Here at IndieCritical, we are all passionate about the indie gaming scene. It has grown into such a vibrant space, full of creativity, passion, and talent across every genre you can imagine.
I enjoy exploring games that bring something a little different to the table, and recently I came across one that was not my usual type but still managed to catch my attention: April Grove. At first glance, it is a gentle, idle-style game where you chop trees, gather resources, and slowly uncover more of its world.
Normally, that is not the kind of thing I would spend hours on, but something about it made me want to give it a fair shot. Maybe it was the cosy, retro-inspired visuals or the calm, almost meditative gameplay loop that promised a welcome escape. I cannot quite put my axe on it, but I knew I had to see where
April Grove would take me.
Welcome to April Grove
So, I picked my name and started my journey by visiting the local shop, where I first met Maple. A shy character greeted me and explained why I was here. Introduced as the new Forester, I made my way into the forest to start gathering resources to earn gold. Chopping down trees and then returning them to the woodpile outside Maple’s shop rewarded me with gold coins. So far, so good.
The gold you earn can then be put to good use in the town’s various shops. Early on, Maple somewhat nervously asks if you’ll spend your hard-earned coins at her store instead of Mason’s. This gives me the idea that the world of April Grove and its inhabitants have a rivalry, being somewhat selfish regarding making money. Each character has something unique to offer.
Spruce will sell you clothing which lets you customise your look, while Maple stocks practical tools like upgraded axes to make your time in the forest more efficient. If you get hungry after a long day of chopping down trees. You can head over to Scallion’s, a raccoon chef, who will whip you up something good to eat in exchange for wood and gold.
April Grove revolves around two main objectives. Gathering resources and upgrading. Your daily routine is straightforward: wake up, head into the forest to chop down trees, return with the logs, sell them for gold, buy supplies and upgrades, and go to sleep.
MOTHER NATURE
This loop is a continuous form of what April Grove is. While there are optional side missions and smaller tasks from various characters, your main role is always clear. You’re the forester, and this is your life. There are random events that happen, but as I said, you are here to be the new forester; everything else is just a piece of the puzzle.
One aspect that started to wear thin with me was the constant need to return after gathering logs.
Due to the limited inventory space, with a total of 25 slots available. As soon as your bag fills up, it forces frequent trips back and forth that interrupt the natural rhythm of gameplay.
This is a game that relies on grinding over and over again. While you can eventually find and place log boxes throughout the forest to temporarily store your logs, it still feels like a workaround rather than a full solution.
On top of that, the in-game pricing feels a bit unbalanced. For example, something as simple as a pair of running shoes, which only gives you the ability to move a bit faster, costs a steep 700 gold coins.
Now, this wouldn’t be such an issue if it weren’t for the fact that you only earn a small amount of gold for every log you deliver. This is where I felt like it was a constant grind, which made it more of a chore than fun just to unlock basic quality-of-life upgrades, which takes away from the otherwise relaxing pace the game aims to deliver.
One important aspect to keep in mind is that trees in April Grove do not respawn immediately after being chopped down. Similar to games like Minecraft, there is a timer for every tree before it respawns. This mechanic adds a natural pacing to the game, preventing constant tree-cutting and prompting you to manage your resources and time thoughtfully.
friend of nature
So, you have finished your first day as the new forester.
Returning home allows you to rest, explore, or check your Log Log, a handy journal that keeps track of all the wood you’ve gathered, from oak and willow to the more unusual knotwood.
How many different trees can you find? As you explore your home further, you’ll also discover a dedicated room that displays the various items you have bought or collected throughout your time in April Grove.
The world of April Grove is a beautifully crafted realm, characterised by a pixelated art style that radiates warmth and charm. Something I found worked really well for the type of style the game went with. Each environment feels well designed.
What truly brings the game to life, though, are the characters; each one has been uniquely designed with their very own personality, quirks, and visual flair.
The retro-inspired visuals perfectly complement the relaxing tone of the game, creating a world that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly original.
chop, shop, repeat
As charming as April Grove is, the experience does have its limits. After a while, the repetitive nature of its core gameplay becomes apparent. Day after day, you find yourself chopping trees, collecting logs, and heading home, which can start to feel a little monotonous once you have unlocked the main upgrades and met most of the townsfolk.
The laid-back atmosphere, while initially a highlight, can also work against it for players craving more variety or a stronger sense of progression. A richer storyline could have gone a long way in improving the game’s pacing, and the lack of deeper mechanics or evolving gameplay left me feeling that there is little to aim for beyond the daily grind.
INDIE HEAVEN
The music in April Grove is soft and ambient, perfectly matching the game’s slow, relaxing pace and pixelated charm. It creates a calm, soothing backdrop as you go about your daily tasks.
When it comes to the characters, though, there’s a noticeable gap, there’s no voice acting. While their personalities still come through in the dialogue and character designs, hearing them speak could have added an extra layer of life and engagement. Without it, some interactions feel a little flat, especially for a game that leans so heavily on its cast.
For me,
April Grove was a decent experience overall. It nails a relaxing atmosphere, with charming pixel art visuals that make the world feel inviting and cosy. I appreciated the gentle pace and the way the game encourages you to take things slow and steady. However, the gameplay quickly became repetitive, and some design choices made it hard for me to stay fully engaged.
The loop of chopping trees, gathering logs, and returning to town started to feel a bit too routine, and without much variety or a deeper sense of progression, it didn’t hold my attention for as long as I’d hoped.
That said, I can see it being a good fit for players who are after something low-key and calming, maybe as a background companion while they unwind or want a break from more intense games.
It’s not a bad title by any means, just one that didn’t quite capture my interest enough to keep me playing for the long haul.
A key for April Grove was provided for review purposes.
Positives
✅
Charming Pixel Art – The retro-inspired visuals give April Grove a warm, cosy identity, with each character and environment having plenty of personality.
✅
Relaxing Gameplay Loop – Chopping trees, gathering resources and upgrading your equipment creates a calm, easy-going experience that works well when you want something laid-back.
✅
Memorable Characters – The colourful cast each have their own personalities, designs and shops, helping the small town feel more alive.
✅
Simple Progression – The upgrade system is easy to understand, giving you clear goals as you gather resources and earn gold.
✅
Resource Management – Tree respawn timers and limited resources encourage you to think about how you spend your time and manage the forest.
Negatives
❌
Repetitive Gameplay – The constant cycle of chopping trees, collecting logs and returning to town can become monotonous after a while.
❌
Limited Inventory – The 25-slot inventory fills up quickly, forcing frequent trips back to town that can interrupt the flow of exploration.
❌
Heavy Grinding – Earning enough gold for basic upgrades can take a lot of repetitive work, making progression feel slower than it needs to be.
❌
Unbalanced Prices – Some quality-of-life upgrades, such as the 700-gold running shoes, feel far too expensive compared to how little gold you earn.
❌
Lack of Voice Acting – The characters have personality through their dialogue and designs, but voice acting could have made interactions feel more engaging.
❌
Limited Long-Term Progression – Once you have explored most of the world and unlocked the main upgrades, there isn’t always enough variety to keep you coming back.
How we score
Co-owner of Indie Critical. I’m passionate about highlighting independent voices in film, games, and culture. I focus on honest, thoughtful reviews and love helping great indie projects get the recognition they deserve. When I’m not writing or editing, I’m probably diving into the latest hidden gem or discovering the next big thing in the indie scene.
Written by
Lewis Langton
@IndieLew
April grove
by Colorgrave
PC (Steam)
Edited by
Kevin Fernades
@IndieCritical
