Stanley Says Review (PC)

If the (un)holy trinity of Five Nights at Freddy’s, Poppy Playtime, and Finding Frankie have taught me anything, it’s that animatronics, no matter their size, mannerisms, or natural-born tendencies, are evil. It doesn’t matter if they’re grinning from ear to ear or even if they’re famous for their warmth and affection; if it moves on its own accord, and if it has the option to reject its own code, then it’s evil. With that basic logic lodged in my brain, I know all too well how a typical mascot horror game will normally unfold without having to cross the threshold. And frankly, I was able to hit the nail on the head just as soon as Stanley Says popped up to introduce itself as the next character in the book. Go figure.

Stanley Says isn’t just another Poppy Playtime clone; it’s a versatile thriller that meshes the familiar tropes of a mascot horror with its own spin on an adolescent theme. Alas, there are no toy factories to scoot around in here, but there are several ominous kindergarten facilities to explore. Sort of like Garten of Banban, I suppose, but with fewer mascots and a shorter story all around. But let’s not dwell on that, for there are plenty of excellent qualities that give Stanley Says an edge over its competitors.

For the record, Stanley Says is an indie project that stems from a solo developer, and so, a lack of finesse is a common fixture that you might as well anticipate before jumping into the fray here. With that said, let’s jump into the details and see what else this disturbing ode to mascot horrors has to offer.

A Place of Joy, Apparently

Stanley Says takes us to the inner pits of a defunct nursery—a labyrinthine haven of adolescent joy that, after its abrupt closure in 2001, has since transformed into a gloomy world of vacant memories and, true to the spirit of mascot culture, a poster child of a rather sadistic animatronic who still patrols the halls in a spirited attempt to encapsulate its true nature under the guise of a lighthearted demeanor.

In Stanley Says, we take to the role of a survivor who, in the aftermath of a questionable disappearance decades prior, decides to venture back to the lot to uncover its deepest, darkest secrets. Upon arriving at the building, however, our protagonist soon discovers that they are not alone, and that the in-house mascot, Stanley, still resides in its corridors from afar. Thus, we have our premise: a fateful victim returns to the inner boroughs of an abandoned nursery to seek the answers to their past traumatic experiences. Like Poppy Playtime, but with a bit of role reversal, I guess.

The short runtime of Stanley Says is mostly made up of simple puzzle solving and, if you can believe it, an adrenaline-fueled chase sequence that bathes in long-winded prompts and motions. Again, like a traditional mascot horror — but with Stanley fronting the roster. And just Stanley, sadly, due to said roster having just the primary antagonist. But we won’t dock point for that, as to be fair, Stanley Says does make good use of its lone wolf centerpiece with some frequent peek-a-boo moments. And while Stanley isn’t terrifying (we won’t divulge too many details here, as to avoid any spoilers), the swinging animatronic does foster some great characteristics that are, to be honest, weirdly reminiscent of Huggy Wuggy. If the shoe fits, though, I guess.

“Don’t Run.”

Stanley Says’ twenty-minute campaign follows in a similar pattern as most mascot horrors, with the protagonist spending the initial segment either exploring specific areas, solving logical puzzles out of blocks and other items—a radio, being one of the main avenues of guidance—and gradually working to unravel the secrets that loom on the adjacent side of the world. It is predictable in some ways, though, as the final portion of the game does result in a nail-biting chase sequence that takes a turn for the worse and, frankly, forces you to make swift moves and prompts in order to avoid the fatal consequences. I knew that was on the cards, but it didn’t make it any less terrifying. Kudos, Stanley.

I do wish that Stanley Says had a few more plot points to work with here. Sadly, just as the game finds its feet and introduces its primary antagonist, the gates abruptly close and give way to the credits. And that’s a shame, because honestly, I would’ve happily spent another hour or two carving through the inner sanctum of the nursery complex. A sequel ought to help scratch that itch, though. Wink wink.

The good news here is that Stanley Says plays well, with no major technical issues or teething problems sullying its performance or dampening its visual quality. It’s a short game I’ll admit, and so, it doesn’t leave much room for error. That said, it’s always nice to have a well-oiled experience that flows without being overwhelmed with burdensome things.

Verdict

Stanley Says keeps the mantra of ostracizing rogue animatronics alive with its own unique twist on the mascot formula, with a surprisingly well-orchestrated plot that peppers its adolescent horrors over a series of genuinely terrifying chase sequences and well-rounded puzzles fortifying its potential as an effective force to be reckoned with. It isn’t Poppy Playtime, and it certainly isn’t Five Nights at Freddy’s: Secret of the Mimic. But don’t let that fool you into believing that it’s an unworthy incarnation of a generic mascot horror. Believe it or not, Stanley Says has every right to share the same platform as the aforementioned cult classics. It just needs a little extra meat on its bones to elevate its chances of standing a little higher on the podium, so to speak.

Although a sequel would certainly be of benefit here (or at least some additional context to help smoothen the hinges and prevent any confusion about the plot), Stanley Says is, in all honesty, an admirable game that definitely deserves to garner the attention of its target demographic. Granted, it isn’t the perfect way to scratch that Finding Frankie itch, but it ought to quench your appetite for good old-fashioned mascot horrors for a short while whilst you search for your next rogue poster child.