Stacking (PC) (2011)

Overview: Based on Matryoshka dolls (Russian nesting dolls), Stacking is a puzzle adventure game where protagonist Charlie, the youngest sibling of the Blackmore family, is determined to save his siblings from the Baron.

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20140317:
Worried about missing a deadline, I couldn't sleep and focused on trying to stay awake from 6:43AM to 8:30AM. As such, I attempted to pass the time by playing Stacking. Unfortunately, I found myself too sleepy to play and decided to go sleep (at 7:00AM). I wondered how the snow day would affect the offices.

Capturing a doll one size larger. Stacking.

Steam Game Time: 12 minutes

[20140317][20170324 Edit]

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20170324:
Stacking is an example of how story-telling and gameplay can be done well in a video game.

The only unfortunate aspect of my experience (for which I'm primarily to blame) was a headache induced by the screen in combination with drinking coffee. And, if it were not for that, I'd almost surely continue playing. In fact, the game was so good that I was playing for quite some time despite the nausea.

Capture the Widow. Seduce a guard.

Game Mechanics:
The protagonist has the ability to possess a doll of the next larger size. Dolls which can be possessed will be highlighted in blue when they are approached. Furthermore, each doll has a different ability which can be used to solve puzzles throughout the game.

Steam Game Time: 61 minutes (cumulative game time) / 49 minutes (session game time)
Took a break to make a phone call.
Steam Game Time: 211 minutes (cumulative game time) / 150 minutes (session game time)

Muahaha. I ruined the caviar.

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Thoughts:
Pros:
+ Novel puzzle game mechanic
+ Beautiful art style
+ Humorous
+ Great tutorial / placement of gameplay mechanics

Neutral:
~ Camera can be noticeably shaky, especially when in smallest form
~ Decent number of items to collect.
~ Cut scenes are done in the style of silent films, I like them

Solved all the puzzles and collected all the dolls in the second level.

Cons:
- Lacks a map which would come in handy.
- Some of the "Hi-Jinks" are too simple; arguably a waste of time

Conclusion:
Overall, Stacking does a lot of things right and is an example which other games should strive to imitate and/or exceed. If you like solving puzzles and scavenger hunt-like adventure quests, then Stacking is just the game for you!

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20240501 Snapshot:
Steam Game Time: 3.6 hours (cumulative game time) / 3h 34m (Playnite)
Last Played: 20170325

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20240501:
Gameplay Log:
Completed "The Zeppelin of Consequence" with most finished: 17/18 solutions, 02/02 matched sets, 02/10 hi-jinks, 21/24 unique dolls

Steam Game Time: 5.4 hours (cumulative game time) / 1.8 hours (session game time)

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20240502:
Gameplay Log:
Completed all solutions to "Wind the Clock" puzzle.
Returned to "The Gilded SteamShip" where apparently I already had most: 21/21 solutions, 02/02 matched sets, 09/10 hi-jinks, 27/27 unique dolls; in my short time revisiting the area, I couldn't figure out the missing hi-jinks ("Broadsides!")
Returned to "The Zeppelin of Consequence" and I was able to almost* complete it: 18/18 solutions, 02/02 matched sets, 10/10 hi-jinks, 23/24 unique dolls
At one point I realized the hints for the third solution to the ticket lines required a combination of the flatuence and union organizer, but at that point I forgot who the person was who could had the flatulence action; I would have to review my recorded video to determine
I returned to the game after determining who the person who could use flatulence but apparently this solution together with the union organizer was one that I had already found.
I eventually did figure out the third solution (uppercut)
Completed "Royal Train Station"
Completed the "Final Challenge"

Steam Game Time: 9.0 hours (cumulative game time) / 3.6 hours (session game time)

*I originally thought I completed it, but I was missing a unique doll

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20240503:
Gameplay Log:
Initial state of "The Triple-Decker Tank Engine" area: 06/13 solutions, 02/02 matched sets, 04/10 hi-jinks, 21/26 unique dolls
End state after a session: 12/13 solutions, 02/02 matched sets, 10/10 hi-jinks, 26/26 unique dolls (I'm missing the second solution to Sickle the Sly
For the final solution I used hints to come to the answer. In my mind, I feel like I tried this already, but apparently not (get a person sick and approach Sickle the Sly)
Got the last unique doll on "The Zeppelin of Consequence"; I had a good idea of where to start
Completed the last hi-jinks of "The Gilded SteamShip" ("Broadsides!") which ended up being different than I thought, and I found it somewhat by luck (I originally thought it meant taking the measuring person to measure someone with a broad side. But I think when I passed the pirate that it was a nautical term; completing this meant 100% completion of the main campaign.

Steam Game Time: 10.9 hours (cumulative game time) / 1.9 hours (session game time)

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Thoughts:
Pros:
+ Excellent mastery of puzzles - the game excels at steering players towards puzzle solutions through dialogue and the environment
+ Great use of sound and visuals
+ Creative gameplay mechanic
+ Intuitive gameplay

Cons:
- Lack of a map system results in getting lost; I suppose I could have created my own simple maps (though the last area "The Triple-Decker Tank Engine" is a straightforward area)

Rating: 5.0 out of 5

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Stacking (PC) (2011)

Cutscene.

Relevant Links:
Stacking Website
Stacking (PC) (MetaCritic.com)
Stacking (Steam Store Page)
Stacking (video game) (Wikipedia.org)