Does this have much gameplay variety?

[GAMING_Alligator]

Only just started playing, but so far every puzzle seems to be to get dogs to move so you can get past them to the next bit, where you have to get dogs to move to get past them to get to the next bit, where...

Is that basically the entire game, or just because I'm at the start and it starts mixing things up soon?

I thought I'd ask, because so far it's not really grabbing me the way previous Amanita games have.

[Alezul]

Came here to see if others were bothered by it. They really over did it with the dog puzzles didn't they?

Played until i reached a new enemy type but that was even worse, just moving from one side to the other, not even chasing you on sight. I couldn't bother anymore after that.

Might as well make it a walking sim and let me enjoy the beautiful visuals.

[GAMING_Alligator]

I've decided to refund it. It's telling that there have been no other responses to my question and looking at reviews and other posts on here it seems that it's not going to be my kind of game.

It makes me sad, as it's just so different from previous Amanita games, where you're dropped into a world full of weird and wonderful interactions with the environment and other characters.

I loved the Samurosts, Machinarium, Botanicula, and Cuchel, so bought this without reading reviews. But I just can't get into it at all.

I'm happy for those that enjoy it though.

[Smurky Turkey]

A late reaction, but yes, Creaks is very different compared to the other games from Amanita. The gameplay loop also stays pretty repetitive, despite new elements being introduced. The art and story made me play through to the finish, but I have to admit that I had way less fun compared to say Machinarium or Botanicula.

[RMJ]

Completed the game. This is definitely a rough diamond.

I really like the artstyle, the sound and the music.

The problem for me was the puzzles, its just the same over and over. I think this game could have been up there with machinarium, if it had regular puzzles and exploration of the environment and more character.

Maybe if they make another one.

[Waterkelpie]

Yes, very disappointed. so looking forward too the puzzles etc, wont even finish this, as got so repetitive.

[madmacs]

I like their earlier titles, which have actual puzzles. But all this game has are twitch to get out of the way kinds of events. Worse yet is that there are many objects one should be able to interact with (such as picking up a stick or an iron to clobber the hounds), but the objects are just static (or some objects just shake as you move past them). This title is a disappointment.

[Barraka Frite]

I think the beginning of the game is a bit dull, in particular the puzzles with the first two enemies which are overused and repetitive. At some point I only liked the interactive paintings/games. I think it gets better in the second half of the game though, where the puzzles become a bit more interesting.

[TheMikirog]

Can confirm, after the first two enemy types the game really opens up with interesting enemies and I think the game is much more eager with introducing new ones, so it was way more engaging, never dwelling on the same enemy for more than 4-6 levels. This is in contrary to the beginning parts of the game, where I swear you get 10-14 levels of just the same enemy over and over again.

[Qybat]

It is a slow start, but the puzzles do grow in complexity and variety. There are five enemy types in total, introduced one at a time along with other puzzle elements. The puzzles are not super-difficult, and the cutscenes and paintings serve to break it up a little. The game's not bad, really.