Maschinen Dolls is a homegrown gem from Indonesia that flips the script on typical action games. In this side-scrolling world, you don’t play as humans or monsters. You play as dolls possessed by mythical machine souls called Mythroid, battling the returning threat of Monstroid. As you explore fragile miniaturized environments, you’ll fully customize your cute but powerful companions and engage in arcade-style combat. Let’s dive into this fresh experience from Lion Core and see why Maschinen Dolls deserves your attention.

Mythroid Reawakens

In Maschinen Dolls, you step into a miniature battlefield where Mythroid souls now ride dolls. Centuries ago, the original Mythroid world was ravaged by war with Monstroid. The Mythroid ultimately prevailed, but their corporeal forms vanished. They merged with earthly toys and reemerged as protectors of Earth. Now that Monstroid returns, a new war unfolds, a war between what seems small, but carries cosmic weight.

This narrative blends high stakes and intimate scale. The conflict feels epic, yet every battle is fought among everyday objects. As you progress, layers of the past begin to unfold. Hidden clues, lore fragments, and shifting allegiances gradually reveal the deeper meaning behind the dolls’ existence and their bond with Earth.

Visual Style

Maschinen Dolls presents a rich 2.5D look, combining depth with side-view combat. Environments feel like detailed dioramas, filled with everyday objects that loom large, like pencils become towers, scraps of paper become platforms, toy blocks are mountains. That visual trick makes tiny forms feel massive in their own world.

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Character designs mix mechanical motifs with toy aesthetics. Each Mythroid-doll looks cute in silhouette, but subtly hints at machinery beneath. Movement animations are smooth and punchy, making even simple attacks feel expressive. The color palette often balances muted tones with bright accents, giving scenes emotional resonance without overwhelming the eyes.

Gameplay Loop

Maschinen Dolls sticks to a core of action and progression. You run, jump, dodge, and shoot across stages while facing waves of foes. Controls remain accessible yet responsive, it’s ideal for both casual players and action fans. You’ll also engage in boss fights that come with character dialogue, building narrative tension mid-combat.

Between battles, you can explore miniature levels, find hidden paths, collect gear, and customize your dolls. That customization matters: different parts change both look and function. Switching weapons, adding cosmetic layers, or adjusting performance traits gives you flexibility to match your play style.

Boss Battles & Lore

Bosses in Maschinen Dolls carry more weight than just being “big enemies.” Each boss fight features scripted dialogue sequences before and during battle. Those moments reveal personal motives, hidden history, and reveal secrets that expand the lore.

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Combat phases often change mid-fight, forcing you to adapt on the fly. Some bosses shift biomechanics, altering their attack patterns or vulnerability zones. That dynamic feel requires attentiveness. The dialogue also gives the bosses personality, they feel less like obstacles and more like characters with goals, which deepens emotional investment.

Build Your Style

One thrilling part of Maschinen Dolls is how much control you have over your doll avatars. With a wide range of body parts, color schemes, weapons, and accessories, you can present exactly the style you like. Each customization also brings gameplay implications, certain parts boost defense, speed, or energy cost.

This system encourages experimentation. You might build one doll focused on ranged attacks, another built for close combat, or mix hybrid stats. Because each stage demands different tactics, switching loadouts and forms keeps combat exciting. Showing off your stylized dolls becomes part of the fun—your visual choices reflect how you approach each fight.

World Exploration

Beyond linear battlefield stages, Maschinen Dolls adds hidden nooks and bonus areas to explore. These miniature zones reward players who stray from the obvious path. You’ll crawl through cracks between books, ride along broken pencils, or slip under overturned toy cars.

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These spaces often hide upgrades, lore items, or optional fights. Exploring enriches your understanding of the world and gives access to gear that might otherwise be missed. Because the scale feels small, every environmental detail can become a gameplay element, tilted rulers as ramps, paper sheets as bridges, pins as obstacles.

Mark Your Wishlist

Maschinen Dolls doesn’t yet have a confirmed launch date. However the interest is growing, and Lion Core is actively engaging with fans. When it debuts, it will likely appear on platforms like Steam. If you like kinetic side-scroll action, customizable characters, and charming toy worlds, this is one to watch. Meanwhile, you can add it to your wishlist, follow the dev updates, and be ready to jump in when it goes live. Keep an eye out and get ready to bring tiny war to life.

Reference:
Lion Core – Game Developer
Maschinen Dolls Steampage