PlatformOVERALL
PC8.00
Overall 8.00
What is the Stanley Parable? That is a hard question to answer, there is no real genre it fits into. It is a first person perspective exploration based comedy I guess. The question shouldn't be what is Stanley Parable but should you play it, that answer is an easy yes. If you love video games (lets face it if you are reading this you do) this game is made for you. It pokes fun at nearly every video game trope and industry convention, an comedic examination of the nature of video games themselves.

The reason I enjoyed playing the Stanley Parable so much is because you are in complete control of the narrative. Unlike certain story driven games where your role as a player is reduced to nearly nothing (*cough*Gone Home*cough*) the player is the star in this story. The game is about choices and exploration, some choices are extremely obvious others require some of that out of the box thinking that makes discovery so much fun in games. It is a small and very simple game; just you the player, an office building and a narrator.

All you do is walk around and push buttons, yet it is compelling and above all HILARIOUS. There were a few times were I was nearly in tears. Every joke has to do with video games, usually putting a mirror up to the gamer and poking fun at some of the game logic we use or examining the idea of choice in games. There are many "endings" in the Stanley Parable with the goal being to see it them all. After each ending you start right back at the start but nearly every play has something different. You may notice a computer that is different or the narrator may say something new. Was that room here before? Each new path opens up new possibilities and the potential for more secrets to be found.

I am doing my best to not spoil anything specific about the journey, it is best if you go in with a clean slate. Just know this is a very simple game where most of the time you will be listening to the amazing narrator, who is absolutely brilliant. It takes about 4 hours to see everything this game has to offer but I promise it will be some of the most entertaining hours of gaming you have all year. The Stanley Parable may have minimal gameplay but it makes sure that the player is always involved in the direction of the story. When looking for examples of a game and story coming together in perfect synergy, The Stanley Parable should always come up in the discussion.
Posted by Dvader Tue, 31 Dec 2013 05:09:35
 
Tue, 31 Dec 2013 13:49:08
The fuck is this PC game bullshit?
 
Tue, 31 Dec 2013 20:03:16
Haven't you heard it is where all the cool people play games now.
 
Thu, 02 Jan 2014 00:54:43
Fuck that shit.
 
Thu, 02 Jan 2014 01:37:35
I really did not like the full game compared to the demo.
 
Thu, 02 Jan 2014 07:48:37
Oh i forgot to put this in the review. I feel this game should only be bought if its like $5, dont spend more on it.
 
Thu, 02 Jan 2014 08:41:54
Better than The Witcher 2.
 
Fri, 03 Jan 2014 02:19:55
^ LOL yes!

Log in or Register for free to comment
Recently Spotted:
travo (56s)
Login @ The VG Press
Username:
Password:
Remember me?