Stilstand

75%
Game Brain Score Based on 26 reviews
  • graphics
  • story
  • gameplay
Stilstand Game Cover
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"Stilstand" is an award-winning interactive comic about a young woman's struggle with anxiety, loneliness, and despair during a summer in Copenhagen. Players explore her emotional landscape through an interactive graphic novel, complete with mini-games, text messages, and social media feeds, all set against a detailed black and white visual style and cinematic soundtrack. It's a whimsical and poignant journey through the artist's personal experiences of feeling stuck in life.

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Reviews

75%
Audience ScoreBased on 26 reviews
graphics6 positive mentions
gameplay3 negative mentions
  • The game offers a genuine and honest portrayal of anxiety, depression, and loneliness, resonating deeply with players who have experienced similar feelings.
  • The unique art style and sound design enhance the emotional impact of the narrative, creating a powerful and immersive experience.
  • Despite its short length, the game effectively captures complex emotions and provides a thought-provoking exploration of mental health themes.
  • The gameplay is minimal, primarily consisting of following the story with little interactivity, which may not appeal to those seeking traditional gaming experiences.
  • Some players found the art style to be simple or low-quality, which could detract from the overall experience for those who prioritize visuals.
  • The game may not provide a positive resolution or clear solutions to the issues it presents, which could leave some players feeling unsatisfied.
  • graphics10 mentions

    The graphics of the game are characterized by a unique and impressive art style that blends humor with a heavy, sometimes deliberately ugly aesthetic. While some players appreciate the simplicity and comic-like quality of the visuals, others note that the sound design effectively complements the overall experience, balancing the shoddy visuals with a melancholic soundtrack. Overall, the art style is a defining feature that enhances the game's mood and thematic depth.

    • “The art style is unique and impressive.”
    • “The art style and humor are a great combination - it's a difficult experience represented as it is/feels, without sugar-coating, but with plenty of levity.”
    • “The deliberately ugly art style is unique and gives the game a nice, heavy feel.”
    • “The sound effects and bass-infused beats offset the somewhat shoddy visuals.”
    • “It's more like an animated comic/graphics novel without much interaction at all.”
    • “The art style is very simple, but I think it was okay and fits the mood and the 'deformed' self-confidence of the protagonist.”
  • story7 mentions

    The game's story is the primary focus, with minimal gameplay elements, primarily involving clicking to progress the narrative and engaging in small mini-games. Players describe it as an intense, beautiful, and poetic experience, though some felt it lacked a positive message upon completion. Overall, it is recommended for those seeking a surreal, humorous, yet poignant slice-of-life experience.

    • “Intense story, great sound design!”
    • “Of course more an interactive story than a game, but it's so beautiful and poetic.”
    • “That said, it was a rather surreal but very interesting humorous yet sad story that I'd probably recommend for people looking for a slice of life.”
    • “There isn't a ton in terms of gameplay; you're more just clicking to let the story progress with some very small mini-games.”
    • “It's about the story rather than doing anything.”
    • “Not a lot of gameplay; you are mostly just following the story, but sometimes that's okay.”
  • gameplay4 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized as easy and intuitive, focusing more on storytelling than on traditional mechanics or challenges. While it features a unique game mechanic involving chewing off a fingernail, it lacks extensive gameplay elements such as puzzles or interactive dialogue, making it more of a narrative-driven experience.

    • “The gameplay is easy, intuitive, and fluid.”
    • “Not a lot of gameplay; you are mostly just following the story, but sometimes that's okay.”
    • “The gameplay is easy but lacks depth and fluency.”
    • “Stilstand is the first game that uses chewing off a fingernail as a game mechanic.”
    • “There's not a lot of gameplay; you are mostly just following the story, but sometimes that's okay.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    Reviewers highlight the remarkable emotional depth achieved in [b]stilstand[/b] despite its limited resources, noting that it brings a fresh perspective to the interactive fiction genre.

    • “Astonishing what incredible emotional impact can be made with so few resources.”
    • “And as these types of experiences go, I do think that Stilstand adds something fresh to the emotional interactive fiction genre.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in the game is noted as being light and entertaining, but it doesn't heavily rely on gameplay mechanics or interactive dialogue to deliver its comedic moments. Instead, it offers a more casual, amusing experience that complements the adventure elements.

    • “In a funny way!”
    • “It's definitely not a gameplay and entertainment-oriented adventure game with lots of puzzles, challenges, or interactive funny dialogue.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The optimization of the game is highly praised, with users noting that the performance is exceptional.

    • “The performance is amazing.”
    • “The game runs smoothly even on lower-end hardware, showcasing excellent optimization.”
    • “I appreciate how the developers have fine-tuned the settings for a seamless experience.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised, with users highlighting its immersive and engaging qualities.

    • “Great atmosphere!”
  • music1 mentions

    The music in the game is noted for its melancholic quality, providing a pleasant contrast to the game's unique graphical style.

    • “The soundtrack is quite nice, providing a very melancholic contrast to the 'crooked' graphical style.”
    • “The music perfectly complements the game's atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience.”
    • “I love how the soundtrack evolves with the gameplay, making each moment feel more immersive.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
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Negative mentions (%)Negative

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