Dropsy

About

Dropsy is a hug-giving clown on a journey of self-discovery in a richly detailed, open world. Players can explore sinister secrets, talk to animals, and piece together puzzles in a non-traditional point-and-click adventure. With a focus on love, kindness, and player freedom, Dropsy seeks to redeem himself and find his place in the world after a tragic circus fire.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

+11

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 958 reviews

story144 positive mentions

stability13 negative mentions

The game features a unique storytelling approach, using pictograms instead of dialogue, which enhances the player's immersion.
The art style and soundtrack are charming and beautifully crafted, creating a vibrant and engaging atmosphere.
Dropsy, the protagonist, is a lovable character whose journey of spreading kindness and happiness resonates emotionally with players.

Some puzzles can be obtuse and may require the use of a guide, leading to frustration for players unfamiliar with the genre.
The game has a day/night cycle that can complicate puzzle-solving, as certain characters and items are only available at specific times.
The ending feels abrupt and may leave players wanting more closure regarding the story and character arcs.

story
394 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
62%
2%
The story of "Dropsy" is a heartfelt and unique narrative centered around a misunderstood clown on a quest for redemption and acceptance, conveyed entirely through visual storytelling without dialogue. Players engage with a colorful world filled with quirky characters, each with their own stories, as they help others and uncover deeper themes of love and kindness amidst a backdrop of tragedy. While some find the storytelling approach innovative, others feel it can lead to confusion and a lack of coherence, particularly in the game's pacing and resolution.
- “The story is very sincere and sweet.”
- “The story was heartwarming and turned out to have more depth to it than I honestly was expecting (which is a good thing).”
- “Dropsy is an utterly unique puzzle-adventure game, with challenging but fair puzzles, gorgeous graphic design, and a genuinely heartwarming story.”
- “The backstory is lacking and completely inaccessible inside the game itself.”
- “The main story quickly takes a back seat to a series of increasingly infuriating sidequests, before being resolved by a prompt deus ex machina ending that leaves quite a few loose ends untied.”
- “I may have had a different experience if I had explored everything, but the game abruptly comes to a point of no return in the storyline with no warning or indication this is going to happen.”
music
267 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
38%
3%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its variety and emotional resonance, with many players highlighting its ability to enhance the overall experience. While some found the tracks to be catchy and memorable, others noted that certain pieces could become repetitive over time. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and atmosphere.
- “The soundtrack is brilliant, with an assortment of varied and catchy tracks.”
- “The music is fantastic, and the pixel art is beautiful, and nothing more needs to be said.”
- “The music accompanying each screen is dynamic and inviting you to stay.”
- “The music is very repetitive but it's kind of nice.”
- “I have been pointlessly wandering around for nearly 40 minutes with minimal feedback, barely any sound effects and the music got repetitive (read: drilling into my head) at the end.”
- “I can't recommend this game because I don't want others to feel the disappointment I felt, or to experience the tedium of revisiting the same areas and listening to the same music just to find one item (repeatedly).”
emotional
171 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its heartwarming and touching narrative, which explores themes of kindness, acceptance, and overcoming prejudice through the experiences of a misunderstood clown. Players report a range of emotions, from joy and warmth to sadness and introspection, as they engage with the game's unique storytelling and charming visuals. Despite its quirky and sometimes creepy aesthetic, the game effectively communicates deep emotional connections and leaves a lasting impact on players.
- “There is something sublimely touching in feeling the hatred shown towards Dropsy, understanding why those characters feel that way, finding a way to bring them peace, and earning another sincere and cathartic hug.”
- “A surprisingly sincere and touching story about an illiterate clown searching for friends among the people that shun and fear him.”
- “By the time the credits roll, you're so emotionally invested in Dropsy's well-being that it feels almost like a release.”
graphics
155 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
45%
2%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their vibrant pixel art style, which evokes nostalgia while also delivering a unique and charming aesthetic. Players appreciate the attention to detail, the expressive animations, and the effective use of color that enhances the overall atmosphere, despite some noting that the lack of text can occasionally lead to confusion. The combination of beautiful visuals and a fitting soundtrack creates an engaging experience that resonates emotionally with players.
- “The aesthetic of this game: very vibrant colorful palette paired with 8-bit graphics and an overall sci-fi carnival theme *chef's kiss*”
- “The graphics are wonderful to look at, pixilated, bright, and colorful.”
- “The art style is phenomenal, the music is extraordinary, and the puzzles are tricky enough to be engaging without being so ridiculously obscure that you'll need to make a deal with the devil to solve them.”
- “Relying on icons only is certainly an artistic choice, but if you're going to do that, you better make sure that your graphics convey clear information.”
- “There were several times that I mistook the meaning of an icon, and because nothing is labeled, the graphics were left to my interpretation.”
- “Add to the general lack of logic the completely wordless dialogue, and messy graphics that sometimes leave the purpose of certain objects quite confusing.”
gameplay
93 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
69%
3%
The gameplay of this title is primarily a point-and-click adventure, featuring a mix of traditional inventory puzzles and unique mechanics like a hug system that adds emotional depth. While some players appreciate the charming visuals and engaging atmosphere, others find the gameplay to be tedious and occasionally vague, with a reliance on standard genre tropes. Overall, it offers a blend of familiar mechanics with some innovative twists, making it appealing to fans of the genre, though it may not be the best entry point for newcomers.
- “The mechanic of solving people's problems, and hugging them, is a nice refreshing change of pace for an adventure game as it allows you to make progress and discoveries while stuck on mainline tasks.”
- “The puzzles aren't super hard nor are they too easy; it had a nice mix of difficulty along with a well-utilized day/night mechanic.”
- “The gameplay is easy to understand; it's just... well, pointing and clicking.”
- “The gameplay is boring and slow because of the animation, and the puzzles are very arbitrary.”
- “The game really struggles to make the player emotionally invested in anyone, and as a result, most of the gameplay is tedious.”
- “Gameplay-wise, figuring out these 'riddles' feels tedious because you know after you have done one, the story won't really progress - all that waits for you are 20 other search quests.”
humor
45 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in "Dropsy" is characterized by a blend of dark, absurd, and heartwarming elements, often delivered through quirky scenarios and lovable characters. Players appreciate the game's ability to balance humor with emotional depth, creating a unique atmosphere that is both funny and poignant. While some found the humor to be subtle or less frequent, those who enjoyed it highlighted its charm and creativity, making it a memorable aspect of the game.
- “The mood of the game and funny scenarios are what I liked the most.”
- “A fantastic and humorous adventure of the obscure, obtuse, and only barely obscene.”
- “With a dark melancholy cheerfulness, Dropsy displays a sense of heart and humor that struck a chord with me.”
atmosphere
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
32%
14%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its vibrant and richly detailed world, which is brought to life through unique characters and a captivating soundtrack. Players appreciate the blend of heartfelt themes, such as love and forgiveness, conveyed through a surreal and sometimes melancholic lens, creating an immersive experience that stands out. Overall, the game's aesthetic and emotional depth contribute significantly to its appeal, making the atmosphere its standout feature.
- “The aesthetic and atmosphere of this game is out of this world, with a richly detailed world that breathes life into each aspect of it, exploring themes of love and forgiveness through the eyes of an illiterate, creepy-looking, yet deeply compassionate clown who everyone hates.”
- “It's visually attractive, but the soundtrack of this game is a particular highlight - each area has different music, and all of it is atmospheric, catchy, and wonderful.”
- “The highlights of Dropsy are the great atmosphere and the game world.”
- “Especially considering how heartfelt and melancholy the atmosphere was up to this point (in its own bizarre way).”
- “You might expect, just like I did, from looking at this game, with its strange-looking clown protagonist and psychedelic atmosphere, to contain some subversive narrative, or that it's secretly a horror game.”
- “Too many works use creepy clowns as a shortcut for being edgy or faking some kind of atmosphere.”
stability
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
81%
The game's stability is a mixed bag, with users reporting various technical issues such as freezing after credits, screen tearing, and buggy achievements that can hinder gameplay. While some players find the game runs well on certain platforms, the prevalence of glitches, particularly in achievement tracking, detracts from the overall experience for those aiming for completion.
- “Runs great on deck.”
- “The game is technically sound, runs great, and has the kind of soundtrack you'll be humming to yourself for years to come.”
- “I'm not really sure what I can complain about; it's not buggy.”
- “Only bad thing I have to say is that there is a bug after the credits where it freezes, which will prevent getting the achievement.”
- “First off, there are general technical issues like screen tearing (apparently no solution to enable VSync in 2024 anymore) or the game freezing during one of the insanely glitchy DLC 'puzzles'. Then there are the achievements that are extremely buggy (Dropsy refuses to use the bathroom) or can be soft-locked by making the wrong choice, thus requiring another playthrough (soup puzzle).”
- “Be warned though, some of the achievements are buggy.”
grinding
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, primarily due to slow movement, a cumbersome day/night system that complicates character interactions, and a lack of fast travel options early on. The repetitive nature of backtracking and solving puzzles without significant story progression contributes to a sense of frustration, making the overall experience feel laborious rather than engaging.
- “Walking around is also kind of tedious and it takes a while to get from one side of the world to the other.”
- “The game is mostly about small subplots with the characters you meet, but the game really struggles to make the player emotionally invested in anyone, and as a result most of the gameplay is tedious.”
- “Gameplay-wise, figuring out these 'riddles' feels tedious because you know after you have done one, the story won't really progress - all that waits for you are 20 other search quests.”
replayability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
20%
60%
Overall, the game offers limited replayability, with most players finding a single playthrough sufficient to experience its emotional impact. While completists may enjoy revisiting the game to solve all puzzles, the lack of a memorable plot and minimal incentives for multiple runs suggest it may not hold long-term appeal for many players.
- “It takes so many playthroughs to find everything that the replayability is worth it.”
- “It has no replay value nor does it have anything incredible going for it, but it's a nice game worth a playthrough.”
- “While there's not much of replay value, all you need is a single playthrough to get the full effect and stir of emotions that the game is invested towards.”
- “It is possible to finish the game without solving every single puzzle, so there is a replayability factor with a walkthrough if you are a completist.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers highlight that the character design is a standout feature of the game, with high praise for both the soundtrack and the visual aesthetics. However, there is no specific mention of character development in terms of narrative or growth, suggesting that while the designs are impressive, the depth of character development may be lacking.
- “The soundtrack and character designs are also top-notch!”
- “The biggest strength of this game is its character design.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The optimization aspect of the game is not explicitly addressed in the provided text, which focuses more on the narrative and emotional impact of the storyline involving the character Dropsy. Therefore, no specific insights on optimization can be drawn from this review.