This game is beautifully made. Each setting is backed by extreme contrast and marked with its own area specific monster. While there are some similarities between this game and INSIDE, Stela holds its own against it.
Atmospherically, the game really stands out. It has a very dark feel; one that is eerily quiet in some places, and disturbingly loud in others. It lingers with you, a sense of unease. From the beginning until the end, you’re uncertain of who this protagonist is and if they will even survive this ordeal.
On a technical standpoint, this game also delivers. It is a very fluid experience. The frame rate is stable and the game is consistent throughout; however, the only drawback would be the controls. While they are meant to be simplistic, sometimes they are just clunky. Numerous times I had to restart segments due to a lack of proper control. Despite this, it didn’t detract from my experience with the game, which is positive.
Overall, this is a beautifully made game. The locations, lighting, and color schemes seem to set a mood — they’re more than just colors. Hidden within each location, there lies an emotion the developers are trying to convey to the player. While some will overlook them, others will not. And although some will call this an “INSIDE clone!” rest assured it is not. In fact, while it may be similar, it has many of its own merits — including a satisfying and even philosophical ending. Stela is, simply, a gem of a game.