Dokuro (video game)
{{Infobox video game
| title=Dokuro
| image=Dokuro video game.png
| caption=Japanese PlayStation Vita box art
| developer=Game Arts{{cite web|url=http://au.ign.com/games/dokuro-134079/vita-130906|title=Dokuro|website=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125233727/http://au.ign.com/games/dokuro-134079/vita-130906|archive-date=January 25, 2013|access-date=August 11, 2023}}
| composer=
| publisher=GungHo Online Entertainment
| designer=
| released= {{collapsible list|title=July 5, 2012|PS Vita
{{vgrelease|JP|July 5, 2012{{cite web|date=April 29, 2012|url=https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2012/04/29/56283.html|title=Upcoming PS Vita Game Dokuro (新作ゲームなのに破格の安さ！PS Vita『Dokuro』発売日決定)|language=ja|website=Inside for All Gamers|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328231011/https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2012/04/29/56283.html|archive-date=March 28, 2019|url-status=live|access-date=August 11, 2023}}|USA|October 16, 2012|CAN|November 6, 2012{{cite web|first=Stephanie|last=Yang|date=October 19, 2012|url=http://operationrainfall.com/2012/10/19/dokuro-delayed-for-canada-and-mexico-european-release-date-still-pending/|title=Dokuro Delayed for Canada and Mexico, European Release Date Still Pending|website=Operation Rainfall|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128145041/http://operationrainfall.com/2012/10/19/dokuro-delayed-for-canada-and-mexico-european-release-date-still-pending/|archive-date=November 28, 2022|url-status=live|access-date=August 11, 2023}}|PAL|January 30, 2013}}iOS
{{vgrelease|WW|June 30, 2013|JP|December 5, 2013}}Android
December 5, 2013
Windows
December 8, 2014{{cite web|date=November 12, 2014|url=https://www.gunghoonline.com/article/116/dokuro-officially-greenlit-on-steam|title=Dokuro Officially Greenlit on Steam|website=GungHo Online Entertainment|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608050737/https://www.gunghoonline.com/article/116/dokuro-officially-greenlit-on-steam|archive-date=June 8, 2023|url-status=live|access-date=August 11, 2023}}
Switch
September 27, 2018{{cite web|first=Sal|last=Romano|date=September 26, 2018|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2018/09/dokuro-coming-to-switch-on-september-27|title=Dokuro coming to Switch on September 27|website=Gematsu|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818024007/https://www.gematsu.com/2018/09/dokuro-coming-to-switch-on-september-27|archive-date=August 18, 2022|url-status=live|access-date=August 11, 2023}}}}
| genre = Puzzle{{cite web|first=Heidi|last=Kemps|date=October 24, 2012|url=https://www.engadget.com/2012-10-24-dokuro-review.html|title=Dokuro review: The Mr. Skullhead Show (Vita)|website=Engadget (Joystiq)|publisher=Yahoo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026014629/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/24/dokuro-review/|archive-date=October 26, 2012|url-status=live|access-date=August 11, 2023}}
| platforms=PlayStation Vita, iOS, Android, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch
}}
Dokuro is a video game developed by Game Arts and published by GungHo Online Entertainment originally for the PlayStation Vita{{cite web|first=David|last=Fernandes|date=December 19, 2012|url=http://operationrainfall.com/2012/12/18/gungho-announces-dokuro-now-available-at-9-99-for-the-holidays/|title=GungHo Announces Dokuro Now Available at $9.99 for the Holidays|website=Operation Rainfall|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913163240/http://operationrainfall.com/2012/12/18/gungho-announces-dokuro-now-available-at-9-99-for-the-holidays/|archive-date=September 13, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=August 11, 2023}} with later ports to iOS, Android, Microsoft Windows and Nintendo Switch. The player controls Dokuro, who must save a princess after the Dark Lord wants to marry her.
Gameplay
The player is Dokuro, a skeletal worker for the Dark Lord. One day, the Dark Lord captures a princess and forces her to marry him. Dokuro sees the princess crying which breaks his heart and he thus decides to help her escape the Dark Lord's castle. Dokuro can flip switches to open up paths,{{cite web|first=Spencer|last=Yip|date=October 8, 2012|url=https://www.siliconera.com/a-skeleton-saves-a-princess-on-october-16/|title=A Skeleton Saves A Princess On October 16|website=Siliconera|publisher=Gamurs|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924133659/https://www.siliconera.com/2012/10/08/a-skeleton-saves-a-princess-on-october-16/|archive-date=September 24, 2015|url-status=live|access-date=August 11, 2023}} carry the princess after drinking a potion, as well as others. The game's levels grow steadily more complex as the game progresses.
Development
The game uses a graphical style that imitates artwork in a children's storybook. The game's director, Noriaki Kazama, previously worked on gory video games such as Ninja Gaiden Sigma under Team Ninja.{{cite web|first=Spencer|last=Yip|date=September 28, 2012|url=https://www.siliconera.com/having-a-child-inspired-dokuros-director-to-make-charming-games-instead-of-gory-ones/|title=Having A Child Inspired Dokuro's Director To Make Charming Games Instead Of Gory Ones|website=Siliconera|publisher=Gamurs|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928200824/http://www.siliconera.com/2012/09/28/having-a-child-inspired-dokuros-director-to-make-charming-games-instead-of-gory-ones/|archive-date=September 28, 2018|url-status=live|access-date=August 11, 2023}} Kazama said that after he had a baby, he browsed through children's books at the bookstore and was inspired by the art style.
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| align = left
| MC = (iOS) 80/100{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/dokuro/critic-reviews/?platform=ios-iphoneipad|title=Dokuro critic reviews (iOS)|website=Metacritic|publisher=Fandom|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200720033340/https://www.metacritic.com/game/ios/dokuro|archive-date=July 20, 2020|url-status=live|access-date=November 1, 2023}}
(Vita) 76/100{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/dokuro/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-vita|title=Dokuro critic reviews (PS Vita)|website=Metacritic|publisher=Fandom|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530122356/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-vita/dokuro|archive-date=May 30, 2023|url-status=live|access-date=November 1, 2023}}
(Switch) 60/100{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/dokuro/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch|title=Dokuro critic reviews (Switch)|website=Metacritic|publisher=Fandom|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603220556/https://www.metacritic.com/game/switch/dokuro|archive-date=June 3, 2023|url-status=live|access-date=November 1, 2023}}
(PC) 59/100{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/dokuro/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|title=Dokuro critic reviews (PC)|website=Metacritic|publisher=Fandom|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605163048/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/dokuro|archive-date=June 5, 2023|url-status=live|access-date=November 1, 2023}}
| 1UP = (Vita) B{{cite web|first=Bob|last=Mackey|date=October 26, 2012|url=http://www.1up.com/reviews/dokuro-review-vita|title=Dokuro Review (Vita)|website=1Up.com|publisher=Ziff Davis|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530203719/http://www.1up.com/reviews/dokuro-review-vita|archive-date=May 30, 2016|access-date=August 12, 2023}}
| Destruct = (Vita) 7/10{{cite web|first=Chris|last=Carter|date=October 19, 2012|url=https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-dokuro/|title=Review: Dokuro (PS Vita)|website=Destructoid|publisher=Gamurs|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018015833/https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-dokuro/|archive-date=October 18, 2021|url-status=live|access-date=August 12, 2023}}
| Fam = (Vita) 34/40{{cite magazine|url=https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=24820&redirect=no|title=ドクロ [Vita]|language=ja|magazine=Famitsu|publisher=Enterbrain|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201064515/https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=24820&redirect=no|archive-date=February 1, 2023|url-status=live|access-date=August 11, 2023}}
| GI = (Vita) 6/10{{cite magazine|first=Kimberley|last=Wallace|date=October 16, 2012|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/games/dokuro/b/playstation_vita/archive/2012/10/16/dokuro-review.aspx|title=Dokura Review (PS Vita)|magazine=Game Informer|publisher=GameStop|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203143658/https://www.gameinformer.com/games/dokuro/b/playstation_vita/archive/2012/10/16/dokuro-review.aspx|archive-date=February 3, 2023|url-status=live|access-date=August 11, 2023}}
| GameRev = (PC) 5/10{{cite web|first=Jeb|last=Haught|date=December 19, 2014|url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/66464-dokuro-pc-review|title=Dokuro (PC) Review|website=GameRevolution|publisher=CraveOnline|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812015610/https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/66464-dokuro-pc-review|archive-date=August 12, 2023|url-status=live|access-date=August 12, 2023}}
| Joystiq = (Vita) {{Rating|4|5}}
| PG = (iOS) {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web|first=Nadia|last=Oxford|date=January 8, 2014|url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/dokuro/dokuro-review/|title=Dokuro (iOS)|website=Pocket Gamer|publisher=Steel Media Ltd|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811233740/https://www.pocketgamer.com/dokuro/dokuro-review/|archive-date=August 11, 2023|url-status=live|access-date=August 11, 2023}}
(Vita) {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web|first=Peter|last=Willington|date=February 6, 2013|url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/dokuro/dokuro-ps-vita-review/|title=Dokuro (PS Vita)|website=Pocket Gamer|publisher=Steel Media Ltd|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811234003/https://www.pocketgamer.com/dokuro/dokuro-ps-vita-review/|archive-date=August 11, 2023|url-status=live|access-date=August 11, 2023}}
| PSM = (Vita) 8/10{{cite magazine|title=Review: Dokuro|magazine=PlayStation: The Official Magazine|publisher=Future plc|issue=65|date=December 2012|page=84}}
| PSQ = (Vita) {{Rating|8|10}}{{cite web|first=Greg|last=Giddens|date=February 6, 2013|url=https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/psnvita/dokuro|title=Dokuro Review|website=Push Square|publisher=Hookshot Media|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327041957/https://www.pushsquare.com/reviews/psnvita/dokuro|archive-date=March 27, 2023|url-status=live|access-date=August 12, 2023}}
| TA = (iOS) {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web|first=Chris|last=Carter|date=December 9, 2013|url=https://toucharcade.com/2013/12/09/dokuro-review-thats-one-brave-bag-of-bones/|title='Dokuro' Review – That's One Brave Bag of Bones|website=TouchArcade|publisher=TouchArcade.com, LLC|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190811115316/https://toucharcade.com/2013/12/09/dokuro-review-thats-one-brave-bag-of-bones/|archive-date=August 11, 2019|url-status=live|access-date=August 11, 2023}}
| rev1 = 411Mania
| rev1Score = (PC) 5.5/10{{cite web|url=https://www.mobygames.com/game/92228/dokuro/reviews/|title=Dokuro reviews|website=MobyGames|publisher=Atari SA|archive-url=https://archive.today/20230812015026/https://www.mobygames.com/game/92228/dokuro/reviews/|archive-date=August 12, 2023|url-status=live|access-date=August 12, 2023}}
| rev2 = The Digital Fix
}}
The PlayStation Vita and iOS versions received "generally favorable reviews", while the PC and Switch versions received "mixed" reviews, according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. In Japan, Famitsu gave the Vita version a score of 34 out of 40.
IGN said of the PlayStation Vita version, "Stunningly beautiful and exceptionally fun to play, Dokuro belongs in the library of every PlayStation Vita owner." Joystiq claimed that "Despite the bony exterior, Dokuro feels like it has a real soul, like it was made by people who truly loved and believed in it. It's inspired, well-made, and thoroughly enchanting." Game Informer, however, gave the same Vita version a mixed review, stating, "Between its unforgiving nature, unbalanced difficulty, and humdrum puzzles, I wouldn't have pressed on through Dokuro if I wasn't reviewing it. Rarely did I feel that fun "a-ha" moment that makes puzzle games exciting; instead I found tedium and frustration. I surely wasn't as devoted to this game as Dokuro was to the princess."
{{clear}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.gunghoonline.com/game/dokuro Official site]
- {{moby game|id=/92228/dokuro/}}
Category:Android (operating system) games
Category:Nintendo Switch games
Category:PlayStation Vita games
Category:Video games about skeletons
Category:Video games developed in Japan