Squirrel Stapler

97%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,114 reviews
  • gameplay
  • humor
  • story
Squirrel Stapler Game Cover
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"Squirrel Stapler" is a horror hunting simulator with dark humor, originally from The Dread X Collection II. You play as a man seeking to staple squirrels to his corpse-wife to restore her beauty, while avoiding a sinister presence in the forest. Hunt squirrels, use a squirrel call, and be cautious of larger creatures in this absurdly terrifying game.

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Reviews

97%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,114 reviews
gameplay8 positive mentions
replayability3 negative mentions
  • The game offers a unique and absurd premise that combines humor and horror, making it a memorable experience.
  • Players appreciate the engaging gameplay mechanics and the eerie atmosphere that builds tension throughout the game.
  • The humor and dark themes resonate well with fans of David Szymanski's previous works, making it a fun and entertaining short play.
  • The game is very short, typically completed in under two hours, leading some players to feel it is overpriced for the content offered.
  • Many players noted that the gameplay can become repetitive, especially after the initial novelty wears off.
  • Some reviews mentioned that the game lacks significant replayability and additional content compared to its original release in the Dread X Collection.
  • gameplay32 mentions

    Gameplay reviews are mixed, with some players enjoying the fun and engaging mechanics, particularly the hunting and chase elements, while others find it dull and lacking in content, especially given its short duration. The game features straightforward mechanics that can be entertaining, but many feel it doesn't justify its price due to limited replayability and a poorly developed story. Overall, while some appreciate the unique and morally complex gameplay, others criticize it for being repetitive and not offering enough depth.

    • “The gameplay is simple, but the mystery makes you want to see what's going to happen next.”
    • “The mechanics of hunting, tracking, and trapping squirrels are meticulously detailed, immersing players in the challenging world of wildlife hunting.”
    • “It's hilarious, scary, and on top of it all has fun gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is dull, the story is poorly written, and it's overpriced too.”
    • “Boring gameplay.”
    • “Too much money for such a short game; too short on content too, there is nothing to do after 1 hour of gameplay.”
  • humor26 mentions

    The humor in the game is a unique blend of dark and absurd, striking a balance between disturbing and laugh-out-loud funny, often featuring quirky elements like angry squirrel ghosts. Players appreciate the game's ability to evoke chuckles amidst its horror themes, although some feel the humor may not be enough to justify its price given the limited content. Overall, it stands out for its charmingly warped humor, making it a notable entry in the indie horror genre.

    • “It strikes a balance between disturbing and laugh-out-loud funny pretty damn well.”
    • “The Szymanski humor (if you have played any other games of David or his brothers, you know what I mean) is every bit as on point and weird as you could hope for, and the chuckles (and the occasional laugh) it gives you is very welcome in a game that is actually a rather brilliant horror game.”
    • “Everything that happens in the 60 minutes this game will take you to complete is funny and disturbing at the same time.”
  • story21 mentions

    The story of the game is a bizarre and unsettling narrative centered around a huntsman who staples dead squirrels to his deceased wife, creating an eerie atmosphere filled with strange noises and terrifying NPCs. While some players appreciate the haunting and post-modern elements of the plot, others criticize it as poorly written and shallow, with a lack of depth. Overall, the narrative is described as short yet impactful, leaving room for interpretation and a potential sequel.

    • “A short and sweet horror game that tells the story of a deranged nutcase stapling dead squirrels to his deceased wife. The atmosphere in this game is unironically eerie, and sometimes you will hear bizarre and strange noises. The hostile NPCs in this game are terrifying, and the ending creates a cliffhanger for a possible sequel.”
    • “The story is short but haunting.”
    • “Squirrel Stapler is a post-modern story that leaves many holes for the gamer to fill with their personal explanations.”
    • “The gameplay is dull, the story is poorly written, and it's overpriced too.”
    • “A shallow story with the illusion of depth.”
    • “You know the story, you know the gist, there's nothing you need to know that isn't explained by the title and the first five seconds of the game.”
  • atmosphere16 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is consistently described as eerie and immersive, filled with dread and unsettling sounds that enhance the horror experience. Players appreciate the thick tension and unique lore, which contribute to a sense of unease, while the polygon-heavy art style adds to its charm. Overall, the atmosphere is a standout feature, effectively engaging players and heightening the game's spooky elements.

    • “Great atmosphere, goes from 0 to 100 very fast and very well.”
    • “Creates a beautiful immersive woodland atmosphere and even provides convenient places to commit sins and drink beverages.”
    • “The atmosphere is thick with dread as you constantly scan your surroundings for lurking terrors, while uncovering unsettling letters that hint something isn't all right in this forest.”
    • “No one creates an uncomfortable atmosphere like Szymanski.”
    • “The atmosphere made me so tense I was ready to jump a foot in the air when I was just crawling around in bushes; I was relieved every time giant angry squirrels were trying to murder me.”
  • graphics16 mentions

    The graphics of the game evoke a nostalgic charm, reminiscent of PS1-era visuals, which some players find appealing and fitting for its quirky themes. While opinions vary, with some describing the graphics as "impeccable" and others labeling them as "mid," many agree that the unique aesthetic contributes positively to the overall experience. The blend of retro design and surreal elements creates a distinctive atmosphere that enhances the gameplay, despite some critiques regarding the game's visual quality.

    • “Visuals do a good job of making you second guess certain things you see during your playtime, with the audio doing exactly the same.”
    • “Graphics are impeccable!”
    • “This game is the greatest aesthetically conceptual game I've ever seen in my entire life.”
    • “Its fever dreamish story and bargain bin graphics really add to the strangeness of everything and leads to a very enjoyable experience.”
    • “But with all due seriousness, as much as this game made me laugh, and as interesting as it was, it's pretty hard to justify spending $7 on a game that has such low graphics and only lasts for about 1 hour, in which most (if not all) of that hour is just you hunting 5 squirrels and 1 big squirrel.”
    • “Graphics are mid.”
  • replayability5 mentions

    Overall, the game offers mild to moderate replayability, with some players finding enjoyment in replaying it despite its short length and straightforward design. While it may not be specifically crafted for extensive replay value, it still provides enough fun for those who appreciate its unique absurdist horror elements.

    • “I do think Chop Goblins has a bit more replayability, but this is nonetheless an amazing game.”
    • “The game itself is a short, first-person shooter, with plenty of replay value.”
    • “Overall, an enjoyable absurdist horror game with mild replayability and an easy 100% achievements (~2 hours).”
    • “There's not much replay value, but it's not designed with that in mind, and honestly it's no issue.”
    • “Honestly, there's not a ton of replayability unless you're just really into blasting squirrels, but that's between you and the game.”
  • music5 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it initially off-putting but ultimately appreciating its quality and contribution to the overall experience. While one user described the menu music as sleep-inducing, others highlighted the soundtrack as a standout feature that enhances the game's authentic visual style. Overall, the music seems to be a polarizing yet integral part of the game's atmosphere.

    • “The only advantages here are the authentic visual style and excellent soundtrack.”
    • “The song at the end really impacted me.”
    • “The music machine is a hidden gem for anyone obsessed with art direction in games.”
    • “I fell asleep to the menu music, and that's why I have 8 hours.”
    • “As soon as I loaded in, I was hit with possibly the worst soundtrack to a game ever, but I looked past it, and let me tell you it was the best decision I have ever made.”
    • “The song at the end messed me up.”
  • optimization4 mentions

    The optimization of the game is generally regarded as decent, with users noting effective performance enhancements and improvements in image quality. However, specific references to performance-enhancing drugs suggest a focus on maximizing user experience rather than traditional game optimization metrics.

    • “Decent optimization.”
    • “The optimization in this game is decent, but it still leaves a lot to be desired.”
    • “The performance enhancements feel underwhelming and not well-integrated into the gameplay.”
    • “Overall, the optimization could use significant improvements to enhance the gaming experience.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    Players find "squirrel stapler" to be a deeply emotional experience, as the narrative intricately explores the protagonist's psychological turmoil, enhancing the overall impact of the game.

    • “An emotional experience.”
    • “As players progress through 'Squirrel Stapler,' the narrative unfolds, revealing the emotional and psychological turmoil of the protagonist.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization strategy is heavily criticized, with users suggesting that it primarily serves as a promotional tool for staple manufacturers rather than providing a balanced gaming experience.

    • “The monetization strategy feels more like a cash grab than a fair system.”
    • “It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind paywalls.”
    • “The constant push for in-game purchases ruins the overall experience.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, particularly by the third day, as the gameplay loop becomes repetitive. Although some writing is entertaining, it fails to maintain interest for completing the entire map within the five-day timeframe.

    • “The gameplay loop becomes tedious by day 3 of 5, and while some of the writing was entertaining, it didn't hold my interest enough for me to cover the entire map for all five days to read everything.”
    • “Grinding feels like a chore rather than a rewarding experience, making it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
    • “After hours of repetitive tasks, I found myself questioning if the effort was worth the minimal rewards.”
  • stability1 mentions

    The game demonstrates excellent stability, particularly on the Steam Deck, where users report smooth performance without significant issues.

    • “Runs great on Steam Deck.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

6hMedian play time
5hAverage play time
1-8hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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