Room to Grow (video game)

Room to Grow is a cooperative puzzle platformer video game developed by Mischief, a team of students from Carnegie Mellon University’s Entertainment Technology Center. It was initially released on Itch.io in 2021. The game centers around two players controlling seedling plants who must work together to overcome obstacles and navigate environmental puzzles to reach sunlight and grow.

The core mechanic of Room to Grow revolves around the unique abilities of each seedling. One seedling is typically responsible for manipulating the environment, for instance, by extending vines to create platforms or activating mechanisms. The other seedling possesses different complementary abilities, like being able to jump higher or squeeze through tight spaces. Players must strategically coordinate their actions to solve puzzles that require both seedlings' skills.

Gameplay emphasizes communication and cooperation. Without clear communication, players will find it difficult to synchronize their actions and solve the puzzles effectively. The game features a whimsical art style and a focus on accessible, cooperative gameplay, making it appealing to a broad audience. Level design encourages experimentation and creative problem-solving, fostering a collaborative and enjoyable experience. The game often features puzzles that require lateral thinking and leveraging the environment to the players' advantage.