Prune Reviews

I got this game fully expecting that it live up to its phrase, “cultivate what matters” only to learn that in it essence, this game is simply another strategy game, where you use Fruit Ninja like strokes to manipulate a tree. There is no real tutorial to learn how each cut you make on the tree actually affects its growth, and for those looking for more of the nature and beauty aspect of games, this one can be very misleading. Many times, it is not even clear what the objective is for each level, and I find the culmination of these things dissatisfying all in all.

The goal of this app is to grow and this app trees around obstacles until the tips reach a certain destination. Unfortunately, this tends to result in fewer “visually stunning” trees and more long, vine-line ropes reaching for a target. The minimalist design is pretty and soothing, but occasionally makes the game confusing. Also, once you unlock the blue level replays, the game will automatically zoom out when you’ve completed the original level objective, even if you’re in the middle of trying to complete the new one. Some aspects of the game are time sensitive, so this can be unwelcome if it happens at an inconvenient time.

...it's either way too glitchy or way too confusing, I can't tell which. Allow me to explain:

I find the layout of the levels extremely confusing. It's just dots and some of them are clear and others are filled in? Are the clear ones incomplete? Does it even mean anything? Who knows! Not me.

I've played a couple times and had it suddenly reset to the beginning without warning. I have no idea if this means I won the game, or if it was a glitch. What's the deal? Who knows! Not me!

If that IS the end of the game, that's an alarmingly short number of levels for a game you pay for. Wish it kept going!

Anyway basically I'm just hella confused about what levels I have or have not played and whether or not I've beat the game, or if it's glitching out on me. Will I ever find out? Who knows! Not me!

Tldr: extremely fun with great game play but super confusing interface when switching between levels.

I really enjoyed the art style of simplified colors to tell you what to avoid and the objective is, it lends itself well to the interesting gameplay mechanic of letting the tree grow and pruning it back to avoid obstacles. I enjoyed all the levels and trying to get the blue flowers as the challenge but it’s way too short. I beat this game under three hours and I’m not that great at puzzle games to begin with. Then add on another hour just to go back and get the blue flowers, plus I wish there was more of incentive to even want to get the blue flowers like a different cutscene or something. I overall really enjoyed the concept and gameplay but really hope they come out with more levels in the next update.

I saw this on sale for 99¢ and figured I'd give it a shot. Beautiful visuals, relaxing music and a very addictive premise. My only complaint is the length of the game. I was able to complete it all in a single day. I'm hoping for some update to add more content. Maybe even a free play mode where you can just grow and this app trees without obstacles. All in all, worth the buck I spent.

Lovely. It blows my mind how much variation there is in the different levels. I was a little frustrated when I started to play it as I found the beginning too easy, but the second section gratified my wish for a small challenge.
You’ve taken a tiny idea and expanded it into something amazing. Prune is like a poem in the form of a game. Thank you!
One more note. I finished the game exceedingly quickly — and now I’d love some more. Is there a this app 2 or anything?

I absolutely adore everything about your game— the music and sound effects are so calming and add a tangibility to all the on screen actions. The art design is easily my favorite part— the use of color as a guide throughout the different levels is really clever. Keeping the game mechanics straightforward helped me feel engaged with the game while still being able to actively enjoy the unique and beautiful world you created. Two of my all time favorite console games are Flower and Journey, and you have managed to evoke the sense of calm and focus I get with those games. I have not encountered a mobile game I have enjoyed as much as yours. I hope you keep making games, and I will definitely keep an eye out for them in the future! Thank you for your game!

Title describes the game really. When I got to the end, I had a feeling I knew what was gonna happen & when it happened it was even better and such a full circle I felt. I just thought, "Whoaaaaa." I felt so proud. I learned so much from this game. You'll know what I mean when you play it, which I recommend you do.
I've played it only once through but in the future perhaps I'll play again & take my time to try pruning differently so I can achieve some neat looking trees. I felt like the first time I was still learning and ended chopping the branches off into stubs, desperately trying to save my tree.
Anyway play it. It's 3.99 but like my bf said, you're paying for an experience. And a great experience it was!

The Music, the design, everything about this game was so amazing that I can't stop thinking about it. I also see a meaning in it: as I progressed, the game got more difficult but also, the themes became more industrialized and the trees became further down underground; it became more difficult for them to reach the light and people probably forgot about nature. In the last level, everything was shaking and the world was overtaken with red (nuclear holocaust of the human race?) and then everything was dead. And there was a tree, showing that life still continues. I found it to be an incredibly strong metaphor that induced such a strong emotional, mental, and even spiritual reaction from me.

When I first purchased this game, I played it because of the stimulating but relaxing nature of shaping the tree, and I found each new individual level and variable that was introduced fresh and entertaining. However, I played the game rather impatiently without paying much attention to the storyline. At least, this was true at first. As the game progressed, I no longer solely focused on the aspect of passing each level individually, but became enamored with the overall storyline and how it was entirely expressed without words, yet still managed to embody a powerful sentiment regarding human species’ impact on the world as a whole. I rarely write reviews for anything, but this game struck a very positive chord with me.

I found this to be a beautifully designed game. Not just the minimalist graphics and dramatic score, but it also seemed symbolic to me.

Maybe I'm reading too much into a game, but it seemed like you're being taught life lessons like you must shed old beliefs to grow (pruning), you'll be drawn to toxic people but if you let them in, they'll destroy you (the red circle), some people need coaxing to grow, couples should grow together...

Again, probably reading too much into it. As for game play, it starts out easy and gets more challenging as you maneuver obstacles and try to figure out how to keep your tree going. Recommended for those wanting a slower paced game.

Yes it is VERY simple to play but you may find yourself trying to decipher some of the colors and effects of some of the levels. It took me 2 days to make it through the game but now I'm going back for blue flowers and to try to reach the sun etc.

I would love to see some instructions added. Maybe the option to turn on or off a point system. I like the non complicated nature of it but I don't think it would be diminished with clarification and points. Maybe a second game with different challenges? Would definitely buy a second version guys! If you build it, I will come!

I got this game when it went free to support people in lockdown due to the pandemic. I first just want to stop and point out how generous and kind that was before I even discuss the game. Thank you!

On first glance, I was underwhelmed by the game. I thought the pruning concept was too simple and it was a rather boring. However, I am glad to say this was a very, very wrong first take. After sinking some time into this game (I am at the 4th world) I find that the game develops its mechanics in a fashion that feels intuitive to the player without having to say a word, and required me to focus on how to solve each puzzle in its unique fashion. Furthermore, they are able to build on each level while maintaining the black and white serene atmosphere. I am usually someone who always has their phone on silent. But this is a game that needs to be played with sound. The soundtrack is so calming and peaceful, and playing this game with headphones in is a meditative masterpiece.

I have had this game in my wish list for a while and I finally decided to download it. I couldn't be happier. I have only played it for about 5 minutes but I absolutely love it. I am by no means a "gamer" and I don't play a lot of games on my phone but I do like to have some in standby while I'm waiting or on a plane or whatnot. This game is peaceful and relaxing. There are no time limits or things to beat. Just grow your tree and this app it so it reaches the sun. The music is just perfect and Zen. Need I say more. If you're into peaceful, relaxed type games....this is it.

this app is basically perfect and perfectly simple. You simply this app trees to make them grow. But this beautifully designed game is much more challenging than that. Creativity, quick thinking, and skill are required to navigate around obstacles and reach goals. It is extremely satisfying and the levels are still fun to replay because there are multiple ways to accomplish goals and the resulting tree will always be unique. No ads!! Not even a beg for reviews! One of the best games I've played in a while.

All I can say is... wow. This game is so much more than just about cutting branches and growing flowers or whatever. It is a story; a story about life, how no matter what obstacle life encounters, it will find a way to survive and continue. And I have never felt so emotionally impacted by a game in my life, besides Shadow of the Colossus. For example, sometimes, I complete a level while the “red” stuff, whatever it is, is infecting my tree, and, even though I completed the level, I feel a pang of sadness as I know that that tree will spend the rest of its days as a red husk, unable to produce flowers or do anything other than sit there as a testimony to the red infection. I have never felt like this towards a game, ever; this is a game about GROWING TREES, for Pete’s sake. And yet it managed to pull on my heartstrings as though I could feel everything the trees felt in the game. Easy five stars, amazing game.

One of my all time favorite games...it's just so perfect in every way...the craft/art that went into this game/project by the dev and musician is one of the all-time greatest achievements in IOS gaming...imo, it changed every notion you could have about an iOS game, and the kind of game devs could make...this is like that masterpiece album that influenced a new generation of game developers with a strong visual presence, combining a timely thought provoking message and innovative gameplay. This is an essential for any iOS library. The score is unbelievably haunting, uplifting and beautiful at difference times within the game...the final 'level' or sequence can bring me to happy tears of joy.

Update: developer deserves praise for awesome customer support which is so refreshing to see...this guy can do it all, and seems like one of the nicest people....seriously, support this game if you are discovering for the first time

I’ve seen positive reviews on this game for a long time. This is one of those games that would never make sense for me, personally, to like it. After playing it for the past two days, it just works. It makes you feel calm and like you’re accomplishing something meaningful all at the same time. This game is awesome. I’m not sure if it will be the same for everyone, but it’s definitely worth finding out for how good it feels if this game is for you.

Wow. What an incredible experience! It's nothing how I expected it to be, and I was MORE than pleasantly surprised. At the credits, when I realized what had happen, I was definitely crying. If I could, I'd wipe my memory, pay for it again, and experience it all over again. Maybe this has impacted me so much due to my personal problems and situation. For the average person, STILL highly recommend. Thank you for the lovely game<3

I just started playing this game about a week ago and love it. It looks so simple but there's so much more than what it looks like.
There's a few things though that I feel could make the game even better and address a couple of questions and issues. I was surprised to find out there was a "ceiling" and you can only go so far up. It would be great if it was indefinite to see how far you can actually go.
I was also wondering what the different color "moons" or "suns" were, are they something you want to branch out as much as possible to? And the different colored diamonds in the sky. I noticed occasionally when there's a blue diamond a blue flower will bloom then just as quick disappear.
I seem to notice when cutting branches the game doesn't respond to my swipe and sometimes it takes two or three times before it cuts.
Lastly, are white branches a good thing? They seem to be a random thing. It would be great if these things could be explained in the opening of the game. Otherwise, I think it's a great game!