She Remembered Caterpillars is worth playing if you like compact logic puzzles that teach a few clear rules, then make you rethink them as new mechanics arrive. Its fungal, otherworldly art gives the game an unmistakable identity, while a story about family and loss adds an emotional frame whose impact will depend on your taste.
What kind of game is She Remembered Caterpillars?
It is a single-player, color-based logic puzzle game. The Steam listing describes 40 levels, with each act introducing a new mechanic or color. You guide colored creatures called Gammies through bridges and barriers; some colors can combine or separate, changing which routes are usable. The pleasure is in understanding those constraints and applying them in new combinations, rather than mastering a large collection of controls.
The game’s own description calls it a “color-matching puzzle game with an unsettling fungipunk aesthetic.” That is a fair summary of its contrast: clean, learnable puzzle rules set against a world of strange organic structures and vivid creatures.
How are the puzzles and difficulty?
The early puzzles are approachable, but the game gradually asks more of the rules it has already taught. The Steam listing says the puzzles escalate in difficulty and build on earlier lessons. Player responses reflect both sides of that curve: some value the calm, untimed logic, while others describe later stages as brain-burners. “Relaxed but mentally engaging” fits the design, though whether the harder levels feel satisfying or frustrating is personal.
#1 Best Overall
- Sold as 1 Each.
- Novelty Game. 10.5" x 8" x 2".
- Players: 3-4. Player learns to make a special sound or play fun activity.
- 3+ years/Grade PK-12. Cards feature art of famous World of Eric Carle.
- 60 Jumbo Cards, Colorful Soft Block, Instructions. With The Very Hungry Caterpillar as its centerpiece, the brand has touched the lives of children around the world for three generations through Eric Carle's timeless stories and vibrant artwork.
Laura Kate Dale, in a review reproduced on the official game site and Steam, described how quickly the challenge rises: “The formula was simple enough, but it ramped up in difficulty very quickly. There was a real skill to getting your head around what colours could go where and when.” Evan Bourgault of Electric Sista Hood, also quoted on those pages, praised the sense of learning through mistakes and eventual solutions.
Does the story work?
The framing follows a scientist apparently trying to save her father. The developer presents the story as one about love, loss, holding on, and the bond between parent and child. Rather than turning the game into a conventional narrative adventure, the story lends the abstract puzzles a melancholy context.
Rank #2
- Based on The Very Hungry Caterpillar at the Bakeshop A Peek-Through Book.
- Memory Matching Game: Develops object matching skills.
- Interactive Play: Interactive bell changes the gameplay pattern.
- World of Eric Carle: Colorful images from Eric Carle's book series.
- Colorful Bell: Ding the bell when you find a match.
Its emotional effect is not universal. Some reviewers have found the text story less effective, while others value its themes and mystery. That difference is best treated as a matter of taste, not a settled consensus. Joel Couture of Steam Shovelers described the game as asking players “to look, to think, to care, even when we’re stuck with a problem.”
What stands out about the art and sound?
The visual identity is the game’s clearest calling card: bright Gammies, living architecture, and an unsettling fungal fantasy setting. The developer’s site lists She Remembered Caterpillars as an Independent Games Festival 2017 finalist for Excellence in Visual Art and an honorable mention for Excellence in Design. It also reports Best Children’s Game at the Deutscher Computerspielpreis in 2017 and Best Puzzle Game at the Intel Level Up Game Dev Contest in 2016. These are recognitions reported by the developer, with the organizations and years attached.
Rank #3
- Fun, colourful and educational board game starring Eric Carle's renowned storybook characters
- Collect puzzle pieces to transform your caterpillar into a unique, beautiful butterfly
- A fun game of counting, collecting and puzzle building
- Encourages decision making and aids the development of fine motor skills
- Perfect for 2-4 players age 3 years and over
Steam credits Daniel Leander Goffin for the artwork and Thomas Höhl for the soundtrack. The presentation gives the logic puzzles a distinctive atmosphere without changing their basic focus on observation and rule-based problem solving.
Is it accessible to color-blind players?
Steam says shapes and symbols accompany color, so color is not the sole cue for distinguishing elements. This is a useful design accommodation, but it should not be read as a broad accessibility certification or a guarantee that every player’s needs are covered.
Rank #4
- Help the very Hungry Caterpillar transform into a butterfly!
- Features 48 Jumbo Cards, perfect for little hands to hold!
- Based on the bestselling books by Eric Carle,The World of Eric Carle Very Hungry Caterpillar Card Games are sure to delight your toddler and preschooler with real life imagery - just like the books!
- BRIARPATCH: Parent trusted and kid approved, every Briarpatch game and puzzle includes unique gameplay to keep children entertained and focuses on early developmental learning milestones to make learning fun and adventerous.
- WHAT'S INSIDE: Includes 56 grab and go travel cards and instructions
How long is She Remembered Caterpillars?
The official materials do not give a completion-time estimate. Individual Steam reviewers have reported finishing in roughly four to five hours, but those accounts are anecdotes, not an official estimate or a dependable average. Your time will depend on how quickly you solve the later puzzles.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is She Remembered Caterpillars available on Switch?
Yes. The game is listed digitally for Nintendo Switch, with a release date of March 28, 2019. Nintendo lists TV, tabletop, and handheld play modes, and says Switch 2 behavior is supported and consistent with Switch. It is also listed for PC on Steam. Check the relevant store listing for current availability and price, which can change by region and date.
Best Value
- Toys that Teach: These magnetic puzzles for kids let early learners have fun practicing color recognition and logical reasoning as they match up magnetic caterpillars to their corresponding colored leaves.
- Lasting Play Value: Sturdy challenge cards are double-sided with four levels of play and 40 unique puzzles kids can complete, so they’re not likely to get bored anytime soon!
- At Home or On-the-Go Play: Magnetic pieces make for great fun on the go, but these magnetic puzzles for kids are also ideal for classroom and at-home play.
- Great for Preschoolers: There's no reading required in this magnetic puzzle game, making it ideal for early learners!
- Includes 5 wooden magnets, 20 double-sided challenge cards and 2-piece magnetic puzzle board.
Steam’s macOS requirements include legacy versions, and the listing carries a Steam Client support caveat for macOS 10.14 and lower. Check the current store notice and your operating system before buying; the listing alone does not establish current compatibility for every Mac setup.
Verdict: is She Remembered Caterpillars worth playing?
For puzzle fans, She Remembered Caterpillars offers a focused reason to play: a compact set of color-and-shape rules that grow more demanding, wrapped in a memorable fungipunk world. Its story gives those puzzles a thoughtful, mournful frame, although its emotional writing may resonate more with some players than others. Choose it for inventive logic and distinctive presentation, not for a guaranteed story payoff or a specific playtime.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
