Puppet Master: The Game

87%
Game Brain Score Based on 953 reviews
  • gameplay
  • humor
  • graphics
Puppet Master: The Game Game Cover
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Puppet Master: The Game is a Free to Play online multiplayer game that celebrates the series' 30 year legacy. Revisit iconic locations, Select from a large roster of playable characters from the movies. Ever wanted to flip the standard Asymmetrical Multiplayer Horror Game formula? Where 3 heinous Puppets stalk a lone Human survivor? As a Human you must steal Andre Toulon's secrets of reanimation …

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

87%
Audience ScoreBased on 953 reviews
gameplay18 positive mentions
replayability3 negative mentions
  • The game is a fun and nostalgic experience for fans of the Puppet Master franchise, capturing the charm and essence of the original films.
  • It offers a variety of gameplay modes, allowing for both solo and multiplayer experiences, which can be enjoyable with friends.
  • The developers show dedication to improving the game, with regular updates and a responsive community that enhances the overall experience.
  • The game suffers from a low player base, making it difficult to find multiplayer matches, which limits the overall experience.
  • There are balancing issues, particularly with the human character being overpowered compared to the puppets, leading to frustrating gameplay.
  • The game has some technical flaws, including janky controls and AI behavior, which can detract from the enjoyment.
  • gameplay68 mentions

    The gameplay of "Puppet Master: The Game" is characterized by its asymmetrical horror mechanics, offering a mix of strategic and fast-paced multiplayer experiences that engage players in a battle for survival. While the game features a variety of characters and abilities that enhance replayability, many reviews note issues with janky controls and repetitive gameplay, suggesting that further refinement and content updates could improve the overall experience. Despite these drawbacks, the game successfully captures the essence of its cinematic roots, making it appealing to both fans of the franchise and newcomers to the genre.

    • “The core gameplay of 'Puppet Master: The Game' is an asymmetrical horror experience that pits players against each other in a high-stakes battle for survival.”
    • “With a strong focus on atmosphere, character variety, and tactical gameplay, the game delivers an engaging experience for both fans of the franchise and newcomers alike.”
    • “The gameplay is challenging, with the player needing to use their wits and skills to evade the puppets and find the items they need to complete their mission.”
    • “I'm calling this a thumbs up because the game is free-to-play, so it's absolutely worth checking... but I've spent about an hour trying to play and had about 5 minutes of gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay feels janky as hell.”
    • “I spent most of my 23-minute playtime just trying to find people to play, and once I did (played as a puppet), I was bored of the gameplay loop within minutes.”
  • humor42 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised, particularly when played with friends, leading to many hilarious moments and laughter. Players enjoy the game's comedic elements, such as ragdoll physics and quirky character interactions, which enhance the fun, especially in group settings. However, some note that the humor can diminish as gameplay becomes repetitive, and technical issues may occasionally detract from the experience.

    • “Best game for a group of 4; I laughed so hard I almost cried.”
    • “Insanely fun and definitely hard to get bored of with so many maps, characters, and a hilarious community.”
    • “The ragdoll physics are funny as hell, and I really hope this game continues to be updated.”
  • graphics33 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the detailed and atmospheric visuals that enhance the horror experience, while others criticize the outdated graphics reminiscent of older consoles. Many players appreciate the artistic design, particularly of the characters and puppets, but note that the overall graphical quality may not meet modern standards. Despite these criticisms, some users find the visuals charming and fitting for the game's niche, especially considering its budget and free availability.

    • “The visuals are particularly noteworthy, showcasing a detailed and grim aesthetic that mirrors the film's unsettling tone.”
    • “Graphically, the game achieves a commendable level of realism and horror.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful, and the puppets bring me so much serotonin!!”
    • “The graphics are comparable to 2010's or earlier.”
    • “Graphics are like 100 years old.... even for free it is not worth downloading.”
    • “Celebrating the 30 year legacy doesn't mean you have to use graphics from 30 years ago.”
  • story18 mentions

    The game's story closely aligns with the film series, featuring a well-developed narrative that captivates players and explores character backstories, particularly through collectible lore entries. However, many reviewers express a desire for a more varied gameplay experience and a dedicated story mode, as the current missions can become repetitive, especially in single-player. Overall, while the storytelling is praised for its depth and engagement, there is a call for more diverse environments and mission types to enhance the experience.

    • “In the campaign, players follow a storyline that ties closely with the film series, unraveling secrets and battling against human adversaries and supernatural threats.”
    • “The story is amazing!”
    • “A story that left me speechless and wanting more than life itself.”
    • “Sadly, unless you have a group of 4 to play with, there's not much outside of repeating the same single-player missions, which are essentially all the same.”
    • “The story left me speechless and wanting more than life itself.”
    • “A voice actor narrates the pages which span several years, and although I couldn't collect more than the two I found, one of them gave a backstory to one of the puppets. While touched on in one of the movies, they went into further detail here, which has me interested in hearing the other lore entries.”
  • atmosphere15 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is a standout feature, effectively recreating the eerie essence of the original film with iconic puppets and immersive design. Players appreciate the blend of strategic gameplay and horror elements, which not only evoke nostalgia but also create a thrilling experience that lingers even after gameplay. Overall, it successfully captures the franchise's spirit, making it a compelling choice for both fans and newcomers.

    • “The game faithfully recreates the eerie atmosphere of the original film, complete with the iconic puppets like Blade, Jester, and Pinhead.”
    • “These elements work together to create a cohesive and immersive horror atmosphere.”
    • “The game's atmosphere is so effective that even after turning off the game, I found myself looking over my shoulder and fearing that the puppets were still lurking somewhere.”
    • “The atmosphere matches the movies well, and it’s a nostalgic experience.”
    • “Not many choices out there for Puppet Master games, but this one has the atmosphere that suits the franchise.”
  • music13 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its haunting and immersive qualities, effectively enhancing the horror atmosphere with eerie soundtracks and ambient noises. Players appreciate the nostalgic chiptune elements and the way the music complements the gameplay, creating a captivating experience that evokes memories of the original films. While some note the repetition of certain tracks, the overall audio design significantly contributes to the game's tension and sense of dread.

    • “The sound design is equally impressive, with eerie ambient noises and a haunting musical score that complements the gameplay experience.”
    • “Each puppet feels unique and has a valid role to play; the games are fast-paced yet not overwhelming, the map designs are fun to navigate, and the inclusion of the original film music just seals the deal.”
    • “The eerie chiptune soundtrack is the siren song of your impending doom.”
    • “Their movements are unsettling, and the eerie music only adds to the sense of dread.”
    • “The game features a hauntingly effective soundtrack that heightens tension during critical moments.”
  • replayability7 mentions

    The game boasts high replayability due to its asymmetrical gameplay, featuring diverse puppet abilities and human strategies that encourage exploration and mastery. With three distinct puppet factions and new human characters, players can enjoy substantial replay value, with some users reporting up to 60 hours of engaging gameplay.

    • “The replayability factor is high, thanks to the different puppet abilities and human strategies that can be explored.”
    • “This asymmetrical gameplay adds depth and replayability, as mastering the strengths and weaknesses of each puppet or human character becomes crucial.”
    • “With three puppet factions and new human characters, there's a lot of replayability.”
  • stability6 mentions

    The game's stability is a mixed bag, with users reporting significant bugs and glitches, such as freezing and erratic door mechanics. While some players find it enjoyable and creative, the overall consensus is that it suffers from stability issues typical of early access titles, warranting a cautious approach for potential players.

    • “Runs great on HP.”
    • “The game maintains a steady frame rate, providing a smooth experience.”
    • “I haven't encountered any crashes or bugs, which makes for a stable gameplay experience.”
    • “The game freezes every time I try to open it!”
    • “It's buggy; the doors close if you press open for too long.”
    • “Fun but way too buggy.”
  • emotional4 mentions

    Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, with one reviewer noting it brought them to tears. The overall experience is enhanced by a wholesome community and the joy of unlocking new content, despite some criticism regarding the character models.

    • “I've never played a game that made me feel this way.”
    • “Puppet Master made me cry.”
    • “Automatically met super wholesome fun vibe players to learn the game with after maybe two games in, and the fact this is free, along with skins and emotes to unlock for all the puppets, makes me super happy.”
  • monetization4 mentions

    The game is praised for its free-to-play model that focuses solely on cosmetic monetization, avoiding predatory practices like microtransactions and loot boxes. However, some users criticize specific cosmetic items as poorly designed and indicative of a cash grab mentality, suggesting a decline in the game's overall quality and commitment to gameplay.

    • “It's a welcome addition to the asymmetrical horror co-op genre as a free-to-play game whose only monetized elements are cosmetics, while its contemporaries grow increasingly predatory in their monetization schemes.”
    • “No microtransactions, no paid currency, no loot boxes in order to gamble.”
    • “Shameless cash grab that has slowly become more of a cash grab than an actual attempt to make this game playable.”
    • “Curse of the Puppet Master tank skin is inaccurate; the devs were too lazy to base it off the actual movie model with treads and just wanted a quick cash grab.”
    • “It's a welcome addition to the asymmetrical horror co-op genre as a free-to-play game whose only monetized elements are cosmetics while its contemporaries grow increasingly predatory in their monetization schemes.”
  • optimization3 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is seen as a work in progress, with players noting that while the voice acting enhances immersion, there are significant areas for improvement in graphical performance and gameplay balance. Despite its current shortcomings, there is optimism that the developers can enhance the game's optimization and user-friendliness in future updates.

    • “I'm having a blast playing this game, despite the low player count and the fact it just came out not long ago. It has room to improve 100%, and I'm not sure how big or small the dev team is, but I think the devs can do a stellar job by making the game more optimized and user-friendly in the future, as I see this game blowing up sooner or later via YouTube, TikTok, and media, etc.”
    • “From graphical improvement over technical optimization to gameplay balance, you will find some more or less serious issues.”
  • character development2 mentions

    The game features exceptional character development, showcasing designs that are faithful to the franchise's movies, which fans will appreciate. The attention to detail in character designs and DLC skins further enhances the overall experience.

    • “This game is a love letter to the fans of the franchise, and it shows in everything from the character designs to the DLC skins.”
    • “Great character designs faithful to the movies.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players generally find grinding enjoyable, especially when engaging in co-op gameplay, which enhances the experience and makes the repetitive tasks feel more rewarding.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

11hMedian play time
8hAverage play time
1-14hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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