First game from the German studio kaleidoskube, A Juggler's Tale is an independent game released on September 29, 2021 on the various current platforms. It's a 3D side-scrolling side-scrolling adventure and puzzle game reminiscent of, among others, Inside or Limbo. The game is published by Mixtvision Games and, like the development studio, their intention is to emphasize storytelling and deliver engaging, even emotional content for any audience. And indeed, in this game, gameplay and storytelling are one.
The game being very short (just under 2 hours), I will only talk about the beginning of the scenario to avoid spoilers. The screenshots I've taken are meant to give an overview of various settings and tableaus present in the game, trying not to show the puzzles or the flow of the story.
Upon arrival in the game menu, the soundtrack announces medieval folklore. The introductory cinematic includes a narrator, or rather a storyteller, who introduces the story, while the visual confirms the medieval fantasy universe. A puppet theatre, taking place in a tavern, is the setting for the adventure that will follow. The curtain opens: the storyteller is none other than the puppeteer, and we are going to embody Abby, a puppet that looks like a little girl.
The play in which we are going to perform.
The curtain opens on the main character.
No VF for the voices, but the subtitles are in French, and a huge translation and adaptation work has been done to respect the rhymes and the meaning of the verses.
The gameplay is rather simple: you can move around and interact with an object or an element of the environment. Specificity of the game, the wires connecting the characters to the puppeteer, in addition to being visible, have their own physique. Indeed, the progression being mainly horizontal, Abby's threads will more than once get stuck against the vertical elements of the environment, as visible in the images below (and explained by the storyteller):
Don't forget, physics.
Blocked threads allow a pendulum movement.
The immersion is successful: the soundtrack is perfectly in tune with the action, the sets are superb, and the gameplay is simple but intuitive. We move to the rhythm of the storyteller's lyrical rhymes, acting on their words, as they narrate our actions. Very quickly, you will have to think carefully to get out of different situations, or avoid certain pitfalls. There's more to the game than just running to the right from start to finish. We often have to retrace our steps to solve a riddle, pick up an object, etc. The useful objects, or with which it is possible to interact, are however indicated by a detail or a red element, which avoids trying to interact with everything and anything in the environment.
Interact, see what happens, then react.
The puzzles become a little more complex as the game progresses, insofar as the steps necessary to solve them are more numerous, are to be carried out in a certain order, or require skill and speed. The solution to the various puzzles remains largely affordable and is often intuitive or logical; and if this is not the case, the storyteller, who reacts according to our actions, gives us indications. In summary, we must try and put into practice our different ideas to find the solution. What may seem a little improbable sometimes allows you to unlock a success (mainly redo certain actions several times, try several possibilities with such or such an object, etc.). Sometimes you also have to disobey the puppeteer, or on the contrary, trust him, because he saves us in certain situations.
Abby's sons aren't just a constraint.
Each level represents an Act of the play, and between each, the game really evolves, both in terms of the story and in terms of the scenery. Although a side-scroller, the game is ultimately not so linear. The theatrical aspect also reinforces the immersion, and the direct or indirect interaction with the storyteller and the other characters really adds a singularity to the game. The rhymes make sense, the story is clear, and the atmosphere becomes more and more more epic (especially thanks to the tone of the storyteller which evolves at the same time as the music). Each scene of each Act is also replayable from the game menu.
Abby will also have to get rid of her antagonists.
Without being able to say or show much more, A Juggler's Tale is a real success. Admittedly very, too short, all the more considering the quality, but it is only the first project of the studio. The adventure is really addictive and, depending on its duration, well worth doing. There are few settings in the menu, and few commands, but the most important point of the game is the narration. The minimalist gameplay corresponds to the limits imposed by the theme and the universe, but is nonetheless at the service of the scenario; throughout the game, every action makes sense. In the end, the game seems to be an interactive transmedia work, a video game with an animated film visual, a dynamic story full of twists worthy of a play, and with a soundtrack that sticks to the medieval universe. fantastic. It's a game for all audiences, whose story can speak to people of all ages. Like a fable or a tale, the game delivers a strong message, through a theatrical adventure and an original twist that changes the gaming experience.
- Steam / Epic Games / GoG (Test done on PC)
- PlayStation
- Xbox
- Switch
