Don’t Open The Doors!

Don’t Open The Doors! is a fantasy action-RPG featuring striking claymation visuals rendered in an isometric perspective. Set in a world invaded by magical doors that unleash monstrous threats from pocket dimensions, players wield a giant hammer to battle sentient objects and creatures while exploring corrupted dungeons. Tasked with collecting ingredients to craft a megabomb and seal the main door, the protagonist navigates sarcastic NPCs, environmental puzzles, and skill upgrades in an open, Halloween-themed world reminiscent of Bastion’s gameplay.

Don’t Open The Doors!: Review

In the pantheon of indie games, few titles stand out as uniquely as Don’t Open The Doors! This 2016 release from Anton Riot is a claymation action-adventure game that blends whimsical charm with a quirky narrative, all wrapped in a distinctive visual style. Despite its modest reception, Don’t Open The Doors! deserves a closer look for its innovative approach and the sheer labor of love that went into its creation. This review will delve into the game’s development history, narrative depth, gameplay mechanics, world-building, and its enduring legacy in the gaming landscape.

Development History & Context

Don’t Open The Doors! was developed by Anton Riot, a solo developer who poured over 8,000 photos and countless hours into crafting this claymation masterpiece. The game was released on November 11, 2016, for Windows and Macintosh, and it quickly garnered attention for its unique art style and open-world exploration.

The Studio and Creators’ Vision

Anton Riot, the sole creator behind Don’t Open The Doors!, envisioned a game that would stand out in the crowded indie market. The decision to use claymation was a bold one, as it required an immense amount of manual labor and attention to detail. Riot’s vision was to create a game that felt both nostalgic and fresh, drawing inspiration from classic adventure games while adding a modern twist.

Technological Constraints and Gaming Landscape

In 2016, the indie gaming scene was booming, with developers experimenting with new genres and art styles. Don’t Open The Doors! stood out due to its handcrafted aesthetic, which was a rarity in an era dominated by digital art. The game’s isometric perspective and claymation graphics were a nod to older titles like The Neverhood, but with a contemporary flair.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Don’t Open The Doors! tells the story of a world invaded by mysterious doors that lead to pocket universe dungeons. These doors corrupt the surrounding area, making random objects sentient and occasionally hostile. The player takes on the role of an unnamed protagonist tasked with blowing up the main door to stop these incursions.

Plot and Characters

The plot is straightforward but engaging. The protagonist is thrust into a world of talking pumpkins, giant mushrooms, and squishy insects. The narrative is driven by a series of quests that involve exploring dungeons, gathering ingredients, and leveling up skills. The characters are quirky and humorous, with dialogue that often borders on the absurd.

Dialogue and Humor

The game’s dialogue is a mix of sarcastic insults and broken English, which can be both charming and frustrating. The humor is hit-or-miss, with some jokes landing perfectly while others feel forced. The English dialogue, in particular, can be rough around the edges, which adds to the game’s eccentric charm.

Underlying Themes

Themes of exploration, discovery, and the absurdity of everyday life are woven throughout the game. The world of Don’t Open The Doors! is a surreal place where the mundane and the extraordinary coexist, and the player is encouraged to embrace this chaos.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Don’t Open The Doors! is an open-world isometric puzzle adventure game with RPG elements. The core gameplay loop involves exploring the world, completing quests, and battling enemies with a variety of weapons.

Core Gameplay Loops

The game starts at a slow pace, introducing the player to basic isometric controls and combat mechanics. As the game progresses, the player is tasked with finding a hammer for combat, which becomes the primary weapon. The world is filled with traps, secrets, and bosses, ensuring that there is always something new to discover.

Combat and Character Progression

Combat in Don’t Open The Doors! is straightforward but satisfying. The player can use a variety of weapons, including a hammer and a popcorn gun, to defeat enemies. Character progression is handled through a skill system that allows the player to level up and unlock new abilities.

User Interface and Innovative Systems

The user interface is clean and intuitive, with a quest log that helps the player keep track of their objectives. The game’s open-world design allows for a high degree of freedom, with players able to tackle quests in any order they choose.

World-Building, Art & Sound

The world of Don’t Open The Doors! is a claymation wonderland filled with talking pumpkins, blue trees, and other surreal elements. The game’s art style is its strongest asset, with every object meticulously handcrafted from plasticine.

Setting and Atmosphere

The setting is a mix of whimsical and eerie, with the world’s corruption by the mysterious doors adding a sense of urgency. The atmosphere is enhanced by the game’s folk-meets-Danny Elfman soundtrack, which features occasional distorted guitar flourishes.

Visual Direction

The visual direction is consistent throughout the game, with each area featuring its own unique aesthetic. The claymation graphics are fluid and believable, adding to the game’s charm.

Sound Design

The sound design is top-notch, with the game’s soundtrack complementing the visuals perfectly. The sound effects are immersive, and the voice acting, while rough around the edges, adds to the game’s eccentric charm.

Reception & Legacy

Don’t Open The Doors! received mixed reviews upon its release, with critics praising its unique art style and humor but criticizing its clunky controls and short playtime. Despite this, the game has developed a cult following among fans of indie games and claymation.

Critical and Commercial Reception

The game’s Metacritic score is 68, indicating mixed or average reviews. Critics appreciated the game’s creativity and charm but found fault with its technical issues and lack of depth. Commercially, the game was a modest success, with a small but dedicated fanbase.

Influence on Subsequent Games and the Industry

Don’t Open The Doors! has had a lasting influence on the indie gaming scene, inspiring other developers to experiment with unique art styles and storytelling techniques. The game’s legacy can be seen in titles like Disdoored, a less overtly spooky survival/life sim sequel that builds on the original’s foundation.

Conclusion

Don’t Open The Doors! is a game that defies easy categorization. It is a labor of love, a testament to the power of creativity and innovation in the indie gaming scene. Despite its flaws, the game’s unique art style, whimsical narrative, and engaging gameplay make it a standout title in the annals of video game history. For fans of indie games, claymation, and quirky adventures, Don’t Open The Doors! is a must-play experience. Its legacy serves as a reminder that sometimes, the most memorable games are the ones that take risks and forge their own path.