Stealth Inc. 2: A Game of Clones

Stealth Inc. 2: A Game of Clones
Developer(s) Curve Digital
Publisher(s) Curve Digital
Designer(s) Jonathan Biddle
Series Stealth Inc.
Platform(s) Wii U
PlayStation 3
PlayStation 4
Xbox One
PlayStation Vita
Microsoft Windows
Release date(s) Wii U[1]
  • NA October 30, 2014
  • EU October 30, 2014
  • AUS October 30, 2014
Win, XBO
WW April 3, 2015[2]
PS3, PS4, PSVita
  • NA April 7, 2015[2]
  • EU April 8, 2015
Genre(s) Platform, stealth
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer
Distribution Download

Stealth Inc. 2: A Game of Clones is a 2D puzzle platform video game which was developed and published by Curve Digital. The game is a sequel to Stealth Bastard Deluxe, featuring different mechanics which involve puzzle sections and a fully explorable open world.[1] The game was released for the Nintendo Wii U on October 23. 2014.[3] The PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Xbox One and Microsoft Windows versions of the game were also released in April 2015.[4]

Gameplay

Stealth Inc. 2 is a puzzle platform game with "Metroidvania" style open world explorable areas. The game revolves around goggles-wearing clones, in which the player takes control of multiple clones. Players explore a cloning facility in which they were born, obtaining equipment to unlock new areas as they go. The game makes use of the Wii U GamePad in multiple ways, including managing the skill and tools to keep the main player hidden.[5]

The game revolves around working with different equipment for solving puzzles, unlike in the first game which only had goggles.[6]

The game includes a level editor with sharing capabilities. The inclusion of a level editor is said to provide an "endless" amount of content, extending the life of the title beyond the core campaign. In addition to this, the game will also make use of Miiverse, giving players the ability to post messages that'll appear on walls within the main game.[5]

Plot

A clone escapes the test facility and finds the reason behind the existence of the clones.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate scores
AggregatorScore
GameRankings83.93%[7]
Metacritic82/100[8]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Eurogamer6/10[9]
IGN8.5/10[10]
NintendoLife[11]
Digital Spy[12]
Hardcore Gamer4/5[13]

Pre-release reception was positive. Nintendo Life praised the game for its unique gameplay and considered it as a valuable addition to Wii U's eShop.[5]

Upon release, the game received generally positive reviews from critics. It received an aggregated score of 83.93% on GameRankings based on 14 reviews and 82/100 on Metacritic based on 21 reviews.[7][8]

Thomas Whitehead from Nintendo Life gave the game a 9/10, calling the game a much more expanded experience than its predecessor. He also praised the game's satisfying story, well-crafted levels, challenging gameplay, detailed Level Editor as well as the co-operative multiplayer mode, which he stated "has made unique use of the GamePad". He summarized the review by saying that "Stealth Inc 2: A Game of Clones is a gem from Curve Studios, and one of the very best download games on the Wii U."[11]

Scott Thompson from IGN gave the game a 8.5/10, praising the addition of leaderboard, which increase the replay value of the game. The game's sense of humor, puzzle design and progression are also praised. He summarized the review by saying that "Stealth Inc. 2 doesn’t just differentiate itself from the games that influenced it; it stands out as one the best games available on the eShop."[10]

Chris Schilling from Eurogamer is much more negative about the game. He noted that the game is frustrating to play, and that the game features too much moments of "trial-and-error". He also criticized the game's color tone and the checkpoint system. He compared the game unfavorably to Mark of the Ninja, Toki Tori 2 and 'Splosion Man and stated that the game is "too demanding and too laborious".[9]

As of 3 April 2015, the series has yielded more than 1 million downloads.[14]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Stealth Inc 2 sneaks to Wii U eShop October 23". Joystiq. Retrieved September 9, 2014.
  2. 2.0 2.1 DeCicco, Anthony (April 3, 2015). "Stealth Inc. 2 Now Available On Xbox One, Coming To PC & PS4 Next Week". Retrieved April 13, 2015.
  3. "Curve Studios Announces Wii U Exclusive Stealth Inc 2". NintendoLife. May 1, 2014. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  4. Crossley, Rob (2 March 2015). "Wii U Exclusive Stealth Inc 2 Coming to Xbox One, PS4 and PC". Retrieved 13 April 2015.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Stealth Inc 2 Could Arrive on Wii U as Early as October, Level Editor and Miiverse Details Explained". NintendoLife. June 26, 2014.
  6. "Stealth Inc. 2 announced as wiiu exclusive". ign. May 1, 2014.
  7. 7.0 7.1 "Stealth Inc 2: A Game of Clones". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Retrieved April 13, 2015.
  8. 8.0 8.1 "Stealth Inc 2: A Game of Clones for the Wii U reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved April 13, 2015.
  9. 9.0 9.1 Schilling, Chris (September 10, 2014). "Stealth Inc. 2: A Game of Clones review: Double Trouble". Eurogamer. Retrieved April 13, 2015.
  10. 10.0 10.1 Thompson, Scott (12 December 2014). "Stealth Inc. 2: A Game of Clones review: Clone High". IGN. Retrieved April 13, 2015.
  11. 11.0 11.1 Whitehead, Thomas (October 30, 2014). "Stealth Inc 2: A Game of Clones review". Nintendo Life. Retrieved April 13, 2015.
  12. Nichols, Scott (October 29, 2014). "Stealth Inc 2: A Game of Clones review (Wii U): A better bastard". Digital Spy. Retrieved April 13, 2015.
  13. Carlson, By Alex (October 28, 2014). "Review: Stealth Inc 2: A Game of Clones". Hardcore Gamer. Retrieved April 13, 2015.
  14. Carter, Chris (April 3, 2015). "Stealth Inc 2 is coming to the PC, PSN, and Xbox platforms in April". Destructoid. Retrieved April 13, 2015.

External links