Stealth Inc. 2
Created by: Curve Publishing
I never got the chance to play the original Stealth game, A Clone in the Dark, which was a Playstation exclusive. That was infuriating coming from an Xbox corner, but thankfully Curve have seen it right to release the sequel, smartly subtitled “Game of Clones”, on Xbox One as well as on the Sony brand. It really is a bit dangerous to be putting puzzle games in my general reach, as I spent what must have felt like an eternity playing N+ back on the 360, so how would I be faring on this little thing?
Well, I would be finding it even more addictive, if you want the honest answer. There are collectibles all around the place for a start, helping you to unlock different headgear and outfits for your little clone, who is trying to not only complete the tasks his nasty employer/master is getting him to do, but to also get out of the facility, at least that’s what I’m making out from the story.
There was never going to be something earning an Oscar award in terms of narrative here anyway, but when the gameplay is this clever, not to mention addictive, you are really not going to be caring in any way, shape or form. There is a little hint of Metroidvania about the whole thing, as you know that in certain parts you go by first time round you will no doubt be heading back there at a later date with something you have unlocked a bit further on to either get a secret you missed or move to another area you’re unable to explore. It also has that special gift of wanting you to better your times on the leaderboard, but then that is possibly down to it thrusting it in your face when you start and finish a level. It does work though, as I did try hard to get Curve’s time off them and the number 1 spot. For that brief period of time I WAS THE NUMBER ONE GUY IN THE WORLD on the first map. I’m sure it has now been beaten by a ten year old who eats twenty packs of Quavers a day and uses his other hand to phone in a drink because he is naturally gifted.
The beauty of Stealth Inc. 2 is that it makes everything feel relaxed and that the game itself was made with a very non laboured approach, resulting in a title with character, soul and a real sense of fun. The deaths will come, as you would expect for a trial and error puzzler, but you don’t actually mind because the whole thing is about learning from your mistakes and trying to figure out just what you should be doing to get to where you need to be. The times are always playing in your mind and any chance to get further up there is one you feel an overwhelming urge to take. Whether or not you will be victorious or not is another matter altogether.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is why puzzle games are one of the most addictive genres in gaming. The pick up and play feel mixed with a “one more go” attitude can be contagious. Not to mention that there is a level editor built in, allowing people to post their creations up for all to play. Sadly there isn’t an option to have ones that cannot be completed being left out, but maybe a patch will clear that up.
Graphically it has a nice mix of old school and modern, with some things looking wonderfully pixelated surrounded by a vector shell. I am a soft spot for novel touches and it is the things like your character’s goggles changing colour to match the warnings on the bottom of the screen that make me smile and enjoy the game more than should be possible. What I find mostly impressive about Stealth Inc. 2 is that although there are puzzlers out there and as it is an Xbox Live Arcade title you would think there are a few already, it never seems to get lost in amongst all of those dull and uninteresting others that could say they do the same. There is a fondness about the game, a feeling of something that has been crafted with care, which seeps through every pore. This feeling comes through to you and you begin to feel a bond with your clone and you genuinely don’t want harm to befall him.
The amount of what they now call ID @ XBox games that I personally would deem essential for purchase is not a huge amount. Sure, there are a few that stand out, like Strider and the imminent arrival of New ‘n Tasty, but Stealth Inc. 2 is a no brainer when it comes to a recommendation. It has charisma reeking out of it and it is infectious in ways some games could only dream about. To be honest, I’ve seen some full price, physical copy titles fall short of what is on offer here and this is a fraction of the cost. The replay value in the editors and leaderboard times just add gravy to the choice cut left on your gaming plate here.
It is an essential. A small game with a big heart and a set of teeth you don’t imagine it having to bite into you and not let go. From the affectionate pillars who genuinely feel sad to see you go, to all of the nasty enemies wanting you gone, to some really well thought out level design and of course, the level editor adding much more life to a jam packed title, you just cannot fault the value to you the consumer in both financial and practical satisfaction. It is money well spent and in the leaderboards alone, it will keep those competitive ones very happy indeed. No game is ever perfect and shouldn’t be, but by God this one is pretty damned close, especially for those who like to spend a few moments getting one up on their friends, whilst enjoying a cracking little game. It isn’t so much learning curve, but more like thank you, Curve.
Lovely.
Once again a huge thanks to the Xbox Community for their support and the opportunity to review this game.