If you are hunting for a whimsical yet slightly eerie adventure to add to your personal bucket list of PC games, Once Upon A Puppet is a spectacular indie title that deserves your full attention. Developed by Flatter Than Earth and published by Daedalic Entertainment, this beautiful 2.5D puzzle-platformer trades typical generic layouts for a vibrant, theater-inspired playground. It effortlessly carves out its own unique niche among modern PC games by turning the art of puppetry into a clever mechanical hook. For anyone scanning through this quick article to find a visually stunning and highly creative journey to experience on Steam, this theatrical masterpiece is a fantastic choice.
Storyline
The narrative drops you straight into the Understage, a forgotten subterranean realm hidden beneath a massive, majestic theater. You follow the dual journey of Nieve, a talented stagehand beset by self-doubt, and Drev, an ambitious yet naive puppet who is magically bound to her glove by a spool of glowing thread. Together, this reluctant duo must embark on a dangerous quest to escape the shadows, defeat a heartbroken King, and reclaim their rightful place on the Frontstage above. It plays out like a beautifully written, modern fairytale about friendship, self-discovery, and redemption, where rebuilding ruined theatrical sets allows you to slowly piece together the dark mysteries haunting the kingdom.
Gaming experience
When it comes to the actual gameplay, the experience behaves like a satisfying blend of classic platforming and intricate, thread-based puzzle solving. You simultaneously manage both characters, utilizing Nieve’s Weaver brilliance to manipulate moving backdrops, arrange stage props, and swing Drev across massive gaps using his puppet strings. The loop challenges how you view the environment, forcing you to re-enact lost theatrical scenes while dodging villainous creatures trying to completely snuff out the lights. Complete with a rich, orchestral soundtrack, gorgeous hand-animated set pieces, and dozens of unlockable costumes, it offers a deeply rewarding and cozy loop that perfectly shines on a high-res desktop monitor.
