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Double Fine, the creative force behind the 2005 cult hit, Psychonauts, have been on somewhat of a roll as of late. Whether you are thinking of the incredibly ambitious adventure-RTS, Brutal Legend or the clever, trick-or-treat RPG, Costume Quest, there simply isn't any denying the talent at Tim Schaeffer's buzz-worthy studio. I suppose if there were a team that could inspire interest in a Sesame Street game, this would be the team to do so. Without the extreme pressures associated with producing blockbuster titles and the manpower to produce a myriad of innovative titles, Double Fine is stretching their creative wings wide. Their latest offering, 'Stacking' is nothing if not unique, but creativity means nothing without the proper execution. Does 'Stacking' stack up against the competition or has Double Fine struck out? Read on to find out.


Stacking (XBLA, PSN)
Developer: Double Fine
Publisher: THQ
Released: February 8, 2011 (North America)

Double Fine has a real knack for coming up with really novel game ideas that deliver common or familiar gameplay mechanics wrapped in an unprecedented visual style. Do not be fooled though, there is nothing common or familiar about the gameplay in 'Stacking'. Players play Charlie Blackmore, the runt in a family of Russian matryoshka dolls (russian nested dolls),  who is tasked with rescuing his family from indentured servitude at the hands of a maniacle Baron. With a setup like that, standard platforming mechanics went out the window in favor of a very clever mechanic that allows the player to stack inside of any NPC character within the world. Every character within the world is equipped with a skill or talent which can be used and even paired with other skills to solve puzzles and progress the story. The only hinderance is that players can only stack within other dolls that are exactly one size larger than them. It is a mechanic that is as charming as it is unique but it certainly may take time to get its hooks in some people because it requires a more methodical approach than the many twitch based games out there.


[caption id="attachment_14883" align="aligncenter" width="495" caption="Yes, Russian Nesting Dolls can be Mimes too"]Stacking screen shot[/caption]

Like the game's core mechanic, the world itself is just as important in setting the tone and building the atmosphere. Everything from the silent-film style cutscenes to the beautifully painted dolls works to create a world unlike anything I have ever experienced in games. Using the industrial age setting to their advantage, Double Fine crafted dolls with personalities and motivations that match the time period and then incorporated classic Double Fine humor for good measure. Whether it be farting on a fire to create a massive explosion or seducing a gullible gaurd to lure him away from his post, light hearted humor plays an important role in a game that would otherwise be all about slavery and serving justice.

The game is separated into four distinct worlds that are reached from the train station hub that players will return to periodically. Upon solving a few puzzles, the player is rewarded with a ticket that allows access to the next world and subsequently, a chance to rescue a captured family member. Thanks to a convenient menu that organizes challenges, puzzles, and characters, knowing what to do next is rarely an issue. The menu also gives the player access to hints, a la Professor Layton hint coins, even though the same hints can usually be found by simply talking to various NPCs.  After solving puzzles and progressing the story, players can choose to return to puzzles and find the alternate solutions. Unfortunately, there is not a whole lot of incentive to complete challenges or find all of the unique dolls other than to satisfy curiosity or 100% the game. I think the biggest fault that one can take with 'Stacking' is it's over reliance on extraneous challenges to extend playtime. The gamer who solves a puzzle once and moves on is sure to finish the game in one or two sittings when the game could have benefitted greatly by adding more puzzles or simply making the other challenges required to progress the story.


[caption id="attachment_14884" align="aligncenter" width="495" caption="This game brings the charm"]Stacking Screenshot[/caption]

Over the course of the relatively short adventure, there is plenty to be seen and enjoyed. While most of the puzzles are relatively simple to complete, there is still plenty of fun to be had stacking inside of other dolls and experimenting in the hopes of stumbling upon a solution. With such an inspiring visual style and unique gameplay hook, 'Stacking' is yet another example of why downloadable arcade titles are considered to be pioneers in the modern gaming industry. By harnessing and developing creative ideas and taking a more minimalistic approach to visuals and presentation, Double Fine has found themselves a style that I think can work for them on both a business and creative level. 'Stacking' may not leave as big an impact as other cult classics like Psychonauts but it certainly stands out as one of the most unique uses of the technology that I have witnessed this generation.

Score: 89%


85-89%: Exceptional; very minor issues

Comments

  • Avatar
    hobiewankenobi
    13 years ago

    this game is alot of fun if you try to 100% it. Many of the solutions to move forward are relatively easy, but some can be really tricky to figure out, and being a puzzle game at it's core, really adds alot to the game. One situation in the game left me having to mess with the cavier in the diner on a boat. Relatively simple to figure out 2-3 solutions...but after getting 4-5 (even with the hints given to me by the NPCs) solutions i spent atleast an hour and a half trying to figure out the final solution, which happened to be the most fun i had in the game thus far.

  • Avatar
    Rhineville
    13 years ago

    This is one of the only games I've ever felt to be MAGICAL in its presentation. Look over the side of the ship while the adventurous music is playing and tell me you don't get a sense of wonder. All around beautiful.

  • Avatar
    fullmetalkira
    13 years ago

    I was thinking about downloading this game, I'll play the trial and see the magic firsthand.

  • Avatar
    McMullersAMM
    13 years ago

    Personally I felt the game ran out of steam after the first two stages. the 2 after that seemed more, random and less logical in their puzzles. Perhaps this is jusst a reaction to the charm wearing off on me but I really felt the first 2 stages were great fun and the 2 stages after that were almost boring to a degree. Still, a wonderfully charming little game but perhaps not one that will be remembered in the same favor as some of their other titles.

  • Avatar
    Arxidus
    13 years ago

    I'll definately pick this one up after a drop in price or a sale comes along.

  • Avatar
    Joseph Christ
    13 years ago

    @Mcmullers. I too felt that the game ran out of steam fairly quickly, I still enjoyed it, and I adored the presentation, but I thought it would grab me with a lot more tenacity than it did.

  • Avatar
    Comradebearjew
    13 years ago

    Thanks for the review Nick, I really want to play this now.

  • Avatar
    Zladko
    13 years ago

    Loved the game. Completed it 98%, the sole reason i didn't get 100 is I couldn't find a couple of the hi jinks.

  • Avatar
    gamerjimmy
    12 years, 10 months ago

    This was a really unique game that took a cool idea and ran with it...ran really far. This game was really cool and it was nice to see some far reaching innovation break through in a perfect way. Stacking dolls, perfect idea coupled with the perfect art and gameplay styles.

  • Avatar
    fallouttalove3
    12 years, 7 months ago

    this game looks really cool. i agree that the challenges could have played a bigger role in the game, but otherwise it's pretty cool. i like how doublefine is not afraid to try ideas that other developers might dismiss right off the bat. that's what makes them a good developer. great review nick, and keep up the good work!