I can’t bear to play much of free horror game Toy Box, but I love the concept of pulling talking toys apart

Toy Box is a game that may sound festive at first, but upon watching the trailer, it becomes clear that it has a darker, macabre theme. This free visual novel incorporates puzzling elements and puts players in the role of a toy inspector working for a mysterious Grand Toy Maker. Your task is to disassemble toys based on eerie written instructions and decide whether to “salvage” them or “sentence” them to the incinerator.

The toys in Toy Box seem to be alive as they communicate with the player and share unsettling memories. While the instinct may be to salvage all the toys, their disturbing nature and eerie characteristics make the decision challenging. The Grand Toy Maker periodically assesses the player’s choices, emphasizing the importance of upholding his image.

The game delves into dark themes, including blood, body horror, gore, and violence, among others. The unsettling atmosphere of Toy Box stems from the uncanny nature of toys and the blurred line between objects and companions. Developed by DEADline Studios, a small POC and Queer-owned studio, the game aims to explore the complexities of human experiences, even delving into the darker aspects of storytelling.

While Toy Box may be too intense for some players, its unique premise of storytelling through object dismantling is intriguing. This concept doesn’t necessarily have to be associated with horror, as seen in other games like Hardspace: Shipbreaker. Despite its unsettling themes, Toy Box offers a thought-provoking experience that challenges players to confront the darker side of storytelling.