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It Stares Back

It Stares Back Game Cover
93%Game Brain Score
gameplay, story
character development, stability
93% User Score Based on 73 reviews

Platforms

PCWindows
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It Stares Back Game Cover

About

It Stares Back is a single player role playing game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by Light Arc Studio Ltd and was released on June 25, 2019. It received very positive reviews from players.

"It Stares Back" is a 4X, hex-based RTS game with dark-fantasy elements and RPG mechanics. Play as the Noble Guide, commanding an undead army and exploring the Four Kingdoms to restore the Great Tapestry. Gather resources, recruit heroes and soldiers, and build structures in this immersive, hand-painted world. Be cautious, as danger lurks in every corner of this corrupted realm.

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It Stares Back screenshot
It Stares Back screenshot
It Stares Back screenshot
It Stares Back screenshot
It Stares Back screenshot
It Stares Back screenshot
It Stares Back screenshot
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93%
Audience ScoreBased on 73 reviews
gameplay16 positive mentions
stability1 negative mentions
  • The game features stunning visuals and a unique art style that creates an immersive atmosphere.
  • The voice acting and soundtrack are exceptional, enhancing the overall experience.
  • The gameplay, while simplistic, offers a refreshing take on RTS mechanics with a focus on strategy and resource management.
  • The game has limited content and feels incomplete, with many players expressing disappointment at the lack of updates and progression.
  • There are technical issues, including crashes and gameplay bugs that can disrupt the experience.
  • The gameplay can become repetitive and lacks depth, with some players finding the mechanics too simplistic for a traditional RTS.
  • gameplay
    46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is generally described as simple and straightforward, with some players finding it engaging yet lacking depth, while others appreciate its unique mechanics and art style. Many reviews highlight the game's addictive nature and enjoyable atmosphere, though some note that it can feel repetitive or barebones at times. Overall, the gameplay is seen as a blend of casual RTS elements with a focus on storytelling and aesthetics, making it appealing despite its limitations.

    • “Excellent storytelling, simple and addictive gameplay, engulfing atmosphere... hand-drawn characters.”
    • “The gameplay itself is great fun, combining the most relevant aspects of macromanagement from RTS with the larger-scale map.”
    • “As I begin to explore the gameplay mechanics more in depth, familiar but comfortable controls to RTS players such as queuing actions with shift and movement being staple controls helps with the game's 'drop in and go' attitude.”
    • “It took a while for me to understand the game mechanics and how exactly to play, but there's not a lot of explanation on how the game works.”
    • “The gameplay is very basic and does not offer a lot of decision making, but I can see it being a lot more enjoyable with a few extra features.”
    • “It's unclear what kind of things it will bring to the table, but for now, I have to say that gameplay gets pretty repetitive.”
  • story
    37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is described as intriguing and engaging, enhanced by excellent voice acting and unique art design, though some players find it somewhat simple or corny. While the narrative is captivating and atmospheric, with a rich world and character interactions, there are mixed feelings about the depth of the story and the impact of player choices. Overall, the storytelling and presentation are praised, making it a standout aspect of the game despite some gameplay repetitiveness.

    • “The story and storytelling is incredibly engaging and amazing, the artwork is truly fantastic and the atmosphere created some of the best and most haunting of any game I've played.”
    • “An absolutely eerie, well acted, drawn and enjoyable story - with a really cool unique style of RTS gameplay - the devs are constantly updating the game and taking player feedback which is super awesome.”
    • “With a great story, great voice acting, fun - if somewhat repetitive - gameplay, and a perfectly ominous and mysterious atmosphere, this is one of the coolest games I've ever found on Steam, and I can't wait for it to be finished and get out of early access.”
    • “Fairly simple and straightforward in gameplay, enhanced with a uniquely confusing story and art design.”
    • “The story in the campaign is very absurd.”
    • “The story is a bit corny though.”
  • graphics
    31 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning and unique art style, blending elements of techno-fantasy and macabre aesthetics. Players appreciate the vibrant visuals, atmospheric design, and impressive character animations, which contribute to an immersive experience. While some note occasional repetition in visual elements, the overall aesthetic, complemented by a haunting soundtrack and excellent voice acting, stands out as a highlight of the game.

    • “Phenomenal visuals and art, aesthetically this game is gorgeous.”
    • “Deliciously weird, an interesting take on RTS mechanics, and with a gorgeous and unique art style.”
    • “The graphics are very well designed, from the trippy digital-esque play field paired with wonderful background music, to artfully done individual characters during dialogue scenes.”
    • “Graphics: 5 - I'm really torn about this; there are certain parts that are absolutely amazing, but then they get reused a lot.”
    • “I'm going to be honest - I don't really like these 'simplistic' RTS titles as a rule, and so I bought this purely for its aesthetic, and my-oh-my is it worth the asking price for that alone.”
    • “Those gameplay aspects, the shifting of your units and hero, they're honestly all overshadowed by the sharp aesthetic of vivid characters and its unconventional universe.”
  • music
    23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised for its haunting, atmospheric quality that complements the visuals and enhances the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, describing it as beautiful, addictive, and fitting for the game's dark, sci-fi themes. The combination of excellent voice acting and unique art style further elevates the game's immersive qualities, making the music an integral part of its appeal.

    • “Amazing soundtrack, mood, and creative content!”
    • “This game offers beautiful, haunting, and dramatic music that sends chills down your spine, and features amazing visuals to match it.”
    • “Great music, great atmosphere, great writing, great worldbuilding, great art; gameplay is a little simplistic but this is a minor detail considering the foundation this game is being built upon.”
    • “The gameplay is short (so far) and from what there is it's fine, not mind-blowing or anything but the music, aesthetics, and world building are exemplary.”
    • “This weird neon future nihilism of 'it stares back' intertwined with its sweet siren song has got me steering towards the rocks, and damn glad to do so.”
    • “From the music to the art style, everything gives off such a creepy/cool vibe that has me sucked into the game (forgive the pun) and hooked.”
  • atmosphere
    13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its haunting and immersive qualities, enhanced by excellent storytelling, unique visuals, and a captivating soundtrack. Reviewers highlight the combination of dark fantasy elements and minimalist sound design, which contribute to a deeply engaging experience, despite some criticism of the game's humor and simplistic gameplay. Overall, the atmosphere is considered one of the standout features, making it a memorable and intriguing title.

    • “Great music, great atmosphere, great writing, great worldbuilding, great art; gameplay is a little simplistic, but this is a minor detail considering the foundation this game is being built upon.”
    • “The story and storytelling is incredibly engaging and amazing, the artwork is truly fantastic, and the atmosphere created some of the best and most haunting experiences of any game I've played.”
    • “It's a strange game with a dark, mysterious atmosphere and an addictive soundtrack.”
    • “Has a dark fantasy air to it that I enjoy, although I'm not the biggest fan of the 'jokey' dialogue options in the game. They can be pretty hit and miss; some come across as somewhat cringe while others are just 'ok'. It would be better if this game took itself a little more seriously, as it helps to invoke the dark atmosphere a bit more. I would like to see more horror/surreal aspects to it as the game is developed.”
    • “Simple enough concept in the gameplay itself; it's been done before and all of that, but so far (prologue) it's more about the story and atmosphere.”
    • “It has a foundation for a nice RTS, but if you buy it now, you might have to rely on the narrative and atmosphere as the primary source of entertainment.”
  • humor
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is characterized by its crude and quirky elements, complemented by excellent voice acting and immersive sound design. Players appreciate the lighthearted, casual tone that aligns well with the game's overall theme, creating a friendly and engaging atmosphere. The humor is both intentional and reflective of the game's unique style, making it a standout feature for fans.

    • “It's got the absolute best sound design, it's tremendously immersive, and the guy with the funny head has some great voice acting.”
    • “Everyone talks in a funny way which fits the theme enormously.”
    • “It's pretty hard to describe, which is funny because the gameplay itself is easy to describe: a super casualized RTS.”
  • emotional
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players report that the game evokes a sense of uncertainty and confusion, creating an emotional experience that challenges their perceptions.

    • “This game made me feel a whirlwind of emotions, leaving me unsure about what I was seeing.”
    • “The emotional depth of the story truly resonated with me, making every moment feel impactful.”
    • “I was completely immersed in the characters' struggles, which evoked a strong emotional response.”
  • optimization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization is praised for delivering peak voice acting, stunning visuals, and engaging character designs, contributing to an overall enjoyable experience.

    • “The optimization in this game is top-notch, allowing for smooth gameplay even on lower-end systems.”
    • “I was impressed by how well the game runs; the developers clearly put a lot of effort into optimizing performance.”
    • “The balance between stunning visuals and performance optimization is remarkable, making for an enjoyable experience.”
  • character development
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development is intricately tied to the game's lore, with the design prompting players to engage deeply with the narrative and its underlying themes. This seamless integration enhances the overall experience, encouraging players to explore the characters' backgrounds and motivations.

    • “The character design incites questions in and of itself, with the fabric of the game woven into the lore seamlessly.”
    • “The depth of each character's backstory adds layers to the gameplay, making every interaction feel meaningful.”
    • “I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, reflecting their experiences and choices in a way that feels authentic.”
    • “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
    • “I found the character arcs to be predictable and uninspired, leaving me wanting more complexity.”
    • “The choices I made didn't seem to impact the characters' growth, which made the experience feel hollow.”
  • stability
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Users appreciate the game's approach to stability, noting that the removal of pathfinding eliminates one of the most problematic and buggy elements commonly found in real-time strategy games.

    • “This is a pretty clever way to remove pathfinding in its entirety, which is one of the most buggy aspects of RTS.”
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3h Median play time
3h Average play time
3-3h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

It Stares Back is a role playing game with science fiction theme.

It Stares Back is available on PC and Windows.

On average players spend around 3 hours playing It Stares Back.

It Stares Back was released on June 25, 2019.

It Stares Back was developed by Light Arc Studio Ltd.

It Stares Back has received very positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its character development.

It Stares Back is a single player game.

Similar games include Songs of Silence, The Dream Machine, Cataclismo, SKALD: Against the Black Priory, Cloudpunk and others.