The Gardens Between
IGDB
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About The Gardens Between
The Gardens Between is an adventure puzzle game from The Voxel Agents that dropped in September 2018. You control two best friends named Arina and Frendt as they land on floating garden islands representing their shared memories. The story explores friendship, childhood moments, and growing up through a surreal visual style. This single-player title launched on PlayStation 4, PC, Xbox One, Switch, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and Google Stadia. It feels like walking inside a dream where time behaves differently. Players guide the duo across beautiful landscapes to solve environmental puzzles while uncovering fragments of a personal narrative about their bond.
Gameplay
You manipulate time by rotating objects around two central spheres called time crystals. Turning these dials moves the entire world forward or backward through specific moments in each level. Your goal involves reaching a glowing beacon at the end of each island while helping Arina and Frendt interact with their surroundings. The controls rely on smooth character movement and precise dial adjustments rather than combat or reflex-based challenges. You might spend minutes trying to get a bird to fly through a hoop or stacking blocks so one friend can reach a higher ledge. Each level is a self-contained story beat where the environment itself changes based on your actions. Success depends on understanding cause and effect across different time periods within the same space.
What Players Think
Players on PlayPile have given this title an average score of 78.3 out of 100 based on 98 IGDB ratings. The community mood leans heavily toward nostalgic and calm, with users frequently noting the game's artistic direction as a highlight. Average playtime sits around five hours for most completionists who want to see every memory fragment. Review snippets often mention the emotional weight of the story despite some puzzle sections feeling linear. Critics and players alike agree that the short length is a feature rather than a bug given the tight narrative focus. The achievement rate suggests many users finish the campaign, though a smaller group hunts for 100 percent completion. Data shows a strong preference for the game among indie adventure fans who prioritize atmosphere over mechanical complexity.
PlayPile's Take
This game works best for players who want a short, emotional experience without combat or failure states. The five-hour runtime fits well into a weekend play session. You can pick it up on nearly any platform you own including mobile devices. Achievements track your progress through the story but do not demand excessive grinding. Some users find the puzzles straightforward enough that the game might feel too easy for veteran puzzle fans. The price varies by store but usually sits in the budget indie range. If you want a focused narrative about friendship delivered through beautiful visuals, this fits that niche perfectly. Skip it if you need high stakes or long-term engagement beyond a single story.
Game Modes
Single player
IGDB Rating
78.3
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