The Gardens Between
IGDB
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About The Gardens Between
The Gardens Between is an indie puzzle adventure game developed by The Voxel Agents that dropped on September 20, 2018. It’s a story about friendship and memory told through time-bending puzzles. You play as Arina and Frendt, two friends trapped in a world of floating garden islands where each area is tied to a specific moment. The twist? You manipulate time to solve environmental puzzles, rewinding or fast-forwarding through islands to uncover secrets. It’s a quiet, reflective game aimed at players who enjoy slow-burn narratives and clever spatial challenges. Available on just about every platform from Switch to iOS, it’s a compact but atmospheric experience.
Gameplay
You’ll spend most of your time shifting between past and present versions of the same garden to solve puzzles. For example, you might rewind a crumbling bridge to its solid form or speed up a growing vine to create a path. The puzzles require precise timing and observation, often involving moving objects or characters across different time states. Each garden is a standalone level with its own set of interconnected puzzles, and progression is nonlinear. Controls are simple but demand precision, especially when coordinating Arina and Frendt’s actions in separate time frames. Sessions rarely last more than an hour or two, but the game’s deliberate pacing and story snippets make each session feel meaningful.
What Players Think
Community ratings average 78.3/100 on IGDB, with 98 total scores. Completion rates sit at 62% for the main story and 38% for full completion. The average playthrough clocks in at 5.5 hours, with 12% of players logging over 10. Most describe the vibe as curious and nostalgic, though some note it can feel meandering. One player wrote, “The puzzles are clever but sometimes frustrating when time shifts don’t snap to what you expect.” The game’s $14.99 price point keeps it accessible, and its 15 achievements take roughly 25 hours to unlock fully. Critics praise the emotional core but occasionally call the puzzle design inconsistent.
PlayPile's Take
The Gardens Between works best as a brief, atmospheric diversion for fans of story-driven puzzles. It’s not a deep system or long grind, but the emotional beats and clever time mechanics earn it a place in the library of anyone who likes quiet, introspective games. At under $15, it’s a low-risk buy, though the 38% full completion rate suggests some puzzles may feel like chores. If you enjoyed games like Firewatch or Oxenfree, this one’s worth a try. But don’t expect to stay engaged long if you crave action or fast-paced problem-solving.
Game Modes
Single player
IGDB Rating
78.3
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