Once Upon a Puppet | PS5 Review

Once Upon a Puppet caught me completely off guard. What I expected to be a light, but beautiful indie platformer turned out to be one of the most affecting and memorable gaming experiences I’ve had in a long time. It’s a game that doesn’t try to reinvent platforming, and honestly, it doesn’t need to. Because where it shines (storytelling, presentation, atmosphere, and sound) is so bright, so artfully done that everything else fades into the background like the quiet shuffle of feet behind the curtain before a show.

All the World’s a Stage

The story at the heart of Once Upon a Puppet is a whimsical, sometimes melancholy journey, but it’s the delivery that elevates it to something unforgettable. Every major moment, every level, is staged like a play—with sets rising into place, characters moving like actors on cue, and transitions that feel like stagehands flipping props behind a velvet curtain, sometimes literally. The narrative follows two unlikely companions, brought together by magic and fate, who uncover truths about themselves and the strange, lost world they move through.

Drev is a puppet who has been lost in a strange world called the “Understage” for as long as he can remember. Nieve, once the royal family’s esteemed costumier, was exiled to the Understage after crafting the wrong costume; an offense that cost her everything. Above, the King is unraveling. In his grief, he’s casting his memories, and anyone who reminds him of them, down into the forgotten depths below. Through fate and a bit of magic, Nieve, who is only an arm and hand, is tethered to Drev by strings, and together they set off to uncover the truth behind the King’s descent and the collapse of their kingdom.

It’s a story that doesn’t shy away from real emotions either. Themes of grief, anger, acceptance, and healing are threaded throughout the game’s three acts, and by the final curtain call, I was surprised at how deeply it all resonated. Perhaps it hit harder because I was playing during a personally difficult week; my dog and companion of many years had just passed away. In many ways, the themes of saying goodbye, of finding peace, and of remembering the joyful parts through the sorrow, mirrored what I was feeling. It wasn’t just a narrative for me, it was catharsis.

Simple Steps, Strong Support

If there’s one area where Once Upon a Puppet doesn’t soar, it’s in the gameplay itself. The platforming is fairly straightforward: jump, double jump, push objects, walk slightly faster (aka run), flip switches. There is a nifty way that the game utilizes the connection between Nieve and Drev which lets you use those strings to catapult Drev across long distances, too. For most of the game, that’s perfectly fine. The controls are responsive, and the challenges are light enough not to get in the way of the pacing.

Although in the third act, there’s a noticeable, and abrupt, difficulty spike. Suddenly, precision platforming is required in rapid succession, often with enemies dropping in immediately, giving you no room to react before death and a forced retry. It doesn’t ruin the experience, but it does feel like a stumble in what was otherwise smooth choreography.

There were also a few bugs I ran into in the final sections—enemies spawning right on top of me or glitches that reset my position unexpectedly. Nothing game-breaking, but they added to the sense that the final act, while emotionally powerful, needed just a little more polish.

Paper and Light

From start to finish, Once Upon a Puppet is a visual marvel. Every level feels like it’s been pulled straight from a handcrafted stage set, complete with wooden props, sliding backdrops, and moving platforms that resemble marionette stages. The art direction leans heavily into the feel of a living storybook: crisp lines, theatrical lighting, and character designs that look like they were lovingly cut from construction paper and brought to life. It’s a style that’s both nostalgic and original, combining the charm of puppet, or perhaps even real, theater with the dynamism of modern 2D animation.

The level design, too, deserves mention. Each area felt distinct and meaningful—not just in how it looked, but in how it contributed to the story being told. The world never felt like filler; every visual element, from background props to tiny lighting flourishes, seemed placed with purpose. Even the collectible shards and costume props, which are technically optional, offered small narrative insights that enriched the world rather than bloated it. I found myself seeking out every collectible, not for trophies, but for the story crumbs they left behind.

Music and Sound – The True Star of the Show

The sound design in Once Upon a Puppet is extraordinary, among the best I’ve experienced in a long time. From the moment I slipped on my headphones, I knew this was something special. Every sound effect, whether it was the rustle of cloth, the thump of a puppet hitting the stage, or the soft creak of an opening set piece, was layered and intentional. The sound wasn’t just background ambiance; it was storytelling. It was emotion. It was part of the performance.

The score itself rises and falls with the drama of the game. It guides your emotions without manipulating them. It is subtle when needed, grand when it counts. Whether you’re walking through a quiet, sorrowful scene or charging forward in a moment of tension, the music supports every beat like a masterful conductor guiding a symphony. I give a tip of the cap to the Music Composer, Arkadiusz Reikowski and the entire sound design team. Their work deserves standing ovations. They didn’t just score a game, they scored a stage play, and they did it flawlessly. 

Once Upon a Puppet Final Verdict

Once Upon a Puppet isn’t a technical marvel in terms of mechanics. If you’re coming for complex platforming or deep gameplay systems, you won’t find them here. But what it does offer is so rare, so heartfelt, and so artistically realized that I can’t help but recommend it with my whole heart. It’s a story told through scenes, sound, and stagecraft, all of it wrapped in a visual and musical package that’s unlike anything else.

Yes, the final act’s difficulty curve may frustrate some. Yes, the platforming is basic and the occasional bug can break the spell for a moment. But none of that dulled the emotional impact this game had on me. Especially in a week when I was grappling with grief myself, Once Upon a Puppet helped me feel, process, and even smile through the sadness. That kind of connection is rare and it’s why this game will stay with me for a long time.

To hear me talk more about Once Upon a Puppet, be sure to listen to our May 1st, 2025 podcast episode around the 1:38:16 time stamp.

This review is based on a PS5 copy of Once Upon a Puppet provided by Daedalic Entertainment for coverage purposes. It is also available on Xbox & PC with a Nintendo Switch version coming in June 2025.