Out Now Stela (by Skybox Labs)

Discussion in 'Apple Arcade' started by Boardumb, Sep 19, 2019.

  1. Maslan266

    Maslan266 Well-Known Member

    Oct 14, 2017
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    I’ve just played some more last night and the touch controls for this are pretty annoying sometimes. Even early on in the game there were some parts that I had to look up a walkthrough on to figure out what to do. INSIDE’s touch controls were more intuitive and it was usually clear what you had to do.

    Other than that, this game is good. The graphics are gorgeous, maybe even more than INSIDE on iOS since the graphics there were a bit blurry. However, INSIDE gave me several “WOAH!” effects while so far this only gave me “ok, cool” effects.
     
  2. macplash

    macplash Well-Known Member

    Apr 17, 2014
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    I don’t know. Sneaking through that forest with sunset on the horizon and monster eagerly looking for me, that was pretty wow to me. Too bad I’m stuck there and can’t progress. I’m getting tired of not knowing what to do. No clues anywhere. Not the smartest way to keep me playing. My patience has limits.
     
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  3. Maslan266

    Maslan266 Well-Known Member

    Oct 14, 2017
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    That was in Inside as well if I’m correct. That part was actually not that hard, though there was this one point where I kept accidentally falling off and dying because of the weird touch controls. I liked it though, the first time a monster saw me I literally got a jumpscare lol.
     
  4. macplash

    macplash Well-Known Member

    Apr 17, 2014
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    As I already mentioned previously in this thread, I didn’t play Inside. So, it feels pretty “wow” to me. I don’t find the game hard per se. it’s not the correct expression. it’s more of an annoyance. Not knowing what to do. And keep dying because of that, over and over.

    There were games in the past with feature like when they detect you’re repeating the same part multiple times and failing, they’ve offered you an option to take a hint or a guidance. Even skip the problematic part. This game would benefit greatly from such feature.
     
  5. anthony78

    anthony78 Well-Known Member

    Nov 13, 2015
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    Enjoying this even if it is a bit derivative of Inside. Controls work well for the most part except for turning wheels. Have needlessly died several times on those parts. Very frustrating.
     
  6. Maslan266

    Maslan266 Well-Known Member

    Oct 14, 2017
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    Yeah I know. I played it so I guess that’s why we had different reactions. And I agree, I’m currently stuck in one part because I have no idea what to do. The game can be really unclear. I have died several times because of it, and turning wheels can be a pain in the butt. INSIDE didn’t have this issue; but despite these flaws I’m liking it enough to stick with it to the end.
     
  7. Ben909

    Ben909 Well-Known Member

    Jun 3, 2010
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    I’ve completed it and enjoyed it, but the controls were a big annoyance at times, particularly in the snow area and the final area. I’ve played Inside and Limbo and the similarities are obvious but that’s ok. We can’t expect originality all the time. For turning wheels, just hold and slide right or left, just as for a lever. She’ll keep turning it until you let go.
     
  8. Barak

    Barak Well-Known Member

    Mar 13, 2010
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    Completed it. My opinion hasn’t changed. I like this type of game but this one, other than the music, is mediocre. The areas seem unrelated to each other, the story is completely nonexistent (not just esoteric) and the character runs like a southern belle for some reason (just seems weird).
     
  9. Ringerill

    Ringerill Well-Known Member

    Dec 13, 2012
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    I agree with @Barak on this one.
    I know there isn't really a story in INSIDE either but it feels more a story and some criticism towards certain things that you couldn't relate to in real life. Still the story can be seen as someone rebelling against the society by not doing the same zombifying things as every one and the red sweater gave this impression that the character was different from the others right from the start.
    Here in Stela, you wake up as a girl and just start running in desolated backgrounds. I was expecting to understand what caused it and where the monsters came from? But alas, it was just running through different maps without any purpose (even if the last achievement is called "Full-fill your purpose" or something close).

    My favorite scene was in the flaming woods where you had to evade the flaming arrows by crossing a war-like field. The music was evolving and followed the rain of arrows. I even stayed here for some minutes just to enjoy the atmosphere mixing colours and music. At this point I really though this game would be about the devastating consequences of War. The abandoned barn, dry farmlands, shadows lurking in woods trying to gather whatever they can, pests threatening an already collapsed society. I would have loved it if it was the case...

    I still enjoyed the game very much, apart from the controls getting out of hand in the end. The character jumped instead of just walking, making me fall too many times off the tower (sometimes, the character even run by itself without reason). The ambiance is great and the music and sounds are really fitting the places you visit.
    However, after finishing it once, I don't think I will replay it again. Even if I am an achievement completionist, I don't intend to finish the game again in less that 90 minutes without dying once. Still, it is "free" to try on AppleArcade and is a nice experience I could recommend if you have 2-3 hours and headphones.
     
  10. Maslan266

    Maslan266 Well-Known Member

    Oct 14, 2017
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    All these random, trashy games releasing on AA lately (Butter royale, the latest Nickelodeon game, etc) makes Stela seem a lot better than it really is
     
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