Review: Stela (Steam)

by Jim Smale · March 16, 2020

Stela

Stela is a cinematic, atmospheric platformer about a young woman witnessing the final days of a mysterious ancient world.

Pros:

Gorgeous graphics.
3228mb download size.
Steam achievements.
Controller support.
Graphics- Gamma slider.
Puzzle platform gameplay.
Two Button controls, grab and jump.
Beautiful set pieces.
2.5D perspective.
The gameplay is a mix of platforming, puzzles, and stealth.
Powerful soundtrack.
Fast loading times.
It takes a lot of love from Limbo.
It gives you a wide range of emotions and feels.
The story can be interpretated.
No voices spoke and instead, all communication is done by gestures and music.
Constant checkpoints.
Seemeless level transition.
Satisfying gameplay.
It’s just pure eye candy and at times feels like you are in a crazy screensaver art world.
A lot of action in the back and foreground.
Many weather types and night and day changes.

Stela

Cons:

No graphic options.
No tutorials or pop ups.
It can be hard to see ledges or parts of the level you can interact with.
Difficulty spikes.
Checkpoints whilst plentiful can be far apart.

Stela

8/10

Graphics - 8/10
8/10

Sound - 8/10
8/10

Accessibility - 8/10
8/10

Length - 8/10
8/10

Fun Factor - 8/10

8/10

Summary

Stela is a beautiful game, it’s a game that does take a lot of what Limbo great here but it’s not just a clone. It builds this amazing world full of life or not life in many parts, the background and foreground have a lot going on and gives the depth the game thrives off. The gameplay is platforming with puzzles and occasionally throws in simple stealth sections. It’s actually the stealth sections that show the game in its best light for when you are hiding, you see these creepy enemies interact with the world, you make up your own stories about them and their actions, you see the world change and its all breathtaking. Controls are solid so you always feel good playing it, the puzzles can be tricky but it only takes a few failed runs to get past usually. Stela is a game you may only play once but you will remember it forever it’s just that powerful. Beautiful game and fun to experience.