The Gardens Between is a surreal puzzle adventure that follows best friends, Arina and Frendt, as they fall into a mysterious world of beautiful garden islands. Manipulate time to solve puzzles and discover the secrets of each island.
As players guide the two childhood friends, Arina and Frendt, through a series of dreamlike island environments, they find themselves at the center of a unique puzzle-solving experience. Rather than directly controlling the characters, players use the left and right arrow keys to rewind or advance time, allowing them to strategically interact with various objects and clear the path for the duo to reach the end of each level.
The core gameplay mechanic revolves around the player's ability to control the flow of time. By pressing the left or right arrow keys, players can rewind or fast-forward the action, enabling them to position objects, activate triggers, and guide Arina and Frendt through the levels. Mastering this time manipulation is crucial to solving the game's puzzles, as players must carefully plan their actions and time their inputs to progress.
While the characters move automatically, players can interact with certain objects in the environment to overcome obstacles. Arina can carry a lantern that can dispel fog or activate triggers, while Frendt can manipulate larger objects, such as collapsing towers or opening pathways. Effectively utilizing the interplay between these two characters and the flow of time is key to successfully navigating the levels.
The gameplay introduces new mechanics gradually, ensuring a steady stream of fresh and engaging puzzles. These range from simple time-based challenges to more complex scenarios that require precise timing and object manipulation. Many reviewers praise the game's ability to present unique puzzles in each level, offering a sense of discovery and progression as players advance through the story.
Despite the puzzle-solving focus, the experience is widely described as relaxing and narrative-driven. The beautiful, dreamlike visuals and ambient soundtrack create a calming atmosphere, allowing players to immerse themselves in the bittersweet story of Arina and Frendt's friendship. The lack of time pressure or complex controls further contributes to the game's accessible and meditative nature, making it appealing to a wide range of players.