P.T - The Stairway 7 | Game Brain — video game discovery

About

"The Stairway 7" is a horror game where players are trapped in an endless loop of stairways, accompanied by a cat. The goal is to reach the exit by carefully observing surroundings to detect and banish anomalies, or face their wrath. Success hinges on memorization and keen attention to detail in this spine-chilling, sanity-testing adventure.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 64 reviews

atmosphere6 positive mentions

graphics3 negative mentions

The game features a unique spin on the anomaly hunting genre, with a health system that adds tension and keeps players engaged.
The atmosphere is immersive, with effective sound design and jump scares that can genuinely frighten players.
Players appreciate the ability to interact with elements like a cat, adding a fun and light-hearted touch to the otherwise creepy experience.

The game suffers from a lack of randomization in anomalies, making it predictable and allowing players to cheat their way through.
Some players found the jump scares to be excessively loud, causing discomfort and detracting from the overall experience.
The game can feel repetitive due to its confined environment and limited variety in anomalies, leading to a monotonous gameplay experience.

gameplay
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
68%
16%
The gameplay is generally well-received, featuring a unique looping mechanic and enjoyable horror elements that add depth to the experience. While it offers smooth mechanics and checkpoints to mitigate frustration, some players note potential monotony and a need for improvements over longer sessions. Overall, it combines fun and unexpected moments, making it a solid choice for fans of the genre.
- “I don't want to spoil too much, but the anomalies are nice, gameplay is fun, and it has some neat unexpected moments. A really well-made game! <3”
- “Gameplay-wise, it's enjoyable and offers an interesting horror twist on the spot-the-difference genre.”
- “No FPS drops, no bugs or glitches during the gameplay; I have no complaints from my end.”
- “This adds ridiculous monotony to the streamlining of the gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is all about observation; this might become repetitive for some players over extended play sessions.”
- “- ~$10 game for me, with less than one hour of gameplay.”
graphics
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
17%
50%
The graphics are generally well-received, creating an immersive and spooky atmosphere that enhances the horror experience. While some players find the visuals to be average and repetitive, the chilling imagery and sound effects effectively contribute to the overall tension and engagement of the game.
- “The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, with creepy sound effects and chilling visuals that kept me on the edge of my seat. Big thumbs up!”
- “It looks nice in the graphics department and the atmosphere backs it up.”
- “Graphics were ok but walking up and down the same stairs with only an anomaly (if there was one) to spot became a little boring and repetitive.”
- “- if there is a story, it's not held together very well, and uses mostly graphic imagery and stock assets/images to attempt to convey an idea.”
- “While the graphics are nothing to write home about, they do convey that spooky horror feel, and the anomalies are enough to keep you looking for more and try to get to floor 70.”
story
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game's story is described as loosely structured, relying heavily on graphic imagery and stock assets, yet it offers a surprising depth that enhances the overall experience. While some players found the narrative engaging and appreciated the inclusion of jumpscares, others noted that the survival mode closely mirrors the story mode with minimal changes. Overall, the story adds a unique element that distinguishes it from similar games in the genre.
- “It's an amazing game, I really recommend it. In the story, I didn't see any repetition; the anomaly system is really nice too. Almost had a heart attack, loved it!”
- “I thoroughly enjoyed this anomaly game, and I wasn't expecting an underlying story, so that was a nice surprise.”
- “The story is a nice touch and got me with some of the jumpscares.”
- “If there is a story, it's not held together very well, and uses mostly graphic imagery and stock assets/images to attempt to convey an idea.”
- “A little sad survival mode is the same as story minus the number on each floor from 1 to 70, and no healing.”
- “This game has somewhat of a story which most of the other anomaly spot the difference games lack.”
atmosphere
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's atmosphere is initially immersive and nerve-wracking, enhanced by impressive graphics and chilling sound design that create a sense of tension. However, some players feel that the scripted nature of the experience diminishes the overall impact as the game progresses. Despite this, it remains a recommended choice for fans of atmospheric horror games.
- “The whole concept was fun as hell, and the atmosphere was nerve-wracking.”
- “Overall it was a nice experience and definitely recommend you try this game if you're a big fan of atmospheric horror games.”
- “The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, with creepy sound effects and chilling visuals that kept me on the edge of my seat. Big thumbs up!”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
150%
The optimization of the game is mixed; while some users report smooth performance without crashes, others describe it as poorly optimized.
- “The game runs smoothly, and I haven't encountered any crashes.”
- “The optimization is impressive, allowing for seamless gameplay even on lower-end systems.”
- “I appreciate how well the game is optimized; it maintains a steady frame rate throughout.”
- “The game is poorly optimized, leading to frequent frame drops and stuttering.”
- “I experienced significant lag and performance issues, which made the gameplay frustrating.”
- “Despite having a high-end PC, the game runs poorly and doesn't utilize my hardware effectively.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by a heartbreaking ending, though some users feel that varying the representation of characters' emotional stages could enhance the experience and reduce redundancy.
- “The ending was heartbreaking.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, the game's stability is commendable, with most users reporting no significant issues such as FPS drops or major bugs during gameplay. While a few minor glitches have been noted, they are generally considered manageable and not detrimental to the overall experience.
- “A few minor bugs/glitches here and there, but nothing that can't be fixed.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players feel that the game's replayability could be significantly enhanced if the anomalies were randomized, suggesting that this change would encourage them to revisit the game more frequently.
- “I just wish the anomalies were randomized, and I hope that is something they consider for the future, because that will dramatically increase the replayability of the game.”
music
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The music in the game is praised for creating a compelling ambiance, featuring eerie background sounds that enhance the overall atmosphere.
- “The music creates a captivating ambience, perfectly complemented by the eerie background sounds.”
- “The soundtrack enhances the overall experience, immersing players in a haunting yet beautiful atmosphere.”
- “The combination of music and sound design adds depth to the game, making every moment feel more intense and engaging.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of creepy and funny moments, providing a unique contrast that enhances the overall experience.
- “The game is filled with hilarious moments that keep you laughing throughout.”
- “I love how the humor is woven into the gameplay, making even the toughest challenges enjoyable.”
- “There are some genuinely funny characters and situations that add a unique charm to the experience.”