PGC NEWS

Dollhouse, a horror puzzle adventure game, finally launched on PC and PS4 in May 2019 after a protracted seven-year development cycle. Initially revealed on Steam Greenlight in 2012, the game garnered significant attention for its intriguing premise, Stephen King-esque storytelling, and unique gameplay mechanics. But did the final product live up to the expectations built over nearly a decade? Unfortunately, the answer is a resounding no.

A Promising Start…

The first 15 minutes of Dollhouse are genuinely captivating. The oppressive atmosphere, the chilling narrator, and the stark black and white aesthetic evoke a classic 1950s horror film vibe. The core gameplay mechanics are equally compelling. Players navigate a labyrinthine mansion, avoiding traps and eerie mannequins that only move when unobserved. A persistent, menacing killer doll hunts the player, adding a constant sense of dread. The ability to briefly see through the killer’s eyes introduces a strategic element, offering valuable information at the risk of revealing your location.

First 15 minutes of Dollhouse gameplay

Avoiding traps and mannequins is crucial for survival. Players can use a camera flash to momentarily disable these threats, adding a layer of resource management to the gameplay. The killer doll, however, presents a more significant challenge, requiring cunning and careful observation to evade.

…Quickly Unravels

Sadly, the initial promise quickly fades after the first 15 minutes. The gameplay loop becomes painfully repetitive. Each level follows the same pattern: explore the maze, collect film reels, solve a simple puzzle, unlock the key to the next level. This monotonous structure, coupled with the limited visual variety of the black and white environments, quickly leads to tedium.

Dollhouse repetitive gameplay

The lack of gameplay diversity ultimately undermines the game’s innovative mechanics. While intriguing on paper, these mechanics are wasted on a shallow and repetitive core gameplay loop. A “safe mode” that disables all threats further highlights the game’s inherent lack of substance, reducing the experience to a monotonous item-collecting exercise.

Even the intriguing multiplayer mode, designed as a deadly game of cat and mouse where players are tasked with eliminating each other, falls flat due to a lack of players. Finding a match proved challenging, further contributing to the overall sense of disappointment.

A Missed Opportunity

Dollhouse had the potential to be something special. The initial atmosphere, unique mechanics, and intriguing narrative setup hinted at a truly memorable horror experience. However, the repetitive gameplay, lack of variety, and underwhelming execution squandered that potential.

Dollhouse Black and White Environment

For players seeking a truly engaging and terrifying horror puzzle experience, alternatives like Little Nightmares and Inside offer far more compelling gameplay and lasting value. While future updates could potentially address some of Dollhouse’s shortcomings, in its current state, it’s a disappointing example of a game failing to live up to its initial promise.

Game Information

• Developer: Creazn Studio
• Publisher: SOEDESCO Publishing
• Genre: Adventure
• Release Date: May 24, 2019
• Platform: PC

Minimum System Requirements

• OS: Windows XP
• CPU: Intel Core2Duo E4400 @ 2.0 GHz or AMD Athlon64 X2 4400+ @ 2.3 GHz
• RAM: 4 GB
• GPU: nVidia GeForce 9800GT or AMD Radeon HD4870
• HDD: 5 GB

Tested System Configuration

• OS: Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
• CPU: Ryzen R7 1700 @ 3.7 GHz
• RAM: 16 GB
• GPU: MSI Rx Vega 56 Airboost
• SSD: Samsung 950 Pro 256GB