Don't Stare

About

Don't Stare is a single player action game. It was developed by Ascended Studio and was released on September 4, 2024. It received very positive reviews from players.

They want to talk… You want to run! Don't Stare is a narrative stealth platformer about avoiding extroverts who want to talk to you! You play as the Introvert, trying your best to bring your friendship group back together after a party gone wrong shatters it. Jump, climb, slide, bounce, and flip your way through a journey of friendship, loneliness, and finding yourself in the midst of chaos! …

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

+10

Skip User Reviews

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 12 reviews

story5 positive mentions

stability3 negative mentions

The game features charming art and visuals, with well-designed characters and environments that enhance the overall experience.
The narrative is engaging and humorous, capturing the struggles of the introverted protagonist while introducing new mechanics in a thoughtful manner.
The gameplay is fun and accessible, making it enjoyable for both casual players and fans of platformers, with a good balance of challenge in later levels.

The controls can feel clunky and unresponsive at times, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences, especially during platforming sections.
There are several bugs and glitches that detract from the overall experience, including issues with hit detection and level design that can lead to softlocks.
Some levels lack proper balancing, making them either too easy or overly difficult, which can disrupt the flow of the game.

story
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
28%
27%
The story of "Don't Stare" is a heartwarming and wholesome coming-of-age narrative that is enhanced by charming characters and a fitting musical score. While the gameplay may not break new ground in the platformer genre, the well-developed personalities and linear progression contribute to an engaging experience. Overall, players appreciate the game's lighthearted humor and the emotional depth of its story.
- “From the charming art style to the heartwarming story, I had a great time playing Don't Stare.”
- “The game's story is linear, and progression aligns with its storyline.”
- “Overall, I would recommend this game if you're looking for a wholesome platformer with a coming-of-age story.”
- “Each character has a well-thought-out personality that plays a significant role in the story.”
gameplay
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
60%
The gameplay is praised for its gradual introduction of well-designed mechanics that are thematically integrated, allowing players to learn without feeling overly guided. The inclusion of unique features, such as social battery recharge checkpoints with pets, adds to the enjoyment and depth of the experience. Overall, players appreciate the balance between challenge and accessibility in the gameplay.
- “I enjoyed how each new mechanic was gradually introduced with each level and how they were thematically designed.”
- “The different mechanics introduced are really well designed, and I absolutely love the social battery recharge/checkpoints with pets.”
- “Mechanics are taught gradually, yet your hand isn't held throughout the game.”
- “The mechanics are taught gradually, yet your hand isn't held throughout the game.”
- “The gameplay feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “There are too many bugs and glitches that disrupt the flow of gameplay.”
humor
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by rich and hilarious dialogues, a charming cast of characters, and a simple yet amusing story. Players appreciate the lighthearted atmosphere and the inclusion of funny narratives in each chapter, making the experience enjoyable and engaging. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with its platforming elements, contributing to a fun and forgiving gameplay experience.
- “The dialogues are rich and hilarious without being too long.”
- “The game has a very chill atmosphere, awesome art and visuals, charming characters (even the enemies lol), lots of options to customize the protagonist, and a simple but funny story!”
- “The story is pretty funny too; I ended up liking basically every character, even the silent protagonist who only communicates through emotes.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game "Don't Stare" is praised for its charming art style and heartwarming coming-of-age story, making it a recommended choice for those seeking a wholesome platformer experience. However, some gameplay challenges may detract from the overall enjoyment.
- “From the charming art style to the heartwarming story, I had a great time playing Don't Stare.”
- “Overall, I would recommend this game if you're looking for a wholesome platformer with a coming-of-age story.”
- “A chill platformer with a great concept and a wholesome story.”
graphics
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
The graphics of "Don't Stare" are praised for their charming art style and unique aesthetic, which enhance the game's chill atmosphere and heartwarming story. Players appreciate the appealing character designs, engaging environments, and customization options that contribute to an overall delightful visual experience.
- “The character design, GUI elements, and environment offer a unique aesthetic suited to its purpose.”
- “The game has a very chill atmosphere, awesome art and visuals, charming characters (even the enemies lol), lots of options to customize the protagonist, and a simple but funny story!”
- “From the charming art style to the heartwarming story, I had a great time playing Don't Stare.”
- “The graphics are underwhelming and lack the detail expected from modern games.”
- “The environments feel bland and uninspired, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “Character animations are stiff and lack fluidity, which detracts from the overall experience.”
music
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
34%
33%
The music in the game is highly praised for its ability to complement the storyline and levels, with catchy tracks that effectively match the game's mood and enhance the overall experience.
- “The art is great and the music is catchy as well; it matches the mood of the game perfectly.”
- “The music tracks reflect the storyline and levels perfectly.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game features an appealing premise but suffers from significant bugs, leading many users to feel it should have been launched in "early access" rather than as a full release.
- “A cute premise that's unfortunately stuck in a buggy game that should have been released as 'early access'.”
- “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
- “I encountered numerous glitches that disrupted my gameplay experience.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
100%
Recent patches have successfully addressed previous performance issues, significantly improving optimization and enhancing gameplay experience.
- “The game runs smoothly now, thanks to the optimization updates that have been implemented.”
- “I appreciate how the developers are continuously working on optimization; it really enhances the overall experience.”
- “The recent patch has fixed the performance issues that plagued the level I was stuck on.”
- “The game runs poorly on my system, even with the lowest settings.”
- “I constantly experience frame drops and stuttering, making it hard to enjoy the gameplay.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game's collectibles enhance replayability by encouraging players to revisit levels and personalize their experience, contributing to a unique identity for each player.
- “The collectibles portion of the game adds a nice touch, offering replay value and giving players a unique identity.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The character development is enhanced by a unique aesthetic that integrates character design, GUI elements, and the environment, creating a cohesive and immersive experience.
- “The character design, GUI elements, and environment offer a unique aesthetic suited to its purpose.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game features a relaxed atmosphere complemented by stunning art and visuals, along with charming characters, including the enemies. Players appreciate the extensive customization options for the protagonist and find the story to be simple yet humorous.
- “The game has a very chill atmosphere, awesome art and visuals, charming characters (even the enemies, lol), lots of options to customize the protagonist, and a simple but funny story!”