The Perfect Pencil immediately grabbed my attention with its striking hand-drawn art style, but after spending some time with it, I realized there’s much more beneath the surface. Like many games in this genre, it explores themes of self-reflection and inner demons. The darker subject matter might not be for everyone, but for some players it may offer something surprisingly relatable. You play as John, who wakes up in a strange world filled with unsettling creatures and surreal environments. The story leans heavily on symbolism rather than a straightforward narrative, and with his unique analysis ability, John will have to quite literally use his head to uncover the secrets of the bizarre world he’s trapped in.
The gameplay is classic 2D Metroidvania. You’ll explore interconnected areas, unlock abilities, and backtrack to uncover hidden paths. Combat is simple but satisfying; you use a giant pencil to fend off enemies while navigating the landscape. Boss fights pop up occasionally, often representing fears or challenges tied to the story, and they add some memorable variety without feeling overwhelming. The designs for some of them are downright gross, in a disturbing Silent Hill kind of way. Seeing all of the different enemy designs was one of my favorite parts of the game. This game reminds me of a Tim Burton film, but the focus is mental health and your kid doesn’t want to go see it.
The Perfect Pencil’s standout mechanics is John’s analysis ability. Equipped with a projector-like head, he can scan objects, environments, and NPCs to reveal hidden lore and secrets. It’s a neat system that encourages curiosity and exploration, rewarding players who take their time to investigate the world instead of rushing from one fight to the next. If you pay close attention and actually scan everything, you can discover a lot about ol’ John, his story and his mental state. And let me tell you, things are not going well.
Visually, the game shines. The hand-drawn style gives everything a cool, sometimes creepy charm, and each area feels unique. Alot of these monsters are how John actually views himself. Coupled with the eerie sound effects and music, it builds a surreal atmosphere that’s both fascinating and unsettling. It’s a perfect match for the game’s story and adds a lot of personality to the exploration. My main complaint with the gameplay is how far you have to travel before you reach another save point. I wanted to give up a few times just because I didn’t feel like repeating a whole area or sequence again. Otherwise, The Perfect Pencil runs smoothly in most situations, and the controls feel responsive for precise platforming.
While the gameplay isn’t revolutionary, the combination of exploration, strange characters, and storytelling makes it a memorable experience that’s worth playing. It won’t be a cheery adventure, but it will be an interesting one, with a lot of dark themes and self exploration. If you enjoy platformers with a surreal twist and don’t mind piecing the story together, The Perfect Pencil is definitely a game worth checking out.
