Jack Holmes: Master of Puppets

About

"Jack Holmes: Master of Puppets" is a horror-action game where Jack, a reluctant member of a family business, takes on his first case involving sinister puppets and animatronics. Traverse through various disturbing settings, manage resources, and engage in combat against an array of threatening enemies and bosses. Survival requires quick thinking and strategic use of weapons while uncovering the mystery behind the nightmarish beings.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Jack Holmes: Master of Puppets screenshot

76%

Audience ScoreBased on 84 reviews

story6 positive mentions

optimization3 negative mentions

The game features a captivating atmosphere and unique environments, particularly the amusement park, which is filled with detail and creativity.
Despite its flaws, the game successfully blends humor and horror elements, providing a refreshing take on the genre.
The developer's dedication is evident, as they have crafted a surprisingly engaging experience for a solo project, with clever puzzles and memorable moments.

The game suffers from poor pacing and unclear objectives, often leaving players confused about what to do next.
Combat mechanics are clunky, with inconsistent damage and sluggish movement, making encounters frustrating.
Technical issues such as performance drops and a lack of autosave can lead to a frustrating experience, especially during challenging sections.

story
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
65%
12%
The story is described as campy with elements of horror, featuring intriguing concepts like tiny village creatures and a child's toy coming to life. While the graphics and atmosphere are praised, many reviewers feel the plot is underdeveloped and lacks immersion, suggesting that the game could benefit from clearer objectives and a more fleshed-out narrative. Despite these criticisms, the game is recommended for fans of survival horror due to its unique storytelling and engaging gameplay mechanics.
- “The graphics are fantastic and the storyline is very good.”
- “This game is for any fans of survival horror in general; it has awesome atmosphere and storytelling.”
- “I wish the story would be fleshed out more though, but again it is at least worth a play if interested in body horror gore. Also, play the prologue to get a better understanding of the lore.”
- “I could explain the premise, but honestly, the plot here is barely existent.”
- “Does the plot exist?”
- “This took the immersion away from me and I do think the story has potential; I just didn't make it that far due to my growing frustration.”
atmosphere
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
73%
13%
14%
The atmosphere in "Jack Holmes: Master of Puppets" is widely praised as one of the game's strongest elements, featuring a blend of horror, creepiness, and humor that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the meticulous design of environments and enemies, with standout locations like the park and Bubu's funhouse contributing to a visually striking and immersive setting. Despite some shortcomings, the game's unique style and attention to detail create a compelling atmosphere that resonates well with fans of survival horror.
- “Graphically it is very good and the atmosphere is simply wonderful and one of the strongest points of the game. The park... oh my, the park! You can see the love put into the recreation, especially in the rideable attractions, which are amazing without exception, especially if you are a fan of it.”
- “While the English voice acting falls short, the meticulously designed enemies and attention to detail create an atmospheric masterpiece.”
- “This game is for any fans of survival horror in general; it has an awesome atmosphere and storytelling.”
- “First-person survival horror game made by a single developer that has its shortcomings, but overall it gives you a very good feeling of gameplay and is very enjoyable, at a very competitive price and visually striking. My favorite parts: Animal Village and Bubu's Funhouse, especially this one, as it has a very creepy atmosphere!”
- “However, this game 100% has its own style and atmosphere, which is why I purchased it.”
- “Jack Holmes: Master of Puppets delivers on atmosphere, horror, and not taking itself too seriously.”
graphics
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
27%
17%
The graphics in the game are generally praised for their quality and the immersive atmosphere they create, particularly in the detailed environments and rideable attractions. However, performance issues such as significant FPS drops on medium settings detract from the experience, and some players express disappointment over the use of AI-generated artwork. Overall, while the visuals are a strong point, optimization and additional graphical options like DLSS are desired improvements.
- “Graphically it is very good and the atmosphere is simply wonderful and one of the strongest points of the game. You can see the love put into the recreation, especially in the rideable attractions, which are amazing without exception, especially if you are a fan of it.”
- “This is one hell of a horror experience and will go down as one of my favorites. If you love spooky games with great lighting, graphics, and carnival fun, then this is a must play!”
- “Before I forget, the game's performance isn't really optimized, so expect even on medium graphics huge FPS drops.”
- “Artwork found throughout the game is made with AI, proving the developer isn't truthful.”
- “Graphics is not used as a main crutch for delivery and it is inherently noticeable that the developer put in a lot of programming, placement, and time to uniquely craft an experience.”
gameplay
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
42%
25%
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with many players criticizing the gun mechanics, inconsistent damage, and fast enemy movements that lead to frustrating combat experiences. However, some appreciate the unique first-person survival horror elements and original minigames that enhance the story, noting that despite its roughness, the game offers an enjoyable experience at a competitive price. Overall, while the gameplay has significant shortcomings, it also has moments that resonate well with players.
- “The gameplay is not polished, and maybe sometimes just unfair, but that roughness works in its favor, feeling that any moment could be the last.”
- “The gameplay is neat as an FPS with original minigames being a very important part of the story to follow.”
- “First-person survival horror game made by a single developer that has its shortcomings, but overall it gives you a very good feeling of gameplay and is very enjoyable, at a very competitive price and visually striking (my favorite parts: animal village and bubu's funhouse, especially this, it has a very creepy atmosphere!)”
- “The gameplay is below what I'd consider to be acceptable for a paid title. The guns feel terrible, damage is inconsistent; it might take 2 headshots to kill an enemy or 5 headshots and another 5 body shots. The reticle is not actually lined up with where the projectiles go, which is very noticeable at long distances. Enemies are just generally too fast, making the combat a series of clunky shooting while enemies punch you and then heal.”
- “The gameplay is not polished and can sometimes feel unfair, but that roughness works in its favor, creating a sense that any moment could be the last.”
- “The gameplay is below what I'd consider to be acceptable for a paid title. The guns feel terrible, damage is inconsistent; it might take 2 headshots to kill an enemy or 5 headshots and another 5 body shots. The reticle is not actually lined up with where the projectiles go, which is very noticeable at long distances. Enemies are just generally too fast, making the combat a series of clunky shooting while enemies punch you and then heal.”
optimization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game's optimization is notably poor, with significant FPS drops occurring even on medium graphics settings, particularly in outdoor areas like the park and during events such as the fair. Players should anticipate performance issues that detract from the overall experience.
- “The game's performance isn't really optimized, so expect huge FPS drops even on medium graphics.”
- “Performance can tank significantly when you get to the fair.”
- “The performance optimization is pretty bad, especially in the outdoor areas of the game, mainly the actual park areas.”
music
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
The music in the game is generally well-received, though some players find it occasionally mismatched with the gameplay, leading to moments of confusion regarding its tempo. Expectations set by the trailer's energetic soundtrack may have contributed to a perception of the game being faster-paced than it actually is.
- “Good music, though sometimes slightly unfitting; there were a few times I stopped and thought, 'Wait, why does this have a beat to it?'”
- “I'm not sure where my expectations went wrong, but the trailer with hype music made me think this would be a slightly faster-paced game with more instances of small enemy hordes.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in "Jack Holmes" is praised for its successful integration with survival horror elements, offering a refreshing blend of comedy and emotional depth that sets it apart from typical indie horror titles that focus solely on fear.
- “Most indie horror titles focus purely on fear, but Jack Holmes dares to blend humor and heart with its survival horror elements—and it works brilliantly.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the protagonist endearing and wholesome, appreciating his quirky and naive observations that add a charming emotional layer to the game.
- “The protagonist is strangely cute and wholesome with his derpy observations.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly due to the distance between save points, which can make challenging sections feel frustrating. However, some users acknowledge that their own skill level may contribute to this perception.
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is frequently criticized, with players reporting issues such as janky combat, buggy boss fights, and moments of confusion during gameplay. These problems suggest that players should be prepared for a less polished experience.
- “Only play this if you are willing to put up with janky combat, buggy boss fights, and being lost for a bit.”

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4h Median play time

4h Average play time

4-4h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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