Dolly

When creating a game that relies on platforming, developers usually focus on the mechanics, and the story often suffers as a regard. Dolly is a short game that shows how easy it is to tell a good story through good level design, and it is very fun to boot.

The first thing you will notice about this game is its unique art style. I, for one, have not seen anything quite like it before, and it is clear that a lot of work went into the level design. You might even get the urge to print a screenshot, frame it and hang it on your wall.

As far as the platforming goes, things are relatively straightforward. For the most part, you just need to avoid pitfalls and spikes, although it is sometimes necessary to move certain objects in order to clear a path.

The character is capable of double and triple jumps, and you can also cling to walls for a short time before sliding off. Using these mechanics, it is possible to scale vertical walls by jumping at the right times.

I’m not going to spoil it for you, but the mystery behind the strange word you find yourself in will probably not leave you with a smile on your face. However, you will surely admire the way in which the story is presented, mainly through clues and the actual level design.

While the game world may not be all sunshine and rainbows, you can rely on the playable character to cheer you up a bit. Simply put, he is ridiculously cute. I cannot figure out exactly what he is supposed to represent, but the sounds he makes when jumping are guaranteed to make you smile.

It shouldn’t take you more than thirty minutes to finish the game, as it was primarily designed as a prototype that showcases the art style and basic mechanics. A complete version of the game has been Greenlit on Steam, so be on the lookout for an update on the release date.