Demo code provided, thanks to Uprising Studio.
Toymaker: Threads of Joy is a toy-crafting and shop management simulator set in 1910s Spain.
Running the toy shop Los Soñadores is an opportunity to explore a colorful city filled with a wide variety of customers, all wrapped in a magical story inspired by a folk legend. Using a touch of “magic” at your fingertips, you’ll be sewing not only toys, but also the future of your hometown.
The Look and Feel of Toymaker: Threads of Joy
The game’s visuals are the first thing that truly grabbed my attention. Everything is vibrant and full of life. From the richly detailed environments to the unmistakable Hispanic atmosphere, the overall art direction immediately stands out. The design even reminded me at times of the Art Nouveau movement, with its elegant shapes and decorative flair.
The soundtrack is equally pleasant and adapts well to the mood and intensity of each scene. I’m thinking in particular of the more mystical moments, where the background music fully embraces a magical tone, reinforcing the ethereal nature of the story and its underlying themes.
The Pros of Toymaker: Threads of Joy
I genuinely enjoyed the sewing sessions. They are easy to handle and well introduced through a tutorial that lets you experiment with each step of the crafting process. The mechanics feel accessible without being overly simplistic.
Interacting with the locals is also interesting, even if, at this stage, I didn’t always feel that my choices had a real impact, aside from specific conversations, especially those involving magical beings. Still, the foundations for meaningful interactions are clearly there.
As for shop management, customers either purchase toys you’ve already created or arrive with a specific request in mind. One appreciated design choice is that if you miss the mark on an order, whether it’s fabric color, design, or accessories, you’re given the opportunity to try again until you get it right. Across my multiple demo runs, these retries didn’t seem to negatively affect reputation or rewards. This may change in the full version, but for now, it makes experimentation feel stress-free.
As you progress, new locations unlock on the map, allowing you to explore the “behind the scenes” of Salamanca. It’s a pleasant sense of discovery and a promising sign for what the full game could offer later on.
The Cons of Toymaker: Threads of Joy
Most of the issues I encountered are inherently linked to the fact that the game is still a prototype. As a result, some elements feel rough around the edges. For instance, while cutting fabric, the plush patterns frequently overlapped on top of each other. It didn’t prevent me from completing the crafting process, but it was undeniably frustrating.
A more serious issue occurred when the game froze at seemingly random moments. I could be in the middle of completing a sale when the game suddenly stopped responding to any input. That’s when I realized the demo currently lacks a save system. This means that if the game freezes or you close it, you have to start everything from scratch the next time. Fair warning.
It’s not really a con, but I would also have loved the option to play with a controller, especially during the crafting sequences. That said, I fully expect these bugs to be addressed in the final release, along with the addition of a proper and accessible save system.
Final Thoughts
I truly enjoyed the Toymaker: Threads of Joy demo. To be honest, I was immediately excited when the game was proposed for a demo impression. A game centered around crafting, a touch of fashion, and such a charming art direction? I couldn’t pass that up.
I’m not disappointed in the slightest. In fact, I’m already eager to discover what other kinds of plushies I’ll be able to create, and to uncover the darker (or perhaps not-so-dark) secrets of Salamanca.
This is a very strong start. Here’s hoping the full game lives up to the promise of its preview!
A Kickstarter campaign is gonna start soon to help bring this game to life. Don’t hesitate to check it out!
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