Toonstruck
- November 15, 2016
- Burst
Get on Steam"Toonstruck" is a humorous single-player point-and-click game featuring pretty visuals and good music. Players take on the role of animator Drew Blanc, who enters the wacky world of his own cartoon creations after a freak accident. To return home, Drew must outsmart loony characters, such as demented clowns and cross-dressing livestock, and uncover the secrets of this zany land. The game stars Christopher Lloyd and features the voice talents of Tim Curry, Dan Castellaneta, and Dom DeLuise.
Reviews
- Toonstruck is a nostalgic gem that combines classic animation with a humorous and engaging story, featuring a star-studded voice cast including Christopher Lloyd and Tim Curry.
- The puzzles are enjoyable and mostly intuitive, providing a fun challenge without being overly difficult, making it accessible for both new and returning players.
- The game's unique blend of adult humor and cartoonish charm, along with its vibrant visuals and memorable characters, makes it a standout title in the point-and-click genre.
- The game suffers from technical issues, such as outdated graphics and a lack of modern quality-of-life features, which can detract from the overall experience.
- Some puzzles can feel frustratingly obscure or illogical at times, leading to moments of confusion that may require external walkthroughs.
- The absence of a sequel and the game's abrupt ending leave players wanting more, as many fans have expressed disappointment over the lack of continuation for the story.
- humor50 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its cleverness and charm, featuring a mix of 90s-style cartoon absurdity and adult themes that resonate with fans of classic point-and-click adventures. Players appreciate the hilarious one-liners, over-the-top performances (notably by Christopher Lloyd), and the overall comedic writing, although some find the humor may appeal more to younger audiences. Overall, the game is considered a delightful blend of funny moments and engaging puzzles, making it a standout in its genre.
“I found myself laughing at the hilarious one-liners that pop up frequently, and also the sheer cartoon ridiculousness of several residents of the animated world.”
“Lloyd, who in turn plays fictional artist Drew Blanc, gives a wonderful and hilarious performance that will keep you laughing!”
“Toonstruck is a gem for all lovers of cartoon, classic humor, puns, point & click adventures, great character design and amazing soundtrack that we have all heard before with old symphonies that are often used in cartoons.”
- story29 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The story of the game is described as a quirky and original adventure, featuring a mission to thwart a villain using a machine to spread malevolence, while players create their own device to counteract it. Reviewers appreciate the engaging narrative, strong voice acting, and clever puzzles, although some note that the plot can feel absurd or simplistic at times, catering to both children and adults. Overall, the game is celebrated for its unique storytelling and vibrant animations, making it a standout in the point-and-click genre.
“It has a fantastic and kooky original story, which is perfectly paced and expertly written.”
“The story is original, deep and fulfilling and attempts to bridge the gap between reality, art and the video game.”
“Gorgeous visuals with beautiful animation, great performances, and a thoroughly enjoyable story with fun dialogue make this game a true hidden gem.”
“Instead of a kind of believable plot with a hundred ridiculous hoops to jump through, you've got a kind of ridiculous plot with a hundred believable hoops to jump through; albeit, these are hoops of cartoon logic, which seem just about in line with how most point-and-click games feel in the first place.”
“There isn’t really any real story.”
“The story is non-existent as well, as the game tries to rely on its 'funny bone' to catch the player's interest.”
- graphics23 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The graphics of Toonstruck are a nostalgic throwback to the 90s, featuring a charming cartoon aesthetic that appeals to fans of the era, despite being dated by modern standards. While some players appreciate the old-school visuals and find them endearing, others note that the lack of an HD update and choppy animations detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game's visuals evoke a sense of nostalgia, but may not satisfy those seeking contemporary graphical fidelity.
“The visuals are obviously drenched in that 90's toon ambiance, with a healthy dose of 90's point-and-click crunchiness.”
“The artwork has aged remarkably well considering how old the game is, but unfortunately the animation of the characters is choppy, which is the only sign of its age.”
“Gorgeous visuals with beautiful animation, great performances, and a thoroughly enjoyable story with fun dialogue make this game a true hidden gem.”
“In terms of cons, the game graphically is not the best when compared to modern day standards and there is no HD patch, so you have to get used to the old 90's graphics.”
“Due to its age, the graphics (even the ones with live actors) are pretty bad.”
“The graphics are exactly the same as they were years ago, and it's pretty sad it wasn't updated even the tiniest bit.”
- music14 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 21 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its catchy and memorable soundtrack, which complements the cartoonish visuals and enhances the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the use of classical pieces and recognizable tunes that evoke nostalgia, contributing to the game's charm and humor. Despite some concerns about missing volume control features, the soundtrack is considered a standout element that elevates the gameplay.
“The soundtrack is nice, and there are a lot of immediately recognizable actors who, despite the campiness of the game, somehow manage to make it feel inspired.”
“Toonstruck is a gem for all lovers of cartoon, classic humor, puns, point & click adventures, great character design and amazing soundtrack that we have all heard before with old symphonies that are often used in cartoons.”
“So the screen that was originally intended to save the game now isn't accessible anymore, which is a shame because on that same screen you were also able to adjust the volume of background music, voices, and sound effects independently, a feature that is now missing.”
“Neat soundtrack that suits its cartoon-y atmosphere.”
“The attention to the right kind of details are there, from the choice of music to the style choices of animation.”
- optimization5 mentions
- 80 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is highlighted by its superb voice acting, particularly Christopher Lloyd's standout performance, which adds humor and charm. While cutscenes may appear low resolution due to the game's age, the overall visuals and animation remain impressive, contributing to an enjoyable experience.
“Cutscenes are low res due to the year of production, but the art holds up surprisingly well; voice acting is superb with a great performance from Christopher Lloyd as the lead.”
“Gorgeous visuals with beautiful animation, great performances, and a thoroughly enjoyable story with fun dialogue make this game a true hidden gem.”
“Lloyd, who in turn plays fictional artist Drew Blanc, gives a wonderful and hilarious performance that will keep you laughing!”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The gameplay primarily utilizes mouse controls, making it accessible, though players may find it initially challenging until they grasp the mechanics. Some elements showcased in trailers are not present in the actual gameplay, which may lead to mixed expectations. Overall, the game encourages players to rethink their approach to item management as they progress.
“All the basic gameplay can be done by simply using the mouse.”
“For instance, some of the bits in the high-quality trailer were not found during gameplay, such as this Vincent van Gogh-esque cartoon character.”
“This game was tricky at first, but once you get the hang of the mechanics, you start to think differently about the items you gain.”
“If you were on the fence about this product, I would recommend trying it definitely, or at least watch a few gameplay videos to see if it is for you.”
- character development4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is praised for its exceptional design, particularly highlighting characters like Miss Fortune and Marge, which contribute to the overall charm of the animation. The combination of great character design, classic humor, and engaging storytelling enhances the experience for fans of point-and-click adventures.
“Character design is great - especially like Miss Fortune, Nefarious, and both versions of Marge.”
“Toonstruck is a gem for all lovers of cartoon, classic humor, puns, point & click adventures, great character design, and an amazing soundtrack that we have all heard before with old symphonies that are often used in cartoons.”
- stability3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Overall, users report a positive experience with the game's stability, noting that it runs smoothly without any glitches or issues.
“The game runs great for me!”
“I've experienced minimal bugs, which really enhances the overall experience.”
“The stability of the game allows me to enjoy long sessions without any crashes.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is enhanced by a fitting soundtrack that complements its cartoonish style, contributing to an overall enjoyable experience filled with humor.
“The neat soundtrack perfectly complements the cartoonish atmosphere.”
“The game's atmosphere and humor are both fantastic.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game's linear structure limits its replayability, offering little incentive to revisit beyond enjoying the humor. However, at a price of $10, many players still find it to be a worthwhile and enjoyable experience.
“It's not the 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit?' that it sometimes feels like it's trying to be, and its linear nature doesn't give much room for replay value beyond the jokes.”
“The game lacks significant replayability, as once you've completed it, there isn't much incentive to go back and play again.”
“After finishing the game, I found that there was little reason to replay it, as the story and gameplay don't change with subsequent playthroughs.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Users appreciate the monetization aspect for its engaging visuals and ads, indicating that the promotional content enhances their overall experience rather than detracting from it.
