Hi, my title is Martin, and I’m the CEO and Inventive Director of Flatter Than Earth, the studio in the back of the theatrical journey platformer As soon as Upon a Puppet. Our magical, story-driven 2.5D puzzle-platformer takes position in a colourful global of theatre, the place vintage platforming meets puppet-inspired gameplay in a story of friendship, self-discovery, and redemption.
You’ll play as Drev, an bold Actor, and Nieve, a skilled Stagehand and Tailor. Sure in combination by way of magic, they should paintings as one to navigate the dominion of theatre, resolve its secrets and techniques, and face the Shadow King. However earlier than you step onto the degree, listed below are 5 crucial pointers that will help you in your adventure.

1. Stay Your Eyes Open for Costumes – They’re Extra Than Simply Style
During the sector, you’ll to find vintage stitching gadgets, which permit Nieve to craft distinctive tale costumes for Drev. All the outfits are according to vital characters you’ll meet in your journey. Those costumes make you glance cool on degree, however a number of play a task within the sport’s storytelling. Identical to in actual theatre, a personality’s apparel is incessantly a clue to their position within the efficiency. In As soon as Upon a Puppet, positive demanding situations would require you to put on a selected gown to growth. There are 4 of those explicit costumes which are related to the sport’s growth, and they’re simple to come back throughout. On the other hand, there are extra actor-like beauty outfits to release, so be searching for them in your travels!
2. Pick out Up Collectibles – They Expose Hidden Tales
As you discover the sector, stay an eye fixed out for 2 varieties of collectibles: Stained Glass Items and Props. The Stained Glass collectibles are damaged glass shards of larger “stained coloured glass home windows”. Every of those “glass home windows” tells a visible tale of the dominion. The Props are non-public pieces of the lead characters within the sport, reminiscent of The Queen, The King, and The Pass judgement on. Those non-public pieces at all times have one thing fascinating to show about their proprietor. Amassing all of those will make stronger your working out of the sector. In the event you’re somebody who loves immersive storytelling, you’ll want to seek each nook for those hidden gemstones!

3. Don’t Skip Cutscenes – They Cling Essential Clues
Every cutscene in As soon as Upon a Puppet is thoroughly crafted to ship now not simply an emotional affect but additionally the most important hints concerning the global and the demanding situations forward. The sport options 12 rebuilding phases, and your objective is to rebuild and re-enact key moments from the king’s previous. Each and every degree has its personal distinctive tale and emotional weight, so observing intently will will let you attach the dots and completely clutch the importance of your adventure.
In the event you rush thru with out taking note of the cutscenes, you’ll pass over vital information about the mysteries in the back of the Shadow King, the forgotten tales, and the characters’ true destinies. So sit down again, benefit from the theatrical storytelling, and let the narrative spread like a grand degree efficiency!
4. Experiment with Degree Manipulation – Suppose Like a Theatre Director
Some of the distinctive mechanics in As soon as Upon a Puppet is the power to rebuild and rearrange theatrical phases. In contrast to conventional platformers, the place the sector stays static, this sport means that you can transfer props, shift backdrops, and reposition platforms to switch the scene itself.
Some puzzles require you to suppose like a degree director, putting in the scene in some way that permits Nieve and Drev to growth. Shifting parts strategically can discover secret paths, turn on mechanisms, or create alternatives to outmanoeuvre enemies.
While you “set the degree”, a Theatrical Cutscene, attached to the degree you simply set, will emerge.

5. Spotlights aren’t only for drama
In As soon as Upon a Puppet, the foundations of theatre information each ray of sunshine. The visible language of the sport used to be constructed with the similar care and self-discipline present in actual degree productions. There are not any unintentional shadows or randomly positioned beams—each mild perspective, silhouette, and distinction exists to serve the tale, emotion, and staging.
This isn’t simply lights for aesthetics—it’s lights with aim, rooted within the traditions of are living theatre. A love letter to stagecraft, instructed thru pixels and puppets. And reasonably perhaps, a information to secrets and techniques to find.
We are hoping that with the following pointers in thoughts, you’ll be well-prepared to take heart degree and face the demanding situations that anticipate. We will’t wait so that you can revel in the magic firsthand. As soon as Upon a Puppet is out now on Xbox sequence X|S. Just right success!
As soon as Upon A Puppet
Daedalic Leisure
$29.99
$23.99
The Grand Opening:
Welcome to As soon as Upon a Puppet, a 2.5D puzzle-platformer that unfolds inside a colourful global of theater. Participate in a mystical story that mixes vintage platforming with puppet-inspired gameplay, in a fascinating tale of friendship, self-discovery, and redemption.
Put on the glove of Nieve, a Stagehand exiled to the Understage, and wield regulate over Drev’s strings, a Puppet magically certain to her. As they adventure to go back to the Frontstage above, they’ll retell forgotten tales, discover shadowy secrets and techniques, and be informed their destiny is interwoven with the dominion of theater itself.
Highlights:
Transform Puppet and Puppeteer: Pull the strings and grasp the artwork of puppetry on this distinctive option to motion, motion, and artistic puzzle-solving.
A Troupe of Characters: Meet an ensemble solid of dozens of Primary and supporting characters, that includes loads of traces of hand made discussion.
Fatal Shadows: Face a horde of villainous creatures who will do all they may be able to to snuff out the lighting and convey the display to an premature finish.
A Meticulously Crafted International: Surprise on the stylized and detailed graphics that enhance the magic of theater, with phases that modify between previous and provide.
Set The Scene: Organize and transfer props, backdrops and characters to rebuild theatrical phases, and re-enact scenes to unveil what occurred the as soon as proud International Degree.
Mesmerizing Soundscapes: Be captivated by way of a wealthy, theatrical soundtrack and immersive sound results that deliver the sector of As soon as Upon a Puppet to existence…
The Main Actors:
Unwittingly certain in combination by way of spool and thread, Drev and Nieve reluctantly embark on a quest to reclaim their position within the theater, towards a heartbroken King.
Nieve, a skilled Weaver beset by way of self doubt, builds a powerful bond with Drev, a naive but bold Actor. With Drev’s unbridled theatrics and Nieve’s brilliance, they’ll triumph over their inner most held fears to show the reality of the void harbored of their hearts.