I played the DM when it was first released. Having good memories I wanted to put some points discussed in a more balanced perspective. 1. Yes: the game should be given out with a warning. The psychological depths explored though interesting are sometimes not for the faint of heart. It is a topic told in a mature way. It is not a horror game, but the approach can be very unsettling. Being used to uncomfortable psychological topics I liked it. But I don'T want to discuss certain things in the game with close friends, for matters of intimacy. If you have a problem with that, skip the game. 2. Yes: The game starts very strong and then loses its depth. The first two chapters are the strongest and the 3rd is interesting. After that, it felt like depth in examining of the theme was sacrificed for fancy puzzles and a drawn out story. The puzzles are well done. I liked the ideas but I would have liked it the other way around. If that is a problem, wait for a sale and play Ch. 1-3. 3. The absurdity of the Puzzles fits the theme beautifully. Dreams have their own logic. If you want something that is based on cause and effect or rationality, this game won't be for you. Complaining about this on the other hand is like saying the voices in the head of Senua in Hellblade are too much when psychosis is the topic of the game. And difficulty. I found it difficult but I am not an adventure gamer per sé. You will always find Veterans in a genre, that tell you it is too easy when it is still too difficult for casuals of the genre. So it might be in good middle ground, as far as I can say. 4. Graphics are a matter of taste. But you can't deny the care of the developers. There are fingerprints of the animators on the characters, which is lovely and the art style fits the theme. I have never seen anything like it. For the story losing its depth in the end and the drawn-out pacing, I would give this game 3/5. But the other parts are so unique that I can't go lower than 4/5.
Stories untold is one of the titles that make you realize, that video game might be the wrong term when the medium evolves into its adolescense. The game has adventure mechanices well implemented, but it is fun only in the 2nd or 3rd degree and mainly focused on a dark tone in a dark story and it is well done that way. The multilayer retrospective commentary on computer history itself, adds up for the story and the medium itself. The game is set in the 80's and as an interaction with media from that time. Being told over the length of 4 episodes, it focuses on one or two core mechanics per episode until it mixes them up in the 4th episode. In that regard I find the game convincing and interesting. It is impressive that a game in 2017 can be convincing by implementing mechanics that in part are about 30 years old. But there are two main critique points: focussing on one or two mechanics per episode, begins to fall flat in the 2nd one and almost fails in the 3rd. What saves this one is, it has the most convincing puzzles, that do not just feel like clicking through the story. But it felt repetitive at that point. The game has just about the right length. Shorter and it it would take away from the story; longer, and the gameplay wouldn't hold up. The 2nd critique is about the story's resolution. MILD SPOILERS: How it is played out, it shouldn't happen at all, given that the protagonist is not the only one involved and therefor aware of the situation. The situation is so avoidable, that the twist almost falls flat in the end. It doesn't take away from their point and from the presentation, but it certainly undermines the otherwise high quality throughout the game. Due to the dark tone this game certainly isn't for everyone but a really good one in that niche, when it comes to presentation, gameplay and narrative. A Must? No. But it is a game you won't forget or regret, when you can open yourself for its unique approach. It certainly is a rare gem.
