Hi there, my identify is Martin, and I’m the CEO and Inventive Director of Flatter Than Earth, the studio behind the theatrical journey platformer As soon as Upon a Puppet. Our magical, story-driven 2.5D puzzle-platformer takes place in a vibrant world of theatre, the place basic platforming meets puppet-inspired gameplay in a story of friendship, self-discovery, and redemption.
You’ll play as Drev, an bold Actor, and Nieve, a gifted Stagehand and Tailor. Certain collectively by magic, they need to work as one to navigate the dominion of theatre, unravel its secrets and techniques, and face the Shadow King. However earlier than you step onto the stage, listed here are 5 important suggestions that can assist you in your journey.
1. Preserve Your Eyes Open for Costumes – They’re Extra Than Simply Trend
All through the world, you’ll discover vintage stitching gadgets, which permit Nieve to craft distinctive story costumes for Drev. All the outfits are primarily based on necessary characters you’ll meet in your journey. These costumes make you look cool on stage, however a number of play a job within the recreation’s storytelling. Identical to in actual theatre, a personality’s apparel is commonly a clue to their position within the efficiency. In As soon as Upon a Puppet, sure challenges would require you to put on a selected costume to progress. There are 4 of those particular costumes which can be linked to the sport’s progress, and they’re straightforward to return throughout. Nonetheless, there are extra actor-like beauty outfits to unlock, so be looking out for them in your travels!
2. Choose Up Collectibles – They Reveal Hidden Tales
As you discover the world, maintain a watch out for 2 varieties of collectibles: Stained Glass Items and Props. The Stained Glass collectibles are damaged glass shards of larger “stained coloured glass home windows”. Every of those “glass home windows” tells a visible story of the dominion. The Props are private gadgets of the lead characters within the recreation, reminiscent of The Queen, The King, and The Decide. These private gadgets at all times have one thing attention-grabbing to disclose about their proprietor. Gathering all of those will improve your understanding of the world. In the event you’re somebody who loves immersive storytelling, be sure to look each nook for these hidden gems!
3. Don’t Skip Cutscenes – They Maintain Important Clues
Every cutscene in As soon as Upon a Puppet is fastidiously crafted to ship not simply an emotional affect but in addition essential hints concerning the world and the challenges forward. The sport options 12 rebuilding levels, and your aim is to rebuild and re-enact key moments from the king’s previous. Each stage has its personal distinctive story and emotional weight, so watching intently will enable you to join the dots and totally grasp the importance of your journey.
In the event you rush by way of with out listening to the cutscenes, you’ll miss necessary particulars concerning the mysteries behind the Shadow King, the forgotten tales, and the characters’ true destinies. So sit again, benefit from the theatrical storytelling, and let the narrative unfold like a grand stage efficiency!
4. Experiment with Stage Manipulation – Suppose Like a Theatre Director
One of the crucial distinctive mechanics in As soon as Upon a Puppet is the power to rebuild and rearrange theatrical levels. In contrast to conventional platformers, the place the world stays static, this recreation lets you transfer props, shift backdrops, and reposition platforms to vary the scene itself.
Some puzzles require you to assume like a stage director, organising the scene in a manner that enables Nieve and Drev to progress. Transferring components strategically can uncover secret paths, activate mechanisms, or create alternatives to outmanoeuvre enemies.
When you “set the stage”, a Theatrical Cutscene, linked to the stage you simply set, will emerge.
5. Spotlights aren’t only for drama
In As soon as Upon a Puppet, the principles of theatre information each ray of sunshine. The visible language of the sport was constructed with the identical care and self-discipline present in actual stage productions. There aren’t any unintentional shadows or randomly positioned beams—each mild angle, silhouette, and distinction exists to serve the story, emotion, and staging.
This isn’t simply lighting for aesthetics—it’s lighting with intention, rooted within the traditions of reside theatre. A love letter to stagecraft, advised by way of pixels and puppets. And fairly presumably, a information to secrets and techniques to find.
We hope that with the following tips in thoughts, you’ll be well-prepared to take middle stage and face the challenges that await. We are able to’t wait so that you can expertise the magic firsthand. As soon as Upon a Puppet is out now on Xbox sequence X|S. Good luck!
As soon as Upon A Puppet
Daedalic Leisure
$29.99
$23.99
The Grand Opening:
Welcome to As soon as Upon a Puppet, a 2.5D puzzle-platformer that unfolds inside a vibrant world of theater. Participate in a magical story that mixes basic platforming with puppet-inspired gameplay, in a fascinating story of friendship, self-discovery, and redemption.
Put on the glove of Nieve, a Stagehand exiled to the Understage, and wield management over Drev’s strings, a Puppet magically certain to her. As they journey to return to the Frontstage above, they’ll retell forgotten tales, uncover shadowy secrets and techniques, and be taught their destiny is interwoven with the dominion of theater itself.
Highlights:
Turn into Puppet and Puppeteer: Pull the strings and grasp the artwork of puppetry on this distinctive method to motion, motion, and inventive puzzle-solving.
A Troupe of Characters: Meet an ensemble forged of dozens of Main and supporting characters, that includes lots of of traces of handcrafted dialogue.
Lethal Shadows: Face a horde of villainous creatures who will do all they will to snuff out the lights and produce the present to an premature finish.
A Meticulously Crafted World: Marvel on the stylized and detailed graphics that reinforce the magic of theater, with levels that fluctuate between previous and current.
Set The Scene: Prepare and transfer props, backdrops and characters to rebuild theatrical levels, and re-enact scenes to unveil what befell the as soon as proud World Stage.
Enchanting Soundscapes: Be captivated by a wealthy, theatrical soundtrack and immersive sound results that deliver the world of As soon as Upon a Puppet to life…
The Main Actors:
Unwittingly certain collectively by spool and thread, Drev and Nieve reluctantly embark on a quest to reclaim their place within the theater, towards a heartbroken King.
Nieve, a gifted Weaver beset by self doubt, builds a powerful bond with Drev, a naive but bold Actor. With Drev’s unbridled theatrics and Nieve’s brilliance, they’ll conquer their deepest held fears to disclose the reality of the void harbored of their hearts.