The Growth Journey (2016)

Developer: Cleverweek
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
Genres: Action, Adventure, Indie
Rating: 3.0 of 5, 69 player ratings
Typical playtime: about 2.4 hours
Where to get it: Steam

The 3D catalog: game boxes on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

More games like this Watch the trailer

or watch the trailer on YouTube

How it feels

A tense, methodical puzzle-platformer where every decision to grow is permanent and irreversible, demanding careful measurement and trial-and-error progress.

permanent growthprecisepunishingtensetrial and errorabstractminimalistmethodical

What players say

Players describe a minimalistic puzzle game where you steer a growing ball through mazes without touching walls. The core mechanic of irreversible growth creates a trade-off between size and maneuverability. Opinions split on controls: some call them precise, others complain about walls extending past visible edges. The looping music resetting on death frustrates many.

Screenshots

More games like this

More by Cleverweek

This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.