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Editor Reviews

Garten of Banban is a first-person horror adventure game that plunges players into the unsettling world of Banban's daycare, a once-vibrant establishment now shrouded in mystery and populated by bizarre, cartoonish creatures. The game expertly blends elements of exploration, puzzle-solving, and survival horror, creating a unique and often unnerving experience. Players assume the role of an unnamed protagonist who stumbles upon the abandoned daycare, drawn in by cryptic messages and a sense of unease. The core gameplay loop involves navigating the increasingly eerie environment, uncovering the story through environmental storytelling and collectible documents, and evading or confronting the various animatronic characters that inhabit the facility. The game features a vibrant, yet disturbing, art style that contrasts cute character designs with a deeply unsettling atmosphere, effectively creating a sense of unease and dread. This juxtaposition of adorable aesthetics and genuinely terrifying moments is a significant part of the game’s appeal and a defining characteristic of its overall unsettling tone. The game's narrative is intriguing, leaving many questions unanswered, thus encouraging exploration and further investigation within the game's world.

The gameplay in Garten of Banban revolves around exploration and puzzle-solving within a relatively linear progression. Players must navigate the various rooms and corridors of the daycare, utilizing their trusty flashlight to illuminate dark corners and uncover hidden clues. Many puzzles are environmental, requiring players to interact with objects within the environment to progress. These puzzles vary in complexity, ranging from simple tasks like finding keys to more intricate challenges involving manipulating machinery or deciphering codes. The game's horror elements primarily stem from the unpredictable appearances of the Banban characters, who often emerge from unexpected places, creating jump scares and tense moments of pursuit. Players have limited means of defense, primarily relying on evasion and strategic maneuvering to avoid capture. A key mechanic is the use of a scanner, which allows players to locate hidden objects and track the movements of the animatronics, adding a layer of strategic depth to the gameplay. However, relying solely on stealth is not always viable, and the game occasionally presents players with challenging encounters requiring quick thinking and skillful navigation. This blend of puzzle solving, exploration, and survival elements successfully keeps the player engaged and on their toes.

One of Garten of Banban's greatest strengths lies in its unsettling atmosphere. The game's unique art style, blending bright colours with a genuinely creepy atmosphere, is exceptionally effective in creating a sense of dread and unease. The sound design also contributes significantly to this unsettling experience, with unsettling background noises and the sudden, jarring sounds of the animatronics adding to the game's overall tension. The game's narrative, although somewhat cryptic and open-ended, is intriguing and successfully compels players to explore further to uncover the truth behind the daycare's abandonment. The puzzle design, though not overly complex, is generally well-integrated into the environment and feels organic, contributing to the overall immersive experience. Finally, the game’s successful implementation of jump scares, used sparingly, maximizes their impact and effectively heightens the sense of danger and suspense. The game’s ability to balance these elements to create a consistently engaging and terrifying experience is a significant testament to its design.

Despite its strengths, Garten of Banban is not without its flaws. The game's narrative, while intriguing, is ultimately quite cryptic and leaves many unanswered questions. While this ambiguity can be appealing to some, it might also frustrate players seeking a more conclusive storyline. The puzzles, while generally well-integrated, occasionally feel slightly simplistic, and more challenging or complex puzzles could have enhanced the overall gameplay experience. The game’s reliance on jump scares, while effective, might feel overused at times, especially for players experienced with horror games. The mechanics also feel somewhat limited, with a lack of diverse gameplay options potentially leading to repetitive gameplay sequences after several playthroughs. Additionally, some players may find the simplistic, cartoonish art style to clash somewhat jarringly with the darker, creepier tone that underpins the horror elements of the game.

Garten of Banban is ideally suited for players who enjoy atmospheric horror games with a focus on exploration and puzzle-solving, particularly those who appreciate a unique and unsettling art style. The game's blend of jump scares, intriguing narrative, and reasonably challenging puzzles makes for an entertaining experience, particularly for those new to the horror genre. However, experienced horror gamers might find some aspects, such as the simplicity of the puzzles and the reliance on jump scares, somewhat underwhelming. Overall, Garten of Banban offers a compelling and unique gaming experience that successfully blends adorable aesthetics with genuine scares. While it possesses some limitations, its strengths significantly outweigh its weaknesses, making it a worthwhile addition to the horror game library, especially for players looking for a relatively accessible entry point into the genre. Therefore, the game is recommended with a minor caveat for those seeking more complex puzzles or a deeply nuanced storyline.

Description

Experience the enigmatic world of Garten of Banban where reality converges with imagination and childhood innocence marries eerie mysteries. Enter Banban’s Kindergarten, once a dream place for any child, but now an uncharted territory that holds a terrifying secret. The enduring charm that once made children fall in love with the place has taken a sinister turn, and it's up to you to uncover the horrifying truth behind the mystery. Remember, you're far from alone as you navigate this uncanny institute with unknown dangers lurking at every corner.

Features

Your gameplay in Garten of Banban revolves around an exploration journey filled with fear and intrigue. Use your wits to unravel the chilling secret behind the sudden disappearance of the kindergarten's entire occupant, whilst making sure to keep your sanity intact. Your drone companion skillfully helps you in navigating the facility, spotting hidden clues, and sometimes even serving as your shield against potential dangers. You can't afford to lower your guard even for a second as the closer you get to the truth, the stranger the institution becomes. Prepare for a gaming experience like none other.