The Gardens Between

Exceptionally beautiful, with an original proposal that not only seeks to move forward or backward in time, but also to pause the story. It's a pity that having so much potential seems to have stayed like the first chapter of an unfinished game.

There are fleeting moments of brilliance to the puzzle design in The Gardens Between, but, between them, the pace meanders to the point where my interest started to wane. There can be no doubt that it’s unlike anything else that you will have played before, but, in turn, the wondrous idea that lies at its core never feels like it blossoms into something that manages to enter its stride. The potential and talent is clear, though, and I greatly look forward to seeing what The Voxel Agents create next.

The Gardens Between is a marvelous work that will immerse the players with its unspoken, unwritten plot, gorgeous art style and innovative gameplay mechanics, all in a game that is certain to appeal to the player's physical and emotional perceptions.

The main strength of The Gardens Between is the deeper meaning found within. It utilises a largely voiceless and textless narrative to great effect. Not only is this an impressive feat on its own, it showcases the brilliance of the medium. This game eschews tradition to draw players into a fascinating world. As they witness the memories shared by Arina and Frendt, they may find themselves recalling their own childhood. While those memories aren't always the kind one can look back on with fondness, their significance can't be understated or forgotten. They are what shape us.

The Gardens Between lets you play with the time and helps you make levels out of memories. The puzzles are great, but thanks to the simple gameplay principles it is a nostalgic game to rush through.