Stranger Things 3: The Game
- July 4, 2019
- BonusXP
- 10h median play time
If you've got a little bit of patience, and a lot of love for Stranger Things, it's hard to go wrong with this game.
Get on Steam"Stranger Things 3: The Game" is the official companion to the show's third season, allowing players to explore Hawkins, solve puzzles, and battle enemies as beloved characters. The game features local co-op play, retro art style, and additional quests beyond the series. It follows the events of Season 3, offering an expanded narrative experience for fans.
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Reviews
- The game captures the nostalgic 80s aesthetic and retro pixel art style, appealing to fans of the era.
- Co-op gameplay enhances the experience, allowing friends to team up and enjoy the story together.
- The game follows the storyline of Season 3 closely, providing fans with a familiar and engaging narrative.
- Gameplay can feel repetitive and lacks innovation, with some mechanics being clunky and frustrating.
- The presence of bugs and glitches, particularly during boss fights, detracts from the overall experience.
- The game may not appeal to those unfamiliar with the show, as it relies heavily on prior knowledge of the characters and events.
- story144 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 76 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of "Stranger Things 3: The Game" closely follows the events of Season 3 of the show, providing fans with a nostalgic experience filled with familiar characters and quests. While the narrative is generally well-received, some players feel that the game lacks depth compared to the series, with repetitive gameplay and side quests that detract from the main storyline. Overall, it appeals primarily to fans of the show, as those unfamiliar with the source material may find the storytelling less engaging.
“In terms of story and characters, Stranger Things 3: The Game stays faithful to the events of season 3.”
“You'll encounter familiar faces and embark on quests that follow the show's narrative, providing fans with an additional dose of nostalgia.”
“I love how it follows the story of season 3, with some extra opportunities to explore the many locations around Hawkins, run errands for people (and even get a little revenge on the jocks).”
“Unlike some really cool games from the past that you can even buy in Steam nowadays, this one fails to provide anything special for those who aren't familiar with the original story and characters.”
“The story is told so much better in the show and some of the changes they make to it don't make much sense.”
“Exploring Hawkins and interacting with the wider cast is really going to appeal to fans of the franchise, but the repetitive quest designs and unremarkable combat can make it a bit of a slog if you’ve yet to catch the Stranger Things bug.”
- gameplay72 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its nostalgic retro style and simple mechanics, offering fun combat and exploration reminiscent of classic titles. However, many players find it repetitive and lacking substantial improvements from previous entries, with some bugs and tedious character cycling detracting from the overall experience. While it appeals to fans of the series with its co-op option and engaging puzzles, the gameplay may not satisfy those seeking depth or innovation.
“One aspect that improves the game's appeal is the option for co-op gameplay.”
“The gameplay is simple and fun.”
“The game lets us visit pretty much every Hawkins' landmark from the show in an open world-like manner, it lets us control most of the major characters, every one of which has his/her own unique powers and abilities, it has Zombies Ate My Neighbors-like action, it has pretty neat old school mechanics, it has a simple but useful crafting system, it has puzzles, it has collectibles, and it follows the entire season, episode by episode.”
“Unfortunately, the presence of noticeable bugs hampers the overall gameplay experience.”
“However, the lack of substantial gameplay improvements, reliance on certain overpowered characters, and the presence of notable bugs hinder the overall enjoyment.”
“As a Stranger Things fan, I have to stress that this game is truly bland with no further insight into what we've already seen in the film. Most scenes are confusing if you haven't had previous knowledge of the film, and the character cycling is tedious and annoying with no save options.”
- graphics45 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the charming pixel art style and nostalgic retro visuals that align well with the show's aesthetic. While some players appreciate the simplicity and accessibility of the graphics, others feel they come off as outdated or basic, wishing for more advanced animations. Overall, the graphics are generally considered decent and enjoyable, particularly for fans of retro gaming.
“Graphics: 10/10”
“For an 8-bit type game, the graphics were surprisingly integrated very well in a nostalgic way.”
“The pixel art style is really cool and fits in with the show well.”
“The retro graphics and gameplay might be intended as nostalgic, but they come off as lazy and outdated.”
“Michael Jackson's Moonwalker-style arcade graphics.”
“The game is super fun, and I'm unsure as to why people are complaining about the graphic style looking like an old arcade game from the 1980s, which is around the time Stranger Things seasons 1-3 are set.”
- music36 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising its nostalgic 80s feel and alignment with the show's themes, while others criticize it for being repetitive and monotonous, leading to listener fatigue. Despite a few standout moments, many players found the soundtrack lacking in variety, with some even expressing a strong aversion to it. Overall, while the music has its highlights, it often fails to enhance the gameplay experience.
“Great music of course!”
“Music: 10/10”
“The music, like the show, was very on point and well done; it had the 80s feel to it and the music spiked at key moments when it was supposed to.”
“The game could have benefited from different music; you hear one song throughout the entire game and that's it.”
“The music in the background consists of a couple of different suspenseful synth soundtracks, which after 2 hours just sounds like one track repeating over and over.”
“I found myself turning the music off in my third hour.”
- grinding8 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight a significant divide in player experiences regarding grinding; some find it tedious and frustrating, requiring excessive time investment, while others enjoy the grind and appreciate the game's pixel graphics. Overall, the lack of save options and repetitive mechanics contribute to a sense of monotony for many players.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“As a Stranger Things fan, I have to stress that this game is truly bland with no further insight into what we have already seen in the film. Most scenes are confusing if you haven't had previous knowledge of the film. The game is bland due to missing mechanics that other games have succeeded in. Character cycling is tedious and annoying, and there are no save options.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that while the game attempts to evoke emotions, it ultimately falls short, with a narrative that lacks depth and fails to engage players on an emotional level. The emphasis on emotional experience over logical storytelling is noted, but the execution does not resonate effectively.
“El: emotional, not logic”
“The story is a mere shadow of the show's gripping narrative, lacking depth and emotional engagement.”
- monetization4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization of the game is widely criticized as a cash grab that fails to fully utilize the potential of the Stranger Things franchise. Despite this, some players still find the gameplay enjoyable.
“Overall, this game is a disappointing cash grab that squanders the potential of the Stranger Things franchise.”
“Although it's a cash grab, it's still pretty fun.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game offers limited replayability, with a playtime of approximately 5-7 hours, but players can extend their experience by seeking out all gnomes and attempting to conquer the permadeath mode.
“The game isn't that long; it's only around 5-7 hours (including side quests). However, there is some replayability with finding all gnomes and trying to beat the permadeath mode.”
“The game isn't that long; it's only around 5-7 hours (including side quests). However, there is some replayability with finding all gnomes and trying to beat the permadeath mode.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is enhanced by its appealing visuals and an atmospheric synthwave soundtrack, creating an engaging experience that makes it a worthwhile way to spend time during the summer.
“Thanks to its appealing visuals, accessible gameplay, and atmospheric synthwave soundtrack, there are arguably many worse ways to spend your summer.”
“The game's atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing you into its world with every detail.”
“The haunting sound design and stunning visuals create a captivating atmosphere that keeps you engaged.”
Critic Reviews
Stranger Things 3: The Game Review
Stranger Things 3: The Game isn’t going to set any gold standards for video game tie-ins, but it does a fine job of capturing all the elements that have made the TV show such a phenomenon. Exploring Hawkins and interacting with the wider cast is really going to appeal to fans of the franchise, but the repetitive quest designs and unremarkable combat can make it a bit of a slog if you’ve yet to catch the Stranger Things bug. Still, thanks to its appealing visuals, accessible gameplay and atmospheric synthwave soundtrack, there are arguably many worse ways to spend your summer.
70%Stranger Things 3: The Game (Nintendo Switch)
Overall, Stranger Things 3: The Game is a nice addition to the Nintendo Switch library of games, and fills the void of good, inexpensive beat- ‘em-up games that were previously missing on the platform. That being said, the game was designed with hardcore fans of the series in-mind, which will differentiate it’s value to some. As mentioned previously, it does emphasize a lot of fanfare, but its beat-‘em-up combat is some of the best on the Switch, making it a must-own for any beat-‘em-up fan.
80%Stranger Things 3: The Game Review
A true licensed tie-in game, Stranger Things 3: The Game is most fun when you let fandom lead the way but can fall flat on its own.
69%
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