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Stilt Fella is one of those games that will make you scream and swear repeatedly! Furthermore, it requires a ridiculous level of skill and an awful lot of luck if you wish to succeed. However, this challenging gameplay will appeal to lovers of physics-based games. Unfortunately, this is my least favourite genre, and my heart sinks whenever I’m handed a game from this genre to review. Yet, I still gave it my best even though I failed miserably.
This challenging physics-based arcade game was developed by September Games and published by Pineapple Works. Moreover, it is a single-player experience with an interesting graphical approach. Consequently, you must tackle the troublesome levels alone and put up with some rough visuals simultaneously. If you can put these elements to one side, you’ll endure an oddly rewarding testing time.
Stilt Fella tells no story.
Each level demands that you walk from point A to B whilst staying upright and avoiding any obstacles. This should be easy, but it isn’t. One foul move or badly executed analogue stick will send you flying. Additionally, if you fail to plan, you will fall flat on your face as you attempt to climb over boulders and other tough hazards.
The hero has picked stilts as his transport of choice. This is somewhat ridiculous as he can barely stay upright. Yet, you can do little about this problem as you must tackle the protagonist’s lack of balance and the hazardous course that lies ahead. Disappointingly, the developers focused all of their energy on the brutal gameplay and they forgot to incorporate a hearty story. Though I’m not sure a decent plot would have changed anything, I would have liked a minor distraction from the never-ending pain.
Grit your teeth.
If you’ve played Human: Fall Flat or Kerbel Space Program, you’ll know exactly what to expect! The hero flops around like a flaccid banana. This wouldn’t be so bad, but any false move and you must restart the level. This Russian roulette of skill and chance is infuriating. Moreover, the urge to rush each stage just to get to the finish line is often overwhelming. Consequently, you must remain calm and patient if you wish to succeed.
The action revolves around a repetitive gameplay loop. The hero must move from the start to the finish without hitting the floor. En route, they must avoid an array of ridiculous hazards and obstacles before they get to the finish line. This is where Stilt Fella excels. The stupidity of each fresh arena will make you chuckle. Yet, once you get into each level, the humour quickly fades as you slowly plan to take revenge on the developers.
Stilt Fella lacks modern finesse.
I didn’t focus on my surroundings. Instead, I was laser-focused on the task at hand and the chasms, fire, boulders, water, and parkour elements that I had to overcome. When you sit back and take the visuals in, you realise that the developer has used their creative licence to deliver a truly unique and unusual indie title. The use of lighting as well as height and depth make you think outside the box. Additionally, it enhances the difficulty and keeps you thinking throughout.
The audio is surprisingly refined. I expected a calm and underwhelming soundtrack. Instead, the action relies on ambient sounds and little else. This was a strange choice, but I guess I’d have been driven mad if the music played on a loop. It would have been nice if a varied soundtrack complemented the controller-smashing action. However, this wasn’t to be and you must endure hours of near silence instead.
Excellent controls.
Though this genre drives me mad, I have to admire the tight controls and the excellent layout. Moreover, the tutorial gets you ready for the hell that you are about to face. If you struggle with balance and coordination, you will hate every second of Stilt Fella. The pinpoint accuracy will drive you to distraction. Furthermore, there is too much luck especially when the obstacles start to mount up.
Now that I’ve finished reviewing this, I shall not be returning for more. Yet, if you fall for its wobbly charms, you may wish to speedrun each level or perfect new techniques. Subsequently, though it wasn’t for me, I can see people returning for more.
Stilt Fella drove me to distraction.
30+ levels of ball-breaking action isn’t my idea of fun. If you then add in the horrible obstacles and mushy physics-based controls, you have a recipe for a tough time. However, these are the perfect ingredients if you wish to test your audience. Consequently, though Stilt Fella drove me to distraction, it is an extremely good, albeit harsh indie title. Accordingly, I recommend buying it here. Can you make it to the finish line? Plan ahead, master the controls, and hope that luck is on your side.
