If you've been subscribed for a while you may remember that I'm a big fan of the Playdead Studio games LIMBO and INSIDE. Something about the puzzle platforming vibe with dark undertones and brutal deaths upon failure with just enough time to get everything done is incredibly engaging and entertaining. This year we saw the release of Stela, a game clearly inspired by the Playdead titles and one that pulls off the formula surprisingly well. Honestly there's not a ton to talk about here since if you've played the Playdead games you know what you're in for- a dark platformer with split-second puzzles, some trial-and-error gameplay, and an ambiguous story, although there were some noticeable moments where the game failed to really telegraph what the player should do, moreso than in the other games. And while the art style is impressive, the controls can feel a little slow and the story and theming never really spark a sense of curiosity. Even still, Stela is a game I can easily recommend to fans of Playdead-style games.