Lil Gator Game

Fun, adorable, and plays like a bite-sized Breath of the Wild sandbox adventure (with very obvious influence), but is more focused on interacting with the characters in the world. Full of fun and unique characters and costumes, beautiful scenic autumn landscapes to fly, slide and climb through, all on top of a short but sweet story. Very much worth the buy.

100% worth playing, if you have the spare cash and want a fun wholesome adventure with good writing and a boat load of charm, this is exactly it. I recommend not watching any youtube videos or streams of this game before playing, if you can trust me and all the other people giving it a positive review then I ask you to please play it blind and get the full experience.

This game without a doubt is some of the best fun I've had in a while. Wonderful experience with a cast of colourful characters. The story and the overall message of the game really resonated with me and tugged my heart. 10/10 very cute I cried.

What an adorable pick-me-up this game was.

All I wanted was a short, cute, casual game to play on my Steam Deck, and Lil Gator delivered hard. You'll probably finish the game in about 3 hours (4 if you're like me and want to explore EVERYTHING). It delivers perfectly at its $20 price point, and I feel lucky to have gotten it on sale. I think anyone can enjoy this game, so if you're reading this - give it a shot!

=== General Vibe ===

The game borrows from the conceptual cuteness of Animal Crossing, but still has its own unique identity in terms of art, design, and music. It also feels like a short love-letter to the Zelda games without there even being any threats of enemies. Just exploration, fun 'weapons' to gather, and a set of '3 Quests' that must be accomplished in order to activate the end-game sequence. Just beneath the cutesy surface, there's a shallow (yet touching) story about youth and the reality of becoming a grown up.

=== More Details ===

The gameplay is super simple but executed pristinely. You adorably waddle around, jump, sheild-surf, climb, and swing a stick. You'll collect items that more uniquely modify your traversal or 'combat' mechanics. Lil Gator has so perfectly made these simple mechanics feel so silly and enjoyable through its map design, fun item selection, and physics system.

'No work during play time' is a theme that underlines the game's storyline, and I really appreciated how they tied it in with the gameplay. There were so many times I ended up goofing off and meandering around without paying a second thought to the larger 'quests' at hand. I just felt so 'present' playing this game... It made me feel like there was nowhere else to be, and nothing else to do but listen to the voice in my head that made me feel like a kid going to a new playground with my friends.

The map design also compliments this exceptionally. The open map is large enough to get curious and feel the urge to explore, but not so large that you end up feeling lost or confused. Once I traveled off in any direction I'd lose myself in the exploration. I'd interact with NPCS or side-quests, and continue on until I encountered a familiar landmark from earlier which reminded me to get back on 'task' when I felt like it.

I'm not the kind of gamer to 100% a game - but just by virtue of how fun it was to play and explore, I found almost nearly every NPC and found 85% of the game's findable 'currency'.

=== Final ===

If you want a casual, cute, mindlessly fun game, Lil Gator bravely earns its price-tag. And that says a lot for a game so short. Give it a try :)

This game is absolutely adorable from start to finish. The low-poly art style compliments the silliness of the plot. The writing is accessible enough for younger audiences while also being adept enough to thoroughly entertain me at 23.

While the game is short (Capping at about 4 hours of game-play in my first run), This works in the game's favor, due to the simplistic nature of 'collector' games.

Lil Gator Game is a standout in the genre because:

- The movement mechanics are surprisingly nuanced & skill-based
- The character writing & interactions are organic & compelling
- It doesn't overstay its welcome

I'd give it an 8/10

8.5 / 10

Cute & Wholesome game, where the world if your playground. World is a joy to explore and quests aren't a chore and are different from each other. It is fun to meet the people and see what kind of rewards they will give you. Only minus that I do have for this game is that one of the achievements is a bit annoying (destroy every breakable object), thankfully game does give you radar for them. Overall game is really similar to one of my favorites "A short hike", if you enjoyed that game you will most likely enjoy this game too.

It's rare for a game to tug on my heart strings like Lil Gator Game did. In just a few hours, the game manages to hit every note just right: That sense of childish glee you get after destroying a group of cardboard monsters, sliding on your shield across the map, or just climbing stuff that may or may not be safe can't be beat.

Loved every minute of this game! The dialogue was so charming and I felt like each character had their own personality that made me connect with them all so well. The main story line really touched me too, and I wasn't expecting it to get so deep!!

The overall gameplay is a charm and I wanted to keep exploring every little bit of the island. The movement is always exciting and I was really impressed to see just how many craftables and other fun items there were to collect! Easily one of the best games I've played this year and well worth the price. HIGHLY RECOMMEND LIL GATOR GAME!!

Cute lil game.

The visuals charmed me from the start, but the movement in running around the island became the most enjoyable part of the game for me.
The dialogue was quite good, talking to the other animals felt quite natural and fun and the main conflict between him and his sister was wrapped up nicely.

It's hard to recapture the childhood feeling of making your own fun, seeing a bunch of defenseless cardboard monsters and fighting them as if they were actual enemies, going down a hill sliding on a piece of wood, climbing up a tree to stay hidden from the imaginary monsters and throwing rocks at them, the core gameplay design is putting the player inside a child's mind actually role playing inside a kid's role play.
It's a truly immersive experience, that's what i can praise and appreciate the most about Lil Gator Game. The quest designs are mostly unique and fit the theme pretty well, i just found some of them just to simple and all ending quite on the same way (but fun/funny none the less) the gameplay is really fun and polished and the animations make my heart melt. The main story has a cool concept but fails to deliver in some aspects, as in, you know how it's gonna end from the start, and never goes anywhere near profound themes, but it makes up for it with fun characters and ludic writing.
Overall it's a wonderful experience, play it it wobbles a lot.

truly a beautiful game, i completed the entire game story and all acheivements withen 5 hours. I felt like I wasn't made to do anything but I could do anything for fun. I wish it was longer so I hope to see it grow. 10/10 its so fun

Short and sweet is the best way to put it. This game has no health bar or real combat or ways to actually game over, so if you are looking for a challenging combat based game, this is not it. This games story and setting makes a lot of sense why the game is easy going and uses it as a strength. This is an open world adventure game with no map or quest markers, you talk to characters and do quests and it is kind of up to you to find things yourself. I love this in adventure games, it doesn't feel like your playing gps simulator where you follow quest markers on a map. Just finding what you are looking for is rewarding, but it also isn't so cryptic that you need to google search how to do things.
Every character is a joy to talk to and there are a lot of charming little quests to complete.
What surprised me the most from this game and something I did not expect, was how good the movement in this game felt. Like it felt legit, it was just fun moving around the map, between using your shield to slide around, your glider, items like balloons to float and being able to climb, it all felt smooth. Using you shield in mid air allows you to do a flip before landing, you can also cancel the move to just flip, or you can use momentum with your flip, use momentum to bounce on water. Different shield types also are good for different things, the trampoline shield allows you to bounce super fast and high, some shields work super well on water, the skateboard is also awesome to move around. The momentum and movement in the game is so clean and fun, it shows you the basics but its up to you to use the basics to do advance movements. Also since this game is mostly exploration, having good movement is super important.
The game itself is short, but not too short, the story doesn't overstay its welcome but doesn't feel super short at the same time. It can take you about 3 hours to beat the base game if you do the bare minimum to role credits but after the credits there is still more to the story and an actual true ending that I was able to complete with 4 hours of playtime. It require completion of most of the things in the game. I was then able to 100% all achievements in the game just under 5 hours of playtime.
If you are looking for a new adventure game that will give you a new experience and a story that might make a grown man cry, fun quests and graphics, and only a couple hours of game play, then this is the game for you.

this game is absolutely amazing, very short : around 3 hours
& i love every minute of it, everything you'd want to do in a cute game, you can do.
the ui is so amazing and simple, nothing overwhelms you & it gives you a sense of being a child again & it's very cute.

10/10

This game is pretty short (I completed it 100% in 5.2 hours) but it's obvious that it was made with a LOT of love and passion. The dialogue is full of personality and very wholesome, the island is very well designed (despite there being no map, I rarely got lost and the objectives and placement of quests felt very intuitive to follow) and it's probably the least stressful game I've ever played. I highly recommend it if you're in a dark place in your life, as it will do a good job of brightening your day.

Only nitpick is that the game is short, but that might be kind of a good thing; the gameplay doesn't overstay its welcome, the story is paced nicely, the hours you get are very enjoyable, and I could see myself occasionally replaying it.

i love this lil nonbinary gator they make my heart so full and happy and storyline is so cute an funny and rpg and quests and everything just so cool and cute and ahhh i want more games like this because this has got to be my new favourite game

I 100% the game in 5 hours, i had so much fun i was squealing at all the adorable interactions, me and my boyfriend played it together and we had so many funny interactions and laughs with it, it was sooo worth the time i enjoyed every second, i would absolutely recommend it i haven't had so much wholesome fun in years it doesn't feel jaded or boring, worth the money 10/10
As i was trying to kill all the cardboard and trying to find all the people i thought "you know what i think its time i end the game i doubt they'd give me some kind of radar to get all the monsters and people, i don't think they'd have that much care and thought for the end game like most games don't" i was absolutely pleasantly surprised and so relieved when i got the items to locate the last loot and people, Perfect game, lil gator is best bean :3

ive been following this game for a while and i just got to play it and it's everything i wanted it to be. botw is my favorite game and you combine that with cute little animals and making friends!!!! i cant ask for anything else. If you just want a easy going heart warming game then i highly recommend this!!

A charming, light hearted, and chill 3D Platformer with a move set and story highly influenced by The Legend of Zelda. The game takes place over the course of an afternoon, and you very well could spend the same amount of time with it. People will be drawing a lot of connections between it and A Short Hike, and I believe that is a good thing overall.

Really fun game simply to understand. It feels well made the only thing that i'm upset about is its to short. if they drop a DLC i'm definitely buying it. I get Zelda vibes, shield surfing is fun, with collecting items the game really wants you to experience everything it would be pretty hard not to get all the achievements on this game. lots of options for swords, shields and hats. overall this game is a 8/10 worth buying it. If its on sale 100% get this game!!!!

Very happy, adorable, and wholesome game. Actually enjoyed it all the way through. Props to the dev team for making something that made me smile throughout the 9 hours I spent running around in it, Actual GOTY contender for me.

To be honest this is the cutest and biggest stress reliever for me. The calming music and the sort of wonder of exploration kept me engaged along with the characters and their little side quests. This game was made with passion and it shows. I generally feel calm and collected while playing forgetting about any outside stressors if just for a bit.And the story isn't bad to boot. Honestly if you need an adorable stress reliever that calms you down after a stressful day this game is for you.

A short little game, but so cute and fun.

Very relaxing to just kinda ...wander around the map and discover the world. and heartwarming conclusion to boot.

Not sure if I'll 100% this, but I'll likely be coming back to just wander around the world and look for things I missed.

This game is so gosh darn adorable and wholesome! A small collectathon made with love, you can tell they put care and effort into this game. It might not be super long, and it might not have the most complex graphics, or a world shattering story, but it has a lot of charm and the story gets surprisingly heartfelt for the carefree atmosphere it has.
Definitely worth the purchase and playtime. I didn't 100% the game yet, but I almost did. I'd say I'm at ~85%.

EDIT: I have since 100%'d the game, and it's totally worth finishing. There's a lot of little bits to collect, but the game makes it easier to get them after a certain point, and there's a little more story if you do.

Absolutely amazing cute little gem of a game. 10/10.
This game is a literal playground, where you can walk around and have fun exploring the island.
Stakes are very low and the game is never trying to challenge you. A very safe and feel-good experience.
However, it is not boring by any means. It is a very carefully crafted game with lots of charme, humor and a new plaything for you to have fun with around every corner and even a surprisingly touching story.

Playtime is about 4~5 hours if you want to 100% it.

This is one of the best indie game experiences I've ever had!
The game premise is so adorable - a game about a lil gator who's trying to recreate the Legend of Zelda irl to connect with his busy older sister.
The game is only about 4 hours long, but my god, those 4 hours are wonderful! Tons of areas to explore, funny little characters with quests to complete, hilarious weapons/shields/hats/specials to pick up and use.
I've been watching over this game for so long, waiting for it to finally come out, and I am not disappointed in the slightest. It is everything I could've hoped for, and more. It's fun, the story makes sense and is interesting yet still manages to tug at the heart strings, the graphics are so cute and colourful and fill you with a childlike sense of adventure.
I'm sad it's as short as it is, but I know I'll definitely be playing this one over and over for years to come, and I'd recommend you do the same if you love small indie games like A Short Hike!

I LOVED this game! Very cute, chill, fun to just relax and have a good time with. The characters are charming, the music is great; Esme's cave area has the best song in my opinion, but they're all good and don't get old, the style is CUTE and colourful, plus there's not only a certain level of customization for your lil gator, but a photo mode as well! The game gets deep when it matters, but it's mostly just a funny, quirky little game. Nothing TOO serious and deep, which I enjoy now and again!

There's a lot of places to go and friends to make, and my only real complaint is that I wish there was a map to figure out where I am sometimes. There's a map here and there in-game, but it becomes somewhat easy to get lost if you're trying to get back somewhere specific. That said though, it's really not a deal-breaker, and in terms of in-game reasons, I even understand why there isn't a map.

As someone who like to get achievements, I do enjoy that once you finish the main story, you get items to help you find some stuff you might've missed. It is fun to go back and explore little nooks and crannies, find some things you might've initially missed. I'd say if you're looking for something fun and cozy to play, this is a great game. It's not particularly long, but definitely worth it to check out. :)

extremely cute & oddly relatable. i did not expect to find so many relatable themes in the lil alligator video game on the steam PC platform but here we are. cut ur big sibling some slack kiddos. also let your forever DM play for once.

This is without a doubt the most charming and adorable game I have ever played. No other game has successfully captured the feeling of playing pretend with your friends as a child as well as this one has. Wonderful characters, a sense of adventure, and an adorable art style with the whole package brimming with heart.

An amazing indie game... If you like A Short Hike and games like Zelda, I can assure you this will be special to you. Not only is it the best indie of this year for me, but also one of my favorites overall!

It's full of fun moments, an emotional story that gets to you and connects with you in the way it flows through. Every mechanic just ticks smoothly and works like a charm without any sort issue. It's just perfect.

These developers knew what they were doing in the first step of the way in the development of this. You feel it's passion in every detail! Much love to them for bringing us this lovely and cute experience that will be remembered fondly for many years.

This game is an absolute gem.

It achieved something I didn't even think was possible. It captured the feeling I had when I was little playing made-up games in the woods behind my house.

Not often do you see a game where kids have dialogues that don't feel like they were written by someone who has no idea how a child would speak / react. Not only are the dialogues hilarious, but they are so quotable and memorable too.

It's a true gem, really, the perfect game for the Steam Deck too.

The "a short hike" comparisons are kind of inevitable, but like... having that same kind of vibe, in a more fully/traditionally 3D exploration game with just as much charm, character, and personality - and the cutest dang gator ever... and a ragdoll button, for good measures, too - well, that's just a winning formula. It's not the hardest game, it's not the deepest game, but damned if it isn't an absolute delight from start to finish.

And I appreciate that a game actually gives you good tools to finish cleaning up once you beat the game - more games need this! The story's also surprisingly heartfelt and all the characters are just fun to be around - especially Esme, who I want to play an entire game as now, please, maybe? And movement in general just feels good - not completely free to do -whatever- you want (at the start) but enough freedom to baaaasically get anywhere if you're clever or dedicated enough, and the map's just big enough and diverse enough to never get overwhelming or tedious. It's just. Good video games.

I am the world's coolest space ninja skateboarder.

SICKENINGLY Cute and charming. The humor holds up the whole way through. It was only about 4 hours for the main playthrough but the release discount was 30% so it will probably go on sale often. I also definitely didn't tear up at the ending.

Lil Gator Game is a straight 10/10 times two! A true gem you just have to experience for yourself.
This game is just a super chill and charming free-roam exploring game filled to the brim with personality and humor.

You can:
- Kill pirates by skipping rocks across the water straight into their ships
- Think about slimes in funny hats (it's really hard to take your mind off of this one)
- Have lawsuits in the middle of the forest
- Kill skeletons with a nerf gun
- AND MUCH MORE

Lil Gator Game really reminded me of "A Short Hike" and ever since completing that game I've been wanting another game that scratches that special itch and Lil Gator Game meets all the requirements and more.

Perfect, 15/10 pieces of confetti, would absolutely recommend.

Wonderful lil game! Big "A Short Hike" energy; this game revels in the simple joys of low-stakes puttering around a little island full of woodland charm and friendly faces. Feels great to move around, the different items you collect often make moving around feel fun and fresh (as long as you bring a silly attitude), and the story is very touching, as well. The map is twisty enough to feel enormous at first, but small enough you'll know the whole island like the back of your hand by the end. Took me 3ish hrs to 100%. Well worth the time to just have a peaceful, quiet afternoon in this game.

A cute little game!
Love the visual style, the story, the quirky items you can equip and all of the character dialogue. While the game is short overall, there is still plenty do and fun characters to befriend. Well worth the price for the hard works the devs put in and the fun that I had playing.

This game absolutely oozes charm in every way possible. The items you obtain, the humor, the characters. It's all so incredible and a joy to experience. It makes me feel like I'm a kid again in the best way. If you like open world games this one is absolutely one you should check out.

Cried during the end bits/credits. like for real. Right in the feels, but in a good way. Completely recommend.

It can easily be beaten in about 4 hours or less but you won't want to beat it quickly. Explore the island and meet new friends. Don't be afraid of falling from great heights. There's no real enemies. No health. The only timed things I came across were optional little "races" where you just go from point A to B, and you can redo them as often as you'd like.

Absolutely a wonderful, wholesome, heartfelt game. The only thing I wish was added was a map I could pull out at any time (maybe there is and I just haven't found it yet), but that's not a horrible thing. It encouraged me to check out areas multiple times. I get lost easily in any game, but I didn't mind it so much in this one.

It's just... really sweet. Buy it. Support the devs. And make some time for the important things in life.

in this game you play as just a little guy and you make friends. this is one of the best games ive played in decades. i was genuinely happy the entire time, i havent felt that consistently happy in so long. oh to be just a lil guy