Dorfromantik Reviews
Dorfromantik is sunshine on the screen, with a puzzling heart that will keep you busy for days.
Dorfromantik balances its strategic and cozy elements well, and it's easy to fall into a serene trance of dropping tiles. Pulling the camera back to reveal the full scope of my landscape always feels like a satisfying reward for my subtle, hard work, much like stepping back to admire a finished painting. While it's not the sort of puzzle game I feel compelled to play more than a session or two a day, I always appreciate the improved mood with which it leaves me.
This is all welcome, and it makes Dorfromantik a more complete and rewarding experience. But really, this is one of those games for which early-access status was a bit of a misnomer, not because it had no room to improve or features to add, but because its premise was so fully, perfectly realized from the start. Add too much to it, or do anything that might disturb its delicate balance between friction and flow, between logic and naturalism, and it would have been ruined. But the Toukana team knows better than that. They are at peace, strolling through the countryside of the mind.
A comforting and elegant village builder, Dorfromantik has grown to become a puzzle game for the ages. Its soft approach to strategy makes it instantly accessible but challenging at the same time, and its chill, lilting soundtrack soothes the soul.
Dorfromantik may not have a ton of staying power, but it offers up a satisfying and chill puzzle experience that we feel is worthwhile in the end. If you’re on the lookout for a game that doesn’t expect much of you and fits well for those late-night sessions just before bed, we’d recommend you give this one a look if it sounds interesting.
Essentially, no matter what you’re looking to get out of Dorfromantik, you should be able to find it thanks to the assorted game modes on offer. The approachability of its tile placement and point system mixed with relaxing visuals pull you in and invite you to kick up your feet and rest for a while.
Impressive efforts with a few noticeable problems holding them back. Won't astound everyone, but is worth your time and cash.
Part town-planning exercise, part board game, this thoughtful debut gives plenty of scope for strategy and idealism
Also a must on the Switch for all those who want to escape from everyday life and immerse themselves in a picturesque puzzle world.
Review in German | Read full review
Dorfromantik is a unique puzzle game that people looking for a chill experience should check out. Yes, it has some weird control scheme decisions that take away from the fun, relaxed experience. That said, Dorfomantik does what every good puzzle game should do: offers smart simplicity. It's a simple to understand but increasingly challenging game that people must check out. It's a relaxing game for people looking for a chill experience and honestly, it's a refreshing change people should enjoy.
Dorfromantik offers the blended cerebral intensity of a deep and subtle puzzle game with the soothing calm of a cozy game that invites you to fall into its warm and colourful tiled world.
Dorfromantik is a relaxing and yet eye-pleasing experience that fits Nintendo Switch amazingly, despite some control issues on this platform.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Call it cosy, call it chill, but Dorfromantik is something truly special. It’s a game that is able to be both challenging and relaxing. It does the latter through beautiful visuals and a sublime soundtrack, but builds the challenge with a bit of depth and strategy. And also to resist the temptation to just keep playing until the real-life birdsong starts outside your window…
Despite the control issues, I've been enchanted by Dorfromantik because it's a zen-like relaxing game that keeps me engaged with bountiful variety and just-enough strategy. If you're seeking a level-based puzzle challenge or a boisterous multiplayer experience, Dorfromantik won't be for you, but if you're down for some low-key tile tinkering, this is a gem.
Dorfromantik is an enjoyable light puzzle game with a pleasant presentation, strong core central mechanic, and plenty of replay value.
"Dorfromantik" may not be a game of incredible scope, but this is precisely what makes it a perennial favorite. The number of game modes and variants only indirectly relates to its scope. Whether it's just a quick round or an hour-long session, it continually invites you to immerse yourself in the world of villages and romance.
Review in German | Read full review
In terms of options and accessibility the game is rather simple. No keybinding is a sadly missed feature for me as I would love to control what the triggers and bumper buttons do outside the default, it can become cumbersome for me as my world increases in size to move around it in a satisfying and comfortable way. Similarly there are no visual accessibility options such as a high contrast mode or an option to make the glowing edges to show “perfect” placement more apparent. The white Hexagonal outline is sometimes easily missed in the pale pastel void outside your tiles. Sadly missed from the PC version (at least for now) is the option to turn your finished run into a creative world where you can continue to build and lose yourself. Nevertheless Dorfromantik remains a delightful and soothing game for me and my kids both. A game I’ve loved since its PC release, to the point of buying both cooperative/solo boardgame versions and have been eagerly awaiting a console release to jump in here too. If you have lost yourself to games such as Islanders, or Townscaper or even the kind of board game from which Dorfromantik is inspired by, you could do little better than considering diving into its soothing, welcoming arms.
Dorfromantik is a brilliantly crafted single player puzzle game that just happens to look like a board game, as it’s all about placing hexagon-shaped tiles in the most optimal ways possible, creating beautiful landscapes in the process. What seems like a simple formula that may bore you quick, may keep you up way too long at night – and it certainly did so for me, so you can trust my word on that.
Overall, Dorfromantik lives up to its billing as an incredibly relaxing game. It’s the perfect game to play while on a train or just lounging around the house. It takes seconds to pick up, and can easily provide seemingly limitless hours of gameplay. If you are in the market for a chill, calming game, you can’t go wrong with Dorfromantik.