The Stanley Parable

 PC
User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 2315 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,756 out of 2315
  2. Mixed: 323 out of 2315
  3. Negative: 236 out of 2315

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  1. Raynnon
    Jan 6, 2014
    0
    This is not a game. This is a just a voice which says what you have to do. Finally you do not have a lot of possibilities in this "game". It is just like somebody who tell you a story...
  2. Cioby
    Apr 1, 2016
    0
    Buying this game is like buying Flappy Bird or any other **** game. Spoilers? Nothing to spoil, the game is crap. Basically all you do is walk around and you see crazy **** crap as you do or don't listen to the voice narrating where you go. I guess people have no real will in real life and think that "hay, if I can go against my story, my will, my repetitive life, in this game, I won atBuying this game is like buying Flappy Bird or any other **** game. Spoilers? Nothing to spoil, the game is crap. Basically all you do is walk around and you see crazy **** crap as you do or don't listen to the voice narrating where you go. I guess people have no real will in real life and think that "hay, if I can go against my story, my will, my repetitive life, in this game, I won at life! Yay!".
    No. The game is **** and unworthy of purchase at above 1$    … Expand
  3. Pelu
    Jan 23, 2016
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Indie trash without a real game. It's wannabe philosophical, lasts as long as a movie, but is an order of magnitude less interesting than most movies. There were a couple of good jokes that made me smile but it lacks content. The choices you had could have been made so much more interesting than just "go left, go right", replicated 8 times.… Expand
  4. Mittsies
    Jan 14, 2014
    8
    Don't expect a game, because The Stanley Parable is more like a movie, except slightly more engaging since you control the character's movement. It gives you a false sense of control and decision making as you discover a handful of possible endings, of which you could see them all in a few hours of walking around and enjoying the wonderful announcer's voice. Incredible concept. I wasDon't expect a game, because The Stanley Parable is more like a movie, except slightly more engaging since you control the character's movement. It gives you a false sense of control and decision making as you discover a handful of possible endings, of which you could see them all in a few hours of walking around and enjoying the wonderful announcer's voice. Incredible concept. I was thoroughly entertained. My only complaint was that there wasn't that much content, but if you treat it like a movie, then it was fairly priced and I got a good deal.

    PS: Voice work was 10/10    … Expand
  5. Diaboliquin
    Oct 21, 2013
    8
    This is not a game. It's a lousy experiment with a pricey tag. There are better (and, actually, you know) GAMES than this for the price. Wild Games Studio ask too much.
  6. TheMaximalist
    Jan 1, 2014
    9
    To be honest I was scared the whole time I played this. I'm so accustomed to violent super serious games that every corner I feared that there was some jump scare or zombie awaiting me. But once I played it a million times over I knew I had nothing to worry about. The game is almost perfect.
  7. 123456
    Nov 25, 2013
    7
    Very witty, clever, engaging, thought provoking and detailed. But... £10 for 2 hours played? If you don't mind spending £10 or whatever that is where you are on a movie that is very good, but you won't watch again, then this is probably a good game for you. If it had been half the price I would give it a 10/10.
  8. Alecrast
    Jan 4, 2014
    8
    Great game, I've never played something like this before, it's not a traditional "finish it and move on game". I compare it to Portal without the puzzles, just the story.
  9. Awesomegamer7
    Jan 18, 2014
    8
    A fascinating and fresh game. At first it may seem it will be an awful experience, because there's no guns or explosions. But you'll quickly understand why this game deserves such high ratings.
    There's is 0 gameplay, you walk and you walk... and walk.
    Along with your walking there will be a funny, interesting and humorous narrator. You make the story with your decisions, you change the    A fascinating and fresh game. At first it may seem it will be an awful experience, because there's no guns or explosions. But you'll quickly understand why this game deserves such high ratings.
    There's is 0 gameplay, you walk and you walk... and walk.
    Along with your walking there will be a funny, interesting and humorous narrator.
    You make the story with your decisions, you change the course of the game with the paths you take, and the narrator always has an opinion on everything you do.
    And the voice actor... OHH, the voice actor. A majestic voice that will make you shed a tear with every sentence.
    You have a lot of paths you can take, and the game has a lot of endings and secrets!
    I wasted around 2-3 hours playing and re-playing the game, trying to get all the endings. I still missed 1
    or 2 "secret endings, but nothing major.
    Anyways, this game is a great experience and it's different from anything out there right now.
    I don't give it a 10/10 because after completing the game it has 0 re-playability, and the game starts getting a little repetitive after your 100th try, but it quickly hides it with the new narrator lines.
    Go buy it, you will not regret it.    … Expand
  10. diehard-gamer
    Dec 30, 2014
    2
    Disappointing. Just purchased this for £3 on steam. Completed it in two attempts and under 15 minutes. By 'completed' I mean I reached the end/credits zone. Not impressed. It's a mildly interesting diversion - but £3 for less than 15 minutes makes it very expensive (not to mention linier and simplistic) entertainment compared to say £40 for 100+ hours on Dragon Age 3. I'm sure there areDisappointing. Just purchased this for £3 on steam. Completed it in two attempts and under 15 minutes. By 'completed' I mean I reached the end/credits zone. Not impressed. It's a mildly interesting diversion - but £3 for less than 15 minutes makes it very expensive (not to mention linier and simplistic) entertainment compared to say £40 for 100+ hours on Dragon Age 3. I'm sure there are alternate looping paths through the game, but knowing the ending I'm really not that interested.… Expand
  11. nopedotjpeg
    Dec 29, 2013
    8
    The narration really seals the deal on this game. I was surprised at a lot of the endings. Caught myself smiling quite a few times at the twists and turns your character experiences. I really don't want to go into detail about it, my suggestion to you, if you're reading these reviews trying to decide if you should get it is: close this page, don't read another word more about it, buy itThe narration really seals the deal on this game. I was surprised at a lot of the endings. Caught myself smiling quite a few times at the twists and turns your character experiences. I really don't want to go into detail about it, my suggestion to you, if you're reading these reviews trying to decide if you should get it is: close this page, don't read another word more about it, buy it and load it up. It's not very long at all, but it's exceptionally well done. If you like adventure games and stuff that sits outside of the norm, then enjoy … Expand
  12. Scerion
    Aug 31, 2014
    1
    I'm not sure why this game ever got such good reviews really. It's mostly a passive experience, listening to some guy droning on and on forever as you just walk about. It has very simplistic graphics, built on the old Half Life source engine. It's been cut down though, so you can't jump, open doors, or do anything much, apart from interact with about 1 item in every 10 rooms. I was boredI'm not sure why this game ever got such good reviews really. It's mostly a passive experience, listening to some guy droning on and on forever as you just walk about. It has very simplistic graphics, built on the old Half Life source engine. It's been cut down though, so you can't jump, open doors, or do anything much, apart from interact with about 1 item in every 10 rooms. I was bored of wandering around the same office after about 20 minutes - there's really only a handful of rooms, and most are totally non-interactive. I don't think the author should be encouraged to make anything else like this, it's just terrible.

    I don't recommend it to anyone, unless they have trouble sleeping, and want to nod off with this droning in their ears!    … Expand
  13. furydeath
    Oct 20, 2013
    9
    Really funny game I couldn't put it down. Just keep wanting to play it but that's about the only down side I have to it is that it's short. Have to say my fav part is the line one in how it just keeps going and going and going till you get the real" ending.
  14. Darkmark
    Jan 23, 2014
    9
    A game that is both fun and interesting and I can guarantee that it will make you think outside the box. The Narrator is what makes this game great and thanks to his priceless comments, you'll end up doing the weirdest things just to see his reaction to it :-)
    One of the greatest things about this game is that you can never quite finish it. There'll always be a few things you've missed    A game that is both fun and interesting and I can guarantee that it will make you think outside the box. The Narrator is what makes this game great and thanks to his priceless comments, you'll end up doing the weirdest things just to see his reaction to it :-)
    One of the greatest things about this game is that you can never quite finish it. There'll always be a few things you've missed here and there, and even though I've played it for quite a while now there's probably still 1 or 2 endings I haven't found yet.
    In any case this is a great game and I'll recommend it to anyone with a sense of humor :D    … Expand
  15. KrisZp
    Oct 21, 2013
    9
    This game is amazing! Well worth the 12$ price tag. I've been playing for the past 2 hours and a half and there was always something new and interesting! Almost perfection
  16. jeef1523
    Nov 12, 2013
    9
    The Stanley Parable is one of the greatest examples of how an indie game can be so good and so well done and creative with few tools.When looking at the game's core, the entire experience of playing can be defined by one word:creativity; whilst the game itself can be defined by another:choice.

    The game's intense metalanguage can make you think for hours, and the way it is played can't    The Stanley Parable is one of the greatest examples of how an indie game can be so good and so well done and creative with few tools.When looking at the game's core, the entire experience of playing can be defined by one word:creativity; whilst the game itself can be defined by another:choice.

    The game's intense metalanguage can make you think for hours, and the way it is played can't be compared by any experience since it's such a unique game.It is quite short and can digress form it's own plot at times, even if at others this is it's main intention, going from the philosophic to the comic, yet it's an amazing work of art developer's wise, embracing the true power of games.    … Expand
  17. mark1008
    Oct 23, 2013
    8
    Have you ever wanted to live your life narrated by a wonderfully voiced British man? Than Stanley's Parable is perfect for you, whether your adventure takes your to a Broom closest or a blue or red door, this game is pretty awesome. All in all, I had a great time and laughed more than once throughout my, Stanley's, journey.
  18. justachair
    Jan 28, 2014
    9
    There has been three indies in 2013 that stole my heart. Gone Home, Papers Please and The Stanley Parable. The three are my addiction, my gems, my precious golden rings.
    But somehow, The Stanley Parable is the one I most enjoyed. Maybe because I never know what to expect, because each playthrough is completely different. Maybe because I have never played the Half Life mod so I don't    There has been three indies in 2013 that stole my heart. Gone Home, Papers Please and The Stanley Parable. The three are my addiction, my gems, my precious golden rings.
    But somehow, The Stanley Parable is the one I most enjoyed. Maybe because I never know what to expect, because each playthrough is completely different. Maybe because I have never played the Half Life mod so I don't actually know how the original is, and still, find this incredibly good. It is darkly funny, confusing and dazzling. It may not have the best visuals and the gameplay is pretty simple. But the amount of freedom (Or not) in this game is outstanding.
    First of all, some of the best writing is here. Even the achievements are funny (Take a look at them). You are Stanley and a narrator is sort of telling you what to do. You can obey him or disobey him and this can take you through a lot of different endings and situations. I love decision-based games, and this the motherload as you must discover the decisions. And it is not knowing what will come next what makes the game so exciting.
    The visuals are good. They will not make your eyes overload with exuberant beauty, but they are not clunky. In fact, play it in a powerful PC, and you have a damn pretty game. It is a game you have to experience with as little knowledge as possible to enjoy its fully potential. The Stanley Parable is one of this year's best Indies. But remember, THISISNEVERTHEEND.    … Expand
  19. Nedearl
    Oct 23, 2013
    8
    Really fun to play, the game relies on the interaction between the narrator and the player. It is somehow extremely satisfying to see that every action you could think of has been anticipated. The Stanley parable explores some interesting topics and is a very "meta" type of experience (video game hipsters please enjoy). On the somewhat less gleeful side, you do see everything after 5-6Really fun to play, the game relies on the interaction between the narrator and the player. It is somehow extremely satisfying to see that every action you could think of has been anticipated. The Stanley parable explores some interesting topics and is a very "meta" type of experience (video game hipsters please enjoy). On the somewhat less gleeful side, you do see everything after 5-6 hours, which is completely fine but still a bit short as it involves a certain amount of repetition.… Expand
  20. Violett
    Jan 11, 2014
    9
    The game is unique and awesome. I dont want to spoil, but I reccomend anyone who plays not only dumb-style CS games, but some games actually makes you think at least a little. This reminds me of Portal games (Portal is better obv.) This game is very short and it is not actually a game after all, thats why I cant rate it maximum, but believe me, you gonna enjoy it!
  21. SenshudoTV
    Oct 21, 2013
    8
    Lots of Re-playability. Hilarious Narrator and Nice Graphics. This game will keep you coming back to try and find every ending possible. At such a low price this is definitely a game to pick up!
  22. CappuccinoGamer
    Jan 16, 2014
    8
    Engaging and interesting. The intelligence and interactivity with the narrator in regards to actions effecting the story telling is a lot of fun to be honest. Thorough enjoyable.
    I also love games that are a viable "I only feel like playing for 20-30 minutes before I have to do something" game, as it can be as short or as long as you want. Good game.
  23. TenchuuKhan
    Jun 20, 2015
    6
    After grinding it for quite a few hours it dumbs down to this:
    The narrator makes it worthwhile trying different routes
    The game makes fun of you It makes you want to play a real game I was hoping there would be more problem solving, for instance the On-Button-Scenario, where I could actually through some means change the outcome. Maybe it's even possible but there was nothing I    After grinding it for quite a few hours it dumbs down to this:
    The narrator makes it worthwhile trying different routes
    The game makes fun of you
    It makes you want to play a real game

    I was hoping there would be more problem solving, for instance the On-Button-Scenario, where I could actually through some means change the outcome. Maybe it's even possible but there was nothing I could find.
    And that's really my biggest issue with the game: I have no clue what goes and what not. I fear it's really just about bruteforcing different routes.    … Expand
  24. ArjanS87
    Jan 3, 2014
    9
    Incredibly diverse... that is one particularly fitting way to describe this game.
    Never before have I had the pleasure of putting so much time into a pointless game.
    Most likely because it is not a game... it's an experience.
    One that I recommend to everyone... and don't be shy to pick up a walk trough at the end to see what you have been missing!
  25. FirestormMk3
    Jan 24, 2014
    8
    This was one of the most random pieces of self-aware fun I've had the joy to play. A friend bought it for me and I was gonna play for a few minutes before bed and before I knew it it had been over four hours! I'm also glad for the first time that I tried to get an achievement - the 430 one. Trust me, go for it!
  26. imBobertRobert
    Oct 21, 2013
    9
    In an attempt to not spoil the game, I will refrain from saying any actual in-game points. The game play of the game is actually very good! You are told the story of a man named Stanley, and you are told what Stanley does; the thing is, you play as Stanley, and you can choose to follow what the narrator says. The narrator reacts to what happens, usually with some comedic value.
    Even    In an attempt to not spoil the game, I will refrain from saying any actual in-game points. The game play of the game is actually very good! You are told the story of a man named Stanley, and you are told what Stanley does; the thing is, you play as Stanley, and you can choose to follow what the narrator says. The narrator reacts to what happens, usually with some comedic value.
    Even though it doesn't take long to play through the entire game (as it appears on the surface), there are many smaller things (like the achievements for example) that add to the replay value. not only are there many different endings readily available to you, you can go back through and see what jokes you missed before. The game isn't perfect, however, and it does run out of content quickly, though the content in the game is well polished and flows perfectly.    … Expand
  27. MooseBoys
    Oct 21, 2013
    8
    Fantastic game, very original. Go into it with an open mind. The only drawback is the cost ($12 on steam currently). I've played about 3 hours and am considering myself "done" with the game; there's also not much replay value once you've "finished" it, aside from showing your friends.
  28. Syracuse
    Oct 22, 2013
    9
    A game "An activity providing entertainment or amusement; a pastime". Ok, we have cleared up the fact that this is, indeed, a game. The very point of this is to challenge what you perceive a game to be, and it does so in spectacular fashion. It's witty, intelligent and purposeful. The more you play, more is revealed, and your environment is constantly changing in subtle ways. This game isA game "An activity providing entertainment or amusement; a pastime". Ok, we have cleared up the fact that this is, indeed, a game. The very point of this is to challenge what you perceive a game to be, and it does so in spectacular fashion. It's witty, intelligent and purposeful. The more you play, more is revealed, and your environment is constantly changing in subtle ways. This game is a beautiful creation, and as a game developer, I would be truly proud of. Those of you who are rating this poorly, I'm afraid just don't understand or appreciate it, which is a shame. If you find the lack of shooting things in the face and getting high scores a disappointment, then you just clearly can't comprehend the message here, which carries a form of entertainment beyond what other games can offer.… Expand
  29. painguinmerc
    Oct 22, 2013
    8
    IMPORTANT NOTE
    this is much less a game, and more of philosophical material.
    less important, I don't know what people mean when they say no emotions are conveyed in this game. I felt: Sadness, adventuress, fear, rebelliousness, happiness, concern, self-pity, horror, forgetful, neglectful, accomplished, pondered, misunderstood, helpless, mocked, anger, confused, anxious, and humored. It    IMPORTANT NOTE
    this is much less a game, and more of philosophical material.

    less important, I don't know what people mean when they say no emotions are conveyed in this game. I felt: Sadness, adventuress, fear, rebelliousness, happiness, concern, self-pity, horror, forgetful, neglectful, accomplished, pondered, misunderstood, helpless, mocked, anger, confused, anxious, and humored. It may not have your traditional emotional response, but emotions are still conveyed.    … Expand
  30. babysnakest
    Dec 27, 2013
    8
    Simple, Complex, Short, Long, this game is a mystery, almost open world one, you play, you decide or you don't? I don't know neither, that is why you should play it, Its almost the same as the Half-life 2 mod.
  31. everin
    Oct 1, 2015
    7
    Tier 2
    + Some of the best voice acting gaming has ever seen
    + Defends itself from criticism by being overly self-aware of its every design and narrative feature
    ? Unclear to players whether or not it's actually a game
    - Not actually as self-aware of its every design and narrative feature as it appears at first
  32. WrongBobby
    Jun 18, 2014
    10
    Aw man. Don't read about it, don't do anything more. The less you know, the better! I'll just say this: keep an open mind, and enjoy what might be on of the most important games in terms of storytelling!
  33. CptAhnungslos
    Jan 18, 2014
    10
    It´s such a great "Game" for the price. I even kept the Demo because I love how the "Game" plays me ;)
    It´s a little short but you can play it over and over and over and over.....
  34. naodemes
    Jan 28, 2014
    10
    Я никогда раньше не видел столь великолепной игры. Тонкий юмор и великолепный голос рассказчика, насмешка над концепцией видеоигр, багами в них. Everyone must play this great game.
  35. nxberry
    Apr 2, 2014
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. is the game worth it's $15 price tag?
    i can't make that judgement, buy it and see if the game provides a $15 experience.
    or wait until the steam summer sales come along and see if you cant get it at a discount price.    … Expand
  36. thiagoFerreiraL
    Jun 29, 2014
    3
    I bought this game on a sale and I thank god for that, for if I didn't, I would feel ripped off badly.
    Some people call "Artsy Games" games that have little to no gameplay and focuses on story alone. The Stanley Parable doesn't have a gameplay nor a story. So what is it? Just a walking simulation about breaking the 4th wall. It's not a game, it's basically a lecture.
    I played for about 1    I bought this game on a sale and I thank god for that, for if I didn't, I would feel ripped off badly.
    Some people call "Artsy Games" games that have little to no gameplay and focuses on story alone. The Stanley Parable doesn't have a gameplay nor a story. So what is it? Just a walking simulation about breaking the 4th wall. It's not a game, it's basically a lecture.
    I played for about 1 hour and I had laughs here and there but that's it. There's no nothing more to the game, which boggles my mind seeing so much good reviews, I don't even know if I played the same game as those.
    And don't get me wrong, I love "Artsy games", like To The Moon, but I wouldn't call The Stanley Parable "Art" whatsoever.    … Expand
  37. rsrocha
    Jul 22, 2014
    3
    A walking simulator to the core, this game utterly lacks ANY player interaction whatsoever, being an on-rails experience where you just move from point A to point B as soon as the game's narrator allows you to after a random rant. The scenery is incredibly bland and really shows the game's roots as a mod. While it's an interesting experience for the way it mocks videogames as a medium,A walking simulator to the core, this game utterly lacks ANY player interaction whatsoever, being an on-rails experience where you just move from point A to point B as soon as the game's narrator allows you to after a random rant. The scenery is incredibly bland and really shows the game's roots as a mod. While it's an interesting experience for the way it mocks videogames as a medium, it's not something that deserved the money i spent on it. Its theme is not even original, having been tackled years prior by MGS2.… Expand
  38. Ergenus
    Sep 3, 2014
    4
    Idea is original, game is interesting, but paying 15 bucks for a "1 Hour to Complete" game is bad. Moreover, that 1 hour was actually boring. Most of that 1 hour passes by listening the narrator. Even 5 $ seems a lot for this game.
  39. deepskydiver
    Sep 18, 2014
    1
    Warning: it's not a game. It's not even a story.
    You wander around what is intended to be a humorously narrated but bland world with occasional decision points which at best result in .. more wandering around with no payoff.
    No game mechanic, no skill, no test, no interest and ultimately no satisfaction. I was ultimately left feeling cheated out of a game as I waited for something which    Warning: it's not a game. It's not even a story.
    You wander around what is intended to be a humorously narrated but bland world with occasional decision points which at best result in .. more wandering around with no payoff.
    No game mechanic, no skill, no test, no interest and ultimately no satisfaction. I was ultimately left feeling cheated out of a game as I waited for something which never happened.
    Very disappointed.    … Expand
  40. Xzenor
    Mar 4, 2020
    10
    I loved it. I really really loved it. I laughed so hard about some of the narrator's comments.
    The Stanley parable is short and it's meant to be replayed over and over in different ways. It's cheap, but give the demo a chance too. It's not at all like the game (on purpose. it'll make sense) but it does give you a feeling of the kind of humor you can expect.
  41. skulltulainahat
    Dec 20, 2014
    3
    Even though The Stanley Parable is a game priced at $14.99, it still is not worth it. There really isn't much going for it except the charm, which wears off quickly. Sure, some of the jokes are mildly amusing, but most of the narration is bland. I forced myself to play an hour of it, and I will not be returning. This game lacks gameplay, which is not an issue with certain games, but in TheEven though The Stanley Parable is a game priced at $14.99, it still is not worth it. There really isn't much going for it except the charm, which wears off quickly. Sure, some of the jokes are mildly amusing, but most of the narration is bland. I forced myself to play an hour of it, and I will not be returning. This game lacks gameplay, which is not an issue with certain games, but in The Stanley Parable it is. When all I am doing in a game is walking through bland environments and listening to a bland narrator, I will surely want my fourteen dollars and ninety nine cents back. I don't understand the praise for this game. It is simply dull.… Expand
  42. k9wazere
    Dec 13, 2015
    2
    Firstly, you need to understand the "gameplay" available in TSP. You walk down branching corridors, and you choose whether to go left or right, through door A or door B. This leads to another corridor, etc. Imagine a tree, with numerous branches. The "game" lets you walk to the end of each branch, then locks you in a room, and gives you 10 mins of "funny" (not really) narrative. Then itFirstly, you need to understand the "gameplay" available in TSP. You walk down branching corridors, and you choose whether to go left or right, through door A or door B. This leads to another corridor, etc. Imagine a tree, with numerous branches. The "game" lets you walk to the end of each branch, then locks you in a room, and gives you 10 mins of "funny" (not really) narrative. Then it restarts you at the beginning. *This is the game*. If, as was the case for me, you don't find the narrative amusing, then this game has *nothing* for you. Not even a single puzzle. It's the "game" equivalent of those "make your own adventure" books, that I hated as a kid. I was too busy reading real novels to be interested in that gimmicky rubbish. Same deal here. Get yourself a good book, or play a real game. This is a waste of time.… Expand
  43. Wiebe
    Feb 27, 2020
    10
    Great idea, great storytelling, had so much fun trying out the stories and the game design, only regret it didn't last longer
  44. RealLeather
    Dec 23, 2015
    3
    A game about how/why we play games but without any engaging gameplay and plenty of meandering one-sided dialogue to sit through instead. I read a while back before I ever played The Stanley Parable that it breaks the fourth wall continuously but it unfortunately doesn't... It would be more accurate to say that it BREACHES the fourth wall and it does so with all the subtlety of a CoD spA game about how/why we play games but without any engaging gameplay and plenty of meandering one-sided dialogue to sit through instead. I read a while back before I ever played The Stanley Parable that it breaks the fourth wall continuously but it unfortunately doesn't... It would be more accurate to say that it BREACHES the fourth wall and it does so with all the subtlety of a CoD sp campaign setpiece.

    The writing is so on the nose and lacks any nuance, this is the kind of dialogue you would expect to hear at a children's pantomime show though I doubt musings on the perils of a virtual reality existentialist crisis would make for great entertainment in practice, especially for them chilluns. I respect the fact that the team tried to do something different but Christ alive this is some weapons-grade pretentiousness. I love games and gaming and you probably do too but if you want to discuss these facets of gaming then make a goddamned documentary not a mod with a bizarre voiceover harping on at you.    … Expand
  45. Broyax
    Apr 5, 2020
    1
    L'indé du dimanche pourrait avoir été démoulé durant un mercredi, puis avoir été invité pour en parler au dîner en compagnie d'une brochette de champions du monde, car après tout il peut se faire demander en effet : qu'est-ce que la création ?...

    Non, non, cette question est vraiment trop grandiloquente... on n'est certainement pa à ce niveau-là mais plutôt à des niveaux et des niveaux    L'indé du dimanche pourrait avoir été démoulé durant un mercredi, puis avoir été invité pour en parler au dîner en compagnie d'une brochette de champions du monde, car après tout il peut se faire demander en effet : qu'est-ce que la création ?...

    Non, non, cette question est vraiment trop grandiloquente... on n'est certainement pa à ce niveau-là mais plutôt à des niveaux et des niveaux plus bas, ceux du simple remplissage de quelques stagiaires à court d'idées et qui ne savent donc... plus quoi faire. Et qui font n'importe quoi.

    Et nous, on tente de jouer à ce "n'importe quoi"... pour s'y ennuyer plus ou moins rapidement mais inéluctablement. Cela peut faire sourire éventuellement en tout cas... avant de tomber dans la répétition, l'ennui et le simple ridicule.

    Pour un étron indé à l'insu de son plein gré, il est assez joli néanmoins ! et il peut se jouer à la manette, y compris sur PC. Un point pour l'effort.    … Expand
  46. angelss_13
    May 7, 2017
    8
    Interesantísimo y divertido videojuego experimental. Una especie de experimento sobre la narrativa y la libertad en los videojuegos. Una experiencia inolvidable.
  47. voltaguy
    Apr 4, 2017
    2
    "I just told you a joke, now I will tell a hundred variations for it".

    At the beginning of the game, you are given a choice. The choice is, two doors. The narrator tells you to take the door on left, but the obvious choice is taking the door on right. Because you know that you are playing a game, and whatever happens, it won't have major consequences because it is just at the beginning    "I just told you a joke, now I will tell a hundred variations for it".

    At the beginning of the game, you are given a choice. The choice is, two doors. The narrator tells you to take the door on left, but the obvious choice is taking the door on right. Because you know that you are playing a game, and whatever happens, it won't have major consequences because it is just at the beginning and you can just restart the game. I'm just guessing, 95% of you took the door on right, yeah? Whatever, I went right, then the game started to feel obnoxious. Throwing me the same sarcastic jokes over and over again. OK dude, I get it, it is because I "broke" the rule how this is meant to be played, and I'm getting punished by dumb restarts and jokes. I tried some variations but they were all pretty disappointing. Then I said, **** it, then I did everything the narrator wanted. The game finished in like a minute. Nothing was explained, bad ending. Then I said to myself, "this doesn't feel right, there must be something in this game". I went to the console at the end, pressed ON. I did that probably about 10 times. If you haven't played the game, the facility enters a self detonation state after you press the button. Then in a nearby room, everything gets intractable, and you have 2 minutes before everything explodes and then you die and restart the game. I thought this was a puzzle, but narrator clearly said there was nothing I could do, but he is full of **** so I tried and tried again until I "solved" the puzzle. But just like narrator said in that segment, "you will die, again and again, happily ever aft-", so I did ****ing die, every ****ing time. I got super frustrated and did some online research. After learning there was nothing I could do, I learnt that there were around 20 endings. I did some of them, not really enjoying my time, then I quieted the game entirely.

    I mean, who would've thought attempting suicide had the best ending? "Are you sick of this game?", **** yeah I'm sick of this **** Then there is this, when I was pressing F5 to quicksave the game, the game was freezing a bit like it was saving. The game has no save, I was like, "what?". Then I looked at the controls, guess what, F5 stands for screenshot. OK, that was a pretty good 9gag le trolled xd moment. Then there is that broom closet which is funny. Other than those, nothing really stands out.

    You may argue that this game is not about jokes or fun, that it is breaking the 4th wall and it is a masterpiece. You mister, are ****ing retarded and probably should kill yourself. See what I did there? That was the game, and not the game. I just broke that 4th wall, now choke on my dick you nerd. No, I'm not serious, at all.

    If you haven't played this game yet, you don't have to play it because I just spoiled the best parts of it, and the game itself just makes as sense as my last paragraph. If you like to play tech demos or you're a sucker of bland English humor, go ahead and torrent it. No, I'm not checking the spoiler box, the game itself gives you spoilers if you go right. Yeah, that was a spoiler too. **** this game.    … Expand
  48. auditbadger
    Oct 15, 2017
    7
    I think that this is truly a unique game and I would recommend that if you are a fan of this type of genre then I think you should give this game a try.
  49. aditya1101
    Oct 5, 2017
    10
    Incredibly well written and incredibly entertaining. Easily one of my favorite games of all time with a huge amount of replay value. I show this game to as many people as I can!
  50. damaso7
    Jan 2, 2018
    10
    The Stanley parable es el juego más original al que jamás he jugado. De hecho, para mi es el único juego que de verdad consigue traspasar la pantalla y lo siento por las compañías, pero esto sólo lo podía lograr un indie
  51. 4ya5h1
    Nov 9, 2022
    4
    idea of this game is really interesting, but the realisation, imo is bad. there is a tv show "Severance", and its awesome, really awesome, but this game is just... iunno its really boring just to walk and do nothing, also its too short
  52. Kadirov
    Jul 12, 2021
    7
    This game while being a lower budget indie managed to give me greater emotions than most AAA projects I played.
  53. bancandrei
    May 27, 2020
    6
    Interesting, but ultimately only a vignette, and having a new version does little to enhance the core, only the accessibility. The seed of an idea to be planted and bear fruit much later. As of 2020 the fruits are yet to ripen.
  54. kezzyhko
    Jul 28, 2020
    10
    ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍
  55. super_absorber
    Jan 7, 2021
    0
    One of the worst games I have played.....0 gameplay at all and very boring story..
  56. BeeSting1
    Jan 1, 2021
    3
    Decent for an interactive short. Bad for a game.

    Good - Having the narrator converse directly to the protagonist (Stanley) is an interesting perspective. It breaks the fourth wall in a way that you don't see in any other game. - The narrator had some clever, interesting, and funny things to say about game design, and choices. - Spurs some deep thoughts about the relationship    Decent for an interactive short. Bad for a game.

    Good

    - Having the narrator converse directly to the protagonist (Stanley) is an interesting perspective. It breaks the fourth wall in a way that you don't see in any other game.

    - The narrator had some clever, interesting, and funny things to say about game design, and choices.

    - Spurs some deep thoughts about the relationship and thought process between how the developer and player both experience a game.

    - Narrator's voice sounded good.

    Bad

    - The game is too short. Even after completing and restarting to experience every path, it gave me less than 3 hours of play time.

    - The game is way too shallow. I couldn't interact with many objects, and ones that I could interact with didn't do anything.

    - The premise was too simple. The office is empty because the narrator removed them. Disobey Narrator, and he'll do some stuff to you, then restarts the game. This basically summarizes what happens on every path. There is very little depth to be found after the game has made its point.    … Expand
  57. Yaav13
    May 9, 2022
    3
    My truthful honorable incorruptible conclusive rating of this considered game: 3.
  58. TheLinkgirl
    Apr 24, 2022
    1
    It's difficult to rate a game so poorly when you love what it tries to achieve. There's this sense that you should just go back and play it one more time to see if you're in the wrong, or you played it at a bad time, or should try another play through. Sadly after 6 attempts, I'm pretty sure that The Stanley Parable just doesn't work for me.
  59. jamesingham
    Dec 3, 2013
    9
    All I can say about this game is that you should buy it. If I say anymore, I'll risk spoiling the plot and it wont be anywhere near as enjoyable as I found it. It's not a game that you will be playing over and over again, but it is a game that you will be playing over and over again.
  60. justjj
    Nov 19, 2013
    7
    The game starts of great, it engages and is hilarious,....for about 15 minutes. I like the premise, I love how it feels like it was made just for my experience, but it was short-lived, and over in one sitting. Worth 5 bucks, but not any more than that
  61. Matseb2611
    Nov 11, 2015
    8
    A pretty fun and unusual game. It's mostly a parody on certain mechanics used in games, most notably the idea of player choice. Throughout the entire time, there is a narrator speaking to the player, who is trying hard to guide the player along a certain direction. The player can then choose to listen to the narrator or wander off and do what they feel like, which gets on narrator'sA pretty fun and unusual game. It's mostly a parody on certain mechanics used in games, most notably the idea of player choice. Throughout the entire time, there is a narrator speaking to the player, who is trying hard to guide the player along a certain direction. The player can then choose to listen to the narrator or wander off and do what they feel like, which gets on narrator's nerves.

    There isn't all that much content in the game, and I kind of wish it had more, but what is there is certainly worth experiencing. The game is both funny and thought-provoking. "Now, Stanley, let's go and find the story." :D    … Expand
  62. Xanifur
    Mar 2, 2014
    9
    Quite an experience. This is a must play for everyone. Hilarious duologue, and a huge branching narrative will have you coming back again and again looking for every detail in the "story". Just when you think you have found everything, the game throws you a curve ball and you go for another wild journey with the narrator.
  63. cam155
    Dec 29, 2013
    9
    By far the most....different game I have ever played. I would try to explain the actual game to you but I think it would be a spoiler, so I will try to explain the general basis/ idea of it. Basically the game allows you to make multiple decisions that influence what happens. There isn't really much of a story, there's only one path that gives a story, the rest of it is just messing aroundBy far the most....different game I have ever played. I would try to explain the actual game to you but I think it would be a spoiler, so I will try to explain the general basis/ idea of it. Basically the game allows you to make multiple decisions that influence what happens. There isn't really much of a story, there's only one path that gives a story, the rest of it is just messing around trying out the different ways to get through the game.

    The narrator offers funny, interesting and hilarious commentary, and the game is completely based around it. If you don't like listening to a lot of funny narration then this game is not for you, and you need better tastes.    … Expand
  64. BasilZero
    Feb 18, 2017
    7
    Game: The Stanley Parable
    Genre: Adventure
    Publisher/Developer: Galactic Cafe System: Steam (PC) Total Score: 74/100 Value Score: 7.4/10 • Story: 8/10 • Characters: 7/10 • GamePlay: 7/10 • Graphics: 8/10 • Sound: 10/10 • Music: 6/10 • Length: 3/10 • Replay Value: 8/10 • Player Value: 7/10 -Very Short -Barely any music and to the ones available not very memorable    Game: The Stanley Parable
    Genre: Adventure
    Publisher/Developer: Galactic Cafe
    System: Steam (PC)
    Total Score: 74/100
    Value Score: 7.4/10

    • Story: 8/10
    • Characters: 7/10
    • GamePlay: 7/10
    • Graphics: 8/10
    • Sound: 10/10
    • Music: 6/10
    • Length: 3/10
    • Replay Value: 8/10
    • Player Value: 7/10

    -Very Short
    -Barely any music and to the ones available not very memorable
  65. fartheststar
    Aug 5, 2015
    8
    I really enjoyed the Stanley Parable. Clever game, with excellent narration and rewards exploration. If you like walking sims and just exploring the worlds to see what will happen there's plenty to find in this game - and again the narration is excellent. If you've worked in an office environment there's a lot of jokes to identify with also - but there's also some thoughtfulI really enjoyed the Stanley Parable. Clever game, with excellent narration and rewards exploration. If you like walking sims and just exploring the worlds to see what will happen there's plenty to find in this game - and again the narration is excellent. If you've worked in an office environment there's a lot of jokes to identify with also - but there's also some thoughtful philosophical observations built into the game. I've played about 5 1/2 hours so far trying to find different hidden elements of the game and have found alot of them, but there are still more.

    If this even sounds halfway interesting to you play it. I haven't played anything quite like it, and found it totally worth the exploration.    … Expand
  66. ChoicestGames
    Sep 21, 2014
    7
    I'm not usually a big fan of the genre known as "walking simulators" but The Stanley Parable, despite it's short length, has won me over thanks to its hilarious Douglas Adams style of writing with several laugh-out-loud moments. The game also plays a bit like a first person version of a visual novel, which means multiple endings aplenty.
  67. ns0l
    Mar 1, 2014
    8
    Great narrator. I really liked him. He describes everything I do and every choice I make, like I'm in a book. The Stanley Parable is the first of its kind. It criticizes the modern way of living and shows how this life really looks like. The story is unpredictable. I thought that I'm playing that game. But later I said: Oh I feel stupid. This game is playing me.
  68. Dune_Jumper
    Oct 9, 2014
    7
    -Snip-
    ...............................................................................................................................................
  69. Ways
    Jan 16, 2014
    7
    Strange, funny, thought-provoking. But probably not for everyone.

    It's difficult to describe why I liked it. It doesn't have cutting edge graphics, there isn't a lot of interaction with the environment beyond walking around a strange office and occasionally pushing a button, and even when I had explored all the paths and endings I could find (plus a few others with the help of a guide)    Strange, funny, thought-provoking. But probably not for everyone.

    It's difficult to describe why I liked it. It doesn't have cutting edge graphics, there isn't a lot of interaction with the environment beyond walking around a strange office and occasionally pushing a button, and even when I had explored all the paths and endings I could find (plus a few others with the help of a guide) it probably didn't last longer than about 3 hours.

    As a game it is limited and very short even for the price, but it made me think about the nature of games, life, reality, choice, and many other things. It also made me laugh a lot. I think anything that does all that (not just games but music, films, books etc) deserves a thumbs up. Plus I will always have a soft spot for indie devs trying something different.    … Expand
  70. Deithis
    Nov 15, 2013
    5
    I really enjoyed my first hour in the game. They pull off the humor quite well. However, by the second hour I was chasing down endings I hadn't seen yet. I completed every known ending in about 2 hours. There isn't enough content to justify the price. I enjoyed the demo more than the actual game.
  71. nightshark
    Dec 3, 2013
    7
    I'll start off by saying that the game itself was great. It was funny and entertaining and I'm glad that I played it. However, I can not give this game a 10, nor say I would recommend this game to my friends, simply because the game is too short. It also has no re-playability whatsoever. However, it's a catch-22, as if there were more than 2-4 hours content, the game would lose itsI'll start off by saying that the game itself was great. It was funny and entertaining and I'm glad that I played it. However, I can not give this game a 10, nor say I would recommend this game to my friends, simply because the game is too short. It also has no re-playability whatsoever. However, it's a catch-22, as if there were more than 2-4 hours content, the game would lose its novelty. You can complete every ending in the game in 2-4 hours depending on how much attention you pay to the visuals/narrator. I only paid $8 for it on Steam sale, so it was basically like hiring a movie.

    On the positive side, this was probably the most thought provoking game I've played in the 25 years I have been a PC gamer. Every moment I was playing it was utterly engrossing and, despite the game having a narrator, felt very immersive. I was sad when my options started running out, leaving me with what is an empty shell of familiarity.

    If the game did not cost money, or was something like $2, I would have no hesitation in giving it a 10/10 and recommending it to my friends. However for the same price as I got this game on Steam sale, I could purchase something like Far Cry 3 which has far, far more content.    … Expand
  72. Polarthief
    Dec 28, 2013
    8
    Stanley Parable is simply a masterpiece in the sense of a great Narrative experience. It's wacky, hilarious, and just an overall good play. The only reason I gave it an 8 instead of a perfect 10 is simply for how expensive it is for its ridiculously short duration for its $20 price tag! I love the game and will definitely go back to it, but the very small amount of things in the game causeStanley Parable is simply a masterpiece in the sense of a great Narrative experience. It's wacky, hilarious, and just an overall good play. The only reason I gave it an 8 instead of a perfect 10 is simply for how expensive it is for its ridiculously short duration for its $20 price tag! I love the game and will definitely go back to it, but the very small amount of things in the game cause it to be completed in an afternoon and leaves you upset at how much you spent for a fraction of a "video version of a chapter of a book" (thankfully, Steam frequently put it on sale in how quickly it already came out, so you can nab it for cheaper). Overall, good experience, but damn is it short!… Expand
  73. frankielee
    May 7, 2015
    9
    i played this game without knowing anything about it and i strongly suggest you do the same. extremely weird in a good way and it makes you play it over and over.
  74. lu123
    Jun 1, 2014
    9
    This game is very mental. Whatever you do, like walking, choices, do what the narrator calls or do, everything was well thought out to confuse the player.
  75. gracjanski
    Feb 17, 2018
    9
    This is not really a game, because there is almost no gameplay: You just walk through doors or push certain buttons and decide a story to continue. The problem is, I cant write more, because it would be a spoiler. So you imagine, there is no gameplay, but a story, that is very funny, interesting and has a sad teaching, if you are working and not in school or university. So yes, it is worthThis is not really a game, because there is almost no gameplay: You just walk through doors or push certain buttons and decide a story to continue. The problem is, I cant write more, because it would be a spoiler. So you imagine, there is no gameplay, but a story, that is very funny, interesting and has a sad teaching, if you are working and not in school or university. So yes, it is worth to enjoy it, especially, because you need to invest only a small amount of time (1-3 hours) to experience it.
    Graphic is based on HL2, so it is good. On the other side I would pay much money for that, it is just a mod.
    The story and the dialogs are great, many creative ideas and many jokes.
    The Voice actor is very important in this game, so I need to mention him. Fortunately he tells the story perfectly.    … Expand
  76. jbhungry
    Oct 27, 2013
    7
    I'd give this "game" a 7.5 if it was an option.

    In "The Stanley Parable" you play as "Stanley" in what appears to be a straightforward plot where all your co-workers have disappeared in the office, but it quickly becomes apparent that this is not your typical concept of a game. You'll probably have to play it yourself to understand. Yes, there is some witty and philosophical    I'd give this "game" a 7.5 if it was an option.

    In "The Stanley Parable" you play as "Stanley" in what appears to be a straightforward plot where all your co-workers have disappeared in the office, but it quickly becomes apparent that this is not your typical concept of a game. You'll probably have to play it yourself to understand.

    Yes, there is some witty and philosophical dialogue and some bits of it may encourage some thought, but there is really no game here. It ultimately amounts to "choose an ending from this predetermined list." There's no real common theme and the different "endings" feel disjointed. Other than walking around there is nearly 0 interactivity, and certainly no challenge of any sort.

    I think ultimately if this were a 5-7 dollar experience, I'd be fine with it, but at 15 dollars I almost feel like it's a rip-off. You shouldn't have to pay this much just to watch someone's thought experiment. I'm a little confused by all the hype.    … Expand
  77. SebboBastian
    Dec 24, 2018
    9
    Philosophical, something that digs under your skin and into your mind. Love this game, this confusing crazyness. Looking forward for the ultra deluxe version!
  78. EggMilk
    Nov 22, 2013
    9
    SImple:

    1. Follow the narrator. 2. Do not follow the narrator. This game has severe comic relief and will have you laughing on many occasions. The sense of freedom inside a very well thought story creates a great "choose your own adventure" feel. It would be nice to see more games like this and not the crap most indie "story-tellers" try to force out as a playable novel. A    SImple:

    1. Follow the narrator.
    2. Do not follow the narrator.

    This game has severe comic relief and will have you laughing on many occasions. The sense of freedom inside a very well thought story creates a great "choose your own adventure" feel.

    It would be nice to see more games like this and not the crap most indie "story-tellers" try to force out as a playable novel.

    A game this unique deserves a great review. And a cupcake.    … Expand
  79. SIPPIO
    Nov 1, 2013
    5
    I gave it a 5,, but I wanna know why NOBODY is reviewing it instead just hiding cause of spoilers..Spoil away,, Doesn't mean its ruined. Not a 1 of the 7 or 8 reviews said anything.
  80. Discofix
    Mar 26, 2014
    8
    It is a very good and well thought through game.
    However, it does lack a bit in content, which gets very noticeable after playing it for about 20h.
    In total, it is very amusing.
  81. doefa
    Oct 24, 2013
    8
    This is a game that just astounds me, every choice you make changes something, and as long as you don't repeat the same path, you get something different. It is a game that i enjoyed a lot and is something that i can't explain so..... yeah, just go play it and see for yourself, the game is not for everyone but if you like a story line narrative kind of game, you will enjoy it.
  82. Captainwinkie
    Nov 5, 2013
    7
    The Stanley Parable is not a game for everyone, but it was defiantly the game for me. The Stanley Parable is an exploration game, where the player plays as Stanley, your average guy who goes to work one day and nobody is there. Nobody is anywhere really. You have to explore to find out where everyone is. Decisions are everything in the Stanley Parable. The narrator will help "guide" youThe Stanley Parable is not a game for everyone, but it was defiantly the game for me. The Stanley Parable is an exploration game, where the player plays as Stanley, your average guy who goes to work one day and nobody is there. Nobody is anywhere really. You have to explore to find out where everyone is. Decisions are everything in the Stanley Parable. The narrator will help "guide" you through the game. I can say without a doubt, the Stanley Parable was a great buy, and good for passing time. Although it is not a game you play for story, you play it for the interesting; almost its own type of game. But this game is not for everyone. If you are not into exploration, slow(ish), puzzle games then this is not the right game for you. It gets a 7/10 for being fun and pretty, but having a low target audience.… Expand
  83. Hale
    Nov 1, 2013
    7
    This Stanley parable is just a remake of the mod with like 4 new endings. So I recommend you go play the mod first and see what you think, if you didn't like the mod don't bother buying Stanley parable I thought it was ok. but no game is perfect. it got a bit repetitive and only last for a hour. I recommend go play the mod instead.
  84. ozzsoffy
    Aug 11, 2021
    7
    Played this game a few times, got some endings, not all of them, it was interesting, I had enough.
    This game is smart, and it makes you think as a player playing computer games.
    I liked to concept if it. it is really well made, I didnt like the fact that it can never ends. you have endings (yes with an S), but you start from the beginning (or so you think) every time. I prefer a game    Played this game a few times, got some endings, not all of them, it was interesting, I had enough.
    This game is smart, and it makes you think as a player playing computer games.
    I liked to concept if it. it is really well made,

    I didnt like the fact that it can never ends. you have endings (yes with an S), but you start from the beginning (or so you think) every time. I prefer a game with an ending. this is not for me.    … Expand
  85. riningear
    Nov 29, 2013
    9
    The following is a player review of the video game, The Stanley Parable.

    See, the thing is, you're reading a review in order to gain an idea of what The Stanley Parable is, right? But that wouldn't work, oh, no it wouldn't. Firstly, that would involve explaining the plot to you in order to critique its finer points, and that's no fun. Spoilers aren't always helpful in discussing the    The following is a player review of the video game, The Stanley Parable.

    See, the thing is, you're reading a review in order to gain an idea of what The Stanley Parable is, right? But that wouldn't work, oh, no it wouldn't. Firstly, that would involve explaining the plot to you in order to critique its finer points, and that's no fun. Spoilers aren't always helpful in discussing the quality of a game, depending on its platform. As they say, the journey is greater than the destination. That's probably wrong, but who cares? There's a good chance you didn't, because I assume you skimmed half of the above to get to the good stuff, or maybe you skipped it altogether. So let me tell you about how the gameplay of The Stanley Parable works.

    You are a player. You have been sitting at a computer for quite a long time, pressing buttons you may not quite comprehend to reach a goal that you understand just as much. One day, there is a catalyst, and everything changes. The weight of your wallet is slightly less than it was minutes ago, some electrons signal a "wiring of currency," and there you are, downloading a software onto your computer, possibly through a third-party program that allows the exchange of similar programs, and eventually this software has been installed onto your computer. Eventually, you are using this software, and that is how The Stanley Parable begins.

    Or, you can take the alternative route. See, there is a separate software, a "lightweight" version of sorts, that does not actually make your wallet lighter, even if the prior implication says so before. This is what they call a Demo of sorts. And you go through a similar process, and when all is said and done, you are using a similar software, attempting to enjoy the output.

    Now, when all is said and done, if you do enjoy this "Demo," you may reset the situation follow the prior-mentioned path. Of course, given that many of you may see this post at a later date, there is a chance that the amount of money being transferred to the software developers (which you never really quite thought about until just this moment) is slightly heavier, because at the time that this "review" is being written, the game is 25% off its original price. If you chose to merely skim the review until this point, there is a good chance that, because of the number mentioned in the previous sentence, you slowed down your reading in order to note this price change; you should also note that it is November 29, 2013, and the game is on discount until December 3. I believe this would be a wonderful opportunity to engage in the processes described above (assuming you didn't skim them) and begin The Stanley Parable.

    If you do continue along these paths, remember this review. It will be very relevant later. This review is a piece of work, only decipherable by those who have truly embraced the process that is "Playing The Stanley Parable."

    And it is certainly a process that will change your perspective of software, choices, and state of mind.

    And game developers. Don't forget those again.    … Expand
  86. HunterAdams
    Nov 18, 2013
    9
    Have you ever wanted a game that felt fresh? Maybe you just wanted something to keep you busy for an hour or so. If so the Stanley Parable is a perfect game for you. The game puts you in the place of Stanley, a worker, who goes off on an adventure being narrated by a unique fellow. The game starts off rather slow and feels fairly linear towards your actions. But after a few decision makingHave you ever wanted a game that felt fresh? Maybe you just wanted something to keep you busy for an hour or so. If so the Stanley Parable is a perfect game for you. The game puts you in the place of Stanley, a worker, who goes off on an adventure being narrated by a unique fellow. The game starts off rather slow and feels fairly linear towards your actions. But after a few decision making the game widely opens up. This in return gives you a very rare experience not quite seen in other games. After going through a few of the endings and yes I did say a few as in their is many endings, you will end up finding yourself experimenting through each room in need to find another ending.

    After a few times playing you will tend to get the feeling that you have seen everything. All though it may feel like that right when you think you have found all the endings you do something spectacular or so the narrator thinks that you did and then a new story awaits you. You may never know what you may find throughout the rest of the game, but there is one thing though about the Stanley Parable and that is that whatever you do in the game, you may never know where its going to lead you.

    With this the Stanley Parable gets a solid 9/10    … Expand
  87. Bsrkr
    Nov 19, 2013
    9
    When I first saw this game I had no clue what it was about and what it looked like. It's really interesting I really enjoyed. I'd love to see a sequel. Go buy this game!
  88. Steejo
    Nov 19, 2013
    9
    This game is very different from most, and in some cases you can't even consider it a game. Regardless of whatever you want to call The Stanley Parable, it made me laugh so hard I coughed my lungs out. While the game is a bit "short" nor re-playable, per se, it was definitely a fun experience and I hope to see more from the series.
  89. ShotgunYourFace
    Nov 21, 2013
    9
    A beautiful masterpiece of mysterious mind games and a sarcastic yet superbly hilarious narrator to top it off, would have been a ten; however, they fail to bring many new elements to the game as opposed to the original free version yet it still works well when it does drawback to the previous edition in a nicely nostalgic way. A great game that will trap you in it's majestic maze ofA beautiful masterpiece of mysterious mind games and a sarcastic yet superbly hilarious narrator to top it off, would have been a ten; however, they fail to bring many new elements to the game as opposed to the original free version yet it still works well when it does drawback to the previous edition in a nicely nostalgic way. A great game that will trap you in it's majestic maze of hilarity, intricacy and genius mixed in with just a pinch insanity. Overall it's a brilliant game with a priceless story if slightly repetitive game-play that will also make you think deeply about all sorts of philosophical rubbish 9/10.… Expand
  90. Omen1994
    Nov 23, 2013
    9
    I really love this game. Its very short and you will have all endings in a small among of time but you will rly enjoy it. Go play the demo and buy it
  91. GamerNumberOne
    Nov 23, 2013
    9
    Funny. Awesome. Great. After I plyed all the endings, I searched for Eastereggs, and there are so many of them! I just love it. One of the funniest games I played the last time!
  92. Efficient
    Nov 28, 2013
    9
    The only reason this game gets a nine is because it can get a little bit repetitive. Other than that, this game is absolutely fantastic. Great soundtrack, great voice acting, great story. The Stanley Parable does a great job of combining everything you love about video games.
  93. PixelQiwi
    Dec 6, 2013
    9
    You can't say anything about this game without a spoilers.
    I played many games, but this game is the only that i loved forever.
    I don't even know why i love this game, maybe story, maybe narrator, maybe something else. Not anyone can understand the hi-score of this game. Some rate 10, some 0. All that i can say: Play it for yourself. You will love it like me. This game not even    You can't say anything about this game without a spoilers.
    I played many games, but this game is the only that i loved forever.
    I don't even know why i love this game, maybe story, maybe narrator, maybe something else.
    Not anyone can understand the hi-score of this game. Some rate 10, some 0.
    All that i can say: Play it for yourself.
    You will love it like me. This game not even lagging on my old computer, that made in 2001.

    I like this game so much, that i started writing the story about Stanley.

    P.S. Authors not added in game much things, like other endings.
    Also, i recommend you play the demo. It is good to play.    … Expand
  94. Swight
    Nov 14, 2014
    10
    Best game ever but it aint a game Best game ever but it aint a game Best game ever but it aint a game Best game ever but it aint a game Best game ever but it aint a game Best game ever but it aint a game
  95. StevenvanL
    Jan 2, 2014
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Filter Kafka through the sensibilities of Douglas Adams and you might end up with something like The Stanley Parable. It is not so much a game as a bewildering tree of short stories to explore, all featuring the same main character and all circling the themes of free will and purpose, while lampooning videogame mechanics. Button presser Stanley finds himself in an office devoid of colleagues and sets out to explore what is going on. As he roams the halls, a sardonic narrator points out what Stanley is doing and crucially what he is about to do. (Also see: Stranger Than Fiction.) But you are free to go against his prompts and the game even expects you to do so, as otherwise it would be a really, really short experience. You can’t really do much except occasionally press some buttons and open a door. Most of the joy comes from exasperating the narrator (Kevan Brighting), who sounds a lot like he is channeling Peter Jones, the voice of The Guide from The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. It is the funniest, best-written narration since GLaDOS from Portal, voice-acted to perfection. One of the highlights of the game actually had me just hang around in a pointless broom closet while the voice scolded me.

    There are various endings, but these aren’t endings at all in most cases, and you will inevitably end up circling back to the beginning. It’s never clear when you’re done, as it’s always possible you missed a branch of story somewhere, something the game itself also points out. The game is very ‘meta’ and will poke fun at what you’re doing or not doing and the expectations you may have of a game. A sinister countdown that pokes fun at your helplessness is probably the best example of this. (But are you really helpless?) And there is an ‘achievement’ that will have completists grit their teeth, which is to not play the game for five years. So I’ve got something to look forward to in 2018. There is also an achievement simply called ‘Unachievable’. But is it? Be prepared to cheat a little, by way of a walkthrough, when you feel like you have seen all there is to see. There are a few Easter eggs you are likely to miss unless you spend ages bumping around every corner of the office until desperation sets in.

    The only downside to The Stanley Parable is unavoidable repetition, as you will have to run through the same spaces a lot to get to the diverging branch you want to explore. Though occasionally there will be a small change a new voicemail to listen to, a new comment by the voiceover parts get too samey. Movement is fast, thankfully, but when rushing from one place to the next, the voiceover gets cut off awkwardly at points, when you trigger a new one before the old one is done.

    All in all, The Stanley Parable is a unique experience and one that should not be missed. When you look into this game, this game also looks into you. I look forward to revisiting it again, in time, when I’ve forgotten most of the narration. But not until five years have passed, of course, as I really want that achievement.

    @PopCultJunk    … Expand
  96. playerny
    Dec 28, 2013
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game has a great originality.
    It almost seems like a cross between an adventure game and a free roaming.
    Gameplay well done, every choice will change your way, and this does not allow these to be monotonous.
    FABULOUS!

    PS: If only a problem in the long run it becomes tiring, always going ahead and repeat several times the choices of the alternative endings then become hard to find.    … Expand
  97. CupcakePrime
    Dec 30, 2013
    9
    What an interesting "game." When reading about it online the theme was just to try it so you don't spoil it for yourself. Glad I did! Keep in mind it's not a game in the traditional sense. I imagine a lot of the negative reviews are from people who had expected some sort of puzzle game? Your mileage may vary but definitely worth trying to have an opinion.
  98. zlamaj
    Dec 31, 2013
    9
    Smart, entertaining and worth the money. Between 3-4 hours of brilliant gameplay. Wouldn't have wanted to be any longer, as it would become stale. Nailed every aspect, down to the hilarious achievements. Far better than spending the same amount to go watch a movie!
  99. rowyerboat
    Jan 1, 2014
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The most important thing I can say here is that THIS IS NOT A GAME. Even as someone who loves satire, meta-thinking, and criticism of standards, I feel somewhat duped by all the great reviews of this so-called "game."

    That's not to say that I didn't like it at all; the narration is very good and the writing is pretty clever overall. They explore some interesting themes regarding gaming, and it's a worthwhile experience going through it.

    BUT, there is essentially nothing to do within the game besides make a series of choices between two mutually exclusive options (namely, "Do I listen to the narrator or not?"). Then witness the results. Each "round" takes a matter of minutes, then you start at the beginning, altering the branching path you take slightly to see a different "ending."

    With repeated (consecutive) playthroughs I noticed some interesting details, but while I didn't exhaust every possible outcome, I played through enough variations in about 45 minutes to feel like I'd had enough. So, $12 (on sale even) for a 45-minute experience with zero replayability.

    TLDR: Interesting, worthwhile experience but extremely short and not worth the price. Should be    … Expand
  100. rubencristiano9
    Aug 31, 2015
    8
    Entertaining, that's how I would explain this game if I had one word and one word only.

    Love the voice of the narrator, he is the all of the game, if it wasn;t for him the game wouldn't even be called a game.

    Had a good 2 hours with it.
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Awards & Rankings

8
#8 Best PC Game of 2013
17
#17 Most Discussed PC Game of 2013
49
#49 Most Shared PC Game of 2013

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
88

Generally favorable reviews - based on 47 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 46 out of 47
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 47
  3. Negative: 0 out of 47
  1. Pelit (Finland)
    Mar 11, 2014
    84
    The Stanley Parable is many things. It's an interactive comedy, an existential riddle and an experiment in storytelling. Most importantly, it's pretty good. [Nov 2013]
  2. GameOver.gr
    Jan 23, 2014
    100
    It's one of those games that tries and succeeds in making a bold statement. Be prepared for something really special.
    Read full review
  3. Games Master UK
    Dec 25, 2013
    90
    Step away from this review and play it now. Or don't. Whatever you do is already ordained. OR IS IT?! [Jan 2014, p.83]
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