Taken for a Quickie | The Gardens Between

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As we hurtle towards 2019, there’s time for one final quickie of the year, with puzzler The Gardens Between our lucky recipient.

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by Rob Holt

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@acousticmagic

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Developer: The Voxel Agents
Publisher: The Voxel Agents
Players: 1
Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, Switch, PC

Is it standard puzzle fare, then?

Not in our book, folks. From the outset you’re greeted with ethereal music, the patter of pouring rain, beautiful graphics and an intriguing time manipulation mechanic that helps to set the game apart. The simple one stick, one button controls really free you up to enjoy the expressive story of two friends and their shared memories.

It certainly is a looker!

The Gardens Between is as much a work of art as it is a game. The exquisite combination of pastel colour palette, soft cartoon visuals, top-class sound effects and stunning ambient music (kudos Tim Shiel, what a soundtrack) combine to create a celestial, moving and relaxing experience that we adored.

How does it play, though?

Each memory is split into a few separate puzzle “islands”, where you’ll need to use keen powers of observation to pick up on changes to the environment brought on by the passing of time, which occurs as you move the leading duo backwards and forwards through it.

It’s this glorious time control feature that provides the “eureka” moments present in any good puzzler. Working out how to close and open flowers that hold, or snuff out, the light required to power your lantern and finish each level is brilliant, as is learning how to minutely manipulate elements within a level, such as falling dinosaur bones or VHS tapes, allowing you to reach vital new sections.

​Sounds good. Anything to be wary of?

The price tag (~£16) is arguably steep for a few short hours of entertainment, so those of you who aren’t massive puzzle or melancholic narrative fans might want to wait for a price drop.

With that in mind, does it come recommended?

If you’re fine with the price (or subscribe to Xbox Game Pass, where it’s available at no extra cost), then yes. The Gardens Between has a gorgeous art style and exemplary soundtrack that blend beautifully with simple, effective gameplay to create one of our favourite sleeper hits of 2018. We’ll definitely be keeping an eye on what developer The Voxel Agents have planned next!