I very much enjoyed the majority of my time with Once Upon a Puppet, and while it was not entirely without issues, it's a nice fusion of search adventuring and the linearity of Little Nightmares. This one is well worth a look for platforming fans.
While it has a unique look, and works well in general as a puzzle platformer, some issues with depth perception and quirky mechanics let it down
Once Upon A Puppet reminds me of Puppeteer because of its overall aesthetic – not just the fact both are about puppets, but the whole gorgeous look of the game, and the way that it’s able to go from light and whimsical to dark and mysterious without breaking stride.
Too often, I found myself quitting out of frustration, forced to replay sections from the last checkpoint because of bugs. These weren't minor annoyances'they significantly impacted the experience. With proper polish, this could have been rated much higher. If the developers eventually patch the game, it's absolutely worth your time. Until then, I suggest...
Accepting your past and moving forward after great loss are universal messages. Those messages are the heart of the adventure Once Upon a Puppet expresses. Drev and Nieve's journey, despite having some loose threads here and there, tells a powerful story utilizing solid platforming, strong presentation, and charming characters you grow to care for.
