Urban Jungle Review

Urban Jungle is a casual yet cozy simulation game with the only goal being to turn the very space you are in into a lush sanctuary teeming with color and life. The game was developed by Kylyk Games, a three-person team whose first debut PC title is this hobby project.

Urban Jungle features a heartfelt story and engaging mechanics that allow you to unwind and decorate in a fun way while putting some creative problem-solving skills to a small test. Urban Jungle was published by Assemble Entertainment, a German publishing company based in Wiesbaden, Germany. Assemble Entertainment is known for games like Endzone -A World Apart and Orbital Bullet.

At its heart, Urban Jungle is about the connection between people, places, and the small comforts that make a house feel like home, especially in the case of our protagonist. The story mode follows a young protagonist, Ayta Borisova. Ayta faces a little emotional turmoil when her mother accepts a new job abroad, forcing them to move away from her beloved grandmother.

Her grandmother has always been a source of warmth and guidance, and one of the strongest bonds they share is their mutual love of plants. As you guide her through the years—from childhood to adulthood—you witness how her relationships evolve. Some friendships endure while others fade, and the once-simple act of arranging plants in a childhood bedroom takes on deeper meaning as the game progresses. Urban Jungle uses environmental storytelling to reflect emotional growth through each chapter of her life, making each level feel personal and impactful.

The developers describe Urban Jungle as a "stress-free experience". The game is undoubtedly designed for those who love to set their own pace while playing. Unlike traditional simulation or puzzle games, there's no ticking clock, no looming deadlines to keep to, just a calm, meditative space to unwind in and plenty of plants to place.

The developers' approach to the mechanics makes the game suitable for both casual players and those who enjoy immersive storytelling without difficult challenges, making the game a hassle. The gameplay mechanics in Urban Jungle inspire experimentation and creativity when placing plants, allowing you to focus on the simple pleasure of decorating and caring for the plants over worrying about efficiency or even the looming deadline of beating a time limit.

At its core, Urban Jungle is about unpacking, decorating, and arranging houseplants. However, the game also introduces a light puzzle element that adds some fun without disrupting the game's cozy nature. Each plant has specific preferences. While some thrive in bright sunlight but dislike humidity, others prefer the exact opposite, meaning you'll have to play around with the placement to get it just right.

When placing a plant, blue and orange circles appear around areas where light and humidity are available in the area you are decorating. These represent the much-needed humidity and sunlight zones. To keep a plant happy, you need to place it within or outside these zones based on its needs and requirements. For example, a cactus needs sun but doesn't need humidity, while a bamboo plant requires both. Once you successfully arrange plants and earn points, accumulating enough allows you to progress to the next chapter of Ayta's life.

For those who enjoy an extra layer of challenge, Urban Jungle includes a companion plant system. Although it is not a huge requirement, it certainly would be fun if you're a perfectionist. Certain plants flourish when placed next to their preferred companions, earning you additional points.

However, some plants actively dislike being near others, requiring careful planning to balance their needs. An example of this is the ZZ plant. The ZZ plant hates being near Elephant ears but loves Snake plants and Pothos. "But what if they like opposite things, Like the cactus needing sunlight and the succulent wanting no sunlight, even if they like each other?"

That's where creative problem-solving comes in. You can manipulate the environment using small decor items, moving already placed lamps to provide extra light, or using watering cans and humidifiers to add humidity; placing these items near each other has the circles overlapping. This puzzle mechanic ensures that even the most hands-off players can enjoy the game while giving those who love to clear levels with a perfect score something to engage with.

As the chapters progress, the environments become larger and more open, providing more space for plants.  Managing space, light, and moisture becomes increasingly complex. This can encourage You to think strategically about where to place things while still maintaining the relaxed atmosphere of the game. In total, there are eleven Chapters in the game.

One of the most unique aspects of Urban Jungle is how it uses color and design to reflect Ayta Borisova's emotions. Each chapter's color scheme shifts to match huge or important moments in Ayta's life. During difficult times when she misses home and family, the environment adopts somber tones and a darker color scheme, subtly conveying her struggles without relying on any heavy-handed narrating or dialogue.

On the other hand, when she experiences joy in her life, such as falling in love or even finding success in her passions, the world around her becomes vibrant and warm with much brighter colors and more open spaces. This subtle detail of the environmental storytelling in Urban Jungle enhances the emotional impact of the game. If you're paying attention to the story and not just playing for the puzzles, you can feel more connected to the protagonist's journey. It's a small detail, but it honestly highlights the experience a little bit.

The music in Urban Jungle plays an equally important role in shaping the atmosphere. The game features a Lofi soundtrack, which helps to foster a sense of calm in some people, making it the perfect companion for a relaxing evening. Soft melodies and gentle ambient sounds help create an immersive experience, encouraging you to slow down and enjoy each moment. Although there are times it can get highly repetitive

Fans of Unpacking by Witch Beam may find Urban Jungle pleasantly familiar, but this game sets itself apart by its puzzle mechanics, interactive storytelling, and evolving protagonist. While Unpacking focuses on the narrative through unpacking objects and placing them. Urban Jungle expands on that idea by weaving gameplay and emotional storytelling together in a relaxing environment.

The addition of small tasks and challenges ensures that Urban Jungle doesn't tend to feel repetitive, although it can come across that way. From arranging plants to placing new decor items you got from a box that needed to be unpacked, every action contributes to the overall gameplay.

The overall sound design in Urban Jungle is good. While there isn't voice acting, it isn't needed for the story. The game has a really good Lofi soundtrack to accompany its gameplay. There aren't too many sound effects; the main sound effects come from placing and moving plants when your score goes up or when you decide to pet Rufus, the chunky cat. The music can be a little repetitive.

The graphics in Urban Jungle are good. The design is colorful yet incorporates the modern 3D look behind an almost cartoonish style. The design doesn't change much except in color scheme and brightness levels as you progress through Ayta's life.

Overall, Urban Jungle brilliantly combines simulation and storytelling, offering a calming escape for players. With its engaging mechanics and colorful environments, the game may just showcase a love for plants and nature and show off the subtle yet complex dynamics between the characters. It's still well worth the four hours of playing, although the soundtrack can be a little repetitive.