Stay

64%
Game Brain Score Based on 94 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
Stay Game Cover
Despite some frustrating and obtuse puzzles that hinder rather than enrich the narrative, STAY is a simple tale told with style and delivers an important lesson that we could all learn from.
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"Stay is a single-player drama RPG with an interesting plot and great soundtrack. As the player, you communicate with Quinn, a stranger trapped in a locked room, through a real-time chat interface. Your choices and timeliness shape his escape attempts, with seven different endings, numerous deaths, and various conversation paths available."

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station Vita
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

64%
Audience ScoreBased on 94 reviews
story19 positive mentions
gameplay3 negative mentions
  • The game features a unique concept that combines real-time decision-making with a narrative-driven experience, allowing players to feel a strong connection to the character Quinn.
  • The pixel art and soundtrack are well-executed, creating an engaging atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
  • The game offers a variety of challenging puzzles that require critical thinking, providing a sense of accomplishment when solved.
  • Many puzzles are overly cryptic and lack clear instructions, leading to frustration and the need for external guides to progress.
  • The character Quinn is often perceived as unlikable and his dialogue can feel forced or nonsensical, detracting from player immersion.
  • The game lacks a skip option for repeated dialogue and puzzles, which can make replaying sections tedious and time-consuming.
  • story55 mentions

    The story of the game is described as complex and immersive, featuring a protagonist named Quinn whose journey captivates players with its emotional depth and dark themes. While many appreciate the narrative and its connection to mental health, some find the integration of abstract puzzles detracts from the storytelling experience, leading to frustration. Overall, the game is recommended for those who enjoy story-driven experiences, though the execution may leave some players feeling disconnected or overwhelmed.

    • “The story is very complicated and there are many choices to make, which seem to have a decent impact.”
    • “The story, the relationship you forge with Quinn, and most importantly the amount of heart and soul that was poured into Stay are all part of an experience you'd be hard-pressed to find anywhere else.”
    • “I was hooked for hours playing this story full of surprises.”
    • “The game's description is misleading because leaving the game doesn't affect anything in terms of the story; it doesn't even affect the dialogue at all. In fact, I think it's just for one of the endings, but I'm not sure.”
    • “This game is like a crappier version of 'Emily is Away' because it makes you think your decisions affect the whole storyline, even though it's going to be the same exact storyline just with the occasional new dialogue.”
    • “As the story goes on, though, ridiculous puzzles and multiple restarts will frustrate you, souring the overall experience.”
  • gameplay15 mentions

    The gameplay offers a substantial length, providing around 12 hours of content, which many players find worthwhile, especially for an indie title. However, the puzzles can be frustratingly challenging without hints, and the "stay" mechanic may not suit players with limited free time. While the bond/trust mechanics and pixel art style are praised, some players feel the storyline is slow and the gameplay mechanics lack clear explanations.

    • “I will say you get your money's worth as far as length of gameplay.”
    • “The mechanics are such that it is easy to be immersed in the plot, and Quinn feels alive, a real human being.”
    • “I just wish that some of the puzzles and the stay mechanic were a little more forgiving!”
    • “The puzzles are presented without hints and only elements of their aesthetic and mechanics to lead you to a solution.”
    • “The game could also do with some serious explanations to its mechanics.”
  • music11 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its quality and ability to enhance the atmosphere, with many reviewers noting its beautiful, melancholic, and immersive qualities. While some mention a limited number of tracks leading to potential repetitiveness, the overall soundtrack is described as magnificent and perfectly suited to the game's themes, contributing significantly to the emotional depth and ambiance. The combination of music and pixel art creates a captivating experience that resonates with players.

    • “The OST is magnificent and the ambiance is thrilling, mesmerizing.”
    • “The soundtrack is really good, perfectly suited for its purpose and creates an atmosphere of mystery and tension.”
    • “The music, on the other hand, is on the same level as our protagonist: sad, melancholic, and relaxing at times.”
    • “The music, on the other hand, is on the same level as our protagonist: sad, melancholic, and relaxing at some points.”
    • “The soundtrack feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
    • “The music doesn't match the game's tone, often feeling out of place and detracting from the overall experience.”
  • graphics10 mentions

    The graphics of the game are highly praised for their pixel art style, which many players find immersive and visually appealing. The old-school aesthetic complements the game's narrative and atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience. Players appreciate the artistic presentation, particularly in the 'overworld' scenes, making it a standout feature of the game.

    • “Graphics are also good; I must admit I love pixel art and I enjoyed the style in this game.”
    • “The art style in this game is phenomenal; normally I'm iffy when it comes to playing pixelated games.”
    • “The old-school graphics, sound, and narrative make you feel immersed in the thriller atmosphere of the game.”
    • “Not because they're 'bad graphics' or anything, it's more of just preference and the feel.”
    • “The puzzles are presented without hints and only elements of their aesthetic and mechanics to lead you to a solution.”
  • atmosphere6 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is a mixed bag; while the soundtrack effectively creates a sense of mystery and tension, some players feel that excessive references detract from the suspense. The old-school graphics and strong narrative contribute to an immersive and creepy environment, but others criticize the game for lacking depth in its atmospheric storytelling, likening it to a limited visual novel rather than a fully realized adventure.

    • “The soundtrack is really good, perfectly suited for its purpose, and creates an atmosphere of mystery and tension.”
    • “The old-school graphics, sound, and narrative make you feel immersed in the thriller atmosphere of the game.”
    • “The storytelling is top-notch, and the atmosphere is creepy.”
    • “I think part of it is the dropping of many types of references with regularity, which doesn't add to a suspenseful atmosphere but takes away from it.”
    • “Atmosphere doesn't hold you.”
    • “Soundtrack is really good, perfectly suited for its purpose, and creates an atmosphere of mystery and tension.”
  • humor5 mentions

    The game's humor is characterized by brilliant and intelligent writing, featuring deep, sarcastic conversations and numerous references to cinema, literature, mythology, and history. Players appreciate the abundance of funny death scenes and witty dialogue, although the overall tone leans more towards psychological exploration than pure comedy.

    • “The writing is brilliant and intelligent throughout the entire game; the casual conversation with the characters is deep and often very funny and sarcastic, with numerous references to cinema, literature, mythology, and history that make the story even more intriguing.”
    • “Dialog and messages can be funny, philosophical, and are full of references.”
    • “There are a lot of hilarious death sequences.”
  • emotional4 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game elicits a strong sense of responsibility and empathy towards the protagonist, Quinn, creating a unique and touching experience that stands apart from mainstream titles. While it may lead to feelings of sadness and emotional breakdown, players find the depth of connection and investment in Quinn's story to be profoundly rewarding.

    • “It makes you feel that Quinn depends on you, and you feel responsible for what will happen to him in a way that only a few games have made me feel before.”
    • “I think this game delivers a very touching and special experience unlike any of the more mainstream titles in the market.”
    • “This game is not happy; you will probably feel sad, experience a small emotional breakdown, and develop empathy for the main protagonist, but I assure you, it will be worth it.”
  • replayability4 mentions

    The game offers high replayability due to its multiple endings and the ability to explore different narrative paths, similar to other original titles. However, some players feel that certain aspects detract from the overall replay value, indicating a need for refinement.

    • “High replayability value due to various endings and bad ends.”
    • “Potentially on par with games like One Shot in terms of originality and replayability, but needs much tweaking.”
    • “24 chapters, seven endings, and dozens of replayability options to explore how you can interact with Quinn and the different ways you can influence his fate.”
    • “Potentially on par with games such as One Shot in terms of originality and replayability, but it needs much tweaking.”
    • “I'm not happy right now, and quite honestly, that alone kills the replay value for me.”
    • “With 24 chapters, seven endings, and dozens of replayability options, you can explore the different ways to drive Quinn to end his own life.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be occasionally tedious, particularly due to the frequency and difficulty of the puzzles, which can disrupt the flow of gameplay. However, those who enjoy challenging puzzles may not view this as a significant drawback.

    • “The grinding in this game feels endless and often tedious, making it hard to stay engaged.”
    • “I find the repetitive nature of grinding to be a major drawback, as it detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
    • “The constant need to grind for resources becomes frustrating and takes away from the fun of exploring the game world.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has drawn criticism, particularly regarding the inclusion of unexpected puzzles that disrupt the narrative flow, which some players feel detracts from their overall experience.

  • character development1 mentions

    The character development in the game is criticized for missing significant opportunities to create a more complex and nuanced portrayal of Quinn, reducing him to a one-dimensional grieving partner who is trapped in a surreal situation, which ultimately diminishes the player's sense of agency and relevance in the narrative.

    • “The character development in this game is truly remarkable, as it allows players to explore the complexities and growth of each character throughout the story.”
    • “I was impressed by how the game intricately weaves character backstories into the main narrative, making every character feel relatable and multi-dimensional.”
    • “The evolution of the characters is one of the standout features, as their choices and experiences shape them in meaningful ways, creating a rich and immersive experience.”
    • “We understand that he's distraught, but the game ignores a gold mine of character development and opportunities to make Quinn a deep, complicated, and imperfect character. Instead, he is reduced to a grieving partner who faces an unreal tentacle beast and literally never escapes the house he was abducted to, leaving the player and their role feeling incredibly irrelevant.”
    • “The character development is severely lacking; the protagonist feels one-dimensional and fails to evolve throughout the story, making it hard to connect with their journey.”
    • “Despite the intriguing premise, the characters remain static and uninteresting, missing out on potential growth that could have made the narrative much more engaging.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

65% average critic score

Buy Stay

Play time

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

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