it is generally a charming and cozy way to spend some afternoons.
  14. Nintendo Life
    Dec 14, 2022
    80
    There are few games out there that successfully capture childlike wonder and imagination better than Lil Gator Game. Despite some minor issues with the writing and how directionless the adventure can feel at times, it's easy to forgive small frustrations when a game is as wonderfully charming from start to finish as this. Lil Gator is up there with the best indie games released this year and comes with a recommendation for anyone remotely interested in feeling like a kid again.
  15. COGconnected
    Dec 19, 2022
    75
    Lil Gator Game suffers from some minor frame rate drops and the music was a bit out of place. But, the overall package was pretty good. I’d recommend Lil Gator Game to young gamers – assuming they have willing parents who can help them read the objectives. I’d also recommend this to gamers looking for a chill, relaxing Legend of Zelda style game to tide them over until Tears of the Kingdom launches next year.
  16. God is a Geek
    Dec 14, 2022
    70
    Lil Gator Game is a charming exploration focused 3d platformer, but is held back by Switch performance.
  17. VGC
    Dec 14, 2022
    60
    As long as you don’t mind a bit of mindless and aimless wandering, Lil Gator Game is a laid back and relaxing platformer (if a short one) that’s ably carried by its brilliantly funny dialogue.
This publication does not provide a score for their reviews.
This publication has not posted a final review score yet.
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In Progress & Unscored

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  1. Polygon
    Apr 17, 2023
    It’s a lovely gem of a game that touches on my nostalgia for Zelda but still managed to tell a unique story through the gator and their sister’s relationship. It’s a story about the little gator’s deeper desire to connect with someone again in the present, and how games facilitate that. So if you’re looking for a charming pick-me-up before The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom comes out, don’t ignore Lil Gator Game.

Awards & Rankings

26
#26 Best Switch Game of 2022
54
#54 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2022

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 19 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 19
  3. Negative: 1 out of 19
  1. FoxyChalet
    Dec 15, 2022
    7
    So, I was reallly looking forward to this game, and I've played it for a few hours, and it feels very similar to three games, the first twoSo, I was reallly looking forward to this game, and I've played it for a few hours, and it feels very similar to three games, the first two are pretty obvious: A Short Hike, and Breath of the Wild, the third less obviously, is Paper Mario: The Origami King. It does not live up to the first two titles, mostly because of poor writing, and the designer's choice that you follow the way they want you to play the game. Let's be clear about this, the writing itself is not the worst, but there is too much of it, and its far too self referential. Less is more when it comes to game writing. And also there is nothing wrong with a game that makes you play a certain way, but it feels odd to be given this sandbox style island playground, and then feel hampered by a feeling of needing to move along a cinematic plot. The two clash, end of story, it's the thing that brings the game down from what would probably be a nine otherwise,.

    The things that made BOTW and A Short Hike good were the freeness and openness of how you could play, which is something that is missing here. Also the charm of the dialogue often comes from it's brevity, which is something sorely lacking in Lil Gator Game. It feels, as is often the case in indie games by newer developers, that they think everything they think of is important enough to put in the game, and so important that you have to listen to it when you play. Basically this game forces you to talk to people, and they say a lot.It should also be noted that the games I am comparing these too are unusually good.

    The other major detractor is, like I said, it's similarity to Origami King, which is kind of a series of interactive cutscenes, interspersed with hitting cardboard things until confetti comes out. There's an emphasis on imagination, but the cardboard cutouts are... just cardboard cutouts. It's cool to have this actual fake zelda world set up, but it would be much better if the characters' pov provided the imagination, and made it more like an actual action/adventure game, where there was some sort of minor... not combat exactly, but something more than just smashing things open. Think of of a Don Quixote video game, fighting giants is more fun that hitting a windmill with a stick.

    All this being said, a lot of care and talent went into this game, the meta-ness, when it doesn't go too far shows an overall love of many good things. I think with tweaking this game could be a 10/10. As in the same assets, the same world, the same sprites, just rearranged a bit differently. All the mechanics are good, and I really like going around the world. I recommend this game overall, mostly because I want to see what the dev will do next if it's successful.    … Full Review »
  2. nxeonew
    Jan 4, 2023
    10
    I loved it, a game to calm down and spend a few good days exploring the island, I recommend it!
  3. Chastizer
    Dec 26, 2022
    8
    Lil Gator Game is a game about the whimsy of childhood and how keeping those feelings of wonder into adulthood is important. The game is cute,Lil Gator Game is a game about the whimsy of childhood and how keeping those feelings of wonder into adulthood is important. The game is cute, fun, and knows exactly what it wants to be and exactly what it is paying homage to in it's gameplay. The story is simple, but still managed to make me yearn for the days of my childhood and I found myself reminiscing on my own days of exploration and adventure.

    I followed this game for over a year leading up to it's release, following it only because it looked cute. I knew it was not a game that was trying to be groundbreaking, but not every game has to be. This game was a fun time with a heartwarming story.    … Full Review »
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