Developed by SPL/Workroom7
Published by 8Floor
Released for Xbox One (10/2018)
Also on PC/PS4/Switch
Gnomes Garden shares much in common with real-time strategy games, featuring a similar 3/4 overhead perspective view with gameplay primarily consisting of gathering resources and using them to build/upgrade various structures. Unlike most real-time strategy games that feature vast, sprawling maps to explore, each of the scenarios in Gnomes Garden are limited to a single screen. A dry summer has withered up the king's beloved garden and all the other gardens in kingdom. Due to this the king has become ill and the land is in danger, so it's up to the gnome princess and her crew to help save the gardens and make the king better. It's a silly story and is only revealed through occasional text boxes, but it does enough to set up why you're gathering resources and restoring trees.
When you begin a stage in Gnomes Garden, you'll have command over a single worker gnome. You're unable to control the gnomes directly, though you can command them to perform specific actions by clicking on the appropriate spots on the screen. Clicking on a resource or building will send a gnome over to collect or construct what you've commanded them to. Buildings can be upgraded to level 3, which will boost the production of that building. Upgrading a worker house will give you additional worker gnomes (up to 3), allowing you to gather resources faster. Building a mage home will give you access to the sorceresses, who have the ability to deter large gnomes (who block pathways). Sorceresses can also sprout trees on designated dirt plots, though you'll need a fireman to get the tree to bloom (more on this in a bit).
There are four different resources to gather: food, stone, wood and crystals. Food, stone and wood serve as the basic building blocks for most structures and the crystals aid your sorceresses in performing special feats, such as removing a large troll from blocking your path. Certain levels also features trolls that walk around the pathways, slowing down your workers. The trolls will stay on the screen disrupting your workers until you've constructed a firehouse. The firehouse allows you to command the fireman to dismiss these annoying trolls. The firemen will also be used to water the trees that the sorceress can sprout, which means growing the trees are a 2-part process requiring both classes.
Gnomes Garden features 49 levels that cover four different terrains. On each stage you can earn up to a 3-star rating, which is rewarded for completing that stage within a certain time. Gameplay remains the same as you progress, though the game does mix it up occasionally by throwing in new structures to build like teleporters and signal fires. You'll have to use your worker, fireman and sorceress gnomes frequently, especially in later levels. Objectives are typically varied enough that no 2 levels feel exactly the same, though they are all undeniably a bit similar.
As you progress through the game, you will start to unlock special abilities. There are 3 of these in total, which can be used as often as you like, though their use is limited due to a cooldown between usage. The first ability you'll gain will speed up your workers, allowing them to zip around and gather resources faster for a limited time. The second ability allows you to speed up the building process, shaving valuable seconds off the time it takes to construct a new building. The third and final ability allows you to stop the clock for a brief period, making it a bit easier to finish certain stages in time to get a 3-star rating.
Gnomes Garden is a bit limited in the music department, as there's only one song that plays throughout the entirety of the game. While the song isn't terrible, you'll certainly grow tired of hearing it play endlessly and will want to put on your own soundtrack if you play through the whole game. There's not much as far as sound design is concerned, just the basic sounds you'd expect for stuff like chopping wood. There are helpful sound cues that indicate your special ability is charged or that a troll has wandered on-screen, so muting the game to listen to something else comes with a bit of a cost. There's an options menu that allows you to adjust the sound/music volumes and pointer sensitivity. While everything in Gnomes Garden is a bit small, the graphics are detailed enough that it's never difficult to tell what you're looking at. Presentation-wise, the game leaves a bit to be desired in the music/sound department but does okay when it comes to the graphics and menus.
Gnomes Garden isn't bad for what it is, which is a very linear resource management and building game. It's definitely something that wouldn't feel out of place on your cellphone, so if you'd like something you can pick up and play in short bursts you might like this one. There's something relaxing about the game and I enjoyed playing through it, but it's not something I'd ever come back to. There's also a little bit of challenge and replay incentive with the 3-star rating, plus the game sells for the meager price of $4.99.
Final Verdict: Gnomes Garden is a short and simple game where you gather resources, construct buildings and restore trees. While a bit basic, the game is fun for what it is.
Related Links:
Buy Gnomes Garden - Microsoft Store
Gnomes Garden - GameFAQs
Gnomes Garden - True Achievements
Gnomes Garden Achievement Guide - Xbox Achievements
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