Tiny Brains

Destructoid (8 out of 10)

Although its core campaign is far too short, the game is a blast with other players, and the wide variety of challenges should keep you playing for hours. Despite the fact that my time with these tiny adora-creepy critters was rather brief, I'd love to see them again in a sequel someday.

PlayStation Lifestyle (8 out of 10)

Tiny Brains is an excellent addition to the PlayStation 4 lineup. While the game is a little on the short side (main story completed in 2 hours tops), it makes up for that lack of length with creativity and charm. The challenge levels are an absolute riot to tackle with friends, whether they are in different parts of the world or sitting on you sofa. The game could use a bit of downloadable content to beef up the game and in-game player audio would be nice. At the end of the day though, Tiny Brains has delivered the best multiplayer experience I have had on the PS4 so far, and brings me back to the fun co-op days of Scott Pilgrim and Castle Crashers.

GamesRadar ( )

Tiny Brains an excellent downloadable package and an even better multiplayer game. Few other titles manage to capture the magic of on-the-couch multiplayer quite as effectively. Its bizarre yet charming premise and the clever design of its puzzles and challenge modes are certain to keep you giggling for hours, even if you'll see all the content available in four or less. But, despite its few caveats, you'll keep coming back, if only for a time, to land higher scores, to share some more laughs, and finally prove to Steve that your brain is bigger than his.

Financial Post (8 out of 10)

So, if you have a crew of friends ready to do some co-op puzzling, Tiny Brains is probably for you; you’ll have a good time, even if you want to punch your buddies by the end. If you’re going it solo, maybe take a pass.

4Players.de (72 out of 100)

Das kann doch nicht wahr sein: Nach Contrast läuft auch Tiny Brains auf der PS4 alles andere als flüssig. Und das, obwohl beide Spiele unter technischen Gesichtspunkten nicht gerade aufwändig aussehen. Wer sich Tiny Brains für Sonys neue Konsole kauft, muss damit leben, dass das Bild alle paar Sekunden in der Mitte durch hässliches Tearing zerrissen wird. Manchmal kommt es sogar zu kleinen Slowdowns – eine schwache Leistung! PC-Besitzer haben diese Probleme nicht, sie bekommen eine technisch saubere Version des gelungenen Koop-Knoblers. Je mehr Spieler beitreten, desto mehr Spaß machen die physikbasierten Puzzles: Nur wer sich abstimmt und im entscheidenden Moment keinen Unsinn baut, bugsiert Kugeln und Klötzchen ans Ziel. Auf Einzelspieler sind die kniffligen Kopfnüsse nicht ganz so gut abgestimmt – trotzdem gestaltet sich die albern inszenierte Laborflucht auch im Alleingang unterhaltsam.

VentureBeat / Gamesbeat (70 out of 100)

Trading powers with scientifically enhanced critters is a ton of fun across Tiny Brains’ various puzzle rooms and combat arenas. But once the brief story campaign has been completed, there is little reason to play beyond the extra half-hour of unlocked challenges and Tiny Soccer matches. Some players will be drawn in again to compete for higher positions on the leaderboard, but it’s hard to stomach the game’s attempts at humor once, let alone for multiple playthroughs. If it came out at half the asking price, there would be little to dissuade a purchase, especially for friends eager for some genuinely engaging four-person co-op. Those not chomping at the bit for simultaneous puzzle-solving, however, should wait for the inevitable discount.

GamingTrend (70 out of 100)

Problems aside, Tiny Brains is an undeniably enjoyable experience. While it may not amaze you, it’ll definitely be worth your time if you and a few friends are looking to have a go at a co-op puzzle experience that isn’t extremely demanding.

ZTGameDomain (6.8 out of 10)

Tiny Brains was a pretty fun romp through a few puzzles. It is definitely aimed to the co-op play and I highly suggest that if you’re going to dig through it, play with some other people. It can get frustrating on your own. The mini games offer up some variety and fun, but with a price of $20, it is a little steep. Still, if you have some friends over or some online buddies that have the game and want to have a decent time solving puzzles while trying not to kill one another, Tiny Brains offers some decent fun.

PlayStation Universe (6.5 out of 10)

Tiny Brains was worth the not-quite-three hours it took to finish because I enjoyed the intersection of four superpowers to solve puzzles with timing and platforming elements that other games in the genre shy away from. But for a discerning PS4 owner wondering where to spend gaming dollars, it’s difficult to make a firm recommendation. Without four controllers or three willing PSN friends, the complex, social experience is hindered. I still enjoyed my time playing solo, barring a few frustrating escort sections, but buyer beware: Tiny Brains is, by design, a very different game without the full team of critters, and usually not for the better. Without a particularly strong story or memorable humor, there’s not enough content beyond the positive multiplayer experience to place Tiny Brains among the PlayStation Store’s better titles.

The Escapist ( )

Tiny Brains is short, messy, and relies heavily on reusing its ideas, but it's also a funny and clever little game that can delight as much as dismay.

The Guardian ( )

Despite its problems, the game doesn't feel unplayable, and is enjoyable enough when played with friends to keep you interested throughout its short campaign. If you happen to have four PS4 controllers, this is a great way to put them to use. Let's hope that Spearhead Games will refine the formula for a sequel.

God is a Geek (6 out of 10)

Tiny Brains may not appear to the most sophisticated game for a next-gen console, but it just about does enough to earn its place in the early stages of the PS4’s life-cycle. It may be too short, but it attempts to make up for that with a decent variety of extra modes and a very well implemented group dynamic. A decent little puzzler with a good sense of humour and, more importantly, a sense of its own identity, Tiny Brains is worth picking up and blasting through over a weekend or two, but without friends you’ll only be getting half the package.

PS-NOW.de (6 out of 10)

"Tiny Brains" ist ein kurzweiliger Spaß, der hauptsächlich im Coop-Spaß bereitet, jedoch mit einigen enormen Problemen zu kämpfen hat. So wiederholen sich die Rätsel bis zum Spielende immer wieder, weshalb kaum Abwechslung geboten wird. Hinzu kommen technische Probleme mit der Spielphysik, die zu häufigen Frustmomenten führen. Ansonsten kann "Tiny Brains" höchstens durch seinen Humor überzeugen, ist in grafischer Hinsicht aber maximal Durchschnitt und treibt die PlayStation 4 in keinster Weise an seine Grenzen.

Push Square ( )

Tiny Brains definitely isn’t great. In fact, it’s not even very good. However, for the group of friends that opt to enjoy it together, it may just provide enough laughs for a decent night in. Technical issues, an extortionate price point, and a slender running time mean that you should approach with caution – but if you’re looking for something to play with your buddies, then you may enjoy the experience all the same. Just like Facebook and instant soup, this experiment is very much what you make of it.

Game Informer Magazine (5.75 out of 10)

Tiny Brains isn’t without merit. When all the powers combine to unlock a path through a level, especially when you’ve done it with the assistance of friends, the game comes together. Moments of interesting presentation appear here and there, but too many other aspects of Tiny Brains are sloppy and incomplete.

Polygon (5 out of 10)

Tiny Brains is messy, repetitious and safe. If you plan on playing Tiny Brains persuade some friends to join you. Bribe them, if you must — I find food and booze work best — but whatever you do, don't play alone. Alone, Tiny Brains is a bad game; with friends it's just forgettable.

GameSpot (5 out of 10)

Tiny Brains might look adorable, but its short length and lack of imaginative puzzles will turn your wide grin into a questioning smirk. However, if you're dying for a weekend's worth of solo or cooperative puzzle-solving, Tiny Brains is serviceable--though more tiny than brainy.

Hardcore Gamer Magazine (2.5 out of 5)

All the elements of a fun and creative co-op puzzler are present in Tiny Brains, but there are nagging issues or slight missteps that keep the game from reaching its potential at every turn. The powers are creative and fun to use, but the puzzles are far too easy. The only sense of challenge provided are frustrating instances of having to fight against the controls and design decisions. With a group of four like-minded individuals looking for a laid back experience, there may be some fun to be had, but the game doesn’t have much to offer beyond that. With some more interesting puzzles and cleaned up controls, Tiny Brains would be an easy game to recommend to everyone, but as it stands it’s best avoided.

IGN (4.5 out of 10)

There’s a great idea at the core of Tiny Brains. When it works, having four people sitting on a single sofa and working together to solve a tricky puzzle provides a great moment of local comradely that’s sorely lacking from modern gaming. Sadly, those moments are way too few and far between, and only the most patient of people will be willing to wade through the rest of the game in order to find them.