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Dropsy (video game)

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This article is about the 2015 video game. For other uses, see Dropsy (disambiguation).

Dropsy
Logo of Dropsy
Developer(s)
Publisher(s)Devolver Digital
Director(s)Jesse Bull
Designer(s)
  • Jay Tholen
  • Jesse Bull
Programmer(s)David Walton
Artist(s)
  • Jay Tholen
  • Jesse Bull
Writer(s)
  • Jay Tholen
  • Jesse Bull
Composer(s)
EngineUnity
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, iOS, Android
ReleaseWindows, OS X, Linux
  • WW: September 10, 2015
iOS
  • WW: December 17, 2015
Android
  • WW: TBA
Genre(s)Point-and-click adventure
Mode(s)Single-player

Dropsy is a 2015 point-and-click adventure video game developed by US-based indie developer Tendershoot (pseudonym of Jay Tholen) and indie development studio A Jolly Corpse, and published by Devolver Digital. The game was released on September 10, 2015 for Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux. The iOS port of Dropsy was released on December 17, 2015.

Gameplay

Dropsy is a point-and-click adventure centered on a clown named Dropsy. Players control Dropsy while exploring an open world in which they can interact with the environment, solve puzzles, and talk to non-player characters. In the game, Dropsy becomes an outcast after a fire at his family's circus and must work to discover the truth behind it in order to clear his name.[1] The game contains no text, as Dropsy can only communicate with animals, and so dialogue is represented by visual icons.[2][3] The game features over 50 minutes of live music composed and performed by Chris Schlarb.[4]

Development

Dropsy began on the Something Awful forums in 2008 as a choose-your-own adventure game illustrated by Jay Tholen about a clown named Dropsy; forum commentators would suggest what the character would do and the choices would be illustrated and added to the story. The character originated from a platformer game created by Tholen in 2004.[5] Demand for a playable version of the story increased and so Tholen began designing a game based around the story with the help of some members of the forum.[5] Tholen cites games such as EarthBound, Grim Fandango, and The Neverhood as inspirations for the game.[6] In 2011 a Kickstarter campaign raised $225 USD to fund a software package to help development, followed by another campaign in July 2013 which did not reach its $25,000 USD goal.[2][7] A third campaign, started in October 2013, asked for $14,000 USD and finished with nearly $25,000 USD raised.[8] On October 31, 2013, Tholen released a short horror-themed side game titled Dropsy and the Black Lodge.[9] In November it was announced that Devolver Digital would be publishing the game, providing quality assurance and marketing, but not directing where the Kickstarter funds would be spent.[2] On September 17, 2014, indie studio A Jolly Corpse joined the team.[10] One year later on September 10, 2015, the game released for Microsoft Windows, OS X and Linux.

Reception

The game received mostly positive reviews. Justin Celani of ZTGD and Zack Furniss of Destructoid both gave the game a 9.5/10.[13][14]Jim Sterling rated the game 8/10[15] and Gavin Greene of VentureBeat also gave Dropsy 80/100.[16] Marcus Estrada of Hardcore Gamer gave the game a 3.5 out of 5.[17]

References

  1. ^ Kelly, Andy (December 30, 2013). "Dropsy first-look: the surreal adventure game that wants you to love the unlovable". PC Gamer. Future US. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
  2. ^ a b c Matulef, Jeffrey (November 21, 2013). "Devolver Digital to publish horrifying, adorable clown-based adventure Dropsy". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
  3. ^ Grayson, Nathan (October 25, 2013). "Dropsy Is An Adorable, Grotesque Open-World Adventure". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
  4. ^ Tholen, Jay (April 14, 2014). "Big Ol' Development Update #3 - Chris Schlarb Soundtrack Featurette, Dialogue System". Kickstarter. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
  5. ^ a b Gera, Emily (July 17, 2013). "Dropsy: The surreal adventure game the Internet made". Polygon. Vox Media. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
  6. ^ Sullivan, Lucas (July 13, 2013). "Dropsy is weird to the power of clown…in a good way". GamesRadar. Future US. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
  7. ^ Polson, John (July 3, 2013). "Dropsy: a dialogue-free adventure game about a carefree, hands-free clown". IndieGames.com. UBM TechWeb. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
  8. ^ Tholen, Jay (October 23, 2013). "Dropsy by Jay Tholen". Kickstarter. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
  9. ^ Tholen, Jay (October 31, 2013). "Dropsy and the Black Lodge". itch.io. moon coop. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
  10. ^ "A Jolly Corpse and Devolver Digital bringing you the Love of a Handless Clown". jollycorpse.com. September 17, 2014.
  11. ^ "Dropsy for PC". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  12. ^ "Dropsy for PC Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  13. ^ a b Celani, Justin (September 17, 2015). "Dropsy (PC) Review". ZTGD. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  14. ^ a b Furniss, Zack (September 15, 2015). "Review: Dropsy". Destructoid. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  15. ^ a b Sterling, Jim (September 13, 2015). "Dropsy Review – Clown Town". The Jimquisition. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
  16. ^ a b Greene, Gavin (September 9, 2015). "Dropsy is lovable despite some ugliness". VentureBeat. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
  17. ^ a b Estrada, Marcus (September 13, 2015). "Review: Dropsy". Hardcore Gamer. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
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