- Release Year: 2020
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, Windows
- Publisher: 8floor Ltd.
- Developer: 8floor Ltd.
- Genre: Action
- Perspective: Diagonal-down
- Game Mode: Single-player
- Gameplay: Time management
- Setting: City
- Average Score: 60/100
Description
Garden City is a time management simulation where players take charge of a vibrant garden city. With action elements and a point-and-click interface, navigate through the garden landscape, manage resources, and complete tasks within time constraints. Build, upgrade, and strategize to create the perfect green metropolis.
Where to Buy Garden City
PC
Garden City Guides & Walkthroughs
Garden City Reviews & Reception
metacritic.com (60/100): It’s a strategy game for people who’d rather they didn’t have to do much strategising, and a resource management game where the ‘management’ comes in inverted commas.
thexboxhub.com (60/100): It’s a resource management sim where the resources feel like they have been conjured up by someone who has read about gardening, but never done it themselves.
completexbox.co.uk (60/100): Garden City is a decent play if you really like some challenging yet casual puzzle-solving.
Garden City: Review
At first glance, the name “Garden City” evokes images of tranquil green spaces and nature. However, this casual strategy game is more about municipal management than horticulture. Developed and published by 8floor Ltd., Garden City invites players to transform a dilapidated manor into a flourishing public park.
Development History & Context
Garden City was first released on Windows in November 2020 before making its console debut in June 2023. As part of 8floor’s catalog of resource management games, it’s a spiritual successor to titles like “Gnomes Garden” and “Lost Artifacts”. The game leverages familiar mechanics while introducing new resources and park themes.
Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive
The story is straightforward: a distant relative leaves you an estate, and you must convert it into a public park while searching for hidden treasure. Though light on plot, the narrative provides context for the game’s core activities. Themes of restoration and community improvement subtly underpin the gameplay.
Gameplay Mechanics & Systems
Garden City combines resource management with puzzle-solving. Each level is a park map divided into areas blocked by obstacles like potholes or detritus. Players must manage resources such as gloves, water, paint, and fertilizer to clear these obstacles.
Building and upgrading factories (e.g., glove factories, water towers) is crucial for sustained resource generation. The game’s star rating system rewards efficient time management, adding a layer of challenge. However, the repetitive “build and repair” cycle can become monotonous over the game’s 40+ levels.
World-Building, Art & Sound
Visually, Garden City impresses with vibrant, detailed park environments spanning classic to modern styles. The art is both colorful and whimsical, creating an inviting atmosphere. Sound effects are minimal but effective, while the ambient music complements the game’s relaxed pace.
Reception & Legacy
Critical reception has been mixed. While some praise the game’s visuals and casual gameplay, others criticize its repetitive structure and lack of depth. Player reviews echo this duality, appreciating the initial engagement but finding long-term playability limited.
Conclusion
Garden City is a visually appealing yet ultimately derivative entry in the casual strategy genre. Its combination of resource management and puzzle elements offers a brief respite for casual gamers but lacks the innovation needed to stand out in an oversaturated market. At its low price point, it’s a harmless diversion, but deeper strategic experiences await elsewhere.