[Review] - Stacking

The overall story of the game is very engaging. A Matryoshka doll family, the Blackmores, are forced to sell off all of their belongings because of the disapperance of their father. A Master Chimney sweep that gets a new job working for The Baron at his new enterprise. As Charlie Blackmore you are easily dismissed by everyone in the world. You receive a letter that lets you know all your siblings have been sold in to slave labor and need your help. You set out to save them from The Baron with only your heart and courage in tow.

The graphics in the game are really great. Especially for a downloadable game. The miniature world of these stacking dolls is littered with posts made from sewing pins and suitcases made of matchstick boxes. The 1930s silent film aesthetic is used to great effect. Cutscenes are all created in a diorama style, with all the dialogue being spoken by cards. These small touches make for an engaging world that you just don't want to put down.

Gameplay is no less impressive. With Charlie being so small, he can easily "stack" with another Matryoshka doll that is one size larger than him. Each subsequent stacking doll needs to follow suite. You can't just jump from one doll to another without taking this in to account and this is where the puzzle game aspect really starts to shine. You are given a goal and you must find the "special doll" that will help you achieve this goal. Also littered throughout each level are other special dolls to be found, all in the effor to 100% each level. Each special doll also has a unique ability that are used to solve the puzzles or even find alternate solutions. There are also "hi-jinks" that are hidden goals in each level. They are all very inventive and extremely entertaining. Each hi-jink is basically rewarding you for disrupting other doll's lives. Each special doll type, puzzle solution, hi-jink, and more are tracked in a pretty unique way. Charlie meets a hobo named Levi that tracks each and every thing in the game. While this may seem just completely random or just a way to track things, it is very indicitive of Double Fine. The game controls well, but the dolls control like you would expect a doll to control. It takes a bit to get used to, but doesn't hamper the game at all. The camera on the other hand could use a little work.

Stacking really is fun and doesn't lose its charm as you go through it. There are some issues with controls initially and the camera has issues, but there is nothing showstopping. The game is graphically impressive and the small touches are what make you want to keep playing. The silent film setting really does justice to the Matryoshka dolls and makes for a great overall presentation. As a downloadable game, there is a lot to find and do in the game. It is fairly short and I think that helps the fun to not wear off quickly. I'd recommed this to any Double Fine fan and would say that anyone that enjoys puzzle games should at least give the demo a shot.