STASIS: BONE TOTEM

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"Stasis: Bone Totem" is a suspenseful puzzle-adventure game set in a mysterious archaeological site. As the player, you'll delve into ancient ruins, uncovering secrets and solving intricate settings-based puzzles to progress through the story. The game's captivating atmosphere is enhanced by its unique stasis mechanic, allowing you to manipulate time and explore divergent timelines within the environment.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,093 reviews

story351 positive mentions

grinding13 negative mentions

Incredibly well-written horror point-and-click adventure with a compelling story and engaging characters.
Great atmosphere and visuals, with a unique art style that enhances the horror elements.
Puzzles are mostly logical and satisfying, with a helpful hint system to assist players when needed.

Some puzzles can feel obtuse or frustrating, requiring trial and error or external guides to solve.
The dialogue can be overly verbose, interrupting gameplay and pacing, especially in the latter parts of the game.
The use of AI-generated art in some areas detracts from the overall experience and immersion.

story
739 mentions
47 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The story of "Stasis: Bone Totem" is widely praised for its engaging narrative, rich world-building, and emotional depth, often drawing comparisons to classic horror and sci-fi themes. Players appreciate the intricate character development and the atmospheric storytelling, which is enhanced by strong voice acting and immersive environments. However, some critiques mention pacing issues and a convoluted plot in the latter parts of the game, suggesting that while the story starts strong, it can become less coherent as it progresses. Overall, it is considered a standout feature of the game, making it a compelling experience for fans of narrative-driven titles.
- “The story is fantastic along with the voice acting being very well done, it never brought me out of the game.”
- “The story is rich and is building itself up in the form of numerous PDAs scattered around the locations containing journal entries of various characters inhabiting the Cayne universe.”
- “The story kept me gripped throughout the journey and concludes in the only way it could logically end.”
- “The story is boring, uninteresting, and just dumb.”
- “Sometimes the story would only continue by walking around which would trigger a cut scene; these parts waste your time because most likely you just think that you are missing something from a puzzle and keep throwing your inventory at random puzzles until you look up a guide and realize you had to walk 2 meters that way to trigger a scene.”
- “If I force myself to complete the game, and the story goes nowhere, I'll hate the game and it won't even be its fault - because it was just a puzzle simulator with scattered story all along.”
atmosphere
183 mentions
60 % positive mentions
39 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and haunting qualities, effectively blending dark, sci-fi horror elements with beautifully crafted environments and compelling storytelling. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to create a sense of dread without relying on cheap jump scares, instead using intricate art design, sound, and character interactions to enhance the overall experience. Many players find themselves captivated by the rich atmosphere, which draws them into the narrative and keeps them engaged throughout the gameplay.
- “The atmosphere and tension is expertly crafted, the setting takes clear inspiration from Alien with its grim future aesthetics, and Event Horizon with its visceral gothic horror.”
- “The atmosphere is stellar, the visuals evoke the unsettling, low-framerate horror games of the nineties, and it'll keep your brain tickled all the way through.”
- “The game's atmosphere draws you in immediately upon arriving on Deepsea 15 as you discover what happened to this seemingly abandoned oil rig in the middle of the ocean.”
- “I was here for the grimdark atmosphere of the original Stasis and not for some Aztec stuff.”
- “The game will appeal to fans of the first part and lovers of complex puzzles, but may disappoint those who expected a more complete disclosure of the horror atmosphere, which was unfortunately not fully realized here.”
- “If any atmosphere is there, I didn't notice it; what I was experiencing so far was not encouraging.”
graphics
174 mentions
55 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the stunning artwork, detailed environments, and atmospheric visuals that enhance the horror experience. However, some players noted issues with dark lighting and occasional reliance on AI-generated imagery, which detracted from immersion. Overall, the visuals are considered a significant improvement over previous titles, contributing to an engaging and immersive narrative.
- “The graphics are incredible, the horror of the abandoned deep-sea station and everything that lies beneath are heavy and scary.”
- “The visuals are astounding and compounded by some gorgeous cutscenes; I'm honestly surprised they made the cutscenes with such high fidelity as they did with the price they are asking for.”
- “Graphically this is a huge step forward; the scenery art, the character designs, and animations are amazing and immerse you in the story.”
- “Graphical settings are bad.”
- “Also the graphics during the cutscenes are practically PS2 worthy; they are horrendous looking.”
- “Concerning the graphics/art, I think it's the worst part, not because of the art itself, but because the game is too dark. Even with the brightness at maximum, I feel like I'm missing a lot of cool art.”
gameplay
152 mentions
22 % positive mentions
72 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is primarily a point-and-click adventure that incorporates unique mechanics, such as controlling three characters simultaneously and a quantum storage device for item sharing, which enhances puzzle-solving and reduces pixel hunting frustrations. While the gameplay is generally straightforward and accessible, some players found it clunky and criticized certain mechanics for being tedious or disjointed. Overall, the game successfully balances logical puzzles with an engaging narrative, though some players noted that the dialogue and inventory management could disrupt immersion.
- “I'm not a big fan of the point-and-click genre in general, but I doubt any other gameplay type would fit this dark story better.”
- “The gameplay is simple point-and-click adventure fare, but the environmental puzzle solving is excellent with logical solutions for the patient, thorough players.”
- “The gameplay loop here surrounds traditional point-and-click adventures, where you must utilize the three characters and their unique skills to explore the nightmare environment, with most puzzles being logical but somewhat challenging.”
- “My biggest gripe was probably that some of the gameplay interaction could have been fleshed out more.”
- “The gameplay and interface is clunky and revolves around walking from one interactive object to another and 'fiddling'.”
- “I got so tired of having to halt all momentum to spend 5 minutes reading through twenty entries in a new journal for every 15 minutes of gameplay.”
emotional
65 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its depth and impact, with many players describing it as a powerful emotional rollercoaster that combines horror with heartwarming narratives. The character writing and voice acting are highlighted as particularly effective in conveying genuine emotional arcs, leading to moments of surprise and heartbreak that resonate deeply with players. Overall, the game successfully intertwines its dark themes with touching storytelling, leaving a lasting emotional impression.
- “An emotional rollercoaster that I'd gladly re-experience.”
- “I was not expecting a point-and-click horror game to tell such a compelling and touching story.”
- “The evolving relationship between Mac, Charlie, and Moses creates an emotional depth that few games achieve.”
music
53 mentions
57 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its atmospheric quality and ability to enhance the overall experience, with many praising the soundtrack composed by Mark Morgan. While the sound design and voice acting are also highlighted as strong points, some users noted occasional audio issues, such as misplaced background sounds. Overall, the music effectively sets the tone, contributing significantly to the game's immersive atmosphere and storytelling.
- “The sound design and music are incredible, so thank you, Mark Morgan, for that.”
- “The music and sound design is brilliant, background ambience will keep you on edge and the musical scores fit perfectly, elevating the emotion of the story or building tension as you progress.”
- “Audio issues: some background sounds and music are completely out of place, disrupting the overall atmosphere.”
- “Music can be a bit repetitive due to reuse/looping of tracks, which is a shame because they got Mark Morgan (of Fallout 1 and 2) to do it.”
- “The music provides a proper ambiance that enhances the uneasiness.”
optimization
19 mentions
58 % positive mentions
26 % neutral mentions
16 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is praised for its excellent optimization, running smoothly without crashes or bugs, even on lower-end devices. The standout voice acting significantly enhances the immersive experience, with memorable performances that contribute to the game's engaging narrative and character development. Players appreciate the intuitive puzzles and well-crafted story, making it a compelling choice despite initial reservations about the genre.
- “The game is also very well optimized and all characters are very likable.”
- “Very nice graphics, no crash, no bugs, well optimized in my opinion.”
- “Don't let this criticism turn you off too much - at its core there's an engrossing horror premise here and a lot of cool world building alongside some likable characters and endearing performances.”
- “Few scenes drag too long, which is a blessing in some audio performances.”
- “Don't let this criticism turn you off too much - at its core there's an engrossing horror premise here and a lot of cool world building alongside some likeable characters and endearing performances.”
- “No bug or performance issue... ps another plus for the astonishing Italian translation... a lot of text to read so a big addition!”
grinding
15 mentions
0 % positive mentions
13 % neutral mentions
87 % negative mentions
Reviews highlight that grinding in the game can be overwhelmingly tedious, with many players expressing frustration over lengthy dialogues, repetitive tasks, and convoluted puzzles. While some appreciate the engaging story and atmosphere, the overall sentiment suggests that the grinding aspect detracts from the enjoyment, making it feel like a chore at times. Patience is often required to navigate the game's challenges, but the experience can be marred by monotony.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Game play also becomes tedious and lengthy dialogue overstays its welcome.”
- “The story is fine; it's just the tediousness of the dialogue and how repetitive it is.”
character development
13 mentions
62 % positive mentions
15 % neutral mentions
23 % negative mentions
Overall, character development in the game receives mixed reviews; while many players praise the depth and quality of writing, highlighting the characters' struggles and growth, others criticize the character designs as clichéd and lacking significant evolution. The voice acting is often noted as a strong point that enhances the character experience, but some feel that certain characters remain static throughout the game.
- “There is excellent character development as they try to grapple with their flaws and despair.”
- “This game has the best writing, character development, and world-building of any game I've ever seen or played.”
- “The character development of all characters was perfectly handled.”
- “These characters are so cliché it's almost hazardous to the mind; there is no real character development in Bone Totem. Every person, with the exception of your 'hacker', is the same at the end as when they started.”
- “The voice acting performance should be sufficient to make up for it and get many people satisfaction in certain character developments throughout the game.”
- “What impressed me the most was the quality of writing and the character development.”
humor
11 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of dark comedy and absurdity, with players noting that the twists often elicit laughter rather than shock. The presence of a comically inappropriate bear character and the juxtaposition of violent scenarios with humorous dialogue contribute to a unique tone that balances horror and humor. Overall, the game effectively uses sharp, witty moments and unspoken consequences to create a comedic yet unsettling atmosphere.
- “The bear won't stop laughing and humming away at the most inappropriate times though.”
- “The deaths are quite funny, so kudos to that.”
- “Even though the game is littered with violence and despair, there are still warm moments and funny jokes that legitimize their bonds from their past, carried into the present.”
stability
4 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is marked by occasional graphical and control glitches, though they are not overly frequent or severe. While some puzzle solutions may require guesswork and can be illogical, the linear progression provides players with clear options. Players on platforms like the Steam Deck have noted clunky controls, which can detract from the experience.
- “There are graphical and control glitches, but they're nothing major or too frequent.”
- “Some of the puzzles make little logical sense, and the glitches that cause things to not trigger do not help that.”
- “Played on Steam Deck, and the controls were a little clunky and buggy.”
replayability
2 mentions
50 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game offers around 10-12 hours of gameplay, with minimal replayability primarily focused on collecting achievements related to unique deaths, which some players may find more puzzle-like. However, many users feel that once completed, the lack of engaging content or incentives makes a second playthrough unlikely.
- “You can expect to get 10-12 hours out of the game, and there is some very limited replayability for collectibles and deaths. Finding ways to die are essentially puzzles unto themselves, and there's an achievement for getting each one, if you didn't use a guide to get them all on the first run through.”
- “You can expect to get 10-12 hours out of the game, and there is some very limited replayability for collectibles and deaths (finding ways to die are essentially puzzles unto themselves, and there's an achievement for getting each one), if you didn't use a guide to get them all on the first run through.”
- “Anyway, finished with the help of a guide and sure as hell I am not doing another playthrough; there is zero replay value.”