A Theatrical Platformer with Tangled Strings
Puppets – an attention-grabbing metaphor to make use of when describing who has the ability.
We frequently speak in politics about who’s “pulling the strings” behind the scenes and British Eurovision winner Sandi Shaw as soon as sang about love and being ‘like a puppet on a string’.
However puppets in video games are normally seen because the enemy, usually utilized in horror video games as unusual beings who creep you out and attempt to kill you.
As soon as Upon a Puppet, nevertheless, is a sport concerning the puppet and the controller, however it’s principally a family-friendly platformer with an ode to theatre and magic. Let’s pull the strings and discover out what it’s all about.
A Hand and a Puppet
In As soon as Upon a Puppet you initially play as a disembodied hand referred to as Nieve; a weaver for the King of this magical land. The factor is, the king is upset with Nieve, exiling the hand to the understage wasteland the place Nieve meets a puppet referred to as Drev. They get intertwined by magic, Drev now held collectively by strings with Nieve.
From there they go on a journey by the understage, all earlier than taking over the king himself. It’s a fairytale story to start and the visuals of the world do a superb job of organising the world. But for as intriguing as it’s, I did discover myself shedding engagement with the narrative after a short while. There’s lots of dialogue present in As soon as Upon a Puppet and it doesn’t move fairly proper at instances.
String-Powered Platforming
The sport itself is about in a 2.5D world; a spot that’s lots of enjoyable to navigate round. You begin with a easy moveset, the place you possibly can run and do a easy leap. Nevertheless the actual magic comes within the characters and Nieve, because the hand holding the strings, is ready to function ranges and transfer massive gadgets for Drev the puppet.
Quickly different further options are launched as you progress, together with that of a double leap. From there, put together to be slingshotted throughout areas that may’t be progressed within the regular approach. There are additionally hooks to grapple and the chance to fireplace a bow at one level. On the entire although, fight is minimal and solely comes into its personal just a few instances in As soon as Upon a Puppet, all as you head in the direction of the massive boss battle.
Puzzles, Move, and Platforming Really feel
There are some attention-grabbing concepts in As soon as Upon a Puppet although, in addition to intelligent puzzles to resolve when you need to use the skillsets of each Nieve and Drev on the similar time. It’s right here the place motion and stage management can begin to really feel a bit difficult and awkward. There is no such thing as a doubt that the whole lot concerning the sport works and it’s a intelligent idea and a lovely journey that you simply’ll be taken on, however for me, one thing is missing. The gameplay loop turns into a bit samey after some time too, and it’s all too straightforward to neglect why you’re doing sure components. It isn’t helped that at sure moments the platforming doesn’t really feel correct sufficient, a bit floaty. In the identical breath, the sport does attempt to do one thing completely different and distinctive and when it comes to place and story, it nails issues.
Theatrical Backdrops and Costume Modifications
Within the visible division, As soon as Upon a Puppet does a pleasant sufficient job with its 2.5D world of theatrical backdrops and puppets wandering round. There’s some nice consideration to element within the background of the degrees and as you progress it feels prefer it has a pleasant stage of selection in themes. There are some pretty collectibles too, the place Drev can weave completely different costumes to put on which ensures the sport can earn its family-friendly credentials.
There isn’t any voice-over work from the primary characters, however when it comes to the audio, narration brings it collectively very properly, serving to to border the world. And the soundtrack is ok because it trickles together with the motion, though it’s a bit forgettable.
A Charming Debut with Untapped Potential
As soon as Upon a Puppet supplies an gratifying journey by a theatrical world, working properly when it comes to character integration and total gameplay expertise. Nevertheless, there isn’t a wow issue and it’s all too straightforward to get misplaced with what you’re doing, unaware of any goal.
For a debut sport, even with points this one is filled with appeal, and so it’s most likely value taking over As soon as Upon a Puppet if curiosity ranges enable.
Your Hyperlinks
Pull the Strings – Theatrical Puzzle-Platformer As soon as Upon A Puppet Launches – https://www.thexboxhub.com/pull-the-strings-theatrical-puzzle-platformer-once-upon-a-puppet-launches/
Purchase As soon as Upon A Puppet on Xbox – https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/video games/retailer/As soon as-Upon-A-Puppet/9MV8T4C45MXL
Or get the Backstage Version – https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/video games/retailer/once-upon-a-puppet-backstage-edition/9P2C3J4K5T2S/0010