Once Upon a Jester

Equal parts original, absurd, goofy, clever, catchy, and sincere, Once Upon a Jester is a gem of creativity that uses hilarious writing and a wonderful soundtrack to punch well above its weight.

90%Game Brain Score

music, humor

optimization, replayability

99% User Score Based on 200 reviews

Critic Score 71%Based on 4 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom €14.99

Buy NowGet on Steam €14.99 Buy NowGet on Xbox Games Store

About

Once Upon a Jester is a single player casual platformer game with drama, comedy and kids themes. It was developed by Bonte Avond and was released on November 9, 2022. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

Travel the kingdom as Jester with his best friend Sok to improvise theatre shows and perform on stages far and wide. Sing your hearts out, crack jokes and impress audiences to become the stars of the famous Royal Theatrical Spectacle! They embark on a grand adventure across a fantasy kingdom, meeting tons of wacky characters, performing improvised shows and singing their hearts out. Along the way…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

99%

Audience ScoreBased on 200 reviews

music43 positive mentions

replayability3 negative mentions

Once Upon a Jester is a charming and whimsical game filled with humor, catchy music, and lovable characters, making it a delightful experience for players.
The game features a unique premise centered around improv theater, allowing players to engage creatively with the story and characters, resulting in a fun and interactive gameplay experience.
The voice acting and overall presentation are filled with personality and warmth, contributing to the game's cozy atmosphere and making it enjoyable for players of all ages.

The gameplay can become repetitive over time, as the core mechanics revolve around performing similar mini-games and making choices that may not significantly alter the experience.
Some players found the voice acting to be hit-or-miss, with certain characters' performances being less enjoyable and detracting from the overall experience.
The game is relatively short, with a playtime of around 4-5 hours, which may leave some players wanting more depth and content in terms of story and gameplay.

music
107 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
57%
3%
The music in "Once Upon a Jester" is widely praised for its catchy, whimsical, and heartfelt nature, with many players expressing a desire to listen to the soundtrack outside of the game. The original compositions, performed by the developers, enhance the storytelling and immerse players in the game's charming world, making it a standout feature that complements the humor and visuals. Overall, the game's musical elements are described as delightful, memorable, and integral to the overall experience, with many songs becoming earworms for players.
- “Once upon a jester, developed by Bonte Avond and published by Crunching Koalas, is a uniquely charming adventure game that stands out by combining storytelling, improvisational theater, and musical performance into a seamless and heartfelt experience.”
- “The music is great, and it's fun that you can play some yourself during the improv.”
- “The music often feels like a character itself, enhancing the storytelling and deepening immersion in the theatrical world.”
- “Let's be honest, it never was about the music.”
- “The music was merely the vehicle that took you... there.”
humor
89 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in "Once Upon a Jester" is widely praised for its whimsical, absurd, and heartfelt nature, often drawing comparisons to the charming style of shows like "Adventure Time." Players appreciate the clever dialogue, silly character interactions, and the inclusion of genuine laughter from voice actors, which enhances the game's overall charm. The blend of quirky jokes, catchy songs, and a lighthearted narrative creates a delightful experience that leaves players smiling and uplifted.
- “The gameplay is cute & simple, the dialogue is constantly hilarious (wholesome style, reminds me of Adventure Time humor), and the audio design is crude yet funny.”
- “It's funny, it's imaginative, the characters are silly but interesting, and I was genuinely enthralled by how lovable and goofy they were.”
- “The humor is so absurd it slaps every time.”
story
62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
61%
8%
The story of "Once Upon a Jester" is widely praised for its charm, humor, and heartwarming themes, focusing on creativity, redemption, and following one's dreams. Players appreciate the unique blend of storytelling, improvisational theater, and musical elements, which create an engaging and interactive experience, though some find the narrative to be relatively brief and straightforward. Overall, the game is celebrated for its delightful characters, catchy music, and the ability to evoke laughter and warmth, making it a memorable adventure.
- “Once upon a jester, developed by Bonte Avond and published by Crunching Koalas, is a uniquely charming adventure game that stands out by combining storytelling, improvisational theater, and musical performance into a seamless and heartfelt experience.”
- “What I thought was a goofy, silly game at the start turned into a really heartwarming and inspiring story about following your dreams, even if you think it's too late.”
- “The music is all top notch, the humor is laugh-out-loud funny, and there's so much genuine heart in the story.”
- “Additionally, the narrative, though charming, is relatively brief and straightforward, which might leave some craving more elaborate story arcs or deeper character development.”
- “It's nice that there are a few different locations to explore, yet the game was very linear about moving through them; I couldn't choose the place to go because the plot fluency depends on the chronology of visiting places.”
- “The unskippable plot was so annoying.”
emotional
41 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of "Once Upon a Jester" is characterized by its charming blend of humor and heartfelt storytelling, creating a wholesome experience that resonates with players. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to evoke laughter while also delivering touching moments, particularly through its engaging characters and well-crafted musical performances. Overall, it is praised for its uplifting narrative that encourages themes of friendship, self-discovery, and hope, making it a delightful choice for those seeking a feel-good gaming experience.
- “Once upon a jester, developed by Bonte Avond and published by Crunching Koalas, is a uniquely charming adventure game that stands out by combining storytelling, improvisational theater, and musical performance into a seamless and heartfelt experience.”
- “What I thought was a goofy silly game at the start turned into a really heartwarming and inspiring story about following your dreams even if you think it's too late.”
- “When I started to play this game, I was in a very depressing mood... this game knocked me to tears with the ferris wheel song... it made me feel less stupid for believing in people and that yes, there is good out there, it's alright to hope even if there's a lot of negativity.”
gameplay
31 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
71%
10%
The gameplay in "Once Upon a Jester" is characterized by its charming simplicity and creativity, inviting players to engage in quirky, improv-style performances that prioritize expression over traditional challenges. While the mechanics can feel repetitive over longer sessions, the game's humor, engaging dialogue, and colorful aesthetic create a delightful experience that resonates with those who appreciate a lighthearted, creative approach to gaming. Overall, it offers a unique blend of fun and silliness, making it a rewarding adventure for players seeking a whimsical escape.
- “It invites players into a colorful fantasy world where the emphasis is less on traditional gameplay challenges and more on creativity, expression, and connection with the game’s quirky cast of characters.”
- “What makes the gameplay particularly engaging is the freedom it grants players to explore their creativity.”
- “It is a delightful game that offers an original premise, engaging gameplay, and a charming silliness that runs through all aspects of the experience.”
- “The gameplay, while innovative, can become repetitive after extended play sessions due to its limited mechanical complexity.”
- “Gameplay can feel a bit repetitive at times, but the story, jokes, and sometimes real-talk definitely make up for it :)!”
- “The gameplay is fairly novel if somewhat bare-bones.”
optimization
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
74%
13%
The optimization of "Once Upon a Jester" is generally praised, with players noting a lack of bugs or performance issues, allowing for a smooth gameplay experience. The game’s design encourages experimentation with various performance styles, though some players mention that the novelty may wear off over time due to repetitive elements. Overall, the game successfully balances its unique theatrical mechanics with engaging storytelling, making it a delightful experience for fans of improvisational gameplay.
- “The game offers a series of choices during each performance that affect how the audience reacts, with options to tell jokes, sing, or use props in amusing and unexpected ways.”
- “Because these interactions are open-ended, each performance can feel different, allowing players to experiment with various tones—whether it’s lighthearted humor, heartfelt emotion, or playful silliness.”
- “I haven't seen any bugs, performance, or stability issues.”
- “The performances are also short.”
- “The performances are not complex and you unlock more as you go along.”
- “It didn’t seem to affect the number of attendees, the choices you received in performance, or the number of bouquets received.”
graphics
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
55%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their vibrant and expressive hand-drawn art style, which brings characters and environments to life with personality and charm. Reviewers appreciate the cartoony visuals that complement the engaging narrative and original soundtrack, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Overall, the art style is considered a standout feature, enhancing the game's unique and fun experience.
- “The hand-drawn art style is vibrant and expressive, with characters that pop with personality and environments that feel alive and inviting.”
- “Once Upon a Jester is such a unique, cozy, and fun game to play through; the art style is so cute, the songs are all bops, and the characters are all so funny!”
- “The narrative is cute and intriguing and works well with the colorful collage visuals and enthusiastic audio elements.”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The game offers significant replayability due to its diverse choices and outcomes, with each playthrough providing a unique experience that lasts around 3-5 hours. However, some users noted limited replayability and encountered bugs that may affect the overall experience.
- “The game will take around 3-5 hours to complete, but since each play is unique, there is plenty of replayability on offer.”
- “Plenty of replayability with all the different choices and outcomes for the plays, and the writing is quick and witty; I was definitely laughing the whole way through!”
- “And definite replay value.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
100%
Character development in the game is generally well-received, with a decent narrative that enhances the adventure experience. However, some players find the story to be brief and straightforward, leaving them wanting more depth and complexity in character arcs. Overall, while the character development is good, it may not fully satisfy those seeking richer storytelling.
- “As an adventure, it works well, with a decent story and good character development.”
- “Additionally, the narrative, though charming, is relatively brief and straightforward, which might leave some craving more elaborate story arcs or deeper character development.”
- “The characters feel one-dimensional and lack the depth needed to make their journeys truly engaging.”
- “There is a noticeable absence of meaningful choices that affect character growth, making the development feel linear and uninspired.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game demonstrates excellent stability on the Steam Deck, with users reporting smooth performance and reliable gameplay.
- “Runs great on Steam Deck.”

Skip Critic Reviews

71%Critics’ scoreBased on 4 critic reviews

Skip Game Offers

Buy Once Upon a Jester

5h Median play time

5h Average play time

5-5h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

Skip Videos

Videos

Skip Games Like Once Upon a Jester

93%2.6kreviews

Later Alligator

2019

Puzzle

93%6.1kreviews

Wandersong

2018

Real-time Strategy

85%3.1kreviews

Little Misfortune

2020

Casual Platformer

+14

90%4.3kreviews

Frog Detective 1: The Haunted Island

2018

Action

88%411reviews

Clam Man

2020

Casual Role Playing

More games like Once Upon a Jester

Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Once Upon a Jester is a casual platformer game with drama, comedy and kids themes.

Once Upon a Jester is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5 and others.

On average players spend around 5 hours playing Once Upon a Jester.

Once Upon a Jester was released on November 9, 2022.

Once Upon a Jester was developed by Bonte Avond.

Once Upon a Jester has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its music but disliked it for its optimization.

Once Upon a Jester is a single player game.

Similar games include Later Alligator, Wandersong, Little Misfortune, Frog Detective 1: The Haunted Island, Clam Man and others.

Once Upon a Jester

Platforms