Stealth Inc 2: A Game of Clones
- November 19, 2015
- Curve Digital
A smart puzzle-platformer contorted into a shape that doesn't really fit. When it remembers itself, this is another devilishly good sneak-'em-up, featuring a great bunch of gadgets, challenges and jokes.
Stealth Inc 2: A Game of Clones is a stealth-based puzzle-platformer where you play as a clone escaping a dangerous testing facility. With over 60 levels and a Metroidvania style overworld, the game challenges your reflexes and problem-solving skills. Using various gadgets, you'll navigate through traps, robots, and lasers while rescuing your fellow clones. Death is a temporary setback, allowing for learning from mistakes and ultimately mastering each level.
Reviews
- Great level design and enjoyable puzzles that challenge players.
- Charming atmosphere and graphics that enhance the overall experience.
- The game introduces new gadgets and mechanics, adding variety to gameplay.
- Severe performance issues, including slowdowns and bugs that hinder gameplay.
- Controls are frustrating, requiring mouse use for essential actions, which can be tiring.
- The game feels like a step back from its predecessor, lacking polish and refinement.
- graphics20 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the charming art style and significant improvements over its predecessor, while others note performance issues and a lack of revolutionary elements. Overall, the visuals are described as decent to good, with sharp details and effective lighting, contributing positively to the gameplay experience. However, some players feel that despite the graphical upgrades, other aspects of the game may have taken a step back.
“The art style is every bit as charming as the pictures on the store page.”
“The graphics are amazing and the overworld is really nice.”
“Graphically, the game is a huge improvement over the first.”
“Unfortunately, aside from having better graphics, virtually everything else takes a step back.”
“Performs poorly, even though it's not graphically complicated.”
“Art style wise it looks worse than Stealth Bastard.”
- gameplay18 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The gameplay has been praised for its diversity and improvement over previous iterations, introducing new gadgets and mechanics that enhance puzzle-solving and platforming elements. While some reviewers noted that it retains the core gameplay of its predecessor, the addition of new challenges and a more engaging overworld has kept it fresh and enjoyable. Overall, the game is considered fun and well-executed, despite minor technical issues with controls.
“This creates much more diverse and interesting gameplay.”
“Gameplay - 9/10, still one of the best puzzle/platformer games I have ever played.”
“They improved on the gameplay by adding gadgets that you have to use to get through the puzzles, thus adding to the variety of puzzles compared to the last game.”
“Mechanics avatar-wise are limited; they come more from the level elements interacting with themselves.”
“Haven't had any major technical issues, but the mouse control (for aiming with one of the main mechanics) handles hideously if you're in windowed mode or use a dual-screen setup.”
“The gameplay remains much the same: manipulate various parts of the environment so that you can access terminals which you must hack.”
- music15 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising its ability to complement the mood and enhance the overall experience, while others criticize it for being generic and repetitive. Many players appreciate the non-intrusive nature of the tracks, particularly in puzzle contexts, though some noted that the music lacks memorability. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as well-executed, especially for fans of electronic music, but it may not leave a lasting impression.
“As for the game itself, the art style is gorgeous, the soundtracks are amazing and the story is deeper than in the first game.”
“Not only that, but also the soundtrack is simply addictive for electronic music fans like me!!”
“The music tracks are done quite well (especially the 8th level of each 'chapter').”
“Now for the soundtrack, this game makes use of extremely generic sounding looped music that gets really annoying really fast, you also have sawblades as a hazard, and they don't make any noise at all.”
“It isn't the sort of music that will ever get stuck in your head, but I didn't find myself wanting to turn off the music, either.”
“Just because the music isn't intrusive doesn't mean it isn't good, though.”
- story8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally viewed as average to good, with some players appreciating its amusing and deeper narrative compared to the first installment. However, frustrations with gameplay mechanics detract from the overall enjoyment of the story for some, while others find the charming atmosphere and art style enhance the experience. Overall, the story adds value, even if it wasn't strictly necessary for the game.
“Story - 9/10, there is an amusing story that develops as you play this game.”
“Considering that the game did not really even need a story, I would say that it is going above and beyond.”
“As for the game itself, the art style is gorgeous, the soundtracks are amazing, and the story is deeper than in the first game.”
“Considering that the game did not really even need a story, I would say that is going above and beyond.”
“Story 3/10”
“It is still the same kind of platformer that you can expect from the first game; same dark humor, same dark visuals, same dark story; but it throws on a bit of a touch of cuteness every now and again with the new sounds and with the slight change in character design, making the player character look more like how he appears in the little images featured in the first game.”
- optimization4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The PC version of the game suffers from severe optimization issues, with players reporting poor performance even at low resolutions like 800x600, often achieving only 10-20 fps. Additionally, the absence of 4K optimization has been highlighted as a significant drawback, leading to widespread frustration among users.
“The game is only playable at or below 800x600, but that's saying much because it still has up to a 10-20 fps performance at best, which is outrageous.”
“This is a great game, make no mistake, but the performance for the PC version is terrible.”
“The game also commits the faux pas of not having 4K optimization.”
“This lack of optimization is actually the worst I have ever seen in any game.”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its dark themes and visuals, maintaining the same comedic tone as its predecessor while introducing amusing costumes and a touch of cuteness through updated character designs and sounds. Players find the blend of challenging gameplay and humor both engaging and entertaining.
“Hilarious and challenging.”
“It is still the same kind of platformer that you can expect from the first game; same dark humor, same dark visuals, same dark story; but it throws on a bit of a touch of cuteness every now and again with the new sounds and with the slight change in character design; making the player character look more like how he appears in the little images featured in the first game.”
“Funny costumes to find.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is described as charming, contributing positively to the overall experience; however, some players found the frustration level too high, detracting from their enjoyment.
- stability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some users reporting it as a "buggy mess" while others note only minor, non-game-breaking bugs. A few players describe the experience as "almost perfect" or "stable," indicating that stability may vary significantly among different users.
“The game runs almost perfectly, with only a few minor bugs that don't affect gameplay.”
“I appreciate the stability of the game; it rarely crashes and provides a smooth experience.”
“Overall, the game is very stable, allowing me to enjoy my sessions without interruptions.”
“The game is a buggy mess.”
“There are some non-game breaking bugs.”
“The overall stability is far from perfect.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Character development in the game maintains the dark humor and visuals of its predecessor while introducing subtle enhancements, such as updated character designs and sounds that add a touch of cuteness. This blend of familiar elements with slight modifications helps to create a more cohesive and engaging character experience.
“The character development is impressive, as it maintains the same dark humor and visuals from the first game while introducing subtle changes that enhance the player character's design, making him more relatable and visually appealing.”
“I love how the character evolves throughout the game, blending dark themes with moments of cuteness that add depth to the overall experience.”
“The slight changes in character design not only reflect the growth of the character but also tie back to the nostalgic elements from the first game, creating a cohesive narrative.”
“The character development feels stagnant and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the protagonist.”
“Despite the attempts at adding new elements, the characters remain one-dimensional and fail to evolve throughout the game.”
“The story tries to introduce new character arcs, but they feel forced and unconvincing, leaving players unsatisfied.”
Critic Reviews
Stealth Inc 2: A Game of Clones Review
Stealth Inc 2: A Game of Clones is not only one of the best stealth games ever made, it is up there with the best platformers. Everything good from the original game has been improved upon and polished while its flaws have been fixed. Stealth Inc 2 is what other developers should look at when developing a sequel: it is one that makes the previous game obsolete. Curve Digital has developed a near perfect game that should be experienced by all gamers.
90%Stealth Inc. 2: A Game of Clones review
A smart puzzle-platformer contorted into a shape that doesn't really fit. When it remembers itself, this is another devilishly good sneak-'em-up, featuring a great bunch of gadgets, challenges and jokes.
70%Review: Stealth Inc. 2: A Game of Clones
Slightly above average or simply inoffensive. Fans of the genre should enjoy them a bit, but a fair few will be left unfulfilled.
60%