Once Upon a Jester... Reviews

Once Upon a Jester... is ranked in the 89th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
9 / 10.0
Nov 25, 2022

Once upon a Jester is absolutely delightful from start to finish, packed with utterly charming characters and fabulous musical numbers.

8 / 10
Oct 24, 2025

Once Upon a Jester is surprising game for me and I do recommend it, especially if you are looking for something comedic and that is only a few hours long. It might be over rather quickly, but will stay with you for quite a while.

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7 / 10
Nov 15, 2022

A fantasy musical adventure which has big laughs to match its big heart, while being built around charming, if shallow, gameplay mechanics.

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9 / 10.0
Dec 10, 2022

Once Upon a Jester is a classic hero quest told through some creative gameplay and writing. There are plenty of touching moments mixed in with the humor, which I wasn't expecting. The music sets the scenes perfectly as well. What I love about Once Upon a Jester is that the creators took a lot of risks, from the story to the voice acting, and even the mechanics for putting on a show. And all of these features stick the landing. This game is everything I love about the indie scene.

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9 / 10.0
Nov 22, 2019

Equal parts original, absurd, goofy, clever, catchy, and sincere, Once Upon a Jester is a gem of creativity that uses hilarious writing and a wonderful soundtrack to punch well above its weight.

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4 / 5.0
Nov 22, 2022

With an original story, charming characters, and some killer music, there's just so much to love about Once Upon a Jester. With so much passion put into this game by such a small group of incredibly talented people, Bonte Avond has given us a unique, enjoyable, and memorable adventure that I couldn't recommend enough. If you love music, humor, and just simply having fun, then please do yourself a favor and play this game.

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8.5 / 10.0
Dec 25, 2022

Once Upon a Jester is a hilarious, heartfelt experience with improvisational gameplay, excellent voice acting, and replayability. Though the shows can feel repetitive, branching dialogue and varied genres keep things interesting.

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8.5 / 10.0
Nov 14, 2022

Other than that, Once Upon A Jester feels absolutely gezellig. From the live-performed songs to the funny writing and memorable characters, Jester and Sok's journey is one I would heartily recommend and makes my Dutch heart incredibly proud.

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8 / 10.0
Oct 23, 2025

Once Upon a Jester certainly isn't a groundbreaking game or an action-packed title whose gameplay will blow you away with originality, but it does offer a unique concept that truly shines. Think of it a bit like a musical; some will love it, while others won't be able to fathom the fun aspects. Here and there, you'll see some slightly amateurish aspects emerge, and the quality is lacking, especially in the audio department. The distinctly Dutch elements that have been deliberately incorporated are especially appealing to us Dutch, and I really appreciate them. Graphically, the game looks very stylish and sharp, though it does have its rough edges here and there. If you're looking for a game to relax in and experience something different, then this PlayStation 5 port is highly recommended.

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A
Apr 5, 2023

Once Upon A Jester isn't like too many other games out there, but if you're willing to give it a chance, you'll find that it does what it sets out to do incredibly well.

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7.5 / 10.0
Nov 15, 2022

While people who enjoy storytelling and some quirk may enjoy a bit of creative improv, the game has some quirks

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8.5 / 10.0
Nov 10, 2022

Once Upon a Jester is a phenomenal and hilarious adventure title that'll make your sides hurt. I adored its crazy plot, excellent aesthetics, and original approach. My only complaint is its lack of longevity and replay value.

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Liked
Nov 16, 2022

Once Upon a Jester is a great little game. It is well constructed, packed with jokes, and words of wisdom and has a feel-good vibe. The music is a highlight, with great beats and catchy tunes. I wish there was more replayability, as creating your own mini-play is excellent, but the story and jokes get a bit repetitive after the first couple of run-throughs

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