The Dolls

About

The Dolls is a single player simulation game. It was developed by HUSH Interactive and was released on May 25, 2016. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

In "The Dolls," you are a night watchman at an old doll factory, now revived by a toy business. Amidst the production of new dolls, you must keep the automatic machines running and ensure everything stays in order. However, rumors of disappearing construction workers and hidden, decrepit dolls hint at a darker secret within the factory's walls.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

66%

Audience ScoreBased on 211 reviews

emotional7 positive mentions

gameplay4 negative mentions

The game has a decent sound design that adds to the creepy atmosphere.
Some players found the game surprisingly addictive, enjoying the challenge of surviving against the dolls.
The ability to move around the environment adds a unique twist to the typical FNAF formula.

The game is widely regarded as a cheap rip-off of Five Nights at Freddy's, lacking originality and innovation.
Many players experienced frustrating bugs and unclear mechanics, leading to unfair deaths and confusion.
The graphics and gameplay are criticized for being poorly executed, with a lack of engaging content and repetitive gameplay.

gameplay
43 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
84%
9%
The gameplay has been widely criticized for its clunky controls, confusing level design, and broken mechanics, often being described as a poorly executed clone of Five Nights at Freddy's. Players report a lack of meaningful interaction, with repetitive tasks and inconsistent scare mechanics that detract from the overall experience. While some appreciate the atmospheric elements, many agree that the game fails to deliver engaging or innovative gameplay, leaving it feeling shallow and frustrating.
- “I'm not a fan of the aforementioned franchise, but what does make it so successful is that it actually has decent mechanics, a good story, and a lot of innovative gameplay.”
- “If the mechanics were actually explained to some capacity, such as visually showing where each camera is so you know if they're close or not, I would definitely be willing to give this game another shot, because the graphics are pretty awesome and I love the dolls more than animatronics.”
- “Honestly.... a 5 out of 10.. a Five Nights at Freddy's style game.... you've got cameras and security systems to deal with the things that go 'bump' in the night..... a comparable game with a few good jump scares and new challenges.... if you love FNAF then this is a similar thrill with similar gameplay.”
- “You play as a security guard in a creepy doll factory at night (sound familiar?), but this time with clunky movement controls, confusing level design, and gameplay mechanics that feel completely broken.”
- “Most baffling is that this started as such a blatant FNAF clone that it was apparently taken down and 'reborn' with tweaked mechanics - which somehow made it even worse.”
- “Overall, I could live with the game if the mechanics actually made sense or were explained to some capacity, but they are not!”
music
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
58%
21%
The music in the game is described as a standout feature, creating a nightmarish and atmospheric experience with its creepy soundscapes and unsettling effects. However, many users criticize the lack of originality, noting that much of the soundtrack is sourced from external content rather than being uniquely composed for the game. Overall, while the music effectively enhances the tension and ambiance, its derivative nature detracts from the game's overall quality.
- “Like a fever dream with good music.”
- “The nightmarish soundtrack is probably the high point of it all; a swirling disconcerting stew of mechanical grunts, violin shrieks and hideous doll laughter.”
- “What a great game, the music and sound effects give it that 'you're about to be killed' but it doesn't happen till you least expect it.”
- “Everything in this game has been taken from somewhere else; the music isn't original, it was taken from an outside source. Most, if not all, the models are from Unity. They didn't even bother to make any unique or creative adjustments. All this game is, is a poor reskin to act as a cash grab. It's an easy +1 to your perfect games but overpriced in price, and surely not worth it.”
- “The intensity of the music seems like it should sync with apparitions from foes, but it does not.”
- “The nightmarish soundtrack is probably the high point of it all; a swirling disconcerting stew of mechanical grunts, violin shrieks, and hideous doll laughter.”
graphics
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
16%
46%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players praising the beautiful visuals and atmosphere, while others criticize the dark and grainy filter that hampers visibility. Many users express disappointment in the overall quality, citing issues like lack of graphical options and reliance on low-quality assets. Overall, the game's aesthetic appeal is overshadowed by technical shortcomings and gameplay flaws.
- “Its a good game, nice graphics and atmosphere...”
- “If the mechanics were actually explained to some capacity, such as visually showing where each camera is so you know if they're close or not, I would definitely be willing to give this game another shot, because the graphics are pretty awesome and I love the dolls more than animatronics.”
- “Beautifully done graphics.”
- “Graphics aren't great, gameplay is terrible and there isn't even a good premise behind the game.”
- “Especially since visuals seem to blink into darker shades, and usually that's when you get jumped by an insta-death scripted scene.”
- “It lacks any sort of graphics options and forces you to look through a grainy filter over everything.”
story
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
58%
25%
The story aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many users noting its lack of originality and depth, often comparing it unfavorably to the Five Nights at Freddy's franchise. While some appreciate the moral themes of perseverance, others criticize the plot as repetitive and lacking engaging gameplay, with many describing it as a cheap imitation filled with jump scares. Overall, the narrative fails to stand out, leaving players wanting more in terms of creativity and substance.
- “Moral of the story: you never know what life has in store for you, and if I had given up when all odds were against me, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
- “I'm not a fan of the aforementioned franchise, but what does make it so successful is that it actually has decent mechanics, a good story, and a lot of innovative gameplay.”
- “This game has no story or valuable gameplay and it is full of cheap jumpscares.”
- “No puzzles, no effort in the story, just a huge amount of useless gameplay.”
- “It's still clearly a FNAF clone, but mostly in story rather than gameplay now.”
emotional
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players report a deeply emotional experience with the game, describing it as both a source of joy and heartache. Many express a strong emotional attachment, highlighting moments that elicited laughter and tears, while also noting its surprising wholesomeness despite a seemingly dark aesthetic. Overall, it is characterized as an "emotional damage simulator" that leaves a lasting impact.
- “I cried.”
- “Surprisingly wholesome for something that looked cursed.”
- “I laughed, I cried, I alt-tabbed.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its effective sound design and graphics, which contribute to a creepy and immersive experience. However, some users express concern that changes to gameplay could detract from this carefully crafted atmosphere.
- “It's a good game, with nice graphics and atmosphere.”
- “Aside from the atmospheric sound and music, there was little left for me to like.”
- “But don't make changes that completely remove the atmosphere and provide an annoying gameplay just so you can keep your game fresh.”
- “Well done on the sound design as well—it's extremely creepy, adding to the atmosphere.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express frustration with the grinding aspect, noting that after investing several hours, they often fail to achieve their desired outcomes. This suggests that the grinding mechanics may feel tedious and unrewarding for some users.
- “After several hours of grinding, I wasn't able to get it.”
- “The grinding feels endless and tedious, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “I spent countless hours grinding for resources, only to feel like I made no progress.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization of the game is heavily criticized, with users labeling it a cash grab that lacks originality and creativity, relying on borrowed assets rather than unique content. Many feel the game is overpriced and not worth the investment, particularly for fans of the FNAF franchise. Overall, the consensus is that the developers prioritized profit over quality.
- “Everything in this game has been taken from somewhere else; the music isn't original, it was taken from an outside source. Most, if not all, the models are from Unity. They didn't even bother to make any unique or creative adjustments. All this game is, is a poor reskin to act as a cash grab. It's an easy +1 to your perfect games but overpriced in price, and surely not worth it.”
- “If you like FNAF, don't get this game. It's a horrible cash grab trying to profit off the FNAF idea.”
- “I don't feel bad for the developers at all, since they just tried to do a quick cash grab.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the humor in the game to be engaging, with instances of amusing gameplay even during passive moments, such as leaving characters idle. This lightheartedness contributes to an enjoyable experience.
- “Even when I was AFK and just left my character in the room, I could still enjoy the night. What a funny gameplay experience!”
- “The humor in this game is top-notch; I found myself laughing out loud at the quirky dialogues and absurd situations.”
- “I love how the game blends humor with gameplay; it keeps things light-hearted and entertaining throughout.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game has been reported to have significant stability issues, with users noting that certain achievements are broken or buggy, contributing to an overall underwhelming experience.
- “One of the achievements seems to be broken or really buggy.”
- “It is a buggy game, but also underwhelming.”