Title: The UnderGarden
Genre: Casual
Developer: Vitamin G / Artech Studios
Publisher: Atari
Release Date: 10 Nov 2010
Languages: English, French, German

The UnderGarden is described as a “casual Zen game” which challenges players to explore underground flora-filled caverns and solve puzzles. A relaxing gameplay experience is promised. I figured I could use a little Zen relaxation in my life, so decided to give Ze Untah Gahten a shot (the game is way more fun when you say it with a German accent).

So how does one prepare for the ultimate Zen experience? No frickin’ idea, but I figure it probably has something to do with the Mary Jane. I watch the hit television show, Weeds. Therefore, I know a bit about the Elle Momo. The only problem is that I don’t know the local Nancy Botwin, MILF drug dealer extraordinaire. So I did what everyone without a Botwin would do, I searched the internet to score some African Bush.

Apparently when buying Bambalacha on the net, one should beware of scams. To make a long story short, I didn’t manage to get my hands on Phillies Blunt. So I tossed a banana peel on the stove burner, waited until 4:20, copped a squat in a beanbag, and then loaded up Ze Untah Gahten.

You spawn in the game as an alien fetus. Swimming around in an underground womb filled with amniotic fluid, the goal is to spread your seed to pollinate flora and open new chambers.

Ze Untah Gahten is really nice to look at, from the cutesy little alien fetus to the beautiful flora that you spawn. That’s about where the goodness ends. The music is so-so, sometimes it’s relaxing and Zen-like, other times it’s a bit headache-inducing. It’s a very slow game, but that should be expected given the nature of the title. The puzzles of Ze Untah Gahten are really the make it or break it, and to me it felt more like a break it type situation. Puzzles are too repetitive and a bit boring. Good puzzles could have made the difference between a mediocre casual game, and a really great one. Alas, Ze Untah Gahten remains mediocre.

On a brighter note, you can pick up Ze Untah Gahten for as low as $4.99 right now. I’d say it’s worth a fiver.

Final Score: 2.5 / 5

The UnderGarden is a casual Zen game that challenges players to explore beautiful underground caverns filled with strange life forms, sound, music and plenty of hidden secrets. Casual gamers with an affinity towards puzzle games will enjoy The UnderGarden’s modern exploration quest filled with brain teasing games that combine state of the art 3D rendering and physics based puzzles. Players traverse large underground worlds in search of members of their musical band. The goal is to bring them together and lead them to the surface. Along the way, players will encounter puzzles that must be solved and strange life forms that must be befriended or avoided. Provides a truly visceral and relaxing gameplay experience that gamers will enjoy as a contrast to the frenzied action of most popular core titles.

Key features:

• The Pick up and Play mechanics utilizes straightforward, accessible controls.
• Puzzles are physics based, solved by placing grown “fruit” that weighs down levers, or lifts up platforms to allow access to new areas.
• Environmental puzzles solved by growing exotic plants around the player. The world springs to life with vibrant color and music as the player drifts past dormant seeds.
• Serene music and audio is threaded within the game to enhance user experience.
• Progress is driven by player’s own pace, desire to see their effect on the world, and exploration of new environments.
• First game of its type to offer 2 player co-op play.
• Casual Zen game design offers 20 different levels, each with a unique look.

 Rating: 50%

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Tags: Games, PC, Puzzle, Review, Xbox 360  |  Posted under Reviews  |    No Comments