Once Upon a Puppet offers an enchanting, if somewhat uneven performance
In a world where stages aren't just metaphorical platforms but literal realms of existence, Once Upon a Puppet weaves a charming tale about an unlikely duo bound together by fate and magical thread. This theatrical adventure from Flatter Than Earth introduces us to Nieve, a floating magical hand with a talent for weaving, and Drev, a wooden puppet with a partially melted candle atop his head. Their journey through a richly crafted world of discarded props and forgotten performers creates an enchanting atmosphere that often outshines its somewhat unsteady gameplay foundations.
The story begins when Nieve, after failing to meet the impossibly high standards of the kingdom's perfectionist King, is cast away to the Understage - a realm where all "imperfect" things are discarded. There, she encounters Drev, and through a twist of fate, the two become literally bound together by magical thread. What starts as a simple quest to separate themselves evolves into a grand adventure to save the kingdom and help the King confront his past.
The narrative unfolds through a mix of beautifully crafted cutscenes and text-based dialogue, telling a tale that, while not breaking new ground, carries enough charm and heart to keep you invested. The relationship between Nieve and Drev develops naturally throughout their journey, with their different personalities - Nieve's initial reluctance and Drev's innocent enthusiasm - creating an endearing dynamic that serves as the emotional core of the story.
As a platformer, Once Upon a Puppet introduces its mechanics gradually over its roughly 6-hour journey. The game starts simply enough with basic jumping and object manipulation, but gradually introduces new abilities that expand your movement options. You'll unlock a double jump, the ability to catapult Drev through the air using Nieve's strings, and even a bow for targeting distant objects. These abilities are typically introduced in dedicated chapters that focus heavily on their use, though their implementation in later stages becomes somewhat sporadic.
The puzzle elements primarily revolve around using both characters in tandem - having Drev stand on a switch while Nieve pulls down levers, but it's not like they are far apart from each other, like you can have Drev stand in a corner while Nieve is on the other side of the screen. No, they are connected by a thread, and I think if the game allowed you to move them separately, it would be a lot more fun and would open the door for a lot more interesting puzzles.
There's also a little bit of "combat" and I used the quotes because it's not like you have to fight anything, it's more like you have to shine a flashlight on enemies to burn them while you run away from them. It's not a very fun combat system, but it's not like you have to do it too often.
Where Once Upon a Puppet truly shines is in its presentation. The game's theatrical aesthetic is consistently stunning, with environments that look like elaborate stage sets come to life. Every area feels meticulously crafted, from the grandiose main stages to the melancholic corners of the Understage. The lighting and shadow work particularly stands out, creating moody atmospheres that enhance the game's fairy tale qualities.
The sound design and musical score complement the visual presentation perfectly. The soundtrack shifts seamlessly between whimsical and somber tones, while small details like the wooden clatter of Drev's movements add authenticity to the puppet theatre concept.
However, this beautiful stage isn't without its technical difficulties. The PlayStation 5 version suffers from noticeable frame rate drops throughout the adventure. In a platformer where precise timing and movement are crucial, these performance issues can lead to frustrating moments.
The game's biggest weakness lies in its core platforming mechanics. While functional, the movement and jumping never feel quite as precise or responsive as they should. There's a slight floatiness to the controls that makes platform navigation more challenging than intended, and not in a satisfying way. This becomes particularly apparent during sequences that require more precise timing or when using the more "advanced" movement abilities.
The camera can also be problematic at times, occasionally positioning itself in ways that make depth perception difficult or obscuring important elements of the environment and in a platformer, that's kind of a big problem.
Once Upon a Puppet is a game that succeeds more on its artistic merits and creative vision than its mechanical execution. It's a beautiful, atmospheric adventure that creates a unique and memorable world, even if the journey through it isn't always smooth. The combination of its theatrical setting, charming characters, and gradual ability progression provides enough entertainment to offset its technical issues and control shortcomings.
The collectibles scattered throughout each level, including various costumes for Drev and theater props, add some replay value for completionists. However, the relatively short length and linear nature of the game might leave you wanting more, especially given the $24.99 price point. Check some gameplay videos, read other reviews and then decide if this is the kind of game you'd like to play. Thanks for reading!
The game was reviewed on a PS5 via a code provided by the publisher. Once Upon a Puppet is available on PC, PS5, Switch and Xbox Series X/S.
