Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 72 | 10 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 91% | 85 | 104 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 100% | 97 | 0 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 1 reviews sampled · 1 total reviews in window · weighted 0.3 up / 0 down · computed 3h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (13)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 70
“If you’re into style over substance and looking for a fun, low-key adventure, Growbot is the one for you.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“I'd like to see a longer sequel go all-out with the soundtrack, but Growbot's fun characters and unique puzzles make it a good choice, albeit one for a future sale.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Growbot is a charming puzzle adventure with a lot of heart, wrapped in a fantastically illustrated environment.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“One challenge for the graphic adventure has always been how to meld puzzles, which are essentially abstract snippets of logic, with telling a story, which essentially needs to flow, without stopping to do sudokus 'round every corner. Growbot makes its most common puzzle part of the world, with its flower-based music mechanic, and the art makes everything look like there’s a story behind it. Unfortunately, that appearance of story is only skin-deep, and the puzzles hang oddly on the bare frame of a plot. Outside the musical sequencing, there are some infuriating blockers, especially when doing contrived things with contrived items for contrived reasons. That Goldilocks sweet spot of difficulty that makes the player feel in control proves too elusive, but there's melodious, mechanical enjoyment to be had here if you're not fussed about story.”
read full review ↗ - 63
“It's always a shame when you run into a title that has obviously put a great deal of effort into looking and feeling a bit different, making it feel noteworthy, but then drops the ball in some way...”
read full review ↗ - 70
“A cute coming of age space robot story and a fine addition to the cosy game genre, Growbot is a short and sweet puzzler with an ethereal soundtrack. This is one for those who want a short story, a beautiful art style and relaxing gameplay.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Growbot is great for children and more casual gamers, but the gameplay does become repetitive at times, and the puzzles vary in difficulty. Overall, the price is pretty steep for something you can only really play once.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Growbot is a wholesome experience with a dash of eerie undertones to it. You will find new ways of solving puzzles you haven’t seen before in similar point and click adventure games and will leave this experience wondering if you were really playing a game, or just dreaming. A shortage of hints can cause irritation, but there is so much whimsy and artistic expression it becomes easy enough to forgive. This is one nature trip you shouldn’t skip.”
read full review ↗ - 100
“Growbot is an interesting and enjoyable game, I loved my time with it. With gameplay inspired by adventure classics such as Loom and Machinarium, and beautiful hand-drawn artwork created by a seasoned children’s book illustrator, charming characters and an intriguing narrative. If point and click games are your go-to genre, this is one that should be in your library.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“It's like someone tells you a fantastic children's tale set on a botanical space station, and you fall asleep while you close your eyes and imagine that you're the protagonist of that fairy tale. It's such a serene but simple adventure.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Growbot is a genuine delight that will reawaken the joy of children’s storybooks within you. Featuring stunningly magical hand-drawn illustrations and an incredibly imaginative biopunk setting, Growbot takes players on a journey filled with vibrant color, verdant beauty, dazzling light, and warm characters. If you’re looking for a cozy new world to snuggle deeply into, Growbot is ready when you are.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The world of illustrator Lisa Evans comes to life in this colorful and detailed adventure game. Its gameplay relies on narrative and puzzles instead of taking the path of conventional adventure games, and although it does nothing that has not been seen before, it knows how to do it very well.”
read full review ↗
Pure Nintendo
Jump Dash Roll
Nintendo Life
Nindie Spotlight
FingerGuns
GameGrin
Checkpoint Gaming
LadiesGamers.com
Oyungezer Online
Hey Poor Player
33bits…and 1 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Improvements for mac OS SonomaFeb 20, 2024
- Thank you for playing Growbot!Nov 10, 2021significant · resets scoring window
- Update 1.0.3 - 9 Nov 2021Nov 9, 2021
- Update 1.0.1 - 26 Oct 2021Oct 26, 2021
- Growbot summer updateAug 31, 2020
- September UpdateSep 2, 2019
- November Update: Busy as a MelobeeNov 23, 2018
- June Update: Come play Growbot at Develop!Jun 26, 2018
- May Progress UpdateMay 14, 2018