Dollhouse

52%
Game Brain Score Based on 67 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • graphics
Dollhouse Game Cover
Dollhouse has some honestly good mechanics and ideas, and can be fun to play in short bursts. It's just repetitive, and it's unique multiplayer modes have likely never been played.
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Dollhouse is a Horror Action game that can be played in single-player, multi-player, or co-op mode with up to 2 players. In the single-player mode, players must escape their pursuer while deciphering the story of their past. The game features procedurally generated maps, customizable characters with over 40 abilities, and a multiplayer mode where each player has a different target. The eerie atmosphere is enhanced by a film noir setting and a good soundtrack.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

52%
Audience ScoreBased on 67 reviews
story18 positive mentions
gameplay13 negative mentions
  • The game features an interesting horror mechanic where enemies move only when not being watched, creating a unique tension.
  • The atmosphere and art style are praised for their noir aesthetic, contributing to an immersive experience.
  • The story has potential with intriguing elements, and the developers are responsive to player feedback, implementing updates and fixes.
  • The gameplay is repetitive and often feels like a tedious fetch quest, leading to boredom over time.
  • The game is plagued by numerous bugs and glitches, including game-breaking issues that hinder progress.
  • The tutorial is lacking, leaving players confused about mechanics and objectives, which detracts from the overall horror experience.
  • gameplay62 mentions

    The gameplay has been widely criticized for being overly complicated, repetitive, and often broken, leading to a frustrating experience for players. While some unique mechanics and horror elements are noted, they are overshadowed by a lack of clear instructions, numerous bugs, and a monotonous gameplay loop that fails to engage. Overall, many reviewers do not recommend the game due to its flawed execution and tedious mechanics.

    • “There's so many aspects to the unique gameplay.”
    • “I enjoyed this mechanic of being able to see through the bad guy's eyes, as it helped me find the memory reels.”
    • “It introduces mechanics that can be the downfall of the player or a cornerstone to rely on as the experience gets tailored by the player as they play.”
    • “The gameplay is extremely basic and repetitive: you have to walk through eight different labyrinths, pick up items and push some buttons while shooting evil mannequins and running from a creature called 'it'.”
    • “To sum the gameplay up, you walk around maze after maze, looking for memory canisters to put into memory machines so that you can go and solve a puzzle in order to get a master key to proceed to the next level; all while being stalked by an unrelenting giant doll, being attacked by mannequins, and avoiding deadly traps.”
    • “It's filled with game-breaking bugs, an overbearing enemy AI that will not lose you no matter what you do, a needlessly complex array of mechanics, a convoluted HUD that isn't ever fully explained, a lackluster leveling system with equally dull abilities, maps that are the same exact thing over and over again just with new skins, and some of the most uninspired gameplay in horror overall.”
  • story59 mentions

    The game's story has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it intriguing and well-developed, while others criticize it for being poorly executed or lacking depth. Many appreciate the unique storytelling mechanics and the ability to shape the narrative through player choices, but some feel that the gameplay's repetitiveness detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the story is seen as a strong point for those who prioritize narrative in their gaming experience, despite its flaws.

    • “The story is interesting, if a little scattered, but it's there if you look.”
    • “Dollhouse is a solid horror game with an interesting and tragic story that pulls the player in and leaves them terrified at times.”
    • “The story follows the protagonist Marie, who finds herself in a realm filled with memories and monsters with no idea how she arrived there.”
    • “The game is very poorly designed, controls are bad, the story and the base are kind of boring. The game already has way too many bad reviews anyway, and I couldn't be bothered to continue playing this.”
    • “The story barely exists, and I knew this game was going to be mediocre as soon as a character speaking to you through a radio says 'would you kindly'.”
    • “While the storyline itself is fine, it really felt like the game took the noir theme just for the sake of having one instead of actually using it to its advantage.”
  • graphics16 mentions

    The graphics in the game are generally described as decent and fitting for its noir and eerie aesthetic, though they lack the polish of "next-gen" visuals typical of larger titles. While some players appreciate the stylistic choices that align with the game's themes, others find the dark visuals hinder gameplay and enjoyment. Overall, the graphics contribute to the atmosphere but may not satisfy those seeking more vibrant or advanced visuals.

    • “In my opinion, the graphics are perfect for the game; it’s called Dollhouse, and the style is very doll-like, so I would say it is more a stylistic choice than an inability to make the graphics realistic.”
    • “The game has a heavy influence in puzzles, and the beautiful aesthetic gives the player an uneasy feeling while wandering the environment.”
    • “Overall, the graphics are decent and give an eerie vibe, but it is not something that I can enjoy in the darkness and with the looming threat of being ever chased.”
    • “Visually, the aesthetic fits the noir vibe they’re going for, and I like the music and general atmosphere, but I wish there was a little more color.”
    • “And the graphics are so dark that I can barely see where I'm going, much less work out what I'm supposed to do when I get there.”
  • atmosphere14 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and creepy noir vibe, effectively enhancing the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the fitting soundtrack and visual aesthetic, which contribute to a unique and engaging environment, making it particularly appealing for fans of atmospheric horror rather than action-oriented gameplay. The combination of storytelling, character depth, and a sense of mystery further solidifies the game's atmospheric strength.

    • “If you love horror games that are less shooting and more atmosphere, this is the game for you.”
    • “The single player has a beautiful immersive atmosphere.”
    • “The main strength of the game is its atmosphere and unique ideas/concepts.”
    • “But what makes it really shine is the story of the characters, the creepy atmosphere, how nothing stays the same after completing tasks, and just the different movies and such you can collect.”
    • “As a result, Dollhouse offers a creepy noir theme horror game that has the player go around getting collectibles and keeps them on edge with the eerie atmosphere.”
    • “There's certainly an atmosphere and a genuine air of mystery going on.”
  • music13 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its cool, down-tempo soft jazz style that complements the atmosphere and noir aesthetic effectively. Reviewers appreciate the soundtrack's ability to enhance the game's tension, particularly during chase sequences, while also noting the effective use of silence. However, some express disappointment that the soundtrack is not available for purchase on Steam.

    • “The music is very cool down tempo soft jazz, and it seems like a shame the soundtrack isn't available on Steam.”
    • “There's not much to say about the soundtrack except that it fits really well with the atmosphere and has overall a really good taste.”
    • “Music was great, also terrifying at times; it was great where they did not overstate the music volume and the use of silence at times was the best bit that made me want to close the game at times.”
    • “I don't want to address anything further regarding gameplay, music, story, etc... it's all irrelevant in my eyes if the product is broken.”
    • “When the killer approaches the player, use the sound of footsteps (knock of heels) instead of intense music.”
    • “Add playing erotic videos during the killer running behind the player (instead of annoying music) when the killer knows the location of the gamer.”
  • stability10 mentions

    The stability of the game has been a mixed experience for players. Initially plagued by numerous game-breaking glitches, recent updates have addressed many issues, leading to improved stability for some users. However, others still report encountering significant bugs, indicating that while progress has been made, stability remains a concern for many.

    • “There were no glitches or crashes during my experience.”
    • “The game ran smoothly without any interruptions.”
    • “I never encountered any bugs that affected my gameplay.”
    • “Broken/buggy game, don't buy!”
    • “Game is buggy and broken.”
    • “During my 5 hour playthrough, I experienced a plethora of glitches; some of them even game-breaking in a major way.”
  • replayability3 mentions

    The game offers decent replayability due to its procedurally generated levels, which provide a unique experience for each playthrough, despite some players finding the gameplay repetitive. While the campaign lasts 6-8 hours, the intriguing story and varied gameplay elements encourage players to return for multiple runs.

    • “The game has an interesting and mysterious story, as well as good replayability thanks to the randomly generated nature of the levels.”
    • “Decent campaign length with a lot of replay value.”
    • “The single-player is 6-8 hours long, but procedurally generated, so it has some replay value and will differ from person to person.”
    • “The campaign length is decent, but the replay value is lacking.”
    • “The developer claims the single-player experience is 6-8 hours long and procedurally generated, which suggests some replay value, but it ultimately feels repetitive.”
    • “While the game offers a decent campaign length, the replayability doesn't hold up after the first playthrough.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The game's optimization has been criticized for causing unstable frame rates, even on capable hardware like the RTX 3060.

    • “Game optimization is horrible; I have an unstable frame rate with an RTX 3060.”
    • “The game runs poorly on my system, despite having decent hardware.”
    • “I experience frequent stuttering and lag, making it unplayable at times.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

65% average critic score

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