Fantasmagorie (2024)

Developer: Needlepoint Productions
Platforms: Windows
Genres: Adventure, Free To Play
Rating: 4.0 of 5, 224 player ratings
Typical playtime: about 57 minutes
Where to get it: Steam

The 3D catalog: game boxes on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

You play as a ballerina puppet exploring a distorted theatre, using a needle and thread to climb and swing through hazy, hand-drawn scenery while a fragile story of loss unfolds.

atmosphericgrief-strickensurrealtensequirkyplayfulmeanderinglow-key

What players say

Players praise the dark, beautiful visual design and an interesting needle mechanic, but nearly everyone complains about clunky and floaty movement that makes platforming frustrating. The short, free experience is considered a strong student project, though camera issues and bugged achievements hold it back.

Screenshots

More games like this

This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.