Plantera Deluxe

Plantera Deluxe is definitely a relaxing change of pace from the average video game experience.

Peaceful music and simple game mechanics, which could do with a clearer tutorial, as the extensive help menu is not necessarily easily signposted, moving sideways on the farm instead of having a top down view typical to farming games, is easier than it sounds. Hours can whizz by while coin collecting to see what crops and creatures will next be unlocked, although Plantera Deluxe is more of a dip in-and-out kind of deal than one you can constantly play, making it perfect for a before bed game, or any time where relaxation is needed.

I personally loved the game, and it does play much better on the Nintendo Switch than it did on the Vita. I also thought that the game played better in handheld mode rather than playing docked, as you can access the menu much faster with the touch screen mechanics.

Plantera DX is simple, generally serene, has steady progression, and provides some simple satisfaction of watching your little sort of farm grow from nothing into something more elaborate. It lacks any sort of complexity but that's also a big part of its charm for the right audience. If you're looking for something to just help you relax, or perhaps want to get a game that could probably be played and enjoyed by people of just about any age, Plantera is a chilled out match.

Plantera Deluxe feels like the video game equivalent of junk food – you know it’s not great but it does the job regardless. And while there is certainly something to be said for Plantera Deluxe’s surprising addictiveness in the early goings, the shallow nature of the game, unfortunately, means this effect soon starts to wear off. Simple and sometimes fun for short bursts but an average affair overall.

Plantera Deluxe is a 2D side scrolling clicker that will put you on an addictive chilling loop of gardening. Better played as a handheld experience, it may keep you entertained for some time, as long as you keep caring for the carrot on a stick.

Plantera Deluxe offers very few reasons to appeal to most players. If its interface and screen resolution have been improved following its conversion to the Nintendo Switch, the game remains extremely simple - too simple for its own good. There is very little in terms of challenge and incentive and Plantera's experience quickly descends into a state of repetitive monotony.