Grow: Song of the Evertree

Grow: Song of The Evertree is a great game for fans of both the simulation and relaxing exploration titles. It's also an ideal title to introduce younger players to open-world exploration thanks to forgiving gameplay and clear explanation. With so much to discover, it is likely Grow will offer a fresh, exciting journey no matter how many times a player restarts.

While some will almost certainly find Grow: Song of the Evertree to be a bit too menial to keep their attention, those who simply want to enjoy a quietly beautiful adventure need look no further. From working on garden-like worlds high in the Evertree, to building a town to your own specifications, and exploring an ever growing world full of secrets to uncover, a rich experience is packed into this adventure. Performance concerns are certainly worth being aware of on Switch, but they rarely hamper the actual gameplay. If you need a break from Animal Crossing or want something even calmer than Story of Seasons, Grow: Song of the Evertree isn’t likely to steer you wrong. This is without a doubt one of the most pleasantly cozy experiences I’ve had playing a game.

A little slow in the beginning and a little repetitive in the long run, overall Grow: Song of the Evertree still offers a pleasant and relaxing experience, with its simple but effective playful loop, its ability to motivate the player without pressure or forcing and that sense of freedom and progression that it transmits in a concretely satisfying way. It has obvious technical limitations and a localization to review, but it makes up for it big with the gameplay and raw but fine art style. In short, the perfect game to be played without commitment, perhaps as a pastime between one AAA and another, or as a decompression tool after a hard day at work.

Grow: Song of The Evertree is reasonably compelling for the first few hours. But in juggling a lot, some of its more commonplace elements are uneven. While the story sings a familiar tune and long load times add up, this is still a worthwhile adventure with many surprises. Just be prepared for some feeling of recognizable repetition as you play at your own pace.

Thematic inconsistencies aside, Grow has its heart in the right place. It’s a constant delight and a calming place to visit. Ultimately, it may be little more than a glorified checklist of chores, but as you venture outside to “find work” once more, sometimes labour is indistinguishable from leisure.