Stealth Inc 2: A Game of Clones

1. akaDv8R

   Oct 30, 2014

   9

   After playing the first 2-3 levels, I knew this game was going to be all I expected. So much contents, level creator, and local co-op. ItAfter playing the first 2-3 levels, I knew this game was going to be all I expected. So much contents, level creator, and local co-op. It leads you by the hand in the first few levels, but after that, it does get quite hard, but for me, that is one of its best attributes.
   
   I never played the original, but intend to give it a try soon. For this to be a Wii U exclusive is a big draw for Nintendo, and goes further in proving, you do not need a massive budget and hundreds of people to create a AAA game. Curve have released a few titles now on Wii U, and they have all been great quality. This latest, for me, is the best so far.
   
   Even once I have completed the main game, I have a complete level creator to create my own master pieces. I can believe Curve when they say it is almost the exact same tool they used to create the in game levels. In closing, for any gamer that enjoys a great looking game, that is going to test your brain cells (maybe to the limit lol), I would say get this game, I do not think you will regret it.… Expand

   • 5 of 5 users found this helpful
2. currer_bell

   Nov 22, 2015

   9

   One of the most clever game I've ever played. A must try for Wii U owners. Also If you're looking for a hard and rewarding game, this gameOne of the most clever game I've ever played. A must try for Wii U owners. Also If you're looking for a hard and rewarding game, this game will give you a run for your money.… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
4. headspacej

   Feb 11, 2015

   6

   One of the less-positive reviews had a line that rings true now that I've played it for a while: "Turns out trial-and-error isn't that muchOne of the less-positive reviews had a line that rings true now that I've played it for a while: "Turns out trial-and-error isn't that much fun when half the time the errors don't feel like your fault." Hard puzzles are great, but you don't get much of a buzz of satisfaction if you've just tried everything and then stumble into the solution. As polished as the game is, I wasn't finding it fun after the first few levels.… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
5. ricklongo

   Feb 23, 2015

   6

   You're supposed to be a mindless clone inside a huge, mysterious facility. But, as luck would have it, you ended up defective in a crucialYou're supposed to be a mindless clone inside a huge, mysterious facility. But, as luck would have it, you ended up defective in a crucial way: yearning for your freedom. This is the rather intriguing premise for Stealth Inc. 2, a sprawling Wii U-exclusive platformer that mixes metroidvania exploration with focused, self-contained (and sometimes super-hard) puzzle levels.
   
   Stealth Inc. 2 is certainly a sadistic game. During your adventure, your arch-nemesis (an ambitious facility worker who's trying to "scrap" you) will constantly communicate with you via sentences reflected on the walls. He'll tease you about upcoming hazards and mercilessly mock you when you inevitably face a gruesome death. This, and the gradual revelations about what exactly is going on, adds tremendous appeal to the title's minimalistic storytelling.
   
   While the game plays mostly like a metroidvania platformer, it's very peculiar in that it features numbered "test chambers" on each section. This makes it feels a bit more linear than usual in the genre; it's like the overworld is a big open map that actually tasks you with finding each stage. This could be very interesting in theory, but the game has a few problems that hinder the exploration. For example: eventually you learn to tell which sprites are solid walls and which aren't, but it's not always clear, which sometimes can become an exercise in frustration. Furthermore, areas look very similar to one another, which certainly doesn't help the player feel familiar with the overworld's structure (and remembering which secrets to backtrack for).
   
   Once you cleared all test chambers in a given area of the facility (including some pretty climatic boss stages), you're treated to a new gadget that helps you keep exploring. The test chamber themselves can get quite hard, and many of the puzzles are more cerebral than particularly fluid, meaning you'll certainly die a lot. I have mixed feelings about this; in the best-designed levels, it can be exhillarating, but the difficulty can feel cheap and boring in other sections.
   
   The gadgets themselves are quite well-designed, even if some are way cooler than others. Sometimes you'll be required to use them in very specific ways, and each of them features particular controls you have to master. I like that kind of challenge, however. What I dislike is how the game forces you to soft-pause in order to change gadgets, especially with the big gamepad screen available for on-the-go switching.
   
   One of the game's better ideas is a neat way to help with the difficulty: the Miiverse integration, which lets other players place clues all over the overworld. This can be turned on and off at will, and can come quite handy whenever you're stuck on a particularly cryptic section. The well-made level designer mode also means that you might get mileage out of the game even after the credits roll.
   
   Stealth Inc. 2 showcases an interesting way to design exploration-heavy 2D platformers, certainly offering thrills along the way, but it doesn't hit all the marks it sets out to. It has a great little story and a setting that can get enthralling, but some less-than-pleasant design decisions mean that it doesn't really compare favorably to other metroidvania titles on the Wii U e-Shop.
   
   Rating: 6.5… Expand

   • 1 of 1 users found this helpful

See all 5 User Reviews