Once a Tale

About

"Once a Tale" is a story-rich narrative game inspired by classic fairy tales, where players guide Hansel and Gretel through a beautifully handcrafted world, experiencing the adventure through cinematic camera angles. As they search for their way home, players will solve puzzles and interact with various creatures using the siblings' unique abilities. The game offers a family-friendly, magical experience in a stop-motion style world.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

93%

Audience ScoreBased on 27 reviews

story4 positive mentions

The game features unique and stunning fairy tale-like animations and visuals that create an immersive experience.
The puzzles are well-designed, challenging yet satisfying, and the narrative is engaging and emotionally resonant.
It's a family-friendly game that offers hours of fun, making it a great choice for playing with kids.

Some camera angles can make controls tricky, leading to frustration during gameplay.
There are reports of poor controls and lag that can detract from the overall experience.
The game lacks voice acting, which some players feel could enhance the storytelling.

story
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
42%
25%
The game's story is presented in a beautifully crafted, storybook-like format, featuring stunning visuals and hand-drawn animations that immerse players in a whimsical world. The narrative unfolds in an innovative and engaging manner, with humor and mystery that captivates players, making it a recommended experience for fans of story-driven games and classic fairy tales. Overall, the combination of artistic style and compelling storytelling creates a unique and enchanting adventure.
- “The hand-crafted animations are beautiful, and the visuals really make you feel like you are living inside a children's book, flipping the pages to find a new character, new scenery, or new tale that will transport you into another story.”
- “From the moment you begin your journey in its vividly crafted world, the stunning graphics captivate you, painting every scene with a palette that feels like it's straight out of a vibrant storybook.”
- “The way the story unfolds is both innovative and captivating, ensuring that every player is hooked on the lore and the fates of the characters they meet.”
- “The storytelling is another aspect of the game.”
- “Beautiful video game adaptation of a classic story!”
- “Would recommend this game for story-driven enthusiasts and fairy tale lovers!”
graphics
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
33%
11%
The graphics are widely praised for their unique, fairy tale-like animations and vibrant storybook aesthetic, creating an immersive experience that feels like stepping into a children's book. However, some users noted issues with controls and dated visuals reminiscent of mid-2010s graphics, which detracted from the overall experience. Overall, the artistic impression is considered stunning and refreshing, enhancing the game's appeal, especially for family play.
- “The hand-crafted animations are beautiful, and the visuals really make you feel like you are living inside a children's book, flipping the pages to find a new character, new scenery, or new tale that will transport you into another story.”
- “From the moment you begin your journey in its vividly crafted world, the stunning graphics captivate you, painting every scene with a palette that feels like it's straight out of a vibrant storybook.”
- “The motion picture art style is gorgeous.”
- “Poor controls, ugly (mid 10's graphics) and locked at 60fps.”
gameplay
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
14%
43%
The gameplay is characterized by its original stop-motion aesthetic and puzzle-focused mechanics, offering a rich exploration experience with well-crafted challenges. While some camera angles may initially complicate controls, players will find a rewarding progression as they unlock new abilities and discover new mechanics at a satisfying pace. Overall, the attention to detail in puzzle design has received high praise, making it a standout feature of the game.
- “The game is original, and the stop-motion puppets bring flavor to the gameplay experience.”
- “While some camera angles can make controls a little tricky at first, once you get used to the mechanics, there is lots to explore in 'Once a Tale' with hours of fun.”
- “Speaking of gameplay, the puzzles are brilliantly designed, challenging enough to be satisfying but never feeling insurmountable.”
- “While some camera angles can make controls a little tricky at first, once you get used to the mechanics, there is lots to be explored in 'Once a Tale' with hours of fun.”
- “The core gameplay is mostly puzzle-focused, and while this type of gameplay may not suit everyone's taste, a true attention to detail has been given to craft very well-made puzzles. Thumbs up to the designers!”
- “You unlock new abilities and discover new mechanics as the game progresses, and so far, they are introduced at a really great rhythm.”
music
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
80%
20%
The music in the game is highly praised for its impeccable production and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, perfectly complementing the narrative's emotional highs and lows. Reviewers highlight the beautiful soundtrack as a key element that, alongside the visual style and engaging puzzles, contributes to the game's charm and immersive experience.
- “The sound production is impeccable, with a perfectly curated soundtrack that complements the highs and lows of the narrative.”
- “Lovely puzzles, a great atmosphere, and a beautiful soundtrack all come together to help this game become a real gem!”
- “Special mention to the music that really contributes to the overall atmosphere of the title.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with particular emphasis on the beautiful soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the combination of lovely puzzles and immersive elements that contribute to a captivating and memorable ambiance.
- “Special mention to the music that really contributes to the overall atmosphere of the title.”
- “Lovely puzzles, a great atmosphere, and a beautiful soundtrack all come together to help this game become a real gem!”
- “Amazing atmosphere.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its engaging and emotionally resonant narrative, which captivates players throughout. Its unique art style enhances the experience, bringing classic fables to life, making it a wholesome choice for family play.
- “It weaves a compelling narrative that is both engaging and emotionally resonant, keeping you invested from start to finish.”
- “This is a great wholesome puzzle game that I play with my kids. The unique art style breathes life into these classic fables.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The humor in the game is highlighted by its engaging storytelling, which adds a comedic touch to the fun and challenging puzzles.
- “The puzzles are fun and challenging, and the storytelling is quite funny.”
- “The humor in the game is clever and keeps you engaged throughout.”
- “I found myself laughing out loud at the witty dialogue and hilarious situations.”