Puppeteer (PS3) Review

Don't run with scissors.

 From the recently defunct Sony Japan Studio, came Puppeteer, a charming platformer that went unnoticed when it released during the PS3's final days in 2013. Following a young boy's journey to thwart a tyrant bear and return home, the game slipped under the radar since the PS4 was close to launch at the time. I've been interested in playing Puppeteer ever since it was free on PS Plus way back in 2015... and I got the chance to finally sit down and play it. So is Puppeteer worth a play? Let's find out. Also, since I couldn't find high-quality images for the game, the review will be mainly text-based.

 We follow a young boy named Kutaro, whose body has been transformed into a puppet and soul have been stolen by the Moon Bear King, who plans on stealing the souls of children to power his castle on the moon. To end his reign of tyranny and return home, Kutaro will need the help of the hot-headed sun princess, Pikarina, and the cunning Moon Witch, who also plan on thwarting the bear. Along the way, Kutaro will face against the bear's generals and meet some colorful characters that live on the moon. The story was charming and was presented in a theatre play form with a narrator and the audience watching Kutaro's tale. It doesn't take itself seriously as the characters will occasionally break the fourth-wall and cracking constant jokes, which were pretty fun to watch.

 Puppeteer is a 2D platformer that has you controlling Kutaro and his mighty pair of scissors called "Calibrus", which can cut through the Moon Bear King's forces and restore the moon back to its glory. The main draw of the gameplay are the amount of things Calibrus can cut like clouds, walls, fires, and nearly everything else. Kutaro can also collect various heads he can use, which gives him a new look and unlocks certain bonus stages. While cool, they're regulated to just being cosmetics and a life system, since it's a 'Game Over' if Kutaro loses all three heads-- though the game's lenient with its difficulty. You also get to unlock power-ups such as a pirate hookshot, ninja bombs, bull mask, and a shield which were handy during levels, often unlocking the next section of the level and exploiting a boss fight's weakness. 

 There are seven acts in total, each being divided into three levels with a boss at the end. As for the levels, they were some of the most creative ones I've seen in a long while, as each have a distinct theme and were a joy to explore. Sure they tended to drag on a bit, but the boss fights at the end were worth it, with you having to memorize their patterns and finish them off with a QTE segment. Puppeteer took around 10 hours to beat and replay-value is alright since you'll be chasing after the bonus stages, secret heads, and lost souls in each level. There's a co-op feature where a second player gets to play as Pikarina and collect heads and gems for Kutaro, which is neat but not that interesting for the second player.

 Puppeteer favors colorful visuals and art-style over the standard realism, something that helped it age smoothly eight years later. The character models, backgrounds, and visual effects were all neatly done and were a treat to watch. The game also ran well with no instances of glitches and the likes. Honestly, a remaster is all the game needs to feel brand new again. As for the voicework (which you'll hear A LOT of), it's packed with commendable performances from the game's wide cast. Pikarina, the Moon Bear King, and the Narrator were easily the standouts. I also liked the audiences' involvement during the game, as they often cheer you on when you beat bosses and gasp at certain plot-twists. The soundtrack was equally impressive, boasting a selection catchy tracks that nailed the game's over-the-top moments and zany antics.

 Puppeteer is truly a unique hidden gem of the PS3 library that's sadly been forgotten about due to its late timing and lack of a remaster. With a charming story and characters, neat gameplay, and top-notch presentation, Puppeteer is a solid recommendation for those still gaming on the PS3 and looking for a fun platformer. Physical prices of the game have skyrocketed recently, so the digital version is a good option if you're planning on simply experiencing the game.