Stonewall Penitentiary

About

Stonewall Penitentiary is a single player puzzle game with horror and thriller themes. It was developed by Storycentric Worlds and was released on May 13, 2018. It received very positive reviews from players.

Stonewall Penitentiary is an indie murder mystery adventure, presented in the style of graphic novels, that pays tribute to Agatha Christie's classic And Then There Were None and horror thrillers like Scream and Saw. As a prisoner in an abandoned prison, you must solve puzzles, make choices, and uncover the truth behind your kidnapping to survive. The game features beautiful 2D point-and-click gameplay, with separate inventory, map, journal, and character screens, and cinematic music. Will you be able to escape and uncover the mystery behind Stonewall Penitentiary?

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 36 reviews

story13 positive mentions

music3 negative mentions

The game features a gripping and well-executed mystery with interesting characters and a dark, immersive atmosphere.
Puzzles are logical and integrated well into the story, providing a satisfying challenge without resorting to frustrating 'moon logic'.
The voice acting and overall presentation are commendable, enhancing the storytelling experience and keeping players engaged.

The plot is considered unoriginal and formulaic, with some characters displaying clichéd behaviors that detract from the overall experience.
Navigation can be cumbersome due to the lack of a hotspot indicator and the need for backtracking, which may lead to confusion about where to go next.
Some players experienced technical issues, such as the game not launching properly or the mouse cursor disappearing, which can hinder gameplay.

story
47 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
66%
6%
The story in this game is described as well-executed and engaging, featuring interesting characters and a mix of familiar tropes and original elements. While some reviewers noted that the plot can feel unoriginal and linear, many appreciated the immersive storytelling, strong dialogue, and the impact of player choices on the narrative. Overall, the game is praised for its captivating mystery and atmosphere, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of story-driven adventures.
- “The story is well written with great dialogue, and most of the voice acting is great.”
- “The story is interesting and has a great pace throughout the game; the puzzles are reasonable and the gameplay is smooth.”
- “The story is well-written and engrossing.”
- “The plot is nothing remotely original, but it is well-executed and the characters are interesting to learn about, especially the ones who survive longer and the protagonist.”
- “So far, so mediocre, but the story is incredibly dumb and unoriginal.”
- “The story was very linear; I thought choosing different choices would change the ending or maybe add some more cut scenes.”
graphics
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
40%
20%
The graphics in this game are a mixed bag, with some reviewers noting their old-school simplicity and static nature, while others praise the hand-drawn art style that effectively contributes to the game's dark atmosphere. While not groundbreaking, the visuals are deemed sufficient for creating an immersive experience, complemented by good voice acting and a fitting soundtrack. Overall, the graphics serve the game's narrative well, appealing to fans of the genre despite lacking the polish of more modern titles.
- “And the graphics are outstanding!”
- “The hand-drawn graphics, coupled with a very professional soundtrack, create an environment that is immersive and downright creepy.”
- “The dialogue is excellent and the style of the graphics really adds to the experience.”
- “Unlike other point-and-click adventure games, this one doesn't boast exotic locations, comical characters or situations, or top-notch graphics.”
- “The graphics are just a static scene that you can 'click on things'.”
- “Granted the graphics are old-school to say the least, but the game started off relatively well.”
music
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
37%
38%
The music in the game is widely praised for its appropriateness and ability to enhance the immersive atmosphere, effectively complementing the hand-drawn graphics and the eerie setting. Reviewers note that the soundtrack contributes significantly to the game's tension and mystery, creating a creepy ambiance that aligns well with the narrative. Overall, the combination of fitting music, sound design, and voice acting enriches the player's experience and deepens the emotional impact of the story.
- “Great game with an awesome story, graphics, music, characters, and scares!”
- “The hand-drawn graphics, coupled with a very professional soundtrack, create an environment that is immersive and downright creepy.”
- “The positive thing I can say is that at least it has a good mystery, the graphics are fine, and the sound/music is okay.”
- “The music is appropriate for the story and locations.”
- “The author gives you a good immersion in the game by showing you creepy hand-drawn scenes, a fitting ambient soundtrack that will make you feel the anxiety of a closed claustrophobic space.”
gameplay
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
17%
50%
The gameplay is primarily a point-and-click adventure featuring puzzles set in beautifully crafted 2D environments, reminiscent of classic first-person graphic adventures from the 1990s and early 2000s. While the navigation can be unintuitive for newcomers, the inclusion of a helpful map aids exploration, and the story unfolds through a logical progression of scripted events and challenging puzzles. Overall, the gameplay is smooth and engaging, making it accessible even for those who may be easily frightened.
- “The story is interesting and has a great pace throughout the game; the puzzles are reasonable and the gameplay is smooth.”
- “The gameplay is mainly point-and-click with puzzles, all in beautifully made 2D scenes, although the setting itself can be a bit claustrophobic at times.”
- “The gameplay is similar to first-person graphic adventures from the 1990s and early 2000s, kind of like the Nancy Drew games.”
- “Now about gameplay: after what I've written, you probably would think of a 'Five Nights at Freddy's' scenario, but the truth is this is a first-person adventure. You can navigate by clicking on the screen where you want to go. Unfortunately, this new way to navigate has changed from past interactive fiction titles like 'Lifestream,' 'Shady Brook,' and 'The Filmmaker,' so it can be a little strange to use for first-timers as the direction isn't very intuitive. Players will have to 'surf' the screen a lot. Luckily, there is an ever-useful map that automatically shows the directions in the area where you are and where you can go. As this is a story-driven game, all the events are scripted in a logical order that advances not by time but by discovering and resolving puzzles (this title has some really hard ones). But don't let your guard down, as this killer will appear in more than one chase, and you will need to think fast on your feet.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
67%
The game's atmosphere is characterized by an eerie and ominous setting, particularly within the prison environment, which effectively engages players' minds. Complemented by fitting music, the overall ambiance enhances the immersive experience.
- “A really eerie atmosphere that truly engages your mind.”
- “The atmosphere of this prison is, in itself, rather ominous.”
- “Fitting music enhances the overall atmosphere.”
- “In addition, the atmosphere of this prison is, in itself, rather ominous.”
- “A really eerie atmosphere and a game that really gets your brain working.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
100%
The game offers strong replayability due to the significant impact of player choices and character alignments on the outcomes, encouraging multiple playthroughs to explore different scenarios.
- “Each playthrough offers new paths and experiences, making it hard to put down.”
- “With multiple endings and varied character interactions, I find myself coming back for more every time.”
- “The choices you make and the characters you align with have a definite impact on the outcome, so the game has solid replayability.”
- “Once you've completed the game, there isn't much incentive to go back and play it again.”
- “The lack of meaningful choices and consequences makes replaying the game feel pointless.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's optimization is generally acceptable, featuring a unique comic book-style presentation, but some users expressed dissatisfaction with the voice acting, particularly the main character's performance.