Indie game storeFree gamesFun gamesHorror games
Game developmentAssetsComics
SalesBundles
Jobs
Tags

Spoilers AHEAD!!!













While I absolutely loved the game with every fiber of me being, from the art, character design, their personalities, the way the story unfolded, and more, something left me feeling a bit...I'm not sure how to put it, dissatisfied might not be the right word but it is the closest one. I just finished my first route, Desifer's, and while I understand the reasoning behind only being able to save him at the end, the way that after the hospital part where Lyle asks "Where are they?" The fact that the rest of the dolls proceeded to be ignored afterwards, with only Desifer being acknowledged at all, made me just really sad and confused. Lyle didn't feel sad or guilty about not being able to give the others a life too, he didn't say goodbye to them or thank them for their time together, he acted like they never existed at all. It felt really weird reading that part and I honestly could not completely enjoy the ending scene as much; considering I was spending time being confused as to why the other dolls were not being talked about. Again, I understand in that situation that only Desifer could be saved, but I would've like a bit of acknowledgment for the other dolls who were Lyle's friends during the worst part of his depression after his parents passed away. I know they were briefly mentioned in the epilogue, but felt more like an after thought than anything. It also made me sad knowing they were being kept by Tilly in her room. Why not with Lyle? I don't know, sorry for ranting about this weird pet peeve I had. Do not let this make you feel like I didn't love the game tho, it made me feel so many amazing emotions and it definitely left a mark on me. I'm really glad to be playing it.

I will soon be playing the other routes including the group ending, but I just wanted to let these feelings out while they were fresh. This is an amazing game, thank you for making it! ♥ 

(+2)

Hi Ducksrock!

Thank you so much for playing Doki Doki Dollmaker and sharing your feedback! If you (or any other players) are interested in knowing the reasoning behind some of the writing decisions that were made, I’d be happy to share my thought process with you. Spoilers ahead, of course!!

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

I’m sorry your experience with the solo route did not end as anticipated, but I am confident that the full group good ending will meet your expectations! The full group good ending is the TRUE ending, with the potential for Lyle to end up with any (or all) of the dolls after the events of the story.

The passage of time between scenes in Doki Doki Dollmaker is not always clear, which is common in the “slice-of-life” genre. Weeks, months, or even a year could have passed between Lyle leaving Mr. Mendoza’s shop and having his private scene with the individual doll (in Desifer’s case, the scene where Lyle is made late for school). When the epilogue screen finally appears, where the dolls are pictured on the desk as Lyle reminisces, it is meant to show not only that Lyle still thinks of the other four dolls, but that he misses them, too - after all, he still talks to them even though they are gone. To me, Lyle continuing to meet with them as time passes is his guilt. I imagine the dolls are at Tilly‘s house because Lyle can’t bear to see them sitting on his desk, knowing that he could never give them the life they deserved or repay them for their friendship, but players can interpret this however they choose, since it is not explicitly stated.

I hope my perspective was an interesting read. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts - I appreciate your detailed comment and hope to hear from you again in the future!

Karitsa