The game was nice and original, however, I was puzzled by a lack of map and a clear objective(there is no sense of ugrency, it's like gardener going for a walk). The levels are linear, but it doesn't feel that I'm travelling somewhere, he just goes North/South/East seemingly random level border and teleports somewhere that afterwards I don't understand how did I get there (in the dead end at the center of the level)!? Enemies like ghosts and note-throwers (musicians?) seem to diasappear by themselves after some time. Being low on health I wanted to revert the weapon to the crystal blade I found on the first level to heal a little, but haven't figured out how to change a weapon. Looks like the game autosaves at the start of the level, but why am I losing my weapon after loading ?
The story begins nicely, but the end is somewhat unrewarding (to be continued... !?), has he reached his destination or it's some other house under similar circumstances?
Seems to have no replay value, apart from choosing a different healing flower (but it seems purely cosmetical and doesn't affect anything).
Liked the idea of ghosts and sucking plants with berries,ability to extinguish the flames by water channel. Liked the comments of the gardener describing features of a weapon, wish there were more of them so that the gardener would be more fleshed out as a character, to know his motives and history. A tutorial can be done like that.. (Now that I've got seeds I can... or this log is blocking my path, perhaps I can move it by channeling the water ...). The quiz was refreshing but pointless - the question looks to be always the same - and you had to answer it anyway by trying again. To me the quiz should've opened some kind of bonus, not mandatory to game progress (e.g. you're smart - get your reward, else proceed without it).
I don't know why this game isn't popular, but here are my thoughts anyway:
The story so far: Gardener got a mail with invtation and came. I think players like to associate themselves with hero, like "hey I'm ninja/pirate/policeman/soldier/warrio r/berserker", something they are excited to be (or think of exciting). But "The gardener" - I'm a bald monk which can wet you with water and plant flowers, I'm in harmony with nature and can heal people with medicinal herbs, oh.. I can defend myself with a club also. Maybe people doesn't find it exciting enough to play. The other kinds of people, who possibly enjoy farmerama, happy farm or something like that would be disappointed that the gardener doesn't involve much of ... gardening :)
I personally think that the idea is well for children, gardener shows a good role model - helps people, cares about nature. There simply isn't enough positive games about good people and deeds (perhaps because it's not popular/exciting enough :( ). Keep up the good work.