Don’t ever trust a puppet. That’s always been a steadfast rule of mine, ingrained after witnessing countless films and playing numerous games where these seemingly innocuous creations wreak havoc. They may appear as cute bundles of cloth or wood, but beneath that exterior lurks pure malice and a deep-seated hatred for humans.
One of the most recent of Resident Evil games – Resident Evil Village – featured an entire chapter with a puppet as the boss, manipulating your worst nightmares. Yet in Puppet House, a malevolent puppet is on the rampage, tormenting a man trapped in a house of horrors.
Rick, a police officer with a penchant for investigating paranormal phenomena, takes on a new case in his spare time. Like an old-school detective, he narrates his experiences in a gruff, sombre voice. The case revolves around a vacant house once owned by a ventriloquist, now plagued by strange screams, flickering lights, and a history of missing persons. Upon arriving at the scene, Rick is knocked unconscious and imprisoned in a small cell within the house. His objective: escape.
The story unfolds organically as you play, revealing itself through documents adorned with charming handwritten notes and drawings. These documents recount the history of the puppet and its master, a classic B-movie tale of blood, rituals, and murder.
Despite its familiar tropes, the narrative is engaging and entertaining, providing a fun backdrop for the 3-4 hour playtime. The pacing is excellent, constantly propelling you forward to the next set piece, leaving little room for contemplation. And Puppet House’s atmosphere and visual storytelling effectively create a sense of dread and unease.
The gameplay is simple but effective, with Puppet House presented entirely in first-person. You explore the house, searching for clues and solving puzzles to progress. While the objectives are usually clear, there are moments where you might find yourself momentarily lost, as the game offers no hints or guidance. However, the puzzles themselves are not overly challenging, and the solutions are often located near the puzzles themselves. You have a limited inventory and a camera to record crucial clues, which aids in puzzle-solving.
Occasionally, you’ll be attacked, triggering a quick-time event (QTE) that you must complete to survive. These QTEs are straightforward and easily overcome, however, later in the game, you’ll encounter traps that can instantly kill you, but the generous checkpoint system prevents excessive frustration.
Visually, Puppet House is competent without being spectacular. The puppet is well-designed, as are some of the house’s interiors, which are filled with intriguing objects and details. However, some textures and lighting effects appear bland, though they don’t detract significantly from the overall horror/escape room atmosphere.
The sound design is excellent, with creepy music, atmospheric effects, and well-timed jump scares. The voice acting is also commendable, particularly the actor portraying Rick, who delivers his lines with convincing gravitas.
Puppet House doesn’t revolutionise the horror genre, but it executes its familiar elements effectively. The pacing is excellent, the gameplay is enjoyable, and the puzzles offer a satisfying challenge without being overly complex. The visuals are decent, and the sound design enhances the atmosphere, so if you’re seeking a short but entertaining horror experience, Puppet House is worth a visit.
Puppet House: A Horror-Fueled Puzzle Adventure That Will Make You Scream – https://www.thexboxhub.com/puppet-house-a-horror-fueled-puzzle-adventure-that-will-make-you-scream/
Buy Puppet House on Xbox – https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/puppet-house/9n7wpr1nv5gv