PGC NEWS

Stela, the second self-published title from SkyBox Labs, the studio behind collaborations on Halo Infinite, Age of Empires Definitive Edition, Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition, EA Sports UFC, and GRANDIA II Anniversary Edition, offers a unique and compelling gaming experience. Available on Xbox One, PC, and Apple Arcade, Stela invites players on a haunting journey through a crumbling ancient world. This review explores the captivating elements that make Stela a memorable experience.

alt text describing a woman running through a dark and mysterious environment

Run, Run, and Run!

Playing as a woman witnessing the end of a mysterious ancient world, you’ll face unpredictable obstacles, perilous terrain, and colossal creatures as you traverse a decaying landscape. Your primary mode of interaction? Running. As SkyBox Labs co-founder Shyang Kong stated in an interview with Variety, “She’s not Lara Croft. However, she is doing some pretty awesome things in that same moment — battling large monsters and finding her way through the world.” Stela is a cinematic platformer that emphasizes both a cryptic narrative and engaging gameplay. The game’s narrative centers around a poignant theme: loneliness in a dying world.

The pervasive darkness throughout the levels reflects the world’s decline, from misty and dim to bitterly cold. As the woman ventures deeper, the environment grows progressively darker, mirroring the passage of time and increasing sense of isolation. The creatures encountered represent humanity’s lost selves, transformed into shadowy figures. This evocative imagery creates a haunting and unsettling atmosphere. Through the act of running, Stela explores various facets of this crumbling world: the decay of weather, light, and humanity itself. This offers a unique and visceral experience, mirroring the very real challenges faced by our own world.

Deceptively Simple Puzzles

Navigating this challenging world requires solving puzzles that appear simple at first glance but prove surprisingly complex. Initial obstacles are straightforward, but Stela gradually increases the difficulty, introducing hidden challenges, combining platforming with puzzle-solving, and incorporating time limits. Later puzzles become even more demanding, often requiring significant time and effort to decipher, particularly the cryptic puzzles that unlock the secrets of this world.

alt text displaying puzzle elements within the game Stela

Combining running with these puzzle sequences creates a tense yet enjoyable gameplay loop. The pressure to escape the collapsing world adds urgency and keeps the experience fresh, avoiding the monotony that plagues many platformers. This blend of action and puzzle-solving provides a compelling and engaging gameplay experience.

A Hauntingly Beautiful Score

The combination of atmospheric sound design, enigmatic visuals, dark storyline, and engaging gameplay transforms Stela into a hauntingly beautiful experience. The game’s pacing resembles a four-movement symphony, beginning with an energetic opening, slowing down, then accelerating rapidly before concluding with a slow, reflective sonata.

alt text showcasing the visual style and atmosphere of Stela

This carefully crafted blend of audio, visuals, narrative, and gameplay creates an unforgettable experience, evoking a powerful and relatable emotion: the quiet loneliness in a vast world.

Technical Information

• Developer: Skybox Labs
• Publisher: Skybox Labs
• Genre: Action
• Release Date: October 11, 2019
• Platforms: Apple Arcade, Xbox One, PC

Minimum Requirements

• OS: iOS 13 or later
• Device: iPhone SE / iPad Air 2 / iPod Touch 7th Gen or later

Tested On

• OS: iOS 13.2 DB 3
• Device: iPhone 11 Pro

Supported by Apple Arcade