The Gardens between launches on PS5 this June 16! We’ve spent months crafting The Gardens Between specifically for PS5, and it delivers sharper details, lush HDR colors, and a distinctive feel exclusive to the PS5’s DualSense wireless controller.
Honestly, we think that after four years of game development, things will settle down. We thought we would make it easy. But it was a huge journey and the reception was beyond our wildest dreams. We’ve been nominated for over 30 awards, including several Game of the Year awards, and it’s taken us around the world!
We are perfectionists, every new platform takes longer than we think. We first started tweaking and improving the game for PS5 in early 2021, but we’ve enjoyed the process so much that we continue to improve it at every turn. In this blog post, I’ll detail what’s changed and why PlayStation 5 is currently the best platform to play The Gardens Between.
Quick summary
The Gardens Between is a surreal puzzle adventure that follows best friends, Arina and Frendt, as they fall into a mysterious world of beautiful garden islands. They wake up in a dreamlike vivid world that presents their fond memories of an adventure-filled friendship since becoming next-door neighbours. You control and manipulate time itself to help Arina and Frendt solve puzzles and unlock the secrets of the gardens. Together you explore their blossoming friendship through their memories, all of which culminates in a climactic ending that I won’t spoil you for.
It’s a very unique game. The story is told without words or text. Instead, the story is conveyed around through abstract and surreal environments, the characters’ emotional reactions, and their developing friendships. Observation is the key to understanding the story. It offers a comfortable, pleasant experience without the pressure of time, failure states, or complicated user interfaces to learn.
The game has been described as “as simple as possible” and a “masterpiece of minimalist storytelling” – descriptions of which we are very proud.
Ok, let’s find out what’s new!
DualSense Wireless Controller
The DualSense wireless controller on the PlayStation 5 is awesome. The new high-fidelity tactile sensation delivers precise tactile sensation, inspiring us to completely rebuild tactile moments to make the most of new technology. These new preset haptics are exclusive to the PlayStation 5 DualSense controller!
The haptics we’ve added are designed around Arina and Frendt’s experiences in the gardens. We ask ourselves “what sensations will they feel while navigating the lush gardens?” Dull thunderclap. The ephemeral light flew into the lantern. Cracking sound when placing the lantern on the stone surface.
We also support DualSense controller responsive triggers. Push up on any obstacle that prevents your forward movement over time and you will feel time pushing back.
Graphical leap
Thanks to the power of PS5, The Gardens Between looks better than ever. Upscaling to HDR (on screens capable), combined with true 4k resolution at 60fps and transient anti-aliasing (first appeared on PlayStation 5), the game both sharp and smooth. We then unleashed full texture resolution where it was lacking, enhanced contour rendering, increased shadow accuracy, and perhaps spent an unreasonable amount of time adjusting reflections. water projection 🤓. It looks great!
On June 16, The Gardens Between will be available worldwide on PlayStation 5! We can’t wait to share this major update with you.
We’re excited to announce that this upgrade is free for all of our PlayStation 4 fans! Buy either version and get access to both. So you can test the changes for yourself.
Big thanks for playing our song for childhood friendship. We greatly appreciate all the positive feedback and it couldn’t mean more to us to be recognized for our deep and personal exploration into heartfelt storytelling and well understand.
