Seems interesting but misses the mark
I didn’t play this game very long, maybe but of 10 minutes. The basic story seems interesting but the controls and lack of direction in what you need to do ruined it for me. If you need to do something to not die or progress and what you have to do isn’t clear so you keep dying over and over or you just have no idea what to do then there’s an issue. I think if they would have just stuck with 2D movement and interaction instead of the 3D/2D they use, it would have been much better, but it sadly lost me right off the bat.
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Being an Inside “Clone” doesn’t matter
I understand this game is very similar gameplay wise to Inside and does borrow a few settings maybe a little too much from it. But this game is getting too much heat for something that doesn’t matter. By itself it’s a beautiful game with an impressive score of music with well crafted gameplay and it’s scripted events with monsters and changing environments are very well done. People just need to get over the similarities to Inside and just appreciate the game for how well it’s made. Now one fault is definitely the controls. You end up jumping a lot of the time when simply trying to turn around or just moving forward which can get you killed a lot. Also multiple times throughout the story things like ledges or objects you need to interact with look like there in the background and can cause problems. Overall this is a good game and with the controls tuned better I have very few complaints.
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Fun mechanics but problems with story and controls
While this game is in many ways a clone of the game Inside, the presentation and game mechanics are interesting and varied enough to make this a good choice for anyone who enjoys side scrolling horror runners. The problem is that the storyline is completely inscrutable and at no point are you told what’s going on, who the protagonist is, or why the world seems to be ending. The actual end of the game reveals nothing at all, and you’ll be left feeling like the game was rushed through the production process without enough world building. This game also has significant problems with native touch controls. For the majority of the chapters the controls are very unresponsive and have a noticeable reaction delay, but for the final chapter they’re far too sensitive. It makes for a very frustrating playing experience, and suggests, again, that this game did not spend enough time in testing and development.
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Response from developer
Hi RogerMortis, thanks for your feedback! We've just updated Stela to include a tutorial and improve the onboarding process and controls. We are continuing to refine controls, but we hope this initial update will provide you with a better experience. Thank you again, Support @ SkyBox Labs.
A lot like inside, but there are differences
I have officially finished this game today, Stela is a wonderful game but the controls are fairly similar to INSIDE but although they both have barn parts in the beginning there is a lot that Stela has that inside does not. I’m honestly not here to compare the two because a lot of people have been doing that already, I’ve played inside so many times because I absolutely love that game. If you like inside you’ll love this game. The controls are a bit off considering the shadows kept disappearing time to time. But other than that I’m not upset at this game at all. Just some minor bugs, otherwise would have given 5 stars!
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Great game overall except for the controls.
The controls are a bit annoying as the character often wouldn’t jump when I tap the screen. And sometimes when rotating levers the character wouldn’t let go of it and when I try to move the character the lever would turn. Other than that the game was insanely good. Loved the graphics. Reminded me of Playdeads INSIDE, which I loved playing. Hoping for another such game with better controls and even better graphics! Great job and many thanks for making this!
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Didn’t like it!
Y’all, I didn’t want to go to the base of Inside comparisons but after playing it’s pretty noticeable. But away from that, it’s just...it doesn’t stick the landing, barely makes the jump (like me, repeatedly, playing this game, because controlling this game is way more trouble than it’s worth). I wanted to find interesting things to connect the dots with the...story? But it was far too incoherent. And I tried my BEST to make connections, but it just doesn’t make sense y’all. Visuals were nice...sometimes, but other times it was unbelievably bad looking (too washed out too dark too...empty). Music was good at times but sometimes it felt a bit repetitive. Ending sequence felt like it was meant to be this big epic moment but I legitimately just couldn’t tell what was happening (and also again, controls, I fell to my death over and over from what should have been a perfect landing only to stumble off the edge for no reason). But yeah. All in all, not really that great of a game. Sorry y’all! Glad you managed to get that Apple Cash TM though, hope it helps make something a bit more polished next time.
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Lovely, but rough cut gem
Used a controller, so I can’t attest to touch screen controls, but I had zero issues maneuvering or reacting in this game. Perhaps a tad stiff but overall it plays well.
This game has the same feel as Limbo, or Inside, though doesn’t quite have the same polish or world building as those two games. On its own it is still a solid experience - each “chapter” offering a new visual style or new puzzle type. My favorite moments were dealing with hostile environments at the early midpoint of the game: two chapters that have visually amazing, and original set pieces that have you avoiding or running away from... things... I would like to say more but I truly do not want to spoil those moments.
Thematically the game is all over the place. You move through such... extremely different environments that the overall world, the overall journey lacks cohesion. In fact my favorite moments stand out because they don’t quite make sense with everything else. I don’t need, nor expect a resolution that explains everything, but I was hoping for a decent payoff/resolution... the conclusion was... okay.
Would I be interested in an expansion, or something new from this developer? Absolutely. This experience was intriguing and kept me engaged throughout.
This game has the same feel as Limbo, or Inside, though doesn’t quite have the same polish or world building as those two games. On its own it is still a solid experience - each “chapter” offering a new visual style or new puzzle type. My favorite moments were dealing with hostile environments at the early midpoint of the game: two chapters that have visually amazing, and original set pieces that have you avoiding or running away from... things... I would like to say more but I truly do not want to spoil those moments.
Thematically the game is all over the place. You move through such... extremely different environments that the overall world, the overall journey lacks cohesion. In fact my favorite moments stand out because they don’t quite make sense with everything else. I don’t need, nor expect a resolution that explains everything, but I was hoping for a decent payoff/resolution... the conclusion was... okay.
Would I be interested in an expansion, or something new from this developer? Absolutely. This experience was intriguing and kept me engaged throughout.
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Enjoyable, beautiful sounding game
So this is obviously inspired by Playdead’s “Inside”. Which is one my most favorite games. I loved the similarities and how the lighting was brighter and more “happy” than in Inside. (Not that there’s anything wrong with unhappy lighting in Inside, it’s supposed to be that way) The music was one of the most beautiful sounding soundtracks I’ve ever heard. I applaud you all for that.
My only complaint would probably be just the controls, which seem a little wonky. Inside’s controls were very slick, these seemed too “stiff”, especially at crucial times in the game, like running from beetles. Besides that, I loved the game. Good job, and keep up the good games.
Indie Devs are my favorite.
My only complaint would probably be just the controls, which seem a little wonky. Inside’s controls were very slick, these seemed too “stiff”, especially at crucial times in the game, like running from beetles. Besides that, I loved the game. Good job, and keep up the good games.
Indie Devs are my favorite.
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Limbo and Inside game lovers apply
This game is basically inside or limbo for those who have loved and played those games. Please give this game a shot. It’s a beautiful very smooth and lovely game. Please make more games like this for mobile and I will become a mobile gamer as well. The loving attention to detail and the smooth cinematics of this game are just astounding to me that you can play this on your phone.
I have played this game with a controller as that is what I feel is required for this game. This is one of those games if you also have an Apple TV or the a really good internet connection to stream to your tv is worth it because it is basically a console game that ended up on mobile somehow.
I have played this game with a controller as that is what I feel is required for this game. This is one of those games if you also have an Apple TV or the a really good internet connection to stream to your tv is worth it because it is basically a console game that ended up on mobile somehow.
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WOW!!
Just finished playing the first three parts of this game and I’m at a loss for words!! This game is beautifully made, visually stunning, incredible sound,
challenging and thrilling game play! Yes I agree with control issue but play it people and you’ll get the hang of it! Not rocket science! One reviewers
having problems playing on his iPad? I’m playing on a 2018 iPad Pro and it’s fantastic! Best game by far on Apple Arcade! Would pay outright just for this game. Kudos to the developers. Fanatic work! People must be crazy not to give this game 5*’s! Don't pass this one up people an instant classic!
PLAY IT you’ll get hooked!
challenging and thrilling game play! Yes I agree with control issue but play it people and you’ll get the hang of it! Not rocket science! One reviewers
having problems playing on his iPad? I’m playing on a 2018 iPad Pro and it’s fantastic! Best game by far on Apple Arcade! Would pay outright just for this game. Kudos to the developers. Fanatic work! People must be crazy not to give this game 5*’s! Don't pass this one up people an instant classic!
PLAY IT you’ll get hooked!
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