Stela's ending is too vague to be effective and doesn't live up to everything that came before. You can emphasize style over substance in a game like this, but the style better be damn good, and Stela never quite gets there. All the latest gaming news, game reviews and trailers. Sometimes I need to figure out a way to avert the gaze of a monster, other times I might need to find a way to survive hazards like a rolling stone covered in spikes. All the storytelling in Stela comes in the form of context clues given to me by the scenery and larger world. Stela - Review. SkyBox Labs has done a great job with the environment and music. Sadly we never really understand how its human protagonist has managed to survive for so long in a self-consuming world, but maybe that’s for the best because it would likely seem ridiculous. Stela is available now on Apple Arcade, and will be released Oct. 17 on Xbox One and in 2020 on PC. Our hero is human, but capable. Finally, the cinematic presentation of Stela is shown, or rather heard, in its soundtrack. Notable puzzles, a unique atmosphere, and the overall presentation makes games like these stand out among the many other titles released in a given year. Her motivations and goals are unclear. One can tell the world is ending due to the desolate cornfields. There were multiple times throughout my playthrough where the games graphic style left me in awe and in its later levels I was stunning by the scale that the game takes from its humble beginnings. The game was provided to us for review on X1. Stela is a 2D puzzle-platformer. Stela frequently comes under attack from a variety of creatures, including beetles, lizards, and shadowy humanoids with glowing eyes. Of course, there are puzzles to be solved along the way. There’s a beige forest filled with tall and dangling Slenderman-style monsters chasing me, as well as a booby-trapped temple painted in deep blues. Stela is not a long game. Then it makes me solve a puzzle. The jumping can feel floaty in comparison to something like Super Mario World, but it's nothing too bad. A lot of the time is spent running to the right and jumping over objects. The way the game progresses is also effective; the surprise moments catch players off guard. The puzzles are nothing too frustrating (but probably not complex enough), making playing through the game a brisk experience for those who prefer not spending too much time on puzzle-solving. Even when I do everything right, I know my next death is lurking around the corner. I have to tie together speed, planning, and execution to survive most of these situations, and each one leaves me a nervous wreck. Stela was developed and published by SkyBox Labs. Stela is a beautiful platformer, but not much else, CD Projekt has blown years’ worth of goodwill in a week, Botched Cyberpunk 2077 launch and now problems with Devotion, Sony offering Cyberpunk 2077 refunds, pulls game from PlayStation Store, PS4 owners who purchased Cyberpunk 2077 digitally can get a full refund, Cyberpunk 2077 drivers are showing their butts to all of Night City, Riot Games is making an MMO set in the League of Legends universe, Nintendo is blocking Switch games from extreme eShop discounts, Best Buy now giving refunds for Cyberpunk 2077, Immortals Fenyx Rising guide: The Messenger’s Path Vault of Tartaros walkthrough and puzzle solutions. There is not a single dialogue box or spoken word in the entire game. The game knows how to surprise players with a simple breaking of the floor, forcing players to adapt to a new situation. While Stela doesn't need cutscenes or dialogue, many will probably feel unsatisfied with the ending. Early on in Stela, I escape from a swarm of rustling beetles in a dilapidated building by breathlessly pushing a box to plug a hole in a wall, blocking their path. Stela (Switch eShop) Review. All … Stela will have to be careful as she makes her way across this desolate world. in Communications. The official story synopsis for the game tells that a young woman witnesses the end of her world. Daniel has been writing video game news, features, and reviews at TheGamer for some time now. The go-to source for comic book and superhero movie fans. In the past, he's written for ComicBookMovie, Unleash the Fanboy, and 411 Mania. Curiosity — not an explicitly articulated quest — drives me to explore as I seek to learn and see more of this world. Manipulate the environment to solve elaborate puzzles and creep past dangerous creatures under cover of muted landscapes, all set to an original soundtrack in this cinematic, He has also enjoyed many PlayStation exclusives, such as The Last of Us and Horizon: Zero Dawn. Because Halo, of course, already has a story behind it. One thing to note is that a couple of times it can be easy to overlook where to climb or what to grab due to how the game is presented. Stela is one of those games that keeps me either yelping in fright or breaking out into nervous laughter. At a glance, Stela is a spectacular 2D puzzle-platformer with pretty aesthetics, slick design, tense sections encouraging quick reflexes and an apocalyptic perspective on society. What elevates Stela among so many incredible games of the modern design age is that it follows a “less is more” attitude around gameplay, but this is amplified by one of the best scores I’ve heard in a videogame before, and a cinematic approach to key moments, reveals, set-pieces and deeper environmental storytelling, that fills in the many blanks you’ll have as you press right on your controller, … Still, Stela will likely leave more of a positive impression than negative. One can tell the world is ending due to the desolate cornfields. Behold, Kirby as Sephiroth in Smash Bros. Cyberpunk 2077’s digital store removal: your questions, answered, Immortals Fenyx Rising guide: Kalliope’s Distress Vault of Tartaros walkthrough and puzzle solutions, Destiny 2 Trials of Osiris rewards, Dec. 18-22. You'll use this small skill set in a variety of situations, helping Stela to survive plenty of encounters with monsters, environmental hazards, and bottomless pits. This cinematic quality continues throughout the game in terms of unexpected, unsettling danger. One-night game. It really could use a few more cutscenes. Review: Stela Posted on October 16, 2019 October 15, 2019 by Michelle Kruse There is something to be said about a game without dialogue, narration, or text of any kind. It's a little too short to recommend for its $19.99 price. It's still an above-decent title, but would have benefited from at least another 30 minutes of content. Here, Stela becomes a stealth title, where players have to maneuver past these beings without being seen. Overcome daunting challenges, treacherous terrain, and gargantuan beasts while traversing a decaying land. Stela is traversing a world on the brink of its end. This is our Stela review for Xbox One. You can move right or left, jump, and drag things around. The game was reviewed using a final “retail” Xbox One download code provided by SkyBox Labs. And even the game’s animations help sell its personality. “Stela is one of the more enjoyable gaming experiences I’ve had in a long time.” 4.5/5 Stars, Touch Arcade Stela is a cinematic, atmospheric platformer about a young woman witnessing the final days of a mysterious ancient world. There’s a moment when the protagonist has to jump from a ledge to evade a monster, but stumbles and doesn’t get back up. She awakens in a cave-like area, and makes her way above-ground to a world that appears to have been sucked out of life. Covering the hottest movie and TV topics that fans want. The fact that she looks and sounds like someone who is also just barely hanging on is one of my favorite parts of the game, especially as none of this ever caused me to die or fail a jump in which timing was crucial. Overcome daunting challenges, treacherous terrain, and gargantuan beasts while traversing a decaying land. Stela isn't perfect. Read reviews and ratings of Stela from our experts, and see what our community says, too! There are no other controls you discover later, no abilities added along the way. The blaring horn players hear near the beginning, and other parts of the music, have a dramatic flair to them. Unfortunately, there are a few things that keep Stela from being a great game. But if “witnessing the final days of a mysterious ancient world” sounds intriguing, don’t stop reading this review yet. As Stela ended, I found myself asking another question: What was the point of it all? One can definitely get through it in under three hours. Each of the game’s zones has its own color palette and striking aesthetic. - 4.5/5 Stars, Touch Arcade "I love this game man" - Jesse Cox Stela is a cinematic, atmospheric platformer about a young woman witnessing the final days of a mysterious ancient world. It appears only monsters concerned with surviving and killing roam about. A side-scrolling cinematic puzzle-platformer, Stela has a more specific story to tell but it’s about a passage as well. Stela is light on storytelling, but this (mostly) works in the game's favor because the minimalist backdrops are interesting to look at. It does the trick. Stela follows an unnamed protagonist, a tall woman clothed in white, as she explores a world in ruins. Stella review – cosy, feelgood, old-fashioned comedy Ruth Jones’s new series offers optimism and the warm blanket of community to soothe life’s mishaps – … And having played Stela, I’m actually more enthusiastic about that game. The simplistic look to the different areas is effective. Stela Review | Jumping to safety Stela, for all of its missed worldbuilding opportunities, does at least get most of its platforming right, even if it fairly worn territory. It is available on X1 and will come to PC in 2020. As a whole though, platforming is good. Platforming is effective, and the puzzles are decent. My questions about the world and this character were never answered, and I didn’t feel like I learned much of anything during the journey. Little Nightmares has no dialogue, but the story can be understood in terms of what's happening. Stelaisn't that difficult to understand gameplay-wise. Find reviews, trailers, release dates, news, screenshots, walkthroughs, and more for Stela here on GameSpot. It’s what this wonderful medium of … Overcome daunting challenges… There's a nice weight to your character, especially the realistic feeling of weight in her ju… As a video game, Stela is a rare experience that may happen once in a generation. Only this time, you won’t exactly have a clue what it all was about when the game’s protagonist has reached her destination. Stela Review for PC Stela is an atmospheric platformer about a young woman’s journey through a dying world. Running across a bridge as giant tentacles crush it provide an adrenaline boost. The game is also rather short considering its price tag. Each solution usually requires a combination of platforming, timing my movement, and pushing and pulling objects in the world to get something done. She pants after running for more than a few seconds, and often looks tired. A Nintendo Switch copy of Stela was purchased by TheGamer for this review. Allure is all well and good, but Stela is a game that doesn’t have much to tell players plot-wise. Visually, the game shines. READ NEXT: Stardew Valley Developer Says There Are Still Secrets No One Has Found Yet. Stela is a beautifully well-made game, with the score and the background creating a wonderfully immersive atmosphere. Stela’s dark and tonally scattered world can be graphically inconsistent at times but it manages to be consistently beautiful throughout. However, those hoping for the challenging puzzles of Limbo will be disappointed. The PC version of the game was played for this review of Stela . Stela is a cinematic, atmospheric platformer about a young woman witnessing the final days of a mysterious ancient world. He resides in Old Bridge, New Jersey, and graduated from Thomas Edison State University with a B.A. Compared to Inside and Little Nightmares, the puzzles in Stela are relatively simple. The camera sometimes pans across a scene to create a beautiful composition between our hero and the background scenery. Stela is more like Gris, but Gris had emotional resonance in its end. A cloaked figure approaches her, and brings her to a temple. Stela Review - Noisy Pixel The game was provided by the publisher for review purposes. Her motivations and goals are unclear. The only other entertainment he enjoys more than gaming is watching a Godzilla movie. + ... ενισχύουν την απλοϊκότητα που προαναφέραμε και καθιστούν το Stela ένα game που δε ζητάει πολλά από εσάς, αλλά ούτε και εσείς από αυτό. They can quickly kill her (without blood or gore), but she doesn't fight back. The aesthetic variety is the game's greatest feat, and the singular way Stela rises above the games from which it so clearly takes its cues. Its mysterious setup creates curiosity that would have been lost with a comprehensive storyline, allowing for an unique sensation despite its fairly common game style. Stela is a puzzle adventure video game developed by the Canadian developer SkyBox Labs.It was released on 17 October 2019 for iOS and Xbox One and for … Parents need to know that Stela is a puzzle and exploration game for Apple Arcade with a strong female protagonist who never gives up. Stela is a nice break from the hectic shooters and other competitive style games. It’s stunning to look at. The character is dropped into a dark place, and then makes her way to the surface. RELATED: Ori And The Will Of The Wisps Review: Even The Bugs Are Beautiful. An interesting premise that never pays off. What happens, and why, is never really explained, and the imagery isn’t enough to carry the game on its own. Here at GBG we use a rating method that you … So many games with platforming elements or jumping puzzles feature characters that are always on their feet, but the hero in Stela frequently stumbles and falls. All I know is that she woke from her slumber at the beginning of the game, and leaves a cave to face a crumbling world. The forest, the snow area, and everything else all look like great movie set pieces. ... Stela is ultimately an empty title that brings to mind the better games that inspired it: Journey, Limbo/Inside, and shades of Oddworld: Abe’s Odyssey. Stela has genuine scares thanks to the forest with human-like creatures. The game is a 2D side-scrolling adventure, much like Limbo, and was created by SkyBox Labs, co-developers of Halo Infinite. – Jesse Cox Stela is a cinematic, atmospheric platformer about a young woman witnessing the final days of a mysterious ancient world. Originally released on Xbox One and iOS, Stela has made its way to Nintendo Switch and PC. The puzzles are decent enough, but can lack satisfaction for those  looking to feel rewarded. Stela Review — The Bottom Line. I wasn’t intrigued as much as I was annoyed. Check out more reviews from IND13 ! Stela is a cinematic, atmospheric platformer about a young woman witnessing the final days of a mysterious ancient world. Other puzzles require using mechanisms. Stela follows an unnamed protagonist, a tall woman clothed in white, as she explores a world in ruins. It opts for impeccable sounds and visual design in order to convey emotion throughout the three-hour playtime. Stela’s puzzles take on multiple forms. Atmospheric platformers stand out. Then it scares me while I try to solve a puzzle. Likewise, the player being in an enclosed place as creatures try to break in was excellent, and again, would make for a great set piece. One of the most exciting aspects is the desperate run-for-your-life, whether it be against a swarm of insect-like creatures, or something far bigger. Overcome daunting challenges, treacherous terrain, and gargantuan beasts while traversing a decaying land. Stela, Like I said, maybe it’s just me and having played so many of these sorts of games before, but on the other hand, the game does cost 20 bucks (albeit it’s 16 bucks with a sale right now), and that’s arguably way too much money for only 2 hours of gameplay. Click the button below to start this article in quick view. At times, the puzzles are simply pushing an object to gain greater height. Stela lives up to its description as a "cinematic, atmospheric platformer." ... Get the latest news and videos for this game daily, no spam, no fuss. Summary: Overcome daunting challenges, treacherous terrain, and gargantuan beasts while traversing a decaying land. The character is dropped into a dark place, and then makes her way to the surface. His favorite video game company is Nintendo, and once you get him talking about Mario or Smash Bros., he won't stop. As for the platforming, Stela won't win any awards, but it's effective enough. Stela follows a young woman of the same name. 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A Different Body Part, Proximity Mines Are The Best Field Upgrade In Black Ops Cold War, Black Ops: Cold War Zombies: 5 Guns You Should Drop-In With (& 5 You Should Ignore), Regardless Of How You Feel About Zlatan Ibrahimovic, His Argument Against EA Shouldn't Be Ignored, Deep Rock Galactic Is The Best Aliens Game Ever Made, Destiny 2: Beyond Light - Every Deep Stone Crypt Raid Weapon, Ranked. This review is based on a copy of the game provided by the developer. Stela is light on storytelling, but this (mostly) works in the game's favor because the minimalist backdrops are interesting to look at. Stela won't go down as the next Limbo, but its dramatic presentation is effective. Games like Limbo, Gris, and Little Nightmares are memorable for their take on 2D gameplay. If Stela was a movie, it would have one captivating introduction. It's a shame that at this present time, there is no way to enjoy the music outside of playing through the game. One recent platformer in a similar vein to these games is Stela. He also contributes to ScreenRant. In terms of style, story delivery, gameplay, and appearance, Stela is similar to Playdead’s INSIDE and LIMBO, but it manages to iterate on the formula and distinguish itself as an independent evolution rather than a mere copy. Stela is a dark, collapsing world. It’s not that easy to engage a player deeply in a game without any dialogue and narrator, but Stela has done it with a piece of heartful music that’s deeply stranded to the game’s stunning visuals. Stela is now available on Nintendo Switch and PC. Stela won't go down as the next Limbo, but its dramatic presentation is effective. ‎"Stela is one of the more enjoyable gaming experiences I’ve had in a long time." The trouble is that for all the power of its visuals, animation, and sometimes clever level design, Stela is never able to build toward anything with meaning. You can find additional information about Polygon’s ethics policy here. Stela is an epic poem of a game that plucks at the heart and makes you yearn for a world that you never knew existed. Limbo left players pondering the true meaning, as did Inside. And if SkyBox can apply the same sort of atmospheric touches to Infinite as they’ve shown they can produce with Stela, it’s going to be an extremely rich world to play in. The game perfectly combines stealth and frenetic escape in one experience. Overcome daunting challenges, treacherous terrain, and gargantuan beasts while traversing a decaying land. If you’d like to see more of Stela, check out the developer’s official site. To learn and see more of a mysterious ancient world ” sounds intriguing don... More for Stela here on GameSpot are beautiful for more than gaming watching... Least another 30 minutes of content meaning, as she makes her way across this desolate.. 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