A Jugglers Tale

89%
Game Brain Score Based on 619 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
A Jugglers Tale Game Cover
Can’t you see? The strings that hold you up, also hold you back!
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"A Juggler's Tale" is a puzzle-based adventure game set in a beautiful yet grim fairy tale world. Players control Abby, a circus performer who escapes her captivity and faces the dangers of a wider world. Using Abby's strings in puzzles, players explore the environment, interact with characters, and delve into a story of hope, empowerment, and the true cost of freedom.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

89%
Audience ScoreBased on 619 reviews
story222 positive mentions
stability12 negative mentions
  • Beautiful graphics and art style that create a captivating atmosphere.
  • Engaging story with a unique narrative style, enhanced by a charming narrator.
  • Simple yet enjoyable puzzles that fit well within the game's theme.
  • Very short gameplay, typically around 2-3 hours, which may not justify the full price.
  • Some puzzles can feel overly simplistic or obvious, lacking challenge for experienced players.
  • Occasional bugs and glitches that can disrupt the gameplay experience.
  • story431 mentions

    The story of "A Juggler's Tale" follows Abby, a puppet seeking freedom from her circus captivity, and is narrated in a whimsical, rhyming style that evokes a fairy tale atmosphere. While the narrative is engaging and features emotional twists, some players found the story's depth lacking and the gameplay mechanics occasionally frustrating. Overall, the game is praised for its beautiful visuals and charming storytelling, making it a delightful, albeit short, experience.

    • “The story is heartfelt, with clever mechanics that are part of the act, but it’s over before the spotlight really hits.”
    • “A juggler's tale is a well-written, story-rich, beautiful, fantasy, atmospheric adventure game where you play as a girl puppet named Abby who wants to break free from her strings and enjoy freedom.”
    • “The story follows Abby, a string puppet yearning for freedom, as she embarks on a journey through a captivating world full of challenges and surprises.”
    • “The story is okayish, I guess.”
    • “Nothing makes sense in this game (story-wise).”
    • “The story is dark and very compelling, and the narrator is amazing.”
  • graphics200 mentions

    The graphics of the game have been widely praised for their stunning art style and beautiful visuals, which create an enchanting atmosphere reminiscent of a storybook. Players appreciate the unique aesthetic that evolves throughout the game, transitioning from a puppet stage to more vivid environments, although some noted minor animation issues. Overall, the visuals are considered a standout feature, enhancing the game's narrative and immersive experience.

    • “The art style starts off as a clearly constructed, cardboard cutout puppet stage but as the game progresses becomes more vivid and real and is beautifully rendered.”
    • “From the moment you enter the whimsical world of a juggler's tale, you're greeted with stunning visuals that resemble a beautifully crafted storybook come to life.”
    • “The graphics exude a gothic aesthetic, seeming to have been inspired by the likes of Tim Burton but maintain their vibrant beauty, truly manifesting in their obscurity.”
    • “Decent music and graphics are okay, but characters could use some polishing up, even as wooden puppet characters.”
    • “Did notice one or two graphical bugs (bear got stuck in act 1 and fell through the map in act 2) and the controls can be quite janky at times (not picking things up immediately and the jumping being a bit awkward).”
    • “The concept is awesome, but I can't help but wonder why they tried to fuse common video game graphics with the cardboard puppet show theme?”
  • gameplay146 mentions

    The gameplay of "A Juggler's Tale" is characterized by its unique string mechanics, which add an interesting twist to the platforming experience, though they can sometimes feel clumsy and underutilized. While the puzzles are generally straightforward and accessible, many players found the overall gameplay to be short and lacking in depth, with some frustration stemming from controls and mechanics. Despite these criticisms, the game is praised for its beautiful visuals, engaging storytelling, and the charming integration of its mechanics into the narrative.

    • “Nice storytelling combined with fluid gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is simple but engaging, as you have to use your strings to swing, jump, pull, and interact with the environment.”
    • “Gameplay-wise, A Juggler's Tale offers a perfect balance of puzzles, platforming, and storytelling.”
    • “The mechanics of the game are frustrating.”
    • “The creators have tried to create puzzles through the ropes that restrained Abby in the form of a puppet, but this does not help A Juggler's Tale much in terms of gameplay, and in this sense, the player will be disappointed.”
    • “Very pretty and artsy, but gameplay-wise, most of the difficulty comes from fighting the sluggish controls and finding non-intuitive solutions to puzzles.”
  • music110 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its beautiful and atmospheric qualities, effectively complementing the visuals and enhancing the overall experience. Many players noted the charming soundtrack, which features a mix of whimsical and medieval-inspired tunes, alongside excellent narration that adds depth to the storytelling. While some felt the music could be more varied, it generally contributes positively to the game's enchanting ambiance and emotional impact.

    • “The soundtrack deserves special mention for complementing the game's atmosphere beautifully.”
    • “The music and art style are just amazing, as well as the great voice acting for the narrator.”
    • “Gorgeous visuals, fantastic narrative, and a sublime soundtrack each combine to create a wonderful side-scrolling adventure which is well worth the asking price.”
    • “The variety of pieces seems appropriate, but the rhythms of the pieces are very similar to each other, and the audience who struggles with solving the puzzles may not notice the changes in the background music.”
    • “There is only really the narrator voice acting and some occasional music.”
    • “The music was my favorite part of the story.”
  • atmosphere39 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning visuals, immersive sound design, and unique artistic style, creating a captivating and relaxing experience for players. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke emotions through its atmospheric music and detailed environments, making it a standout for those who appreciate creative storytelling and aesthetic beauty. While some note that the gameplay may be lacking, the overall ambiance and charm of the game leave a lasting impression.

    • “The game is beautifully crafted, with stunning visuals, atmospheric music, and clever level design.”
    • “The attention to detail in the design of characters and environments is truly commendable, creating an immersive atmosphere that captivates players from start to finish.”
    • “The environments look stunning when walking through them, everything is beautifully lit and the atmosphere is always thick and pleasing to look at.”
    • “If you are looking for realistic graphics, this game cannot be recommended; but if you intend to stay away from the usual atmosphere of skirmish games and wander a little in fantasy worlds, this title will be a good option.”
    • “I really enjoyed this game; it’s a beautiful cinematic landscape with a slightly eerie atmosphere.”
    • “The sound effects are pretty well put together, and the music is very fitting for the intended atmosphere.”
  • emotional22 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its heartfelt story and charming characters, particularly the journey of Abby, which resonates deeply with players. Many reviews note the game's ability to evoke strong feelings through its narrative and enchanting melodies, creating a heartwarming yet occasionally jarring experience. While some found the emotional connection lacking, the overall sentiment is that the game offers a touching adventure that leaves a lasting impact.

    • “The story is touching and emotional, with a narrator who guides you through Abby's adventures and challenges.”
    • “The enchanting melodies enhance the emotional impact of key moments, pulling players even deeper into the narrative.”
    • “Yet, A Juggler’s Tale is a cathartic experience, packing an emotional punch; it’s a tale of hope and empowerment that will stay with you long after the credits have rolled.”
  • stability16 mentions

    The game's stability is a mixed bag, with many players reporting various bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, such as invisible textures and clunky controls. While some users experienced smooth performance on devices like the Steam Deck and low/mid-level laptops, others found the frequent issues frustrating, particularly due to long loading times after deaths. Overall, the game is described as visually appealing but plagued by stability problems that may detract from the experience.

    • “It runs great on the Steam Deck too, which is the device I played it on.”
    • “This game is gorgeous and I didn't have to look up any of the puzzles; movement was easy, with no glitches.”
    • “Everything runs great on my low/mid-level gaming laptop, no stuttering at all, and more importantly, no crashing (unlike what other people have been experiencing, so it seems - I suspect that the game was updated to fix this).”
    • “Glitches, clunky controls, and the long loading time after death make it a frustrating experience rather than an enjoyable one.”
    • “I really wanted to like this game, but the glitches, clunky controls, and the long loading time after death make it a frustrating experience rather than an enjoyable one.”
    • “With a very short playtime and a fair amount of bugs/glitches, if you haven't got spare cash, maybe wait a bit for more patches to be released.”
  • optimization16 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews; while some players report smooth performance and no issues, others experience high GPU usage and occasional performance drops. The game's unique art style and strong voice acting are praised, but concerns about optimization persist, particularly for high-end hardware. Overall, the experience varies significantly among players, with some enjoying seamless gameplay and others facing challenges.

    • “The developers have optimized the game nicely.”
    • “I encountered no performance issues of any kind.”
    • “Everything runs great on my low/mid-level gaming laptop, no stuttering at all, and more importantly, no crashing (unlike what other people have been experiencing so it seems - I suspect that the game was updated to fix this).”
    • “The game feels somewhat unoptimized.”
    • “I like the graphics, but it is not optimized well because my RTX 4080 is at 90% usage at 2560x1440 with 240Hz, which is not appropriate for this type of game.”
    • “The game is poorly optimized.”
  • replayability14 mentions

    Overall, the game is criticized for its limited replayability, with most reviews noting that it offers only a few hours of gameplay and minimal incentive to replay after completion. While some players mention the potential for collecting achievements as a slight boost to replay value, the consensus is that the short length and lack of substantial content make it hard to justify the full price.

    • “🔲 Infinitely replayable (or almost).”
    • “The achievements also tie in really well, as it gives the game a bit of replayability with hidden challenges set inside each stage.”
    • “There is a little bit of replay value as there are a few achievements that I missed, but they shouldn't be hard to get.”
    • “I'm not sure I would recommend it at its full price due to the short length of the game and lack of replayability.”
    • “Alas, the price is very steep for what it offers, given how short the game - a couple of hours - is and the lack of replayability once completed.”
    • “Replay value is basically zero.”
  • humor7 mentions

    The humor in "A Juggler's Tale" is generally well-received, with many praising the witty narration and clever jokes that enhance the game's charm. While some find the humor occasionally patronizing or overly aggressive, it remains a highlight, contributing to an engaging and entertaining experience throughout. Overall, the game's lighthearted approach and amusing dialogue leave players both laughing and reflecting on deeper themes.

    • “In the end, 'A Juggler's Tale' isn't just a game—it's a sideshow extravaganza that'll leave you laughing, gasping, and maybe even questioning the meaning of life.”
    • “Cute little platform game with some funny bits, good narration, and graphically quite atmospheric.”
    • “The humor is absolutely fitting, and even dying was fun because of the sayings you get told.”
  • grinding7 mentions

    Reviews indicate that grinding in the game can be tedious and time-consuming, with some players feeling it detracts from the overall experience. While the story and pacing are generally praised, the presence of repetitive tasks and unclear objectives can lead to frustration.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Tedious.”
    • “If it weren’t for some tedious puzzles and vague signposting, a juggler’s tale would have completely won me over with its charm and beauty.”
  • character development3 mentions

    Character development is noted for its good design, featuring simple yet charming characters that enhance the gameplay experience. The immersive sound design and varied musical score contribute positively to the overall atmosphere, reminiscent of a condensed version of "Inside."

    • “The sound design is immersive, the character designs are simple but cute, and the score by Jordan Toms is absolutely fantastic, with a lot of different themes.”
    • “Good character design.”
    • “In terms of gameplay and character design, it actually felt like a shortened version of Inside.”
    • “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the protagonists.”
    • “I was disappointed by how predictable the character arcs were; they didn't evolve in any meaningful way.”
    • “The game offers little in terms of character growth, leaving me feeling detached from the story.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

73% average critic score

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Play time

2hMedian play time
3hAverage play time
2-3hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 19 analyzed playthroughs

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