Stasis: Bone Totem
Release Date: May 31, 2023
Adventure, science fiction, point-and-click, isometric view, horror, crowdfunding, indie games, singleplayer
Steam
The second part of a series of adventure games called Stasis, launched in 2015. In Stasis: Bone Totem, we take control of the scrap collectors lying on the ocean floor, who face the nightmares lurking on them on a seemingly deserted oil platform.
Bone Totem is the second instalment of a series of point-and-click adventure games called Stasis, launched in 2015. The game was developed by the authors of the original, i.e. the indie studio The Brotherhood from South Africa, who created such games as Cayne and Beautiful Desolation.
Plot
Stasis: Bone Totem takes us on a journey into a dark science fiction universe created for the original game, but tells a completely new story. The main characters of this game are Charlie and Mac, the scrap metal collectors, who are supported in their work by Moses, a super toy for special tasks. The protagonists earn money by searching the seabed and selling the goods found there. When in the middle of the Pacific Ocean they come across the abandoned (at least at first glance) DEEPSEA 15 - the Cayne Corporation oil platform - it seems that their dream of wealth will finally come true. However, it quickly emerges that this facility is by no means abandoned, and that the three of them will have to face the nightmares waiting for them there.
Mechanics
In Stasis: Bone Totem the action was shown in an isometric view. During the game, we walk through dark locations (on their list we will find both the gloomy interiors of the oil platform and its no less gloomy surroundings, the exploration of which requires the use of a special suit) and discover their secrets, conducting talks and solving numerous puzzles. Puzzles are about searching for specific items, combining them and using them in a specific way, as well as interacting with the elements of the environment, led by computers.
mpared to the majority of representatives of the genre, this game is distinguished not only by the perspective from which we observe the characters' actions, but also by the fact that they share their equipment; moreover, during the game we switch between them. It should be added that the protagonists may die in various ways as a result of our mistakes.
Technical aspects
Stasis: Bone Totem features high quality graphics in a gloomy style. The horror atmosphere is created here by economical lighting (most of the locations are immersed in darkness illuminated only by the faint light of single bulbs or torches of the characters), as well as a soundtrack.
Videos and Screens
[0:56] Stasis: Bone Totem Stasis Bone Totem - Console Launch Trailer
[0:24] Stasis: Bone Totem Statis Bone Totem - Console Release Date Teaser Trailer
The main pros of the game
- Atmospheric Design: The game features strong atmospheric isometric graphics and a unique art style that many players found visually appealing.
- Compelling Story: The narrative is engaging, with well-developed characters and interesting themes, particularly in its exploration of belief, faith, and corporatism within a dystopian setting.
- Decent Puzzles: While some puzzles are considered obtuse, many players appreciated the challenge they provided and found them to be logical and satisfying once solved.
- Good Voice Acting and Writing: The writing is praised for being well-crafted, and the voice acting adds to the overall experience.
- Exploration of Unique Themes: The game delves into themes reminiscent of classic cyberpunk, which resonates well with fans of the genre.
The main cons of the game
- Clunky Gameplay: Several reviews mention that the controls can be unintuitive and that the gameplay feels clunky at times, leading to frustration.
- Obtuse Puzzles: While some players enjoyed the puzzles, others found them frustratingly cryptic, requiring guides to progress.
- Inconsistent Visual Quality: Some visual elements are noted to be unpolished, which detracts from the overall aesthetic experience.
- Pacing Issues: The pacing is described as stretched at times, making the game feel longer than it actually is.
- Voice Acting Critique: Some players found the voice acting to be slow or cheesy, which could detract from the immersion.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- Subtle Exposition: Some players felt that the game could benefit from more subtle exposition regarding its esoteric elements, rather than relying heavily on text logs.
- Interactive Elements: There were complaints about the lack of interactivity with characters and objects in the environment, which made the world feel less engaging.
- Conciseness in Text: Many players expressed that the amount of text to read, especially in logs, was overwhelming and detracted from the experience. They suggested incorporating audio or video logs instead.
- Localization: Some users noted the absence of localization options, specifically for non-English speakers, which could limit accessibility.
Summary
- Overall, STASIS: BONE TOTEM is well-received for its atmosphere and storytelling but faces criticism for its gameplay mechanics and some design choices that could be improved.
Summary generated on:
Stasis: Bone Totem Summary
Game Series: Stasis
Platforms:
PC / Windows May 31, 2023
PlayStation 5 March 28, 2024
Xbox Series X/S March 28, 2024
Switch March 28, 2024
PlayStation 4 March 28, 2024
Xbox One March 28, 2024
Developer: The Brotherhood
Publisher: Feardemic
Age restrictions: 18+
Stasis: Bone Totem System Requirements
PC / Windows
Minimum: Intel Core i3 2.5 GHz / AMD Phenom II X3, 4 GB RAM, graphic card 2 GB GeForce GTX 760 or better, 16 GB HDD, Windows 10 64-bit
Recommended: Intel Core i5-2400 3.1 GHz / AMD Phenom II X6 1100T 3.3 GHz, 8 GB RAM, graphic card 2 GB GeForce GTX 960 or better, 16 GB HDD, Windows 10/11 64-bit