Still Life 2
- June 1, 2011
- Microids
In Still Life 2, players assume the roles of FBI agent Victoria McPherson and paparazzo journalist Patricia Mahoney. The game is a sequel to Still Life and follows the story of a serial killer known as the "East Coast Torturer." Players will need to solve puzzles and gather evidence to track down the killer and uncover the truth behind the murders. The game features a mix of adventure and puzzle-solving gameplay with a dark and suspenseful storyline.
Reviews
- The game has an interesting story that provides closure to the first game's plot.
- The use of a forensic kit adds a unique gameplay mechanic that enhances the investigative experience.
- The atmosphere is engaging and creates a sense of tension throughout the game.
- The game is plagued by numerous bugs and glitches that can hinder progress and enjoyment.
- The inventory system is cumbersome, requiring backtracking to storage areas and limiting the number of items you can carry.
- Voice acting and character animations are subpar, detracting from the overall immersion of the game.
- story226 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The story of "Still Life 2" has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing disappointment compared to its predecessor, "Still Life 1." While the game starts strong and features some intriguing plot twists, it ultimately suffers from a convoluted narrative, lack of character development, and a focus on a new killer that detracts from the unresolved storylines of the first game. Overall, players found the storytelling to be weak, repetitive, and at times nonsensical, leading to a frustrating experience that left many feeling unsatisfied with the conclusion.
“The storytelling was great for the first two-thirds of the game.”
“The story does conclude acceptably, with a few twists and turns to spice things up near the end, and there are moments where some of the blanks of the previous game's ending are filled in too.”
“The story is involved and engaging, yet takes twists to the extreme and often ends up being more comedic than dramatic.”
“The story was weak and terrible, but at the start it is promising, and then you play and boom, one let down after the other, and at the end you are left confused as to how the three of them ended up working together.”
“The story doesn't start where you're left off from the first game; instead, you're after another killer, and the conclusion of the case from the first game is through flashbacks, which is quite disappointing.”
“The main issue with the game is that it is almost completely different in tone, story, and gameplay from the first game, despite the fact that the first game ended on a cliffhanger and very much set up for a direct sequel.”
- gameplay70 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it repetitive and slow, particularly in comparison to its predecessor. While some appreciated the introduction of new mechanics like the CSI kit and crime scene investigations, others criticized the clunky controls, buggy interactions, and awkward inventory system that detracted from the overall experience. Despite these flaws, some players still found enjoyment in the gameplay, especially if they were fans of the first game.
“I in particular liked the expanded mechanics of crime scene investigations.”
“Gameplay has a lot of escape room aspects, with characters sometimes being timed to find a way out of a room or turn off poison gas quickly.”
“There are few innovations in the game mechanics like the inventory slots or the CSI portable kit.”
“Other than that, brace yourself for hours of excruciatingly slow and repetitive gameplay.”
“The gameplay is okay at the start, but gets repetitive and boring as the game goes on.”
“The core gameplay experience is awkwardly maneuvering your clumsy character around tight spaces while sweeping the cursor around the screen to see what you can pick up or interact with and then using the correct item on the action prompts.”
- graphics46 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the improvements over the original and the engaging atmosphere, while others criticize the poor quality and numerous glitches that detract from the experience. Many players feel that the visuals are outdated and lack the polish expected from a game released in 2009, leading to frustration with gameplay elements like item interactions. Overall, while there are moments of aesthetic appeal, the graphics are often described as rough and unmemorable, failing to meet the standards set by its predecessor.
“For a game that was released in 2009, it has nice graphics.”
“Good graphics, pretty engaging.”
“On a positive note, the graphics, voice acting, and user interface are all improved from the first game and have dated much better.”
“Finding clues was an issue with how bad the graphics were in some areas of the game.”
“The graphics are gritty, not pretty and glossy, and to me it works.”
“I could not even finish it due to a severe graphical bug that made most room geometry in the game disappear.”
- stability28 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous players reporting significant bugs and glitches that hinder gameplay, such as freezing, missing items, and erratic movement mechanics. While some users found the experience enjoyable despite these issues, many recommend keeping a guide handy to navigate the game's chaotic design and avoid frustrating game-breaking scenarios. Overall, the consensus is that the game is notably more unstable than its predecessor, leading to a less satisfying experience.
“The game has too many glitches keeping you from finishing it, such as the mask not being in the blue closet.”
“Broken, buggy mess of a game.”
“This game is a nightmare; it crashes and freezes all the time.”
- atmosphere25 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 24 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the creepy and tense elements enhanced by the music, while others feel it lacks the unique artistic style and depth of its predecessor. Many noted a shift from a horror-like ambiance to a more thriller-action vibe, which disappointed fans of the original's atmospheric storytelling. Overall, while some elements contribute positively to the atmosphere, the game's visuals and design choices have been criticized for detracting from the immersive experience.
“The music was atmospheric and generated tension when appropriate.”
“Good game, creepy atmosphere, interesting story (but gets a bit confusing...).”
“The graphics are okay, while the cinematic cutscenes are pretty amazing and bring a lot of atmosphere into the game.”
“The artistic style and atmosphere of the first is sorely missing here too.”
“Playing after the still life 1, this game is a huge disappointment... the whole atmosphere is garbage.”
“The environment is cheap 3D with bad camera movement and boring brown textures instead of the unique art déco scenery that gave the first game its distinct atmosphere.”
- music25 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The music in the game is a mixed bag, with some players praising its atmospheric qualities and ability to enhance tension during key moments, while others criticize its loudness and tendency to overshadow dialogue. Many noted that the soundtrack can be repetitive and occasionally plays at inappropriate times, detracting from the overall experience. Despite these issues, some found the music to be decent and fitting for the game's genre, though not without its flaws.
“The music was atmospheric and generated tension when appropriate.”
“The music also did a really good job of setting the atmosphere each time the plot twists, which it did a lot, like an anaconda strangling a deer or earphones in a pocket or something.”
“When something dramatic happens and you have a time limit to solve something, then the tense music really adds to the atmosphere.”
“The music sometimes is good, sometimes awful... (the 90's dance/techno sounds...)”
“The music is really loud and dialogue often gets drowned out by it (even when turning music down/voice volume up in options).”
“The music is repetitive and annoying.”
- grinding12 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious, with repetitive tasks such as collecting evidence and managing a limited inventory space contributing to a frustrating experience. The straightforward puzzles and the need to frequently backtrack for items further detract from engagement, making exploration feel more like a chore than an enjoyable part of the game. Overall, the combination of these elements leads to a long and repetitive gameplay experience that many reviewers found unenjoyable.
“Probably the worst is this game is grindy in a never-ending 'stage' level type of way.”
“I can't recommend it... it is so long and repetitive, which results in a very tedious game to play at times.”
“All of this makes the investigation more tedious than compelling, engaging, or involving.”
- humor7 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as both hilarious and quirky, with moments that elicit genuine laughter, such as absurd character actions and unexpected scenarios. Players appreciate the game's unique comedic hooks, though some find certain elements less amusing than intended. Overall, the humor adds a distinctive charm that enhances the gaming experience.
“It's hilarious.”
“Anyway, she tries to arrest Richard, but he starts a big fire and proceeds to kill himself in the fire while laughing manically.”
“"There's a button here saying 'buy this game as a gift for a friend'" I'm laughing to my husband.”
- character development2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is mixed; while the main character shows some surprising growth, they remain largely unlikable. Additionally, the sequel is criticized for its even poorer character development compared to the first game, highlighting a significant decline in personality and voice quality.
“The main character is still unlikable and annoying, but there are a few surprising instances of character development that keep the story engaging.”
“The character development is incredibly well done, making each character feel real and relatable as they grow throughout the game.”
“I was impressed by how the characters evolved over time, with their backstories and motivations becoming clearer and more compelling.”
“The main character is still unlikable and annoying, but has a few surprising instances of character development.”
“The characters in this game are poorly developed; I criticized the first game in the series for its terrible character development, personalities, and voices, but this sequel makes everything I said about the first game seem award-worthy.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the emotional impact of the game to be profound, with memorable moments that resonate deeply, as highlighted by the phrase "oim nawt touching that!" which reflects the strong feelings evoked during gameplay.
“The phrase 'I'm not touching that!' is burned into my brain.”
“This game made me feel a rollercoaster of emotions, from joy to heartbreak.”
“I was genuinely moved by the character's journey; it felt so real and relatable.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game's monetization strategy relies heavily on sales rather than traditional advertising, which may limit its visibility despite its quality as an indie title.
“The monetization model feels exploitative, pushing players to spend money to enjoy the game fully.”
“I was disappointed to find that many features are locked behind paywalls, making it hard to progress without spending extra.”
“The in-game purchases are overpriced and give an unfair advantage to those willing to spend more.”