STASIS

As I'm writing this, I have yet to complete the whole game and, so far, the story is enthralling, the protagonist is more fragile than you run-of-the-mill space marine/engineer and the more you delve in the "lore" of the crew, the more you want to know about what really happened. The plot is consistent and doesn't go for big reveals right off the bat, it keeps you on the edge every step of the way and even puts some little clever details (before this game I had no idea what Dutch Elm Disease was and, once I googled it, it made me crack a smile, since it was related to the events on board of the Groomlake, kind of like a little easter egg). The puzzles are not too difficult, neither too easy and some of them will make you facepalm and say "Why I didn't think of that?" If you like space horror and you're interested in a captivating plot with a somewhat relatable protagonist and you're a brave Sierra adventurer (or played both the games on the title of this review) go for it, you won't regret it.

In theory, I should love this: an isometric point ‘n’ click sci-fi horror adventure should be my dream come true, a combination of my favorite genres. Set in a desolate spaceship, the Groomlake, the game follows John Maracheck as he searches for his missing family while uncovering the ship’s gruesome secrets. 'Stasis' excels in atmosphere, delivering a blend of deep space horror reminiscent of 'Alien', 'Event Horizon' and 'Dead Space', with eerie environments, disturbing body horror, and a haunting soundtrack. The isometric perspective adds a unique cinematic feel, enhancing the sense of isolation and helplessness. Puzzles are engaging and well-integrated into the narrative, though some can be frustratingly obtuse. Good luck solving some of them without a guide… The storytelling is dark and immersive, with diary logs (all good horror games must have those scattered around!) and environmental storytelling deepening the mystery. Unfortunately, movement can feel sluggish at times, even if the gripping atmosphere and chilling plot twists can make up for minor pacing issues. Somehow I feel that this game is a huge missed opportunity. Even though I love point ‘n’ click adventures, maybe in this case choosing this genre wasn’t the best idea. I would have loved to fight or escape at least one or two creatures, maybe add some stealth sections, something to speed up things a bit. Let’s face it, solving difficult puzzles one after another can get boring after a while, even with such a creepy setting. And I have to admit, I still don’t really understand the plot completely, but that’s probably my fault for not reading all logs carefully enough. Eh. All in all, not great, not terrible.

excellent visuals, voice acting and ambience

The puzzles are too obscure and hard but it has great narrative and atmosphere.

Fantastic Old school retro game, Would defintely recomend playing.