Gnomes Garden

Genre: Simulation

Players: 1

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Review:

Gnomes Garden is a game I would describe as fitting somewhere in the Simulation genre. Released in 2015 on PC and mobile devices, and then ported in 2018 to PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch, this game has players directing workers to collect resources and build or fix structures, trying to complete level-specific goals.

The presentation here feels very much like a mobile game, with mobile-style menus and interface, and gameplay that has 3D characters on 2D isometric backgrounds that are colorful but lack any sort of distinct personality. This generic feel is further emphasized by the game’s generic-sounding instrumental soundtrack.

As if the mobile look wasn’t bad enough, this game commits a common mistake of mobile ports by refusing to support Pro-style game controllers, forcing players to play with Joy-Con controllers for no good reason, just controlling an on-screen cursor. Thankfully this game does retain the touchscreen controls of the mobile versions when played in handheld mode, though the details can be so small on the Nintendo Switch’s screen that they can be hard to make out.

Despite all of these issues screaming “low-quality mobile port”, I think Gnomes Garden is actually fairly decent once you get past these issues. This would be a Management Simulation except you have zero control over where structures are placed, only when to have your workers build them. As a result, the gameplay here works out to be more about keeping track of what’s available to work on and going through a proper order of operations, focusing on the next step in the process you need to accomplish the level’s specific tasks. This can mean building a specific type of structure to get more of a resource, or clearing an obstruction in a pathway so you can get to somewhere vital.

It’s not without its flaws though. Because you’re always either gathering, building, or repairing, the gameplay here can get a bit repetitive. Also, even on a large screen it can be difficult to distinguish some buildings from other, requiring you to highlight them to get more detailed info. Also, I wish there were some way to translate this gameplay into an endless mode rather than always having to race a clock to complete tasks, because I feel like this could be turned into something far more relaxing and enjoyable if this was an option.

Still, given that Gnomes Garden gives every indication that it’s going to be mobile gaming trash, I was delightfully surprised by the gameplay. It’s not without its problems and limitations, but the puzzle-like task of figuring out the best way to get jobs done in each level is both enjoyable and not a style of gameplay I can say I’ve seen in other games I’ve played. For fans of Management Simulations not opposed to trying something a bit simpler, this might be worth a look. Just be prepared to deal with a little mobile game jank.

tl;dr – Gnomes Garden is a Simulation-style game that has the look and feel of a bad mobile port, but the gameplay is surprisingly enjoyable, making players focus on the order with which to send workers on tasks. It definitely feels like there could have been more here, as well as a better job porting it to Nintendo Switch specifically, but overall this is an enjoyable game that might be worth a look for Simulation fans craving something a bit more simple and puzzle-like.

Grade: B-

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