Dropsy Reviews
Dropsy is a stand-out in the point-and-click genre and a resurgence of classic mechanics. A simultaneously heart-warming and heart-wrenching experience, this game is able to convey emotion unlike any game I have played in a long while.
Games like Dropsy remind us of the power of small actions and simple pleasures. It reminds us that art doesn’t have to be challenging or complex to be meaningful, and that positive emotions are not as worthless as the world wants you to believe. It reminds us that it is OK to feel happy when things are going bad, and that there are still people who truly want to make the world a better place for everyone. It reminds us that it is easy to hate people and a lot harder to love them, and it does so with such earnestness that it is clear the game recognizes the difficulty of what it’s asking but believes it important enough to do so all the same. Dropsy is a game that is powerfully loving in a way most media only plays at, and I cannot overstate how rare and significant that is.
Overall, in spite of needing to retrain my brain on how to interact with the world (it’s easier to travel without also carrying around a mouse and a dongle), Dropsy was a pleasant, interesting, if somewhat short adventure. It had heart, it had some truly gross moments, it had a horrifying cold open, and it was charming, however you can interpret that.
The subject matter in Dropsy is shockingly deep, and in a similar way to Horace, a platformer I reviewed a while back, the more you play it, the more there is to uncover, and what might seem like a shallow premise at first eventually turns out to be anything but. Dropsy is just that. Layer upon layer of subtle storytelling in a way that’s rarely found in videogames today. I was moved by it and I’m sure you will be too if you give it a chance.
If you’re down for a mix of creepy, weird, and somehow charming as well, buckle up!
Having played lots of the classic adventure games in the '90s, I find myself now completely bereft of nostalgia for them. Games, I've felt, have generally moved on and found better ways to impart an experience of "adventure." But Dropsy is deftly executed and so full of genuine heart and warmth that it overcame my cold-hearted distaste for the form. It's sweet without ever being saccharine, tells a story that disturbs without ever resorting to cynicism, and ultimately is disarmingly uplifting.
When Dropsy's quest becomes grander, based around a larger conspiracy, some of this charm wears off. As the game becomes more "normal," Dropsy's original challenge of endearing himself to those he repulses fades, and the puzzles start seeming a little tedious. So many are based around a difficult to manage day/night cycle, and many others around the talents of collectible animals. But before things escalate, when it's just the story of a clown without a circus, the sentiment warms you like a hug.
There is a tremendous amount to love about Dropsy (both the game and oddball protagonist). Beyond the positive gameplay focus of bringing joy to everyone around you, the visuals, characters and variety of landscapes provide one heck of an experience.
If you're an adventure fan and not a terminal coulrophobe Dropsy is well worth picking up, just because it tries to do something different. No dialogue, occasionally terrifying but otherwise heart-tugging story, doable puzzles and a decent-sized open world with day-night cycles, starring a creepy clown and his animal friends. It stutters a bit with execution by throwing you in to the open world too fast with no easy way to get around or changing times easily, and the lack of adventure game staples like a scene skip or hint system do rankle. Nevertheless Dropsy is an ambitious game and that should be savoured, and most definitely tried. Just try not to have nightmares.
Those of you looking for something different should welcome Dropsy with open arms.
Sweet, fun, interesting. essential point-and-click
Dropsy's a pretty good point-and-click, but more importantly it's clever and weird.
It's bizarre, thought-provoking, and challenging enough to keep you invested for hours.
Dropsy is a game that tries to show the human species that being a good person does matter. While there were some things I would change, especially the controls (I personally couldn't stand them), this is an interesting, original game. If you're a fan of point-and-click adventures, you will definitely want to check this one out.
Ultimately, Dropsy delivers an entirely unique and engaging experience. Well made from start to finish, and filled with twists and perils, it's perhaps the best fusion of terrifying horror and heart-melting joy that I've ever seen.
I judged Dropsy thinking it was going to be a kid's game with little no challenge, randomly hugging people, and grow tiring. Instead I got a really interesting yet odd and colorful world to explore, a huge smile on my face, and a game that ultimately made me happy to see Dropsy love so many. I won't soon forget you Dropsy. Hugs for everyone!
Even before any consideration of steam promotional discounts, it'd be a gross mistake to say that Dropsy isn't worth the price of admission. For fans of the point and click adventure genre, aficionados of retro pixel artwork, or anyone looking to get lost in a kind of feel good world that warms you when it's not frightening you, this is a steal. Come on, give the creepy clown a hug.
Dropsy is a bit of an oddball game, so I wouldn't bet on it having wide appeal, but those who love it will really love it. It's a point-and-click title without written hints, making it inherently challenging, but because the quests involve helping people, solving puzzles feels that much more rewarding. It's such a heartwarming game, it's easy to forget that the protagonist is an accidentally murderous clown.
It's entirely possible that you'll respond much more kindly to Dropsy than I have. I wish it had been easier, with a second layer of clues accessible beneath the basic pictograph conversations perhaps. I also wish I'd felt more of a connection with Dropsy himself and I have no doubt that some people will.