Stained

About

Stained is a single player action adventure game. It was developed by RealAxis Software and was released on July 9, 2014. It received neutral reviews from players.

Stained is a side-scrolling, platforming and combat action game set in an ancient, mysterious castle featuring detailed 3D environments with a continually changing game world. Events in Stained are triggered by breaking objects placed in and around the castle, and outcomes are determined by the combination of glass pieces that litter the ground, leading to a variety of experiences. Novel ways to b…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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48%

Audience ScoreBased on 27 reviews

graphics5 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The game's aesthetics and graphics are charming, with a unique design centered around stained glass monsters and an abandoned castle.
The concept of the game is interesting, and some players found enjoyment in the puzzle-solving elements.
The game offers a casual gameplay experience that can be appreciated for its atmosphere and unique enemy designs.

Controls are unresponsive and clumsy, making platforming and combat frustrating and tedious.
The game suffers from numerous bugs, including crashes and issues with enemy spawning, which detract from the overall experience.
Level design is uninspired and lacks challenge, with many puzzles requiring trial and error rather than clear direction.

graphics
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
20%
30%
The game's graphics are praised for their stunning aesthetics, featuring an abandoned castle and beautifully designed stained glass monsters that create a captivating atmosphere. While the visuals are a highlight, some players note the presence of graphical glitches that can disrupt gameplay, indicating a need for further polish. Overall, the graphics are recommended for those who prioritize aesthetic appeal, particularly in casual play.
- “The game's aesthetics are based on a great idea: an abandoned castle full of monsters made of shards of stained glass.”
- “The graphics really are lovely, from the environment to the stained glass enemies.”
- “The graphics and castle design, as well as some of the character, enemy, and boss designs, are impressive.”
- “Lastly, there seems to be a few graphical glitches which occur now and then which necessitate reloading the game.”
- “Bottom line: recommend for casual play and for those for whom aesthetics are enough.”
- “However, its main selling point is aesthetics/atmosphere.”
gameplay
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
37%
38%
The gameplay of "Stained" is generally criticized for being dull and lacking polish, with stiff mechanics and frustrating design choices that detract from the experience. While it may offer a casual 2-5 hour playthrough, it is not recommended for players seeking a challenging or engaging experience. Some users noted that the simplicity of the gameplay could be effective, but overall, it fails to deliver a compelling experience.
- “Ultimately, I would recommend this game to anyone wanting 2-5 hours of casual gameplay.”
- “Gameplay is simple but effective and a challenge to complete.”
- “Unfortunately, Stained's gameplay is too excruciating to experience its beauty properly.”
- “The game does look good in some spots; however, the gameplay is dull and boring for me.”
- “You end up with a black screen every time you close your inventory, and there are even some spots where the game mechanics prevent you from clearing the room.”
story
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
14%
43%
The game's storyline is considered interesting but often overshadowed by gameplay, leading some players to skip text that lacks depth. While the hand-drawn story segments and overall plot show potential, many feel it requires further refinement to fully engage players. However, there are positive remarks about the writing quality and the story mode, indicating that it has redeeming qualities.
- “The story, and hand-drawn 'story segments'.”
- “I recommend this game; it's well written and has a good story mode.”
- “The gimmick is interesting and the plot and graphics seem decent, but it needs a lot more polish before it's something I can recommend you pay for.”
- “The storyline does not match the protagonist's sprite.”
- “Most of the time, I found myself skipping text because it did not add much to the story.”
- “The story and hand-drawn story segments were lacking.”
stability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game has been reported to have several bugs and minor graphical glitches that occasionally require reloading, though these issues are generally not game-breaking. Player death can be frustrating, but the combat reward-based health system helps alleviate some of the challenges.
- “It's also somewhat buggy.”
- “Lastly, there seems to be a few graphical glitches which occur now and then which necessitate reloading the game.”
- “There is a scattering of minor glitches (though nothing game-breaking).”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The game's atmosphere is its standout feature, characterized by atmospheric music and unique enemy designs that create an engaging environment for leisurely exploration. While the controls may be clumsy and occasional bugs present, the overall aesthetic experience is enjoyable, making it a worthwhile aspect of the game.
- “However, its main selling point is its aesthetics and atmosphere.”
- “The music is primarily atmospheric and adds to the overall experience.”
- “It is good for a leisurely, atmospheric stroll and a little sightseeing of some unique enemy designs, if you don't mind clumsy controls and the occasional bug.”
- “However, its main selling point is aesthetics and atmosphere.”
music
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game is generally atmospheric and well-received, with a beautiful soundtrack that complements its charming visuals. However, some players feel that it lacks the engagement needed to enhance the puzzle-solving experience.
- “The game has, on the other hand, charming visuals and a beautiful soundtrack; I definitely admit that.”
- “The music is primarily atmospheric and isn't bad.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game struggles with optimization at higher screen resolutions, leading to performance issues and a less than ideal visual experience for players using advanced displays.
- “The game isn't optimized for higher screen resolutions.”
- “Performance issues persist even on high-end hardware, making it frustrating to play.”
- “Frequent frame drops and stuttering indicate a lack of proper optimization.”