Stacking

It's as immediately accessible and likeable as Costume Quest, and even more rewarding towards diligent players who aren't satisfied with simply finding easy solutions.

More than any previous Double Fine title, Stacking, with its flawless art direction, unusual gameplay and affecting soundtrack is a one-of-a-kind adventure that story lovers and creative thinkers won't want to miss.

Stacking proves that lively character and set designs, catchy music, and clever writing are far more important in making a good game than simply simply adding filler to extend the quantity of gameplay hours.

Stacking is a fantastic game with some actual content, challenge (so long as you avoid the hint system) and it has a whole lot of charm.

I loved every minute of it.

A magnificent gameplay concept. [Issue#70, p.102]

Frankly, we could play Stacking for 20 hours, and it's just a shame we can't. [Issue#107, p.110]

It's easy to recommend Stacking for a blind purchase, especially for those who are fans of the old-school adventure game genre. It's not a particularly deep or difficult title to complete, but, like a Saturday morning cartoon, is remarkably fun while it lasts.

Despite these small problems, however, Stacking manages to be an excellent experience.

If you're looking for a game with a personality all its own and don't mind spending a few extra Microsoft points, Stacking will stack up remarkably well against other competition.

It's the most unique, charming take on the common puzzler since Portal – a must buy.

Simply delicious. A must-have game for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 owners.

Original, beautiful, and one of a kind.

Stacking is a fresh and original game, full of fun situations which challenge us to solve puzzles that require some intellectual effort.

Stacking mixes inventive gameplay with a charming visual style to produce an outstanding puzzle-adventure.

It really strikes you with enchanting visuals, delicate music and extraordinary characters. The riddles may be too easy, but, if you'll take your time to find the many different solutions, the experience will be worth all the while.

Stacking is a delightful game. The team over at Double Fine have once again crafted a different kind of adventure that is enjoyable on all levels.

With original and stylistic visuals, solid sound, and very addicting gameplay, Stacking is an XBLA (or PSN) title that is worth anyone's time and money (about $15.00 or so).

Double Fine have produced some brilliance in Stacking and it is a more than worthy addition to any collection.

Critics are constantly crying out for fresh mechanics, and this is a wonderful one that I hope I get to see an evolution of.

Stacking is both fun and adorable and playable by gamers of all ages.

Its stars may be hollow, but Stacking is stuffed full of charisma, cleverness and charm.

It may be short, but what it makes up in is an absolute unique experience with an amazing art direction filled with humor that only Shafer could come up with. Clever writing, amazing story telling and unique characters will have you remembering Stacking for quite some time to come after you've saved your family.

For the people out there who like puzzle-solving and a charming story and art style, you owe it to yourself to pick this game up.

Stacking won't appeal to everyone, and if you're not sold on the game's premise at this point then you're probably one of those gamers. If you enjoy adventure-style games and/or something a little unique and different than most games out there, though, you'll probably enjoy your time with Stacking.

Stacking is beautiful to look at and its story about child labor and the stereotypic underdog is heartwarming, yet its controls are sloppy, cut scenes are far too long and for 1200 MSP it might be a little bit pricey for its short length. Nevertheless, it's worth a look for those who love riddles and that 20ies' charm.

I like to think of it as this year's Toy Soldiers, just based on the aesthetic alone. But that doesn't even come close to describing it. Will you like it? If you are a fan of the adventure/puzzle genre, you certainly will. The charm may be just enough to draw you in for a full purchase.

Stacking is one of the most charming games you'll ever find, a refreshing break from the ubiquitous shooters flooding the market. It may not have much replay value, but you will still enjoy your stay in the whimsical, unique world of Charlie and his fellow stacking dolls.

Stacking is a fun, memorable experience and its sheer uniqueness makes it another successful endeavor by Double Fine.

A unique and completely new idea that tries to push the adventure genre forward.

Stacking possesses many elements of a great game: challenge, humour, well written plot, user friendly, great sound and visuals… and for the casual gamer it's easy to pick up and play for brief periods of pleasant distraction. We reckon you'll love it, but if further convincing is required you can download the trial from XBLA, which costs nothing but time and bandwidth.

Stacking is a delightful little game with a fantastically original premise that truly deserves to be played by everyone.

Double Fine brings us an original and magical game starring russian dolls with a simple gameplay but as an extraordinary experience with a lot of fun.

Stacking is chock full of charm, humor, and fun puzzles.

Stacking is a bit rough around the edges, but the puzzles are clever, the humor hits the mark more than it misses, and the characters and story are delightful, leaving adventure fans with little more to ask for.

Deceptively cute, strikingly subversive and creatively inspired, Stacking appeals to both the casual and hardcore audiences in a single shot.

Stacking is a little pearl, a game so well-crafted you won't be able to put it down. One of the best pieces of software you can buy on XBLA and PSN if you don't mind using your brains more than your reflexes.

Double Fine proves yet again that you can make a great video game out of just about anything. Stacking may be nothing more than a world of nesting dolls, but that didn't stop the developers from coming up with one of the most intriguing game concepts of 2011.

Stacking is an essential purchase that will leave a smile on your face for days to come. It needed a little more content and variety, sure, but we'll tell you one thing - we're definitely looking forward to what Double Fine has for us next.

Stacking is quaint, even charming, with its silent-film style and the funny ways that the dolls react to whatever nonsense is being propagated. The game is a little on the short side, and though there are some gameplay change-ups in the conclusion, don't expect any keyed-up moments; the experience remains moderated and subtle throughout.

Clever game designing and bewitching concept are the main triumphs of Stacking. The new title from Double Fine is an amazing and unique puzzler.

The cutscenes are just as fun to watch as the game is to play.

Stacking reminds us an awful lot of the vintage films from the 20's. The music is pure ragtime-style ballads, but with a lighthearted tone so things never get too down in the dumps.

Lacking genuine belly laughs but excess ingenuity stacks the books in this one's favour. [May 2011, p.121]

The game really only takes a few hours to complete but its charm has the most staying power.

The game looks absolutely gorgeous, with dioramas made up of lifesized everyday items, as well as cardboard cutouts. The silent film style cutscenes have a certain charm to them as the play out, and they fit the Victorian time period that the game takes place in.

The unique style and setting of Double Fine's matryoshka-based Stacking provides plenty of fun and challenging puzzles and tasks. It's polished, detailed and filled charm and inventivesness. There may not be a lot left to do after you've collected everything there is to collect, but if you enjoy clever puzzles and original designs, don't miss out on Stacking.

Stacking makes use of some inventive gameplay mechanics that lets the player decide what kind of experience it wants to get out of the game. Accessibility, clever puzzle design, a charismatic world and oodles of fun are what developer Double Fine whips up into this delicious little game.

Stacking doesn't strike us as a game focused on difficulty. It's a game for those interested in creativity, humour and fun - a toy box full of variety and imagination that rewards playfulness and exploration.

Stacking rarely treks toward the outskirts of the playroom, and not as far into alternative humour territory as some Schafer fans would hope. But instead it offers a fully-formed, self-contained world of colour and quaintness, charm, and more importantly an individuality of its own.

It's a lot of value in such a small package, but the sometimes overly precious presentation can be befuddling at times, making Stacking an experience best savored by gamers predisposed to cutesy cleverness.

A clever, imaginative, and humorous game from the unlikeliest of inspirations that makes one wonder why something like it had never existed before.

Thanks to its fascinating concept and engaging gameplay, Stacking proves able to assure a unique gaming experience for both PSN and XBLA users. Although the game has its faults, like an excessive accessibility, Tim Schafer's newest project surely deservers attention.

Double Fine's best game since Psychonauts is unique in both setting and gameplay, with an enchanting mix of absurdist logic and striking presentation.

Yet another creative, unique game from Double Fine. Who would guess playing with dolls could be this much fun?

Stacking's best qualities are its eccentricity and ingenuity. The puzzles lack the tortured bite of Double Fine's early work, but in broadening the narrative-led puzzle game's scope and carefully choosing which elements of tradition to keep and which to discard, Stacking is a bold and charming reinvention.

What Stacking winds up being in the end is a bright and cheerful little romp which should bring a smile to anyone who doesn't require someone to be shot in a videogame before they have a good time. With minimal pressure and a strong focus on creative thinking, it's an ideal game to play with someone else in the room and perfect for families to play together.

As downloads go, this is generous and imaginative, then, and the richness of the world is more than enough to make up for an occasionally tricksy camera, a fair amount of backtracking and a tendency to pad things out as it heads towards the final act.

If I were to rank Double Fine Studios' oeuvre, Stacking would have a strong shot at nestling atop the list, given the game's impeccable humor and collectable-friendly gameplay.

If you love just messing around within an engaging world and you aren't merely single-mindedly driven toward a goal, Stacking will delight you. But if you're one of those impatient people who can't be bothered by anything other than the task at hand, there's a chance you'll be disappointed with its lack of difficulty and emphasis on collection and multiple solutions. Even if you are of the second group though, Stacking could very well win you over with its charming presentation.

An enchanting world seamlessly combines with fun gameplay and rewarding puzzles to make Stacking a magical adventure.

Stacking looks like a trifling little downloadable title, but the game has a surprising amount of heart.

Stacking is right up there with the likes of Braid and Limbo as an absolute must-download.

A very original game, both from the gameplay and artistic points of view; what keeps it from being a real masterpiece are its simplicity and repetitiveness in objectives. It's however highly suggested to everyone looking for different and innovative gaming experiences.

Quotation forthcoming.

Although its story and world with its dark and gloomy industrial setting is interesting, its puzzle-solving and platforming elements are to easy. The game might be great for casual gamers and those who are new to the genre, but those who expected Schaefers old lunacy and absurdities, will probably be disappointed.