Stasis is very much an old-school point-and-click game -- with every strength and weakness that implies. The puzzles very quickly deteriorate into "try to guess what the puzzle even IS", which then breaks down to "try every key with every lock, even if it doesn't look like a lock", plus some really annoying bits of pixel hunting. The deliberate decision by the dev to withhold information about both the puzzles and the world in general doesn't help -- basic information about what items are and *how they work* is completely lacking (which feeds into having to brute force puzzles). There's a point at which withholding information stops creating intrigue, and starts creating confusion and frustration, and if you look at the Steam threads about the puzzles and the end of the game, it's pretty clear that a lot of people felt the latter and not the former. Also (and I'm trying to make this criticism without implicitly spoiling things, but failing): so you know that bit where, when you're playing an RPG, the plot is screaming "we have to get to this place NOW", and the game says "well, actually, you need to grind through 15 hours of crap first ... so no, not really?" Well, think about what "point-and-click horror game" actually *means*, and why that's kind of an oxymoron. Also, think about the last time you saw a horror movie consisting of only wide shots (you haven't), and understand that the game is also doing that with its isometric perspective. Which is unfortunate, because even though it leans on sci-fi cliches (or just flat out rips scenes wholesale), it executes them well enough to make you want to see more of the world and backstory. The backgrounds and lighting design are beautiful, the voice acting is solid, and I'd love to see the art and sound direction applied to a better game design. Only recommended if you really, REALLY like the point-and-click genre, warts and all.
