Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge Critic Reviews

Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge wasn’t what I’d hoped for, nor did it scratch that cosy games itch I’ve felt since finishing Pine Hearts. Still, I find it hard to deny its charm however superficial it may be. Maybe we’ve become too conditioned in expecting more from farming sims, and thus the issue rests with us – with me – rather than the game itself. Whatever the reason, the adorable frogs of Kamaeru aren’t enough to have me wading back into the wetlands I’ve so lovingly tended to. Nevertheless, those hoppy little cuties have left an impression all the same.

We had a ribbeting time with Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge as it offers a wholesome story with a goal to work towards - restoring the wetland and welcoming plenty of amphibians back to bask in nature.

Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge is a uniquely fun farming sim fueled by heart, a message of conservation, and a whole lot of frogs.

Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge is a cozy, slow-paced creature collector all about restoring the wetlands and providing a safe and fun sanctuary for frogs.

Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge is a letdown, as it doesn’t feel compelling or rewarding to collect frogs, acquire money, or build up the frog sanctuary. I got more out of games like Usagi Shiima, even though it featured no quests and less “gameplay” to it. The thing is, it’s easy to see how it could have been better. More unique frogs, eliminating the tedious minigames, and making specific pieces of furniture feel more important could have all fixed it. As is, it feels like a boring job instead of a relaxing game about cute frogs.