"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.
Beautiful graphics and art style that create an enchanting atmosphere.
Engaging story with a compelling narrator that adds charm to the gameplay.
Simple yet enjoyable puzzles that are accessible for all players.
Very short gameplay, typically around 2-3 hours, which may not justify the price for some players.
Some puzzles can feel unintuitive or frustrating, leading to moments of trial and error.
Bugs and glitches can disrupt the experience, requiring restarts from checkpoints.
story
865 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
47%
2%
The story of "A Juggler's Tale" follows Abby, a puppet yearning for freedom, as she navigates a whimsical yet dark world, narrated in rhyming verse by a puppeteer whose role evolves throughout the game. While the narrative is engaging and features emotional twists, some players found it somewhat clichéd and the gameplay mechanics lacking depth. Overall, the charming visuals and heartfelt storytelling make it a delightful, albeit brief, experience that resonates with themes of empowerment and self-discovery.
“The story is by far the best aspect of the game.”
“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.”
“It is a whimsical but compelling story about empowerment, hope and the desire for freedom whilst showcasing how beautiful and dark reality can be.”
“The narrator, despite being integral to the story later on, gets incredibly frustrating, particularly when you die, and some of the puzzles seemed glitchy.”
“Nothing makes sense in this game (story-wise).”
“The story is okayish, I guess.”
graphics
405 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
69%
30%
1%
The graphics of "A Juggler's Tale" have been widely praised for their stunning art style and vibrant visuals, which evoke a whimsical, storybook aesthetic reminiscent of puppet theaters. Players appreciate the beautiful environments and charming character designs, although some noted that animations could be improved. Overall, the game's visuals contribute significantly to its enchanting atmosphere, making it a delightful experience for those who enjoy artistic storytelling.
“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 game is irresistibly charming from the get-go, with jaw-dropping visuals (among the best I've seen for a puzzle platformer), great narration, and a gripping story.”
“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).”
“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.”
gameplay
296 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
65%
3%
The gameplay of "A Juggler's Tale" is characterized by its unique puppet mechanics, which allow players to interact with the environment in creative ways, though some find the controls clumsy and the puzzles not particularly challenging. While the game offers a visually striking experience and a compelling narrative, many reviewers note that it is short (around 2-3 hours) and lacks depth in gameplay, leading to mixed feelings about its overall execution and value. Despite its shortcomings, the game is praised for its artistic design and engaging storytelling, making it a charming, albeit brief, experience.
“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 'string mechanics' is sometimes clumsy and it sometimes juggles you in a rather bad way.”
“Controls and 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.”
music
223 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
69%
30%
1%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its beautiful and atmospheric qualities, enhancing the overall experience with a charming soundtrack that complements the visuals and narration. Players particularly enjoy the medieval-inspired tunes and whimsical scores, which effectively set the mood for various gameplay moments. While some noted that the music could be somewhat repetitive or sparse in certain sections, the overall consensus is that it significantly contributes to the game's enchanting atmosphere and storytelling.
“The soundtrack deserves special mention for complementing the game's atmosphere beautifully.”
“The art is beautiful, the story is strong, and the music is brilliant.”
“An absolutely gorgeous game, with some unique gameplay mechanics and beautiful music and storyline - extremely well put together.”
“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.”
“And now, I have the bandits' song stuck in my head.”
atmosphere
78 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
85%
11%
4%
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. Players appreciate the attention to detail in the environments and the atmospheric music, which enhances the storytelling and overall enjoyment. While some note that the gameplay may be lacking, the rich atmosphere and creative elements make it a worthwhile experience for those who appreciate artistic and narrative-driven games.
“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.”
“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.”
emotional
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of "A Juggler's Tale" is highlighted by its heartfelt story and charming gameplay, which together create a touching and immersive experience. Players often feel a strong emotional connection to the narrative, particularly through the character of Abby and the enchanting melodies that enhance key moments. While many find the game to be a heartwarming adventure, some note that its brevity may limit the depth of emotional engagement.
“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.”
stability
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
6%
75%
The game's stability is a mixed bag, with many users reporting various bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, such as invisible textures and clunky controls. While some players experienced smooth performance on devices like the Steam Deck and low/mid-level laptops, others found the frequent issues frustrating, particularly with long loading times after deaths. Overall, the game is described as beautiful but plagued by enough technical problems that potential buyers might consider waiting for patches before purchasing.
“This game is gorgeous and I didn't have to look up any of the puzzles, movement was easy, 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).”
“It runs great on the Steam Deck too, which is the device I played it on.”
“Glitches, clunky controls, and the long loading time after death make it a frustrating experience rather than an enjoyable one.”
“I got it as a bonus in a bundle, but the price to buy this game is insane for a one to two hours of barebones buggy platformer/puzzle with no replay value.”
“Extremely buggy, to the point where I bypassed most of the third act by flying through the air to the end (I interacted with a ladder in midair, and it caused the game to freak out).”
optimization
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
68%
13%
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 voice acting are praised, but concerns about optimization persist, particularly for high-end hardware. Overall, the optimization appears to vary significantly across different systems.
“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 probably not optimized well because my RTX 4080 is at 90% usage - 2560x1440 with 240Hz, which is not appropriate for this type of game.”
“The game is poorly optimized.”
replayability
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
60%
29%
The game has been criticized for its limited replayability, with most reviews noting that it offers only 2-3 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 game's short length and high price make it difficult to recommend at full price. Overall, it seems best suited for sale prices rather than its original cost.
“🔲 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.”
humor
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in "A Juggler's Tale" is generally well-received, with many praising the witty narration and clever jokes that enhance the gameplay experience. However, some players find the humor can become overly aggressive or patronizing at times. Overall, the game's charm lies in its amusing dialogue and engaging atmosphere, making it a delightful experience despite minor criticisms.
“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.”
“Abby's actions with the environment and the narrator's funny jokes are among the strengths of 'A Juggler's Tale', which will not diminish its charm until the last moment.”
grinding
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
71%
Reviews indicate that grinding in the game can be tedious, with some players feeling it detracts from the overall experience. While the story and pacing are generally praised, the presence of unnecessary grinding and vague puzzles can lead to frustration. Overall, the grinding aspect is seen as a significant drawback that could diminish enjoyment.
“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 development
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
Character development is noted for its good design, featuring simple yet cute 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.”
“In terms of gameplay and character design, it actually felt like a shortened version of Inside.”