Recent reviews by treep42

The small thing I like most about this game is how the music changes depending on which merchant's area you're standing in. Such a cute little detail!

It's in the name: the game is super cozy and relaxing, the graphics are cute, the music is cute and very fitting. I play this for about 1h after work to calm down and relax; it's become one of my regular relaxation activities.

With regard to the hotly debated real time aspect: I am someone who can put a heap of consecutive hours into a game - including forgetting to eat - so I was sceptical at first. But I found that the real time restrictions for me break up that excessive game loop and kinda decelerate my gaming so I can just enjoy the game. I'm nowhere near "finished" with the Grove, but I also don't feel any pressure to rush towards that. If you're someone who absolutely needs to rush to the finish line (and then complains about "no endgame!") this game probably isn't for you.

Some mechanics are a bit wonky (skipping stones, snowball throwing, selecting placed objects - maybe because I play using a controller) and some time gates are weird (like waiting 5min for your cooked goods and then having to get them from postal bear) but all in all it's an enjoyable, cute, relaxing game.

I now have more hours in Shenzhen Solitaire than Shenzhen I/O.

Pro:
+ incredible amount of playtime for the price
+ actually quite relaxing
+ perfect escapism
+ moddable
+ hats!
+ dev communication is superb
+ soundtrack, I listen to it during work
Cons:
- say goodbye to your free time
- The fishing minigame was actually hurting my wrist for the amount of clicking it needs. Luckily it can be modded away. Feels like cheating but I'd rather "cheat" in a singleplayer game than injure my hands and not be able to play at all.

While the first levels are nice and relaxing easy puzzles, the later levels get harder in a way, that you have to combine several clues and think a few steps ahead. Great puzzle game that's worth the not-really-that-big pricetag.

mowing down mobs sometimes is just the best thing to do after a long stressful day at work