Puppet Master: The Game

About

"Puppet Master: The Game" is a free-to-play online multiplayer game based on the film series, allowing players to control puppets or play as a human in asymmetrical multiplayer horror game modes. The game features iconic locations and characters from the movies, with cosmetic-only skin packs available for purchase. Players can enjoy four game modes, including a COOP or 3vs1 Thief mode, where humans must steal secrets and escape or puppets protect their secrets.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

+31

87%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,906 reviews

gameplay36 positive mentions

replayability3 negative mentions

The game is a fun and nostalgic experience for fans of the Puppet Master franchise, capturing the essence of the films.
Gameplay is engaging, especially in multiplayer mode, where players can enjoy chaotic and humorous interactions.
The developers show dedication to the game, frequently updating it and responding to community feedback.

The game suffers from a low player base, making it difficult to find matches, especially in multiplayer mode.
Balancing issues exist, particularly with the human character being overpowered compared to the puppets.
The game has some technical flaws, including janky controls and AI that can be frustrating in single-player mode.

gameplay
136 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
66%
7%
The gameplay of "Puppet Master: The Game" is characterized by its asymmetrical horror mechanics, offering a mix of strategic and tactical elements that enhance replayability. While the game features a diverse array of characters and abilities, providing a unique experience, many players have noted issues with janky controls and repetitive gameplay, which can detract from the overall enjoyment. Despite these shortcomings, the atmospheric design and adherence to the source material make it appealing for fans of the franchise, though improvements in mechanics and variety are needed for a more polished experience.
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “The PvP modes are janky, and the gameplay and movement feel horrible.”
humor
84 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
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, although some note that the fun can diminish over time. Overall, it is considered a funny and entertaining experience, especially in group settings.
- “This game is so much fun and incredibly funny with friends, 10/10 would recommend.”
- “Puppet master: the game is such a good time with many funny moments to be had, absolutely play this with friends.”
- “The game's ragdoll physics are funny as hell, and I really hope this game continues to be updated.”
graphics
66 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
59%
5%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the detailed and grim aesthetic that enhances the horror experience, while others criticize the visuals as outdated, likening them to early 2010s or even PS2-era graphics. Despite these criticisms, many players appreciate the artistic design, particularly of the puppets, and find the overall visual presentation enjoyable, especially considering the game's budget and free availability. Overall, while not groundbreaking, the graphics are seen as a solid fit for the game's niche audience.
- “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.”
story
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
53%
8%
The game's story is praised for its strong connection to the film series, featuring well-developed narratives and character backstories that enhance the overall experience. However, players express a desire for more varied mission types and a dedicated story mode, as the current single-player missions can become repetitive without a group to play with. Overall, while the storytelling is compelling and immersive, there is a call for greater diversity in gameplay and offline content.
- “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 (for reasons listed in the cons portion of this review), one of them gave a backstory to one of the puppets which, while touched on in one of the movies, they went into further detail here, which has me interested in hearing the other lore entries.”
atmosphere
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
50%
10%
The atmosphere of "Puppet Master: The Game" is widely praised for its faithful recreation of the eerie tone of the original film, enhanced by iconic puppets and immersive design. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to blend strategic gameplay with a nostalgic horror ambiance, making it a compelling experience for both fans and newcomers. Many players report feeling a lingering sense of unease even after playing, underscoring the game's effective atmospheric presentation.
- “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.”
- “Not many choices out there for Puppet Master games, but this one has the atmosphere that suits the franchise.”
- “The atmosphere matches the movies well, and it’s a nostalgic experience.”
music
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
65%
12%
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. The chiptune elements contribute to a sense of impending doom, while the inclusion of original film music adds nostalgia and depth to the experience. Overall, the audio design is considered a standout feature that captivates players and complements the gameplay beautifully.
- “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.”
replayability
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
64%
21%
The game boasts high replayability due to its asymmetrical gameplay, featuring diverse puppet abilities and human strategies that encourage players to master different characters. With three puppet factions and new human characters, players can enjoy substantial replay value, with some users reporting nearly 60 hours of 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.”
stability
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
83%
The game's stability is a significant concern, with users reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and freezing issues, particularly during startup. While some players find it enjoyable and creative, the overall experience is marred by these technical problems, leading to mixed reviews regarding its early access status.
- “Runs great on HP.”
- “The game freezes every time I try to open it!”
- “Fun but way too buggy.”
- “It's buggy; the doors close if you press open for too long.”
emotional
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a deep emotional connection to the game "Puppet Master," with some stating it made them cry, highlighting its impactful storytelling and character engagement. The community aspect is also praised, as players find a wholesome environment that enhances their experience. However, there are suggestions for improvement in the character models to elevate the emotional depth further.
- “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.”
monetization
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
38%
50%
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 intent.
- “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; devs were too lazy to base it off the actual movie model with treads, 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.”
optimization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
50%
17%
Overall, the game's optimization is seen as a work in progress, with players noting significant room for improvement in both technical performance and user experience. While the voice acting enhances immersion, issues related to graphics and gameplay balance have been identified, suggesting that future updates could greatly enhance the game's appeal.
- “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.”
- “The game has room to improve, and I believe the developers can enhance the optimization and user experience significantly.”
- “From graphical improvement over technical optimization to gameplay balance, you will find some more or less serious issues.”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The character development in the game is highly praised for its faithful and appealing designs that resonate with fans of the franchise, showcasing a deep appreciation for the source material. The inclusion of DLC skins further enhances the connection to the original characters, making it a true homage to the movies.
- “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.”
- “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.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players generally find grinding enjoyable, especially when experienced in a co-op setting, as it enhances the overall gaming experience.