Recent reviews by nathan081994

Perfect for anyone with a mind for strategy and/or probability math. Very short and simple concept executed with a lot of style

At first playthrough, I would say the game is perfect. Very minimalist design that jumps straight into gameplay, simple mechanics a child could grasp, and a goal so straightforward that it requires no actual instructions (but gives them anyway). Very chilling effective scariness without using any cheap jumpscares, but not too scary for the regular puzzle solver.

But on repeated playthroughts, I notice a fatal flaw: it never repeats the same anomaly, instead it cycles through all the anomalies until you've seen them all, then cycles through them again. This makes the game progressively harder the more times you play it, regardless if you win or lose.

This is the most beautifully aesthetic video game ever made, and I will stick by that statement unironically. Nothing can ever compete with the dedicated craftmanship that went into each and every frame, which btw was hand drawn and hand inked before being scanned into the computer. Regardless of the rest of the game, the visual spectacle alone is worth twice the money.

The game is known for being brutally difficult, but not in a punishing way. No significant progress is ever lost (except fighting King Dice at the very end). Also, the game does very well at feeling like it is beatable, and every boss can be overcome with enough sheer patience and practice.

The difficulty is a significant downside for me, however. I was forced to use a mod to artificially change the game's difficulty, even beyond Simple mode, to the point that it felt more enjoyable for me.

The default control scheme is also fairly horrendous. Changing controls on PC is an absolute necessity, as nothing is mapped in any intuitive way. Also forces use of the keyboard for everything, never using the mouse at all. Probably this is because the game was made for Xbox and haphazardly ported over to PC, but still... could have used some more forethought. Some keyboards have built in fail safes that prevent too many keys to be pressed at once... which becomes a serious issue with some bosses.

Minor spoiler warning.

Everything added to The Stanley Parable in this edition fits perfectly within the theme and context of the original game. It sets up an expectation of a minor refurbishing with a few added jokes, and instead delivers self-referential, self-aware running gags that play off that very expectation, deconstructing the nature of game sequels, game designs and the process of game reviews.

The bucket given in the game automatically doubles the number of endings, as every ending with the bucket is unique from every other ending. That being said, the bucket endings have a downside to detract from the original philosophy of the game. While the bucket endings are hilarious and unique by themselves, they do not deconstruct the nature of choice and freewill like the original Stanley Parable does. Rather, the bucket endings as a whole are a single running gag on the nature of added content to games. Some bucket endings are also less unique than others, and can be just a re-imagining of an OG ending with an added bucket.

While the original Stanley Parable works as a dual dynamic between the player and narrator, the bucket adds a third party that becomes a triad of personalities: Stanley, the Narrator, and the Bucket. This again complicates the original philosophy of the Stanley Parable. But at the same time, it is impressive how the bucket is given so much personality without actually doing anything in the game, akin to Wilson in Castaway or the Companion Cube in Portal.

In addition, there appears to be some added depth to the game that suggests actual hidden lore instead of a straight-forward philosophical statement, which certainly appeals to the younger generation of post-FNAF fans.

Secret word: Talented

I'm sure it's neither the first, nor the last well-made personality test, but I am glad I took the time for this over your typical Buzzfeed page.

This game is rather classified as therapeutic than enjoyable, it is an experience for your mental wellbeing and you will be a better person after playing it.