Dropsy

This levity, this world, and these people are going to be with me forever. If you've ever complained about there being too much violence in gaming, or that games are all the same, and you don't play this... I hope somebody hugs you.

For a game where no one utters a word, Dropsy can be powerful.

Though the premise of an adventure game about a lovable clown is not enough to win me over on the surface, it’s the complex tale of a cynical and unforgiving world the player is expected to change through loving and non-violent interaction that ultimately seals the deal. Adding in the wonderful presentation and dynamic soundtrack, this becomes an adventure game that should not be missed. It is a must.

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.

A very unique graphical adventure that surprises you with its ideas and moves you with its strong and touching narration.

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.

Dropsy isn't an amazing point-and-click, but it's clever and it's weird and it stands out—both artistically and thematically. I'm impressed with the game and doubly impressed with the amount of weird mysteries hidden below the surface. Expect to spend four or five hours actually playing and then another hour reading weird theories afterward.

A genuinely feel-good example of what adventure games could be if only they'd think outside the box a little more. [Issue#167, p.97]

It could have been a bit ballsier on the ending, but it remains an out of the ordinary point-and-click adventure with an amazingly odd protagonist and a curious open structure, that almost relaxes with all the hugging and happiness-bringin going around. Dropsy is full of beautiful emotions, and that's something that's truly needed in videogames these days.

Colorful and surrounded by mystery, Dropsy is a nice twist from “normal” adventure games and worthy of investment.

Dropsy turns old-school point-and-click adventure gameplay into something special. The use of pictures in dialogues instead of text offers a gameplay element that makes us think out of the box. If you don't lose your way, you will enjoy this game very much.

Twisted like a bad acid trip through Stephen King's subconscious, Dropsy manages to be at the same time surreal, challenging and obscurely heart warming, for all the wrong reasons. Whilst definitely not for everyone, Dropsy is an absolutely unique voice amongst indie adventure games.

It’s bizarre, thought-provoking, and challenging enough to keep you invested for hours.

Dropsy manages to subvert your expectations, and has managed to create a main character you can feel for, even though he doesn’t speak. Dropsy just wants to make people happy in a world that is filled with problems, and by helping them he can achieve his goal.

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.

If you miss the old days, before games of this ilk got streamlined and simplified, give this a whirl before you read too much about it. It's well worth the small outlay.

Dropsy‘s resolve to bring back the old school point n’ clicker is a success, though it’s perhaps a bit too successful, given the overreaching ambiguity in certain areas. Even in spite of its tendency to obstruct the player, it’s a beautiful, bewildering, unforgettable game of hugs, love, and hollowing sadness.

Making people happy is such a rare goal in games, and to have one excel at the notion and the motivation for doing so is a doubly rare joy, although glaring missteps do keep it out of the center ring of adventure games.

The point & click adventure stages the story of an extruded clown in a very unconventional way.

An excellent stab at a traditional point-and-click, but with classic problems holding it back.

A quirky clown adventure of happiness.

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.

Dropsy is a very interesting classic graphic adventure, as long as you like bizarre story and characters.

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.

Longtime adventure fans should have little to no trouble decoding pictorial dialogue and should already be accustomed to carefully scanning each and every scene for objects, it’s just a shame that these caveats still persist in even in a modern point and click title with as much promise as Dropsy.

To be honest I do not understand why people are delighted with Dropsy. It’s an average representative of the old school of point’n’clicks and its story did not blow me away either. [12/2015, p.56]