STASIS: BONE TOTEM

 PC
Metascore
85

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. PLAY! Zine
    Jul 4, 2023
    95
    Stasis: Bone Totem is a modern point-and-click masterpiece. With award-worthy voice acting, unique and memorable characters, stunningly macabre yet beautiful locations, a perfect atmosphere, well-designed puzzles, and a captivating story, what more could you look for in an adventure game?
  2. Adventure Gamers
    Aug 18, 2023
    90
    STASIS: BONE TOTEM is a frightfully entertaining adventure with a story that carefully blends sacred elements with a dreadful atmosphere while drawing the player into challenges that are not overly difficult. If you are a horror fan or an open-minded gamer curious about the game’s unusual themes, this is an easy recommendation.
  3. Oyungezer
    Jun 1, 2023
    85
    It's one of the best adventure games of recent times, with challenging puzzles, an immersive atmosphere of horror, great visuals, and a great voice acting.
  5. Ragequit.gr
    Jul 11, 2023
    84
    STASIS: BONE TOTEM delivers what it promises and will satisfy any horror fan who will consciously choose it for its story and atmosphere, knowing that it has some demands from him in terms of reading dedication.
  6. New Game Network
    Jul 24, 2023
    80
    With a great underwater setting and an interesting story featuring lots to uncover, Stasis: Bone Totem’s mix of horror and puzzles mean it is a veritable sunken treasure.
  7. The Games Machine
    Jun 27, 2023
    80
    Stasis: Bone Totem is a point-and-click graphic adventure that exploits the classic mechanics of the genre in a modern and appealing technical setting, although the game was made almost entirely by only two people. Its strength lies in its horror-tinged sci-fi atmospheres and in its narrative which presents interesting reflections on ethics and corporations. The writing style is verbose: this might be a limitation for some, but it is an indispensable ingredient in the creation of a world that winks at cosmic horror.
  8. Adventure Game Hotspot
    Jun 7, 2023
    80
    Though cracks are visible in its impressive facade by the time the credits roll, Stasis: Bone Totem is a wildly ambitious follow-up that builds effectively on the macabre promise of its predecessors.

Awards & Rankings

35
#35 Best PC Game of 2023
53
#53 Most Discussed PC Game of 2023

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 44 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 35 out of 44
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 44
  3. Negative: 5 out of 44
  1. Kunray
    Jun 5, 2023
    10
    Thank you for giving me this experience.
    I'd recommend playing this game for lovers of story dominating games.
    10/10 good
  2. pamejedo
    Jun 13, 2023
    10
    Just finished playing Bone Totem, and WOW!

    Extremely impressive, especially for an indie game. I thought they did not make games like this    Just finished playing Bone Totem, and WOW!

    Extremely impressive, especially for an indie game. I thought they did not make games like this anymore. Nowadays almost every new survival horror AAA title has this 'junk food' vibe about it - cliché, vapid, forgettable, tons of unnecessary copy-pasted enemy mobs. This game is definitely different.

    To start off, various underwater environments are a work of art, unique, detailed, and believable. The somewhat simplistic isometric style just adds to it, making the game feel a little bit retro. The lighting and water effects really translated the atmosphere of the game: dark, gritty, unfriendly depths of the ocean, hiding ancient secrets. It was enhanced by superb sound design as well.

    The setup itself is pretty unusual, as the story takes place deep underwater, which really emphasizes the 'survival' element. Everything in the surroundings is a threat to the main characters, and sometimes they just barely manage to escape death, in order to go even deeper and uncover the true purpose of their visit to the facility. The game does a great job of keeping it mysterious for quite a while, and there is always something happening story-wise, so you never feel bored. There are a few nice plot twists as well. The story is rich and is building itself up in the form of numerous PDA's scattered around the locations containing journal entries of various characters inhabiting Cayne Universe.

    The puzzles are interesting and not too obvious, complex enough to make you think, but not to the point of being annoying. Each one of the main characters has a distinct personality and feels like a real person (yes, even the robot bear Moses). You will have to constantly switch between all three in order to progress, as they all possess different skills that you will need. Don't worry though, there will be no unnecessary backtracking to retrieve the items from each other, as this is solved through their shared inventory.

    I would describe this game as a hydropunk Event Horizon, with a sprinkle of Sanitarium, in all the best ways possible.

    If you care about deep storytelling, sci-fi world-building and relatable characters, instead of braindead monster shooting, you will not be disappointed.

    I cannot wait what THE BROTHERHOOD comes up with next.    … Full Review »
  3. Mason_pllom
    Jun 20, 2023
    10
    Salvaging duo Charlie and Mac scour the ocean for a living. They hit the motherload and come across DEEPSEA 15, a seemingly abandoned CayneSalvaging duo Charlie and Mac scour the ocean for a living. They hit the motherload and come across DEEPSEA 15, a seemingly abandoned Cayne Corporation rig in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. It only gets worse from there, as they and their Super-Toy Moses uncover a threat far beyond their wildest dreams.

    I loved this game. It was probably the best experience Ive ever had playing the P&C format.

    The game's visuals are a standout feature, presenting a meticulously crafted environment that oozes with macabre aesthetics. From the decrepit corridors of a derelict underwater bases to the gruesome sights of a forgotten research facility, each scene is filled with intricate details that enhance the feeling of foreboding isolation.

    The audio design further intensifies the chilling atmosphere, with eerie ambient sounds, subtle whispers, and unsettling music cues. Every creak and distant echo serve to immerse players deeper into the game's sinister world, making every step a nerve-wracking experience.

    Bone Totem's storyline is a compelling blend of science fiction and horror, unfolding through intricate puzzles and dark revelations. As players navigate the twisted narrative, they will uncover the secrets of the abandoned facility and face unimaginable horrors that challenge both their wits and their courage.

    The gameplay mechanics in Bone Totem are intuitive and well-executed, allowing players to explore the environment, interact with objects, and solve clever puzzles. The puzzles themselves strike a balance between challenging and rewarding, ensuring a satisfying sense of accomplishment when overcoming each obstacle.

    Overall, Bone Totem is a must-play for fans of dark and atmospheric video games.    … Full Review »
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