I love this game so much, I cried and laughed and the twist at the end got me good and I was taken aback in a good way. I'm glad I play it on Twitch and the game had a good storyline and loveable characters. I love this game so much! I cried and laughed, and the twist at the end surprised me in a good way. I'm glad I played it on Twitch, as the game features a great storyline and lovable characters.
Will there be translations into other languages? I'm Brazilian and I would love to play but it's a bit difficult to translate and read the story at the same time.
Unfortunately, there are no official translations at this time. With enough interest, it might be possible in the future. 🙏 Thank you so much for your interest and support!
Well, I'm a Brazilian translator, and if you're ever interested in translating into Portuguese, I would be very happy to make that happen! (love your game btw <3)
Thanks for reaching out, ohmygothy! (And thanks for loving the game <33) Please feel free to email your rates to: dokidokidollmaker@gmail.com in case we're able to make it happen down the road!
A steam release is being considered. Feel free to follow the project here on Itch.io and on X/Twitter @DokiDollmaker to be notified of any future releases. Thanks so much for your interest!
I’m no expert on the subject, but you should still be able to snuggle your pet worm even if it’s eating your bed - just snuggle with it on the floor after the bed has been consumed. Hope this helps and y’all are able to enjoy the game comfortably together. 😆
(Note: I am not a reviewer so take this a grain of salt 😅) (Also don't worry, no spoilers).
I saw this game a while ago but couldn't purchase it at the time, fast forward when it was on sale & I just immediately bought it right then! Great concept for a game, however, it's kinda bland(?) in execution. I'll explain but first lemme say the positives.
The CGs and all other art are fantastic, no complaints here. I also love a BL where the sibling isn't a love interest LOL, and there's a female friend, YAY! I think the Full Group ending is the best 💖, I feels like it would be canonical (morbidly I like the Worst ending because OMFG)! The twist that had to do with the main character was a nice surprise too.
That brings me to the story... the main one that doesn't have to do with the love interests themselves isn't that bad, I like a person dealing with grief going to a new place where weird things start happening. But to me, especially when it comes to the dolls, it feels incomplete, like both the "heart events" and the main plot have nothing to do with each other. I feel from an objective standpoint, it's not laired enough. Maybe it's a pacing issue, I'm not quite sure.
Other nitpicks are all I think some of the character designs try way too hard to be unique (even if the art itself is lovely as I've said), this includes the names too (I laughed at Kyle with an "L" 😆). But that's especially subject of me so 🤷♀️
Overall, I don't regret buying Doki Doki Dollmaker (great name btw). Though you should def play the demo version beforehand, if you liked it, I'd said check it out! But if not, I don't think you'll be missing anything crazy.
Thanks for creating this game and thank YOU for reading! 🙏
Thanks for playing Doki Doki Dollmaker and for leaving a spoiler-free comment/review - it means a lot to solo developers like me! So glad you enjoyed the art; both Dejinyucu and bemicat worked exceptionally hard on the various pieces and they really bring the characters to life. So happy you appreciate Cole and Tilly as well; we love our not-so-minor characters! I also consider the Full Group good ending to be canon, so yes, you are correct. ♥︎ (A friend of mine surprisingly likes the worst ending too, so you're not alone, haha!)
I'm not sure what changes I could have made to the story or pacing to make it feel more layered, but appreciate your feedback and am glad you still enjoyed the experience enough for multiple playthroughs. As for the character designs, particularly the dolls, they are over-the-top to create contrast between them and the human characters; I didn't want them to look like they came from or belonged in Lyle's world. Also, I just happen to like bright/fun designs and they felt like a good fit for the game's handmade/patchwork theming. Their epilogue sprites, which have regular clothing, help to tone things down a bit! (For the record, I think "Kahvel" is a stranger name than "Lyle," haha!)
Thank you again for playing and for sharing your thoughts!
Thank you so much for purchasing my visual novel! 💗 Please consider leaving a rating/review for the game when you’re finished - I would love to hear your thoughts and it really helps the project out. Torin is a great pick - I hope he makes you smile!
There are no plans for an android release in the future. Feel free to follow the project to be notified of sales/discounts. Thank you for your interest!
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! ♥
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!!
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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!
Compre el juego ayer, y es una maravilla. Me encantan las novelas visuales, por suerte entiendo muy bien el ingles, y se nota el cariño y amor que le pusieron a este juego♥ Tienen un nuevo seguiro :D Por cierto, amo a Rook♥
¡Hola! Google Translate me está ayudando a escribir en español. ¡Gracias por jugar a Doki Doki Dollmaker! Me alegra mucho que disfrutes la historia. ¡Espero que Rook te haga sonreír! Gracias por sus amables palabras. 😊💗
hi. I was looking for blind-friendly vns and found this one with the tag on it. Does it have self-voicing support, is it completable with keyboard and does it have alt text for images?
Oh, and yes, it is compatible with keyboard! You can use the arrow keys to navigate the menus and choices, and if self-voicing is enabled, the option will be read. Hope this helps!
I haven’t played this yet… short on money at the moment, but I’m glad I found this so I can get later. I was curious though. Have you considered making actual plushies of those dolls? Cause they are super cute
Thanks for your interest in Doki Doki Dollmaker! I hope you'll be able to pick it up in the future. It goes on sale occasionally, so follow the project on social media to be notified when there's a discount!
I actually commissioned some plush keychains a looooong time ago (when Rook's hair was still dark red lol), but I couldn't remember who made them, so I never shared photos online. If I ever find the artist's name again, I'll be sure to post pics! (Maybe I can post the pics to help find the crafter? Hmm...)
It'd be nice to sell some official "life-sized" plushies someday, though! I'll dream about that for a little while!! ♥
I'd been following this project silently on and off on Lemmasoft for a few years already, and I bought it the moment I saw it was out. I didn't actually get a chance to read through it until this weekend, however... It's annoying when life gets in the way of fun things :c
I (finally) got around to reading it, though, and I enjoyed it a lot! I decided to go with Desifer, because he is the prettiest (and he is shirtless more often than not, which is a bonus lol), and I really enjoyed it!
I like that, though the premise of the story is a bit 'out there', it's actually very grounded. Lyle's depression after his parents' deaths is treated with a lot of importance, and isn't brushed to one side, and I like how his relationship with Cole was expanded upon too. Cole's such a sweet older brother; he's trying so hard for Lyle! Very moe >_<
It was interesting how the story treated the dolls, too. Lyle's internal debates about just how 'human' they were felt pretty realistic (I mean, as realistic as a blatantly unrealistic scenario like this can be haha), and it was pretty cute seeing him wonder about the anatomy of the dolls too.
I thought it'd lean more into cute slice of life stuff, and it did in the beginning, but the last 1/4 or so of the story was pretty emotional. I think the ending twist was well done, and the romance scenes were so cute and sweet!
Deji's art is absolutely gorgeous: I love how expressive and lively all the characters are (and ofc I love how Desifer's muscles are rendered owo) The CGs are very intricate, with a lot of different expressions for each, and there are so many of them! I only saw the CGs for Desifer's route, so I've only scratched the surface, but I already felt very well-fed in terms of pretty art. There's soooo much nice art in this VN, $20 really does feel like a steal.
Also, the CG of Desifer and Lyle in a field with their hair braided together? Adorable. It's simply too cute for words. My heart melted, and then I died. So cute..... ;w;
I'm interested in checking out the other routes (maybe Torin's: his grumpy presonality is v cute), but I liked Desifer so much I don't want to cheat on him!!! I do want to see the rest of the nice art too, though... Wah...
This is the problem when multi route VNs have characters which are too lovable: it's hard to read the other routes hahaha ;;; Maybe I'll bring myself to do it eventually, though...
Thank you for making this VN! It's very polished, and I can tell you put a lot of love into it. It was a well put together story with some sweet, sincere moments and some very cute characters, and I really enjoyed it!
I apologize for the late reply. I've been meaning to respond to this post since I saw it a month ago and failed to find the words before I got caught up in some "life" things myself! Responsibilities always seem to interfere with fun, don't they?
I can't thank you enough for your kind words. I'm so happy you enjoyed playing Doki Doki Dollmaker! I appreciate you following the project over its many years of development. Your enthusiasm brought a huge smile to my face - thank you for sharing your experience so thoroughly and thoughtfully!
I had a feeling you'd go for Desifer first! He's understandably quite popular with players. I hope his more heartfelt scenes were a pleasant surprise for you! If you can't bring yourself to romance the other dolls because you love Desifer that much, you could always just replay his route again and again, haha!
I put my all into the story and its characters and am glad it shows in the final product. I wanted to make sure my writing lived up to Deji and bemicat's amazing illustrations. I'm so grateful to have them on the team! This passion project couldn't have happened without support from team members and from players like you.
Yes, a guide will be available in the future. I’ve been busy with the art book lately and haven’t gotten around to posting it, but should have something up next month! 😊
I saw this game on sale and I was immediately hit with dejavu from the beautiful art style. Did you or the artist/s involved happen to also help in the creation of a fantasy dating game featuring humanoid dragons as the (two) LIs? I can't remember its name, but the thought is nagging at the back of my head.
Yes, one of Doki Doki Dollmaker’s artists, Dejinyucu, was involved with that game - it’s called Autumn's Journey! I hope you’ll check both visual novels out. We love feel-good games! ☺️💕
There are no plans to release Doki Doki Dollmaker on steam at this time, but if anything changes in the future I will be sure to let players know! Thanks for your interest!
Thank you so much for playing and for your kind words! There’s a hint on this itch.io page on how to get the full group ending, but if you’re still having trouble, a game guide will be released in the future. Thank you for your patience and good luck! 😊💕
hello! not sure if i can ask this here, but i'm having a really hard time getting the good ending with all of them ^^ is this possible to do? if so, is there a guide or instruction that could help me? :] thank you!
p.s: i've been waiting for this game for like two years and it's everything i thought it'd be and more!! i love it sm, thank you for working so hard on it <3
I can give you a few pointers. hang out with the same doll throughout the story. pgup is your friend (that's the backspace in game). and trust the toy shop owner.
I’m glad you’re enjoying the game so far and am happy that my passion for the project is shining through in the final product! 🥺💕
If you’re talking about the *full group* ending, there is a hint on this itch.io game page if you look hard enough. Otherwise, check out Loveverly’s comment. 😉 Good luck!
Yes, as Loveverly stated, the age verification is at the start of every new game! There is no option to block/unblock mid-play through. Thank you for asking, as I’m sure other players will be curious about this as well!
I enjoyed this game so much! All the characters are so cute <3. I still have missing cgs after getting all my boys, and I'm excited to eventually get them all!
I’m so glad you’re enjoying the game and love the characters! 🥰 If you’re having trouble unlocking all of the CGs, the art book will include a small game guide in the future! Otherwise, there’s a hint hidden on the itch.io game page~ 😉
I've finished my first route (Torin) and blubbered so much while playing that my cat kept worrying about me. lol You did an excellent job Karista. I'm so glad I backed this. :)
I'm sorry to have made you cry, but I hope some were happy tears! Your cat is doing a wonderful job looking out for you. ♥ Thank you for your kind words and for helping bring the project to life with your pledge!!
i remember following the progress of this game long ago and it's nice to see it finally completed!! congrats on the release and i'm looking forward to play it 🙋♀️✨
Thanks for following the project all this time! 💗 Yes, I’m so excited to finally share Lyle’s story with everyone. I hope you enjoy your play-through(s) and get the ending(s) you’re aiming for!!
I cannot WAIT for this game. I was really excited to play through the demo, and was NOT disappointed. Everything from the music, the character designs, the dialogue - it's all so undeniably charming, you just get sucked in right away. I was not only laughing at all the jokes, but also feeling genuine concern and sympathy for the MC at times. I sat down and played through all the routes in the demo in one go, and I'm already obsessed.
From what I've played, I just know that this story is going to make me cry tears of joy AND sadness. Looking forward to the full release!!!
Your comment brings me so much joy - thank you for your kind words! I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed the demo and are excited for the full release. We're getting very close now... less than two months away! I can't wait to share Lyle's story with you. I hope your happy tears outweigh the sad ones!! ♥
As the lucky schmuck who's been editing the game and therefore has played the whole thing, I can *confidently* say--you aren't wrong 😜. Definitely keep some kleenex handy!
Um Hello May I ask is there an android version on this game it's because I love it and OH I am new to this and Iam very interested to game Iam gonna be honest I REALLY LOVE THIS SO MUCH I HOPE THERE'S AN ANDROID I CAN'T WAIT HEHE AND SORRY IT'S BECAUSE I WAS MOVE IN THIS GAME 😊😊😊😍😍😍 I HOPE READ MY COMMENT AND GOOD LUCK 😉😉😉
Doki Doki Dollmaker will be available on PC only via itch. There are no plans for a mobile/Android release in the future, but if anything changes, I’ll be sure to let players know on this itch page and on Twitter @DokiDollmaker as well. 😊 Thank you so much for your interest! I’m happy that you’re excited for the project. We’re working very hard on it!
I am very much looking forwards to the full release of the game. I too have suffered the loss of a parent quite young and people find so many ways to cope. Mines was body art. This game has such an interesting concept, so much so that I cannot wait to sink my teeth into it. Also, I have already picked the one I wanna romance. I have a thing for redheads!
Thank you so much for sharing. 💗 We’ve been working very hard on the full release and hope to bring it to you soon. I’m happy to hear that you like the concept and characters; your enthusiasm is greatly appreciated! ☺️
I appreciate your anticipation for the project! Here’s what’s left to be done before release (as far as programming goes):
- Implement remaining CGs (as they come in) - Write five 18+ epilogues - Code and polish five 18+ epilogues - Apply editor-advised changes and corrections (as they come in)
Another artist, bemicat, has joined the team to help us catch up with CG production, which we were behind on. Editing will be 60% complete by the end of next month. We don’t have an official release date at this time, but will communicate it with players as soon as one becomes available! 😊
There are no plans to release Doki Doki Dollmaker on Steam at this time, but if anything changes in the future, I’ll be sure to communicate that with players. Thanks for your interest! 😊
You’re not doing anything wrong! The “Buy Now” option does not work at this time because there is nothing to buy - the commercial version of the game has not been released yet. The full version will become available next year, alongside an extended demo; I hope you’ll look forward to it!
Thanks for trying the demo! I’m so happy to hear you’re excited for the full release. Feel free to follow the project on Twitter/Tumblr to stay up-to-date with the project’s progress!
Also, Doki Doki Dollmaker’s artist is the same as Cute Demon Crashers; looks like you recognized Dejinyucu’s art! 😊
ahh.... so that's why I though I saw Keal's and Orias' eyes in some of the characters and the general 'feel' ot them^^ I'm so happy! (I love the little game they made;)))
I also makes me 'pumped up' for the one you are working on^^ I have high hopes but you don't need to feel pressured - I like the demo very much (it's good and balanced) so do your own thing and the way you see fit;]]
Simply put: realise your dream version of it - it would be great^^
**You are invited to explore a BL Visual Novel like no other!**
Karitsa
It was a pleasure to explore (a sweet beginning) to the world of a BL Visual Novel. I loved the characters especially the way we are subjected to multiple emotions and feelings. Lyle is very personable as the Main Character; Was he gifted special abilities for his dolls or is it a curse from the 'friendly' Old toy man? The way his personal experience easily tied together a story is something most Visual Novels are lacking so super brownie points to all the details you've taken time to add and represent in your BL.
Overall?
Please Please Please FOLLOW SHARE and SUPPORT Karitsa in their BL Visual Novel endeavors!
Thanks for checking out the demo and sharing your play through! I enjoyed watching your video; the commentary was entertaining and I caught myself laughing at many of your responses. I especially enjoyed your reaction to the dolls! Kahvel isn't often a first-choice, so it was cool to see someone gravitate toward him like you did.
I sincerely appreciate your kind words about the project and would love to watch your full play through someday!
I can't wait for the full release and I rarely ever pay for visual novels, but this is so interesting that I just have to. I mean, take my money!
The character designs are so pretty and vibrant, I love how you can get an input into their personalities through the way they dress and their facial and even their facial structure.
I can't wait to get to know them all.
Only downside is that they are all so amazing, I don't know how I'll be able to choose. Guess, I'll playing for a long, long time then. Gotta get every boy some love!
I also love how Lyle actually has personality and troubles whereas some novels make the MC really bland and 2 dimensional just to go more in-depth with the love interests. You can tell a visual novel is going to be good when they put effort into the psyche of the MC.
I also like how instead of completely focusing on the love interests, the story (of what I have seen in the demo) sheds light and builds on Lyle's other relationships (Tilly, Cole) and also the dynamic between the dolls.
I eagerly await the full game and any updates about it in the meantime!
I'm glad you enjoyed playing the demo and are excited to learn more about the characters! Although the story is fairly linear (with choices affecting specific scenes, dialogue, and endings), I'm sure the unique moments with each doll will make your repeat-plays equally enjoyable! If you've fallen for all five dolls, you may want to aim for the "full group" good ending - it's difficult to obtain, but the bonus scene is worth it.
Thank you for your kind words about Lyle's character and the story. Doki Doki Dollmaker is romance-focused, but it's also a coming-of-age story. Lyle is trying to adapt to his new environment, cope with loss, and learn about himself as he enters a new stage in his life. You will find that his relationships with Cole, Tilly, and Mr. Mendoza can be just as important to his growth as his relationship with the dolls. I'm happy to hear that these aspects of the story are a welcome addition to the script!
I played the Demo and am very excited to play the full game when it comes out! the visuals are amazing, the style of each character is perfect, with so many expressions and lovely dialogue! I recorded myself playing the demo and I gush over just how much I love it. Proud to say I am backing this project on kickstarter!
Thanks for downloading the demo and sharing your play through! I already mentioned this on Twitter, but I laughed every time you lovingly scolded Lyle, calling him "child" - too cute! I appreciate you sharing your video here on itch as well for those who might have missed it. Happy to have you as a backer on Kickstarter and looking forward to seeing more videos in the future - thanks for your support!
I've first heard about this project years ago when it was barely started, and I was immediately drawn in by the colorful designs of all the dolls 😊 Needless to say, it was very exciting to finally be able to play a demo!!
I gotta say I had a lot of fun playing it, thank god I was home alone because I kept cackling like an idiot at everyone's antics!
I definitely didn't expect Tilly (Lyle's new friend) to be so chaotic but I have to say I love her 🤣 She's a bit of a klutz but every scene she's in is just hilarious so I can't wait to see more of her in the full game!
As for the love interests... Well, as a tsundere-lover, I am extremely partial to Torin 😔😔 The protectiveness of that boy was enough to make me a goner from the very beginning 😭 Rook is also way too cute for this world, and I definitely hope we get to brush Desifer's hair at some point during his route 😉
I have good hopes for the future of this game since the script is complete and most of what's missing is just art assets! I'll be crossing fingers for the campaign, and hopefully we'll get to have the full game in our hands by the end of 2021 🥰
I would definitely recommend trying out the demo to anyone who enjoys cute, light-hearted BL stories!
Thank you for continuing to follow the project throughout its years of development! I'm happy to hear that the demo was worth the wait for you and hope the full release will exceed your expectations. I will continue to work hard and make Doki Doki Dollmaker the very best it can be!
I appreciate you sharing your experience playing the demo; it brings me so much joy as a writer and developer to hear that I've been able to make you laugh! I also love that you were able to connect with the characters the way you have. Although I can't guarantee that you'll be able to brush Desifer's hair in the full version, I can promise that there will be some surprisingly wholesome moments with him!
Thanks again for playing the demo and supporting the project!
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I love this game so much, I cried and laughed and the twist at the end got me good and I was taken aback in a good way. I'm glad I play it on Twitch and the game had a good storyline and loveable characters. I love this game so much! I cried and laughed, and the twist at the end surprised me in a good way. I'm glad I played it on Twitch, as the game features a great storyline and lovable characters.
Will there be translations into other languages? I'm Brazilian and I would love to play but it's a bit difficult to translate and read the story at the same time.
Hello Protagonista,
Unfortunately, there are no official translations at this time. With enough interest, it might be possible in the future. 🙏 Thank you so much for your interest and support!
Karitsa
Well, I'm a Brazilian translator, and if you're ever interested in translating into Portuguese, I would be very happy to make that happen! (love your game btw <3)
Thanks for reaching out, ohmygothy! (And thanks for loving the game <33) Please feel free to email your rates to: dokidokidollmaker@gmail.com in case we're able to make it happen down the road!
Karitsa
I would love for this game to be on steam, with achievements. I'd love to purchase and play it.
Hi Zakaries!
A steam release is being considered. Feel free to follow the project here on Itch.io and on X/Twitter @DokiDollmaker to be notified of any future releases. Thanks so much for your interest!
Karitsa
i did this thinking of a pet worm i had as a child and its real now and its eating my bed. what do i do i just wanted to snuggle my pet worm help?
Hi wormaniel,
I’m no expert on the subject, but you should still be able to snuggle your pet worm even if it’s eating your bed - just snuggle with it on the floor after the bed has been consumed. Hope this helps and y’all are able to enjoy the game comfortably together. 😆
Karitsa
(Note: I am not a reviewer so take this a grain of salt 😅) (Also don't worry, no spoilers).
I saw this game a while ago but couldn't purchase it at the time, fast forward when it was on sale & I just immediately bought it right then! Great concept for a game, however, it's kinda bland(?) in execution. I'll explain but first lemme say the positives.
The CGs and all other art are fantastic, no complaints here. I also love a BL where the sibling isn't a love interest LOL, and there's a female friend, YAY! I think the Full Group ending is the best 💖, I feels like it would be canonical (morbidly I like the Worst ending because OMFG)! The twist that had to do with the main character was a nice surprise too.
That brings me to the story... the main one that doesn't have to do with the love interests themselves isn't that bad, I like a person dealing with grief going to a new place where weird things start happening. But to me, especially when it comes to the dolls, it feels incomplete, like both the "heart events" and the main plot have nothing to do with each other. I feel from an objective standpoint, it's not laired enough. Maybe it's a pacing issue, I'm not quite sure.
Other nitpicks are all I think some of the character designs try way too hard to be unique (even if the art itself is lovely as I've said), this includes the names too (I laughed at Kyle with an "L" 😆). But that's especially subject of me so 🤷♀️
Overall, I don't regret buying Doki Doki Dollmaker (great name btw). Though you should def play the demo version beforehand, if you liked it, I'd said check it out! But if not, I don't think you'll be missing anything crazy.
Thanks for creating this game and thank YOU for reading! 🙏
Hi yoslina102!
Thanks for playing Doki Doki Dollmaker and for leaving a spoiler-free comment/review - it means a lot to solo developers like me! So glad you enjoyed the art; both Dejinyucu and bemicat worked exceptionally hard on the various pieces and they really bring the characters to life. So happy you appreciate Cole and Tilly as well; we love our not-so-minor characters! I also consider the Full Group good ending to be canon, so yes, you are correct. ♥︎ (A friend of mine surprisingly likes the worst ending too, so you're not alone, haha!)
I'm not sure what changes I could have made to the story or pacing to make it feel more layered, but appreciate your feedback and am glad you still enjoyed the experience enough for multiple playthroughs. As for the character designs, particularly the dolls, they are over-the-top to create contrast between them and the human characters; I didn't want them to look like they came from or belonged in Lyle's world. Also, I just happen to like bright/fun designs and they felt like a good fit for the game's handmade/patchwork theming. Their epilogue sprites, which have regular clothing, help to tone things down a bit! (For the record, I think "Kahvel" is a stranger name than "Lyle," haha!)
Thank you again for playing and for sharing your thoughts!
Karitsa
I just got the game, I can't wait to play (I predict Torin is gonna be my fav but we'll see)!
Hi yoslina102!
Thank you so much for purchasing my visual novel! 💗 Please consider leaving a rating/review for the game when you’re finished - I would love to hear your thoughts and it really helps the project out. Torin is a great pick - I hope he makes you smile!
Karitsa
is it nsfw?
Only the (optional) epilogues!
will be available on steam?
Hi caroljudoca,
It is being considered, but nothing is confirmed yet. Be sure to follow the project for any future announcements - thanks for your interest!
Karitsa
This looks so fun...but I have an android AND I can't buy it...will there be a free and android version in the future? 🥺
Hi AlecNightfal,
There are no plans for an android release in the future. Feel free to follow the project to be notified of sales/discounts. Thank you for your interest!
Karitsa
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! ♥
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!!
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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
Compre el juego ayer, y es una maravilla. Me encantan las novelas visuales, por suerte entiendo muy bien el ingles, y se nota el cariño y amor que le pusieron a este juego♥ Tienen un nuevo seguiro :D Por cierto, amo a Rook♥
¡Hola! Google Translate me está ayudando a escribir en español. ¡Gracias por jugar a Doki Doki Dollmaker! Me alegra mucho que disfrutes la historia. ¡Espero que Rook te haga sonreír! Gracias por sus amables palabras. 😊💗
Karitsa
hi. I was looking for blind-friendly vns and found this one with the tag on it. Does it have self-voicing support, is it completable with keyboard and does it have alt text for images?
Hi gamer824,
Yes, Doki Doki Dollmaker is blind/visually-impaired friendly!
The following alternative text will be read aloud when self-voicing is enabled by pressing “v” on your keyboard during gameplay:
Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any other questions! Happy playing! 😊
Karitsa
Oh, and yes, it is compatible with keyboard! You can use the arrow keys to navigate the menus and choices, and if self-voicing is enabled, the option will be read. Hope this helps!
Steam... plz, I'm begging you.
It’s being considered! 😎 Thanks for your interest, Trampampam!
I haven’t played this yet… short on money at the moment, but I’m glad I found this so I can get later. I was curious though. Have you considered making actual plushies of those dolls? Cause they are super cute
Hi Cassirole,
Thanks for your interest in Doki Doki Dollmaker! I hope you'll be able to pick it up in the future. It goes on sale occasionally, so follow the project on social media to be notified when there's a discount!
I actually commissioned some plush keychains a looooong time ago (when Rook's hair was still dark red lol), but I couldn't remember who made them, so I never shared photos online. If I ever find the artist's name again, I'll be sure to post pics! (Maybe I can post the pics to help find the crafter? Hmm...)
It'd be nice to sell some official "life-sized" plushies someday, though! I'll dream about that for a little while!! ♥
Karitsa
I'd been following this project silently on and off on Lemmasoft for a few years already, and I bought it the moment I saw it was out. I didn't actually get a chance to read through it until this weekend, however... It's annoying when life gets in the way of fun things :c
I (finally) got around to reading it, though, and I enjoyed it a lot! I decided to go with Desifer, because he is the prettiest (and he is shirtless more often than not, which is a bonus lol), and I really enjoyed it!
I like that, though the premise of the story is a bit 'out there', it's actually very grounded. Lyle's depression after his parents' deaths is treated with a lot of importance, and isn't brushed to one side, and I like how his relationship with Cole was expanded upon too. Cole's such a sweet older brother; he's trying so hard for Lyle! Very moe >_<
It was interesting how the story treated the dolls, too. Lyle's internal debates about just how 'human' they were felt pretty realistic (I mean, as realistic as a blatantly unrealistic scenario like this can be haha), and it was pretty cute seeing him wonder about the anatomy of the dolls too.
I thought it'd lean more into cute slice of life stuff, and it did in the beginning, but the last 1/4 or so of the story was pretty emotional. I think the ending twist was well done, and the romance scenes were so cute and sweet!
Deji's art is absolutely gorgeous: I love how expressive and lively all the characters are (and ofc I love how Desifer's muscles are rendered owo) The CGs are very intricate, with a lot of different expressions for each, and there are so many of them! I only saw the CGs for Desifer's route, so I've only scratched the surface, but I already felt very well-fed in terms of pretty art. There's soooo much nice art in this VN, $20 really does feel like a steal.
Also, the CG of Desifer and Lyle in a field with their hair braided together? Adorable. It's simply too cute for words. My heart melted, and then I died. So cute..... ;w;
I'm interested in checking out the other routes (maybe Torin's: his grumpy presonality is v cute), but I liked Desifer so much I don't want to cheat on him!!! I do want to see the rest of the nice art too, though... Wah...
This is the problem when multi route VNs have characters which are too lovable: it's hard to read the other routes hahaha ;;; Maybe I'll bring myself to do it eventually, though...
Thank you for making this VN! It's very polished, and I can tell you put a lot of love into it. It was a well put together story with some sweet, sincere moments and some very cute characters, and I really enjoyed it!
Hi ebi-hime!
I apologize for the late reply. I've been meaning to respond to this post since I saw it a month ago and failed to find the words before I got caught up in some "life" things myself! Responsibilities always seem to interfere with fun, don't they?
I can't thank you enough for your kind words. I'm so happy you enjoyed playing Doki Doki Dollmaker! I appreciate you following the project over its many years of development. Your enthusiasm brought a huge smile to my face - thank you for sharing your experience so thoroughly and thoughtfully!
I had a feeling you'd go for Desifer first! He's understandably quite popular with players. I hope his more heartfelt scenes were a pleasant surprise for you! If you can't bring yourself to romance the other dolls because you love Desifer that much, you could always just replay his route again and again, haha!
I put my all into the story and its characters and am glad it shows in the final product. I wanted to make sure my writing lived up to Deji and bemicat's amazing illustrations. I'm so grateful to have them on the team! This passion project couldn't have happened without support from team members and from players like you.
Thank you. ♥
Karitsa
Hello.
Will there be a guide available, and if so, when please?
Hi ManekiNeko,
Yes, a guide will be available in the future. I’ve been busy with the art book lately and haven’t gotten around to posting it, but should have something up next month! 😊
Karitsa
Thank you very much! <3
Hello, Karitsa!
I saw this game on sale and I was immediately hit with dejavu from the beautiful art style. Did you or the artist/s involved happen to also help in the creation of a fantasy dating game featuring humanoid dragons as the (two) LIs? I can't remember its name, but the thought is nagging at the back of my head.
Hi Nacchan!
Yes, one of Doki Doki Dollmaker’s artists, Dejinyucu, was involved with that game - it’s called Autumn's Journey! I hope you’ll check both visual novels out. We love feel-good games! ☺️💕
Karitsa
OMG, thank you! So that's where I'd seen it from. They do such amazing work. I'd love to take a look at your game soon too! :)
Hi, do you have any plans to release this game on Steam?
Hi Akino Yamiko!
There are no plans to release Doki Doki Dollmaker on steam at this time, but if anything changes in the future I will be sure to let players know! Thanks for your interest!
Karitsa
i have gotten all the characters good endings and the bad ending but i cant figure out how to get the good ending with all of them together pls help
ps. amazing game i have loved playing it all of the endings are amazing you did an incredible job 10/10 :)
Thank you so much for playing and for your kind words! There’s a hint on this itch.io page on how to get the full group ending, but if you’re still having trouble, a game guide will be released in the future. Thank you for your patience and good luck! 😊💕
ok thank you so much for the reply ill see if i can find it and cant wait for the guide!! :)
hello! not sure if i can ask this here, but i'm having a really hard time getting the good ending with all of them ^^ is this possible to do? if so, is there a guide or instruction that could help me? :] thank you!
p.s: i've been waiting for this game for like two years and it's everything i thought it'd be and more!! i love it sm, thank you for working so hard on it <3
I can give you a few pointers. hang out with the same doll throughout the story. pgup is your friend (that's the backspace in game). and trust the toy shop owner.
ohhh thank you, but i meant like. the ending with *all* of them ^^ where you can end with all of them at once :]
that's one of three endings that I haven't figured out yet. lol
puddlewater,
I’m glad you’re enjoying the game so far and am happy that my passion for the project is shining through in the final product! 🥺💕
If you’re talking about the *full group* ending, there is a hint on this itch.io game page if you look hard enough. Otherwise, check out Loveverly’s comment. 😉 Good luck!
Karitsa
thank you so much! i couldn't find it the first time, but i'll look for it again >:]
I have my Desifer body pillow ready and can't wait to dive in! It's surreal that we're finally here!! Congratulations on the game release <3
Yaaaaay!! Give it some big hugs and enjoy! Thank you so much~ 😍🧡
Once the mature content is blocked, is there an option to allow the mature content again?
just restart the game. it should ask for age verification and then if you want to see the epilogue again.
DaSkillz2023,
Yes, as Loveverly stated, the age verification is at the start of every new game! There is no option to block/unblock mid-play through. Thank you for asking, as I’m sure other players will be curious about this as well!
Karitsa
I enjoyed this game so much! All the characters are so cute <3. I still have missing cgs after getting all my boys, and I'm excited to eventually get them all!
dani4the6,
I’m so glad you’re enjoying the game and love the characters! 🥰 If you’re having trouble unlocking all of the CGs, the art book will include a small game guide in the future! Otherwise, there’s a hint hidden on the itch.io game page~ 😉
Karitsa
I've finished my first route (Torin) and blubbered so much while playing that my cat kept worrying about me. lol You did an excellent job Karista. I'm so glad I backed this. :)
Loveverly,
I'm sorry to have made you cry, but I hope some were happy tears! Your cat is doing a wonderful job looking out for you. ♥ Thank you for your kind words and for helping bring the project to life with your pledge!!
Karitsa
haha, no problem. I'm so glad I did cat boy's route first. :D I love Des too though. :D
i remember following the progress of this game long ago and it's nice to see it finally completed!! congrats on the release and i'm looking forward to play it 🙋♀️✨
Hi miko,
Thanks for following the project all this time! 💗 Yes, I’m so excited to finally share Lyle’s story with everyone. I hope you enjoy your play-through(s) and get the ending(s) you’re aiming for!!
Karitsa
I cannot WAIT for this game. I was really excited to play through the demo, and was NOT disappointed. Everything from the music, the character designs, the dialogue - it's all so undeniably charming, you just get sucked in right away. I was not only laughing at all the jokes, but also feeling genuine concern and sympathy for the MC at times. I sat down and played through all the routes in the demo in one go, and I'm already obsessed.
From what I've played, I just know that this story is going to make me cry tears of joy AND sadness. Looking forward to the full release!!!
Hi xipielle,
Your comment brings me so much joy - thank you for your kind words! I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed the demo and are excited for the full release. We're getting very close now... less than two months away! I can't wait to share Lyle's story with you. I hope your happy tears outweigh the sad ones!! ♥
Karitsa
As the lucky schmuck who's been editing the game and therefore has played the whole thing, I can *confidently* say--you aren't wrong 😜. Definitely keep some kleenex handy!
Um Hello May I ask is there an android version on this game it's because I love it and OH I am new to this and Iam very interested to game Iam gonna be honest I REALLY LOVE THIS SO MUCH I HOPE THERE'S AN ANDROID I CAN'T WAIT HEHE AND SORRY IT'S BECAUSE I WAS MOVE IN THIS GAME 😊😊😊😍😍😍 I HOPE READ MY COMMENT AND GOOD LUCK 😉😉😉
Hi Gracefeel,
Doki Doki Dollmaker will be available on PC only via itch. There are no plans for a mobile/Android release in the future, but if anything changes, I’ll be sure to let players know on this itch page and on Twitter @DokiDollmaker as well. 😊 Thank you so much for your interest! I’m happy that you’re excited for the project. We’re working very hard on it!
Karitsa
OH I WILL THANK YOU HEHE 😁😁😁😍😍😍
I am very much looking forwards to the full release of the game. I too have suffered the loss of a parent quite young and people find so many ways to cope. Mines was body art. This game has such an interesting concept, so much so that I cannot wait to sink my teeth into it. Also, I have already picked the one I wanna romance. I have a thing for redheads!
I am eagerly waiting on the release!
Nautinthislifetime,
Thank you so much for sharing. 💗 We’ve been working very hard on the full release and hope to bring it to you soon. I’m happy to hear that you like the concept and characters; your enthusiasm is greatly appreciated! ☺️
Karitsa
Hi Hi Karitsa!
how is it going with 'Doki Doki Dollmaker' ? at what piont in 'progress bar' are you guys now? ;]
Any concrete date for the release?
(my 'fan girl heart' is little dried up and needs some sustenance ;PPP)
Hi Kelsea!
I appreciate your anticipation for the project! Here’s what’s left to be done before release (as far as programming goes):
- Implement remaining CGs (as they come in)
- Write five 18+ epilogues
- Code and polish five 18+ epilogues
- Apply editor-advised changes and corrections (as they come in)
Another artist, bemicat, has joined the team to help us catch up with CG production, which we were behind on. Editing will be 60% complete by the end of next month. We don’t have an official release date at this time, but will communicate it with players as soon as one becomes available! 😊
Karitsa
thanks for letting us know^^
hang in there and thank you for all your hard work!
Of course! ☺️ Thank you for your patience and support. 🙏
I loooove it
Do you have plans to put it on steam?
Hi NewVane!
There are no plans to release Doki Doki Dollmaker on Steam at this time, but if anything changes in the future, I’ll be sure to communicate that with players. Thanks for your interest! 😊
Karitsa
Cant waiiiiit
I’m glad you’re looking forward to the full release, MyKawaiiPanda!
I have tried to use "Buy now" option on itch.io but it doesn't seem to work..? can you help me out and tell me what I'm doing wrong?
Hi Kelsea,
You’re not doing anything wrong! The “Buy Now” option does not work at this time because there is nothing to buy - the commercial version of the game has not been released yet. The full version will become available next year, alongside an extended demo; I hope you’ll look forward to it!
Thank you for your support. 💗
wow... I tried the demo - it's interesting and I really hope to see the end of it :D keep up good work^^
Reminds me of the Cute Demon Crashers^^
Kelsea,
Thanks for trying the demo! I’m so happy to hear you’re excited for the full release. Feel free to follow the project on Twitter/Tumblr to stay up-to-date with the project’s progress!
Also, Doki Doki Dollmaker’s artist is the same as Cute Demon Crashers; looks like you recognized Dejinyucu’s art! 😊
ahh.... so that's why I though I saw Keal's and Orias' eyes in some of the characters and the general 'feel' ot them^^ I'm so happy! (I love the little game they made;)))
I also makes me 'pumped up' for the one you are working on^^ I have high hopes but you don't need to feel pressured - I like the demo very much (it's good and balanced) so do your own thing and the way you see fit;]]
Simply put: realise your dream version of it - it would be great^^
Sorry mates
Dolls Dolls Dolls!
Here's my playthrough for all to explore, Enjoy !
**You are invited to explore a BL Visual Novel like no other!**
Karitsa
It was a pleasure to explore (a sweet beginning) to the world of a BL Visual Novel. I loved the characters especially the way we are subjected to multiple emotions and feelings. Lyle is very personable as the Main Character; Was he gifted special abilities for his dolls or is it a curse from the 'friendly' Old toy man? The way his personal experience easily tied together a story is something most Visual Novels are lacking so super brownie points to all the details you've taken time to add and represent in your BL.
Overall?
Please Please Please FOLLOW SHARE and SUPPORT Karitsa in their BL Visual Novel endeavors!
Links are provided RIGHT HERE!
https://twitter.com/dokidollmaker
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/karitsa/doki-doki-dollmaker-a-heartfelt-bl-...
Marlonplays,
Thanks for checking out the demo and sharing your play through! I enjoyed watching your video; the commentary was entertaining and I caught myself laughing at many of your responses. I especially enjoyed your reaction to the dolls! Kahvel isn't often a first-choice, so it was cool to see someone gravitate toward him like you did.
I sincerely appreciate your kind words about the project and would love to watch your full play through someday!
I adore this game!
I can't wait for the full release and I rarely ever pay for visual novels, but this is so interesting that I just have to. I mean, take my money!
The character designs are so pretty and vibrant, I love how you can get an input into their personalities through the way they dress and their facial and even their facial structure.
I can't wait to get to know them all.
Only downside is that they are all so amazing, I don't know how I'll be able to choose. Guess, I'll playing for a long, long time then. Gotta get every boy some love!
I also love how Lyle actually has personality and troubles whereas some novels make the MC really bland and 2 dimensional just to go more in-depth with the love interests. You can tell a visual novel is going to be good when they put effort into the psyche of the MC.
I also like how instead of completely focusing on the love interests, the story (of what I have seen in the demo) sheds light and builds on Lyle's other relationships (Tilly, Cole) and also the dynamic between the dolls.
I eagerly await the full game and any updates about it in the meantime!
Amazing work!
Eviepuss,
I'm glad you enjoyed playing the demo and are excited to learn more about the characters! Although the story is fairly linear (with choices affecting specific scenes, dialogue, and endings), I'm sure the unique moments with each doll will make your repeat-plays equally enjoyable! If you've fallen for all five dolls, you may want to aim for the "full group" good ending - it's difficult to obtain, but the bonus scene is worth it.
Thank you for your kind words about Lyle's character and the story. Doki Doki Dollmaker is romance-focused, but it's also a coming-of-age story. Lyle is trying to adapt to his new environment, cope with loss, and learn about himself as he enters a new stage in his life. You will find that his relationships with Cole, Tilly, and Mr. Mendoza can be just as important to his growth as his relationship with the dolls. I'm happy to hear that these aspects of the story are a welcome addition to the script!
Thanks again for your lovely comment and support!
I played the Demo and am very excited to play the full game when it comes out! the visuals are amazing, the style of each character is perfect, with so many expressions and lovely dialogue! I recorded myself playing the demo and I gush over just how much I love it. Proud to say I am backing this project on kickstarter!
Faelel,
Thanks for downloading the demo and sharing your play through! I already mentioned this on Twitter, but I laughed every time you lovingly scolded Lyle, calling him "child" - too cute! I appreciate you sharing your video here on itch as well for those who might have missed it. Happy to have you as a backer on Kickstarter and looking forward to seeing more videos in the future - thanks for your support!
I've first heard about this project years ago when it was barely started, and I was immediately drawn in by the colorful designs of all the dolls 😊 Needless to say, it was very exciting to finally be able to play a demo!!
I gotta say I had a lot of fun playing it, thank god I was home alone because I kept cackling like an idiot at everyone's antics!
I definitely didn't expect Tilly (Lyle's new friend) to be so chaotic but I have to say I love her 🤣 She's a bit of a klutz but every scene she's in is just hilarious so I can't wait to see more of her in the full game!
As for the love interests... Well, as a tsundere-lover, I am extremely partial to Torin 😔😔 The protectiveness of that boy was enough to make me a goner from the very beginning 😭 Rook is also way too cute for this world, and I definitely hope we get to brush Desifer's hair at some point during his route 😉
I have good hopes for the future of this game since the script is complete and most of what's missing is just art assets! I'll be crossing fingers for the campaign, and hopefully we'll get to have the full game in our hands by the end of 2021 🥰
I would definitely recommend trying out the demo to anyone who enjoys cute, light-hearted BL stories!
Cyrelly,
Thank you for continuing to follow the project throughout its years of development! I'm happy to hear that the demo was worth the wait for you and hope the full release will exceed your expectations. I will continue to work hard and make Doki Doki Dollmaker the very best it can be!
I appreciate you sharing your experience playing the demo; it brings me so much joy as a writer and developer to hear that I've been able to make you laugh! I also love that you were able to connect with the characters the way you have. Although I can't guarantee that you'll be able to brush Desifer's hair in the full version, I can promise that there will be some surprisingly wholesome moments with him!
Thanks again for playing the demo and supporting the project!