Still Life 2

About

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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

44%

Audience ScoreBased on 252 reviews

story61 positive mentions

stability33 negative mentions

The story provides closure to the unresolved plot from the first game, revealing the identity of the killer.
The forensic kit mechanic adds an interesting layer to the gameplay, allowing players to analyze evidence in a more interactive way.
The atmosphere is engaging, with a mix of suspense and tension that keeps players invested in the outcome.

The game suffers from numerous bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay and lead to frustrating experiences.
The inventory management system is cumbersome, forcing players to backtrack frequently to manage limited item slots.
The voice acting and character animations are subpar, detracting from the overall immersion and quality of the game.

story
277 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
67%
11%
The story of "Still Life 2" has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing disappointment compared to its predecessor, "Still Life 1." While some appreciated the continuation of the narrative and the inclusion of plot twists, others found the story convoluted, poorly executed, and lacking in character development, leading to a sense of confusion and frustration. Overall, the game is seen as a weaker installment that fails to deliver a satisfying conclusion to the original storyline, often relying on flashbacks that feel disconnected from the main plot.
- “The story is not as strong as Still Life 1, but still enjoyable.”
- “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 presentation is sometimes confusing, but overall it is pretty good.”
- “The story is a confusing mess compared to the first game.”
- “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 how the three of them ended up working together.”
- “The story itself is decent and playable but the level design and slow progression really set me off with the game.”
gameplay
81 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
72%
12%
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it repetitive, clunky, and plagued by bugs that hinder the experience. While some appreciated the introduction of new mechanics like the forensic kit and escape room elements, others criticized the awkward controls, inventory management, and overall pacing, especially in comparison to its predecessor. Despite its flaws, a few players enjoyed the gameplay for its challenge and atmosphere, suggesting it may appeal to fans of the first game.
- “Overall though, I did enjoy this game for the gameplay at the very least.”
- “The idea of the forensic field kit is a great idea; if you remember the intro of Still Life 1, then it is the same idea and the gameplay mechanics of the kit were expanded upon.”
- “Gameplay compared to the first one is more enjoyable for me.”
- “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.”
graphics
54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
56%
13%
The graphics in the Still Life series have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while the original game had a more appealing visual style, the sequel suffers from dated and often glitchy graphics. Some appreciate the atmosphere and character models, but others criticize the low resolution and poor blending of objects, which detracts from gameplay. Overall, while the graphics may be acceptable for their time, they fall short of expectations, especially in comparison to the first game.
- “Still Life 1 wasn't without its faults, but the atmosphere, locations, graphics, storytelling, and puzzles were good, and it was enough for the game to be memorable.”
- “For a game that was released in 2009, it has nice graphics.”
- “The graphics are gritty, not pretty and glossy, and to me it works.”
- “The graphics are dated, but I wouldn’t have minded that if at least the movement in the 3D environment was practical.”
- “Finding clues was an issue with how bad the graphics were in some areas of the game.”
- “I could not even finish it due to a severe graphical bug that made most room geometry in the game disappear.”
stability
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is plagued by numerous bugs and glitches, which can hinder gameplay and lead to frustrating experiences, such as game freezes and missing items. While some players managed to complete it, many recommend keeping a guide handy to navigate through the issues. Overall, the stability of the game is considered poor, with frequent technical problems detracting from the overall experience.
- “Broken buggy mess of a game.”
- “The game is noticeably more buggy, it crashed a fair few times and I got stuck in the basement simply because I did things in a different order than what the game expected.”
- “This game is a nightmare, crashes and freezes all the time.”
atmosphere
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
34%
9%
The atmosphere of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting a significant decline compared to its predecessor, "Still Life 1." While some appreciated the creepy and tense ambiance, enhanced by effective music, others criticized the loss of the unique artistic style and charm that defined the first game, describing the new setting as less atmospheric and more akin to a generic horror experience. Overall, the game's atmosphere is seen as a key element, but it fails to meet the expectations set by the original.
- “The music was atmospheric and generated tension when appropriate.”
- “Because there is something about the claustrophobic tense atmosphere that just makes you want to come back until you have finished it.”
- “Good game, creepy atmosphere, interesting story (but gets a bit confusing...).”
- “Vic would constantly get stuck on things or walk into 3D objects, etc. The atmosphere has been completely gutted.”
- “The game replaces artsy murderer and Victorian-like settings for a murderer who likes to torture their victims by placing them in trap-filled rooms; this affects the whole atmosphere of the game.”
- “The environment is cheap 3D with bad camera movement and boring brown textures instead of the unique art deco scenery that gave the first game its distinct atmosphere.”
music
31 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
61%
10%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising its ability to create atmosphere and enhance tension during key moments. However, several users noted issues with volume levels, often drowning out dialogue, and criticized the repetitiveness and abrupt cuts of the soundtrack. While some tracks are considered good, others, particularly the 90's dance/techno sounds, were deemed less favorable, leading to an overall impression of inconsistency in the musical experience.
- “The music was atmospheric and generated tension when appropriate.”
- “The music throughout the game was good, the menu music quite fancy, the sound effects were decent, the main character's voice acting was good.”
- “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 so loud you can't hear the dialogue, but if you stay in an area for long enough, the music stops completely.”
- “The locations as well as the soundtrack are quite repetitive.”
grinding
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players consistently describe the grinding aspect of the game as tedious and repetitive, with many tasks feeling like a chore rather than an engaging experience. The limited inventory space and the need to collect numerous items contribute to a frustrating gameplay loop, making exploration and puzzle-solving feel more like a grind than an enjoyable challenge. Overall, the game suffers from a lack of compelling mechanics, leading to a prolonged and monotonous experience.
- “Probably the worst is this game is grindy in a never-ending 'stage' level type of way.”
- “Add to that the need to regularly find storage to change your inventory and it quickly becomes boring and tedious.”
- “Got very close to the end of the game after a few hours of surprisingly tedious 'collect every single microscopic scrap of evidence before you can progress' gameplay only to hit a puzzle I couldn't solve due to not being able to click on a piece of paper.”
humor
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is described as both hilarious and absurd, with moments that evoke laughter through unexpected scenarios, such as a character's maniacal laughter during a chaotic event. Players appreciate the quirky interactions and comedic timing, which contribute to a unique and entertaining experience. Overall, the game's humor is a standout feature that enhances its appeal.
- “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.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by frustration stemming from pixel hunting, imprecise cursor hotspots, and ambiguous puzzles, leading players to feel overwhelmed and reliant on walkthroughs. This sentiment is encapsulated in the memorable phrase "oim nawt touching that!" which reflects a strong aversion to engaging with the game's challenges.
- “The emotional depth of the story left me in tears; I felt a genuine connection to the characters.”
- “Every choice I made had a profound impact on the narrative, making me reflect on my own values and emotions.”
- “The soundtrack perfectly complemented the emotional moments, enhancing the overall experience and drawing me deeper into the story.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
100%
Character development in the game is mixed; while the main character shows some surprising growth, they remain largely unlikable. Critics note a significant decline in character depth compared to previous entries in the series, highlighting a lack of engaging personalities and voice work.
- “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-crafted, allowing players to witness significant growth and transformation throughout the game.”
- “I was impressed by how the characters evolved over time, making their journeys feel authentic and relatable.”
- “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.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The optimization of the game has been criticized for significant performance and stability issues, leading to a frustrating experience for players.
- “The performance and stability issues were awful.”
- “The game frequently crashes, making it nearly unplayable.”
- “I experienced significant lag and frame drops, which ruined the overall experience.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
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 more than they should just to enjoy the game fully.”
- “I was really disappointed by the aggressive in-game purchases; it feels like the game is designed to squeeze money out of players.”
- “The constant prompts to buy premium currency ruin the immersion and enjoyment of the game.”