The Garden Path is a cozy life-simulator that invites players to explore, forage, and cultivate a serene garden world in sync with real time. Read our review to see what it did well, what it didn't do well, and if it's worth buying.

The Garden Path Review Overview

What is The Garden Path?

The Garden Path is a cozy life-simulator farming game where in-game time mirrors the real world. Players can forage, chop timber, and gather resources to feed themselves, craft items, and construct buildings. True to its genre, the game allows you to plant various seeds and grow a wide array of crops. The Garden Path is populated with intriguing characters who will aid your gardening journey, offering supplies or companionship. Designed for long, relaxing play sessions, it serves as a soothing escape from everyday life.

The Garden Path features:
　⚫︎　Easy Gardening Sim
　⚫︎　Foraging for Different Plants
　⚫︎　Fishing with a Unique Mechanic
　⚫︎　Exploration of a Beautifully Crafted Map
　⚫︎　Slow-paced, Relaxing Gameplay
　⚫︎　Real-Time Progression Even When Away
　⚫︎　Local Co-Op Available

For more gameplay details, read everything we know about The Garden Path's gameplay and story.

Digital Storefronts
Steam			Switch

The Garden Path Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Beautiful Visuals Relaxing Fishing Mechanic Colorful Characters Task Tracking System	Lack of Solid Narrative Slow Pacing Complex Controls and HUD Sparse Audio

The Garden Path Overall Score - 72/100

The Garden Path is a charming slice-of-life game that excels in visual appeal and offers a relaxing gameplay experience. While it has its strengths in aesthetics and unique features like the fishing mechanic and constellation task tracking, it falls short in providing a compelling narrative and accessible controls. The slow pacing and sparse audio can also detract from the overall experience. However, for those who enjoy taking their time to explore and appreciate a beautifully crafted world, The Garden Path is a delightful journey worth embarking on.

The Garden Path Story - 6/10

The Garden Path does not offer a strong, structured narrative. Instead, it allows players to explore the world and discover its inhabitants at their own pace. The initial letter and the mystery of discovering its sender add a touch of intrigue, but the lack of a cohesive story can make the game feel aimless. This open-ended approach might appeal to those who enjoy creating their own narratives, but it falls short for players seeking a more guided experience.

The Garden Path Gameplay - 7/10

The gameplay in The Garden Path is a mix of exploration, foraging, and interaction with various characters. Figuring out the different plants and having characters pop in and out adds variety and charm. The fishing mechanic is a standout feature, offering a simple and enjoyable diversion. However, the confusing controls and HUD can be a barrier to entry, making the initial experience frustrating. Once mastered, the gameplay is rewarding, but it requires patience and perseverance.

The Garden Path Visuals - 9/10

Visuals are where The Garden Path truly excels. The game is beautifully crafted, with an art style that exudes warmth and charm. Every element, from the flora to the characters, is meticulously designed to create an inviting and immersive world. The aesthetics alone can captivate players, encouraging them to spend more time exploring and appreciating the environment. This visual appeal is a significant strength, making the game a joy to look at.

The Garden Path Audio - 7/10

The audio design in The Garden Path is a mixed bag. The soundscapes are pleasant and add to the overall ambiance, but the lack of consistent background music leaves the game feeling empty at times. The protagonist's humming while fishing is a delightful touch, adding a layer of charm to that activity. However, more continuous and varied audio elements would enhance the immersive experience and keep players more engaged throughout their journey.

The Garden Path Value for Money - 7/10

For a price of $16.99, The Garden Path offers a decent amount of content and a visually stunning world to explore. The unique features and relaxing gameplay provide good value for those who appreciate a slow-paced, cozy experience. However, the lack of a strong narrative and the initial difficulty with controls might deter some players. Overall, it is a worthwhile purchase for fans of the genre, but it may not appeal to everyone.

The Garden Path Review: A Serene Journey Worth Taking

The Garden Path is a slice-of-life cozy game that invites players to slow down and immerse themselves in a beautifully crafted world. The game begins with players opening their eyes in a garden, where they quickly realize they have the freedom to bring back the northern gardens to life. This setup offers a sense of purpose and sets the stage for a journey of exploration and discovery.

The game does not follow a traditional narrative structure, allowing players to explore and discover at their own pace. This approach can be both a strength and a weakness, depending on what players are looking for in a game. The initial intrigue of the letter and finding out who it was from adds a nice touch, but without a solid storyline, the game can feel aimless over time.

One of the standout features of The Garden Path is its visual presentation. The art style is charming and meticulously crafted, creating an inviting and serene environment. Every corner of the game world feels like a painting come to life, encouraging players to pause and take in the scenery. This level of detail greatly enhances the overall atmosphere, making exploration a delight and setting a high bar for aesthetic appeal in cozy games.

Gameplay in The Garden Path involves a mix of foraging, fishing, and interacting with various characters. Figuring out the different plants and having characters pop in and out adds variety and charm to the experience. The fishing mechanic is particularly enjoyable, offering a simple and satisfying activity that is made even more charming by the protagonist's gentle humming. This feature provides a perfect way to unwind and immerse oneself in the tranquil environment.

An interesting and enjoyable aspect of the game is the trading system with the different characters. There is a character for trading tools, another for trading fishes, and even one for trading seeds for your garden. This system adds depth to the interactions and provides players with various ways to enhance their garden and progress in the game.

However, the game's pacing can be a double-edged sword. While the slow progression is relaxing, it can also lead to periods of boredom, especially when there are no immediate goals or challenges to tackle. The leisurely pace might deter players who prefer a more dynamic and engaging gameplay experience. Additionally, the controls and HUD are unnecessarily complex, making the initial learning curve steep and potentially frustrating for new players.

The audio design in The Garden Path is another area with room for improvement. While the soundscapes are pleasant and add to the overall ambiance, the lack of consistent background music can make the game feel empty at times. The protagonist's humming while fishing is a delightful touch, adding a layer of charm to that activity. However, more varied and continuous audio elements would enhance the immersive experience and keep players more engaged throughout their journey.

Despite these drawbacks, The Garden Path offers a unique and relaxing experience that can be very rewarding for the right audience. The task tracking system, which uses constellations to mark completed tasks, adds a whimsical touch to the game. This feature not only provides a sense of accomplishment but also motivates players to explore and complete various activities. The constellation system is a creative way to visualize progress, making the game feel more rewarding.

In conclusion, The Garden Path is a charming slice-of-life game that excels in visual appeal and offers a relaxing gameplay experience. While it has its strengths in aesthetics and unique features like the fishing mechanic and constellation task tracking, it falls short in providing a compelling narrative and accessible controls. The slow pacing and sparse audio can also detract from the overall experience. However, for those who enjoy taking their time to explore and appreciate a beautifully crafted world, The Garden Path is a delightful journey worth embarking on.

Pros of The Garden Path

Things The Garden Path Got Right
Beautiful Visuals Relaxing Fishing Mechanic Colorful Characters Task Tracking System

Beautiful Visuals

The Garden Path truly shines in its visual presentation. The art style is both charming and meticulously crafted, providing a serene and aesthetically pleasing experience. Every corner of the game world feels like a painting come to life, inviting players to pause and take in the scenery. This level of detail greatly enhances the overall atmosphere, making exploration a delight.

Relaxing Fishing Mechanic

Fishing in The Garden Path stands out as a particularly enjoyable activity. The simple yet satisfying mechanic, combined with the protagonist's gentle humming, creates a calming experience. This feature offers a perfect way to unwind and immerse oneself in the tranquil environment.

Colorful Characters

The inhabitants of the garden are vibrant and full of personality. Each character brings their own unique charm to the game, making interactions enjoyable and memorable. Their presence adds depth to the world, encouraging players to engage and learn more about the lives and stories of these delightful beings.

Task Tracking System

The innovative task tracking system, which uses constellations to mark completed tasks, adds a whimsical touch to the game. This feature not only provides a sense of accomplishment but also motivates players to explore and complete various activities. The constellation system is a creative way to visualize progress, making the game feel more rewarding.

Cons of The Garden Path

Things That The Garden Path Can Improve
Lack of Solid Narrative Slow Pacing Complex Controls and HUD Sparse Audio

Lack of Solid Narrative

One of the major drawbacks of The Garden Path is the absence of a compelling storyline. While the game focuses on exploration and discovery, it lacks a driving narrative to keep players engaged over the long term. The initial letter and subsequent reveal were nice touches, but the game could benefit from a more structured plot to provide direction and purpose.

Slow Pacing

The leisurely pace of the game, while relaxing for some, may feel tedious for others. The slow progression can lead to periods of boredom, especially when there are no immediate goals or challenges to tackle. This pacing might deter players who prefer a more dynamic and engaging gameplay experience.

Complex Controls and HUD

he game suffers from an unnecessarily complex control scheme and HUD. The initial learning curve can be steep, making it difficult for players to get accustomed to the interface. Simplifying the controls and HUD would greatly improve the accessibility and overall enjoyment of the game.

Sparse Audio

While the soundscapes in The Garden Path are pleasant, the game often feels empty due to the lack of background music. The absence of consistent audio elements can make the world feel less immersive. More varied and continuous background music would enhance the atmosphere and keep players more engaged.

Is The Garden Path Worth It?

Perfect for Those Seeking Tranquility

The Garden Path, priced at $16.99, offers a decent amount of content and a visually stunning world to explore. While the lack of a strong narrative and the initial difficulty with controls might deter some players, it remains a worthwhile purchase for fans of the genre. The game's unique features and relaxing gameplay provide good value for those who appreciate a slow-paced, cozy experience.

Digital Storefronts
Steam			Switch
Price:		$19.99

The Garden Path FAQ

What kind of tasks can you complete in The Garden Path?

Tasks in The Garden Path include gardening, foraging for plants, fishing, trading with characters, and exploring the map.

Are there any in-game goals in The Garden Path?

While there are no specific endgame goals, players can complete tasks, trade items, and bring life back to the northern gardens, experiencing the game’s beauty and tranquility.

Does The Garden Path have a day-night cycle?

Yes, The Garden Path features a day-night cycle, adding to the immersive experience of the game world.

Is there an in-game Encyclopedia in The Garden Path?

Yes, but you would need to unlock the Old Gardener and New Gardener achievements first, then proceed to unlock the stones near the Old Gardener.

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The Garden Path Product Information

Title	THE GARDEN PATH
Release Date	July 30, 3024
Developer	carrotcake
Publisher	Mooncat Games
Supported Platforms	PC(Steam), Nintendo Switch
Genre	Simulation, Farming, Cozy, Indie
Number of Players	Local Offline (1-2)
Rating	ESRB E
Official Website	The Garden Path Official Website

Allisandra Reyes

I find joy in the adrenaline rush of horror games, but my thrill-seeking doesn't stop there. Beyond the digital realm, I like to take on the role of designated GM in TTRPGs.