Roundup: Here’s What The Critics Think Of Keeper On Xbox Game Pass
By Another Xbox first-party title has hit the market! Indeed, Double Fine’s Keeper is now accessible to Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass users, and we are here to compile several initial critiques to gauge public opinion thus far.
Naturally, our Pure Xbox review has also just been published – where we awarded the game a 8/10! We’ll provide a brief overview of our evaluation below, before exploring what other reviewers are saying about Keeper.
Pure Xbox (8/10)
“Keeper poses a challenge in terms of scoring, as some elements merit a 7/10 while others deserve an 8/10. I’m leaning towards the latter because, viewed as a complete piece, Keeper is an exceptionally charming, well-crafted, and unforgettable experience with breathtaking visuals, clearly reflecting the dedication of the development team. Some players may understandably be deterred by its gradual and understated narrative, alongside its overall low difficulty and a first half less compelling than the latter, nonetheless, I believe it rightly qualifies as a ‘Great’ game, making it a worthwhile download on Xbox Game Pass.”
Windows Central (5/5)
“Keeper might not become Xbox’s next widespread phenomenon, but it stands as a remarkable accomplishment in visual direction, gameplay mechanics, and implicit storytelling. Keeper is birthed from allowing a zealous, highly imaginative team the duration and resources required to bring their masterpiece to fruition, and it invites engagement with minimal prior knowledge.”
Eurogamer (5/5)
“The part of me that considers whether I should be more candid regarding Keeper’s surprises aligns with the same part that might tend to scrutinize its slightly uneven early pacing, perhaps overly smooth progression, and its relatively uninspired puzzle design a bit more stringently. But that’s not the perspective from which I’m reviewing this today. Instead, this assessment comes from someone who traversed Keeper in a single enchanted session, completely captivated and thoroughly charmed by its remarkable artistry. Keeper is a delightful piece of magic; joyously crafted, gently moving (never overly sentimental), showcasing Double Fine – a studio not typically known for missteps in their grand creative ventures – at their finest.”
IGN (9/10)
“A fantastical canvas brought to life, Keeper is an exquisite puzzle game that skillfully balances its addictive mechanics with an emotional narrative. Its levels are alive with elements to interact with and intriguing objects to admire, each scene accentuated by a rhythmic, driving soundtrack. While the central duo may remain mute, well-executed animations and a repertoire of evocative sounds imbue them with a charm that quickly resonates. Charming in concept, Keeper is a surreal exploration of existence packed into a brief duration that is undeniably worth experiencing at least once in your life.”
GameSpot (9/10)
“Keeper represents Double Fine at its most assured: a feast for the eyes, a tonal poem, a study of motion mechanics, a parable regarding our world and our responsibilities to it. It is identifiable as an evolution from the studio’s previous works while still feeling innovative and fresh. Double Fine games have traditionally been rich with artistry, but it’s Keeper—a game devoid of dialogue—that seems to allow its artistry to resonate most profoundly.”
TechRadar Gaming (4/5)
“Keeper offers a refreshingly inventive experience from Xbox-owned studio Double Fine Productions, allowing players to assume control of a sentient lighthouse as it ascends a mountain alongside a bird companion. Straightforward puzzles, meticulous camera angles, and varied traversal methods keep the game engaging, though a lack of additional depth in the environment or story makes Keeper feel somewhat repetitive and not as eccentric as it aspires to be.”
The Sixth Axis (8/10)
“Keeper encapsulates the spirit of Double Fine, enveloped in a sincere and surreal environment where unpredictability reigns. The gameplay frequently astonishes, yet the absence of challenge in even the more intricate puzzles is a slight drawback, along with the inability to manipulate the camera.”
Game Informer (7.5/10)
“Keeper is peculiar in numerous aspects, occasionally delving into true psychedelia. While assessing it as a game, certain elements didn’t resonate with me. However, as a piece of artwork and creative expression, it performs considerably better.”
GamingBible (7/10)
“Though Keeper may not provide a complete sense of resolution, it is undoubtedly an encounter I would advocate for anyone seeking relaxation. It’s a gradual, introspective game that transports you from your reality into one that is equally mesmerizingly beautiful and entirely puzzling. The straightforward yet captivating gameplay is surprisingly engrossing. I may have completed the experience feeling confused, yet Keeper is a title I won’t soon forget.”
Destructoid (6.5/10)
“Keeper is more akin to a playable art installation with minor puzzle components than a traditional game. Nonetheless, it remains brief and digestible, visually stunning, and sufficient enough to warrant playing if you have an active Game Pass subscription.”
As of this writing, Keeper boasts a Metacritic score of 80 and holds an Open Critic rating of 84; aligning quite closely with our Pure Xbox review overall. On the whole, Double Fine’s latest project appears to be a keeper, and we’re eager to discover your impressions once you explore it on Xbox Game Pass!
Are you giving this one a try, folks? Share your thoughts on Keeper below!