There are very few games you can literally go “tra la la” during. The Undergarden is one of them. The game offers an incredibly light, uninhibited trip through a beautiful world that comes to life around you with no real enemies or opposition. It doesn’t offer anyone much in the way of a challenge, but it teeters on being therapeutic.
The game has no real story, and very little direction. The main character is an unnamed cute(ish) monster thing that flies (or swims…they weren’t really that clear) around the game’s world. He picks up pollen and, as he approaches plants, they spring to life in front of him. A fair number of levels are there for traversing that can be selected from a “hub” area, a la many Kirby games.
The only real opposition there is lies in some simple puzzles involving weighing down platforms to access new areas. The game as a whole is very accessible, and the controls are simple once you discover them (a lack of a tutorial has you mashing buttons trying to figure out what does what during the first level). As a whole, though, the lack of story and challenge keep this game from being especially compelling.
While the game leaves things a little bit wanting in the gameplay department…it looks really, really good. Playing this game in HD with colorful plants springing up around you is consistently impressive and I kept thinking to myself, “Wow, this looks great.” The sound can be best described as “soothing,” between the calming music and subtle sound effects.
While the game doesn’t drive you to finish it, and isn’t the best platformer to come out in recent months, it still has undeniable quality with generally awesome aesthetics. Floating around with absolutely no conflicts to be had, though, kind of leaves the game wanting in the replay value, challenge and fun departments. While the game offers simple fun and graphics that will drop your jaw, it won’t keep you coming in the same way other downloadable games can. It is a game that a gaming aficionado can enjoy, but for most people, it’s of a marginal level of intrigue.
