Pull Stay

About

"Pull Stay" is a beat 'em up brawler game where you learn new moves by attacking enemy types. Set traps and break neighbor's houses to collect resources, and defeat quirky bosses to progress. The game follows the story of a young jobless man, a "hikikomori," who isolates himself in his room, with enemies either worried about him or wanting to mock him. Use gadgets and power-ups to defend your house and overcome challenges. NO RELEASE DATE OR DEVELOPER/PUBLISHER MENTIONED.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

100%

Audience ScoreBased on 160 reviews

story8 positive mentions

stability4 negative mentions

The game is a unique and fun blend of beat 'em up and tower defense mechanics, providing a wacky and entertaining experience.
The graphics are impressive, and the physics engine adds to the overall enjoyment, complemented by humorous elements reminiscent of classic Japanese games.
Despite being in early access, the game shows great potential with engaging gameplay, a heartfelt story, and a passionate developer behind it.

The game suffers from bugs and glitches, which can lead to frustrating experiences, including soft locks and unclear mechanics.
Some gameplay elements, like the tower defense traps, are not as effective as expected, leaving players wanting more depth and content.
The controls can be janky and unresponsive at times, with a lack of remapping options that may hinder the overall gameplay experience.

story
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
50%
14%
The game's story is described as heartwarming and relatable, particularly for players who identify with the protagonist's struggles, such as hikikomori experiences. While the narrative is engaging and thematically rich, it tends to be front-loaded with emotional depth, culminating in a strong message about personal health. Overall, the combination of humor and heartfelt storytelling adds a surprising layer of depth beneath the game's wacky mechanics.
- “His story is very heartwarming and shows he's really trying.”
- “It has what's shaping up to be a heartfelt story; it has great humor that keeps getting better; it has loads of little touches including plenty of surprises.”
- “They also kind of end-load the story really hard at the very end.”
- “Pull Stay is more thematic than story-driven, like with other indie-developed games, which often lends itself to a more impactful way of conveying the game’s idea and sentiment.”
- “I've heard his story and I've been there, and I also know the excitement of what it's like to find something you're truly passionate about that helps you out of the predicament you're in.”
humor
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its unique and infectious humor, particularly its Yakuza-style wit and wacky Japanese comedic elements. Players appreciate the charming and relatable main character, Susumu, as well as the game's ability to deliver funny moments and surprises, making it enjoyable in short bursts despite some repetitive gameplay. Overall, the humor is described as heartfelt, over-the-top, and filled with amusing references.
- “I love the Yakuza-style humor.”
- “Their passion is infectious and the main character Susumu is a hilarious mouthpiece for the hikikomori experience, maybe a little too relatable sometimes.”
- “It has what's shaping up to be a heartfelt story; it has great humor that keeps getting better; it has loads of little touches including plenty of surprises (try frying a tempura man a 2nd/3rd time).”
gameplay
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
57%
The gameplay is characterized as a fun and wacky beat 'em up experience, incorporating unique mechanics alongside RPG elements and base defense. While it may feel basic at times, players find it consistently enjoyable and engaging, with a surprisingly nice story complementing the chaotic gameplay. Although still in early access and needing some polish, the core fun and uniqueness of the gameplay stand out.
- “A very fun and wacky beat 'em up game with some unique mechanics.”
- “Gameplay while basic at times is really fun and enjoyable; I can't say I felt bored during any part of the game and would highly recommend.”
- “The gameplay is unique compared to other recent games!”
graphics
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
80%
20%
The graphics of the game are generally praised for their appealing art style and unique aesthetic design, with some reviewers noting enjoyable nods to pop culture and the hikikomori lifestyle. However, there are mentions of occasional glitches that detract from the overall experience, though the game's optimization is considered good. Overall, the visuals contribute positively to the classic beat 'em up experience.
- “This is a lovely classic beat 'em up game with great graphics and good optimization.”
- “Good game with unique aesthetic design.”
- “The art style is very appealing, and I love the little nods to pop culture and the hikikomori lifestyle.”
emotional
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its heartwarming narrative, which resonates deeply with players, particularly those who identify with the protagonist's struggles as a hikikomori. The blend of humor and heartfelt moments, along with unexpected surprises, enhances the overall emotional experience, often evoking tears and laughter simultaneously.
- “His story is very heartwarming and shows he's really trying.”
- “As a fellow hikikomori, I can relate to his story a lot and I cried watching his interview.”
- “It has what's shaping up to be a heartfelt story; it has great humor that keeps getting better; it has loads of little touches including plenty of surprises.”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its excellent optimization, allowing it to run smoothly while showcasing great graphics. Players appreciate the performance, enhancing their overall experience.
- “This is a lovely classic beat 'em up game with great graphics and good optimization.”
- “Game runs smoothly, will put more time into this afternoon.”
stability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game exhibits significant stability issues, with frequent glitches and bugs that can disrupt gameplay, including problems with saving progress. While the graphics are generally appealing, the overall experience is marred by unclear systems and questionable balance, leading to a frustrating experience for players.
- “What's more, it's buggy if not outright broken at times, its systems are unclear, the balance is questionable, I wasn't able to save my progress, and the list goes on.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game offers a solid single-player storyline that enhances the experience, while the endless mode adds a degree of replayability, though it is somewhat limited.
- “The single player storyline is actually quite good, and the endless mode provides some limited replay value.”
- “The single player storyline is actually quite good, but the endless mode provides only limited replay value.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be repetitive and potentially tedious during extended play sessions, though it remains enjoyable and entertaining when played in shorter bursts. Overall, it strikes a balance between fun gameplay and the risk of monotony.
- “The game is fun to play, but the grinding can become repetitive and tedious if played for extended periods.”
- “While the game has its enjoyable moments, the grinding aspect can lead to boredom over time.”
- “It's a great tower defense beat 'em up, but the repetitive nature of grinding makes it less enjoyable during long sessions.”
music
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game features an engaging soundtrack that effectively enhances the gameplay experience, driving the action as players progress through the stages.
- “Much like those games, the engaging soundtrack helps drive the action as you play through the stages.”