Dropsy is weird to the power of clownin a good way
Hope you don't have coulrophobia
It takes a special kind of game to evoke feelings of familiarity and extraordinary strangeness at the same time. Dropsy, a point-and-click adventure starring a handless clown by the same name, is one such game. Reminiscent of classic LucasArts SCUMM games, but unafraid to take on completely uncharted territory, Dropsy looks to be as intriguing as it is goofy and bizarre.
We should start from the beginning, with the origin of this misshapen, simultaneously hideous and adorable clown: the Something Awful forums. It was there that creator Jay Tholen started a "Choose Your Own Adventure" thread, inviting others to decide Dropsy's fate as he explored beyond the confines of the circus. The result was a weirdly funny tale of a clumsy clown and his canine companion; that vibe is what Tholen wants to expand upon in the finished product.
Verbal communication is something we've come to expect from adventure games--but Dropsy does away with it entirely. Given that Dropsy has zero familiarity with the English language, dialogue becomes a pictographic puzzle. There's also an ingenuous mechanic we haven't yet encountered in a point-and-click: a completely optional dream world, filled with bizarre visions of Dropsy's darkest fears and happiest memories.
Tholen cites games like Earthbound, Grim Fandango, and The Neverhood as inspirations--all of which made a mark with their weird, exceptionally unique style. We desperately want to see the Dropsy Kickstarter reach funding--not because we have a vested interest, but because we're fascinated by the possibilities presented by its outlandish world. Toss a few dollars its way, and you may just get a trippy, nostalgic, mildly creepy throwback to your favorite adventure games of yore. Check out the following screenshots for additional info and impressions!