Stagehand: A Reverse Platformer

I've played every game from the developers of this game, and this one may be my favorite one yet. A novel concept wherein you move around the various platforms in the game to give your character safe passage, instead of directly manipulating your character. It's perfect for quick sessions while in line or yeah, in the bathroom. The soundtrack is great as always, and I really appreciate the little touches that add even more polish to this treat of a game, such as the haptic feedback, and the retro yet clean interface. I particularly enjoy the clock and battery meter in the pause menu. Ok I have to finish this and go play some more. It'll be nice to see if there are updates coming, maybe more music, or maybe even power-ups. However I do love it as it's currently presented.

Stagehand is incredibly charming. It is, as it says, a reverse platformer – but I see it as an endless runner. And yes, I guess you could lump this in with something like Flappy Bird or its ilk, I guess? But the beauty of Stagehand is the small touches that make it great. The music and graphics are a delight, and there's both a humor and homage in the game that really sets it apart. It reminds me of games from the early 80s that felt like humans made them, and not algorithms. At first I was a little discouraged with the game, as I felt the pace was too fast. But I stuck with it, and I'm glad I did. Such joy and happiness for two bucks.

Stagehand brilliantly reimagining the classic jump-and-run platformer for a touch interface in a way that subverts the entire genre. Frankly, it's amazing nobody came up with it first. This is the game Mario Run should've been, a game that deeply understands its platform. Be warned: Stagehand is hard, but never unfair. If you fail, it's because you messed up. Which means you can FEEL yourself get better and better as you play, unlocking new characters and going deeper into the world. Oh, and I love the music so much, I find myself singing it around the house.

Stagehand is a gosh darn delight. Can't say enough great things about the pixel art and the music. Then you get into the gameplay, and you realize that's just as thoughtful. At first you struggle to move the platforms around to keep Frank alive, but soon enough, you can feel yourself learning how to quickly react to the stage as it comes at you, and eventually the game becomes a relaxing, zenlike experience. Once you reach that point, this game is perfect to play while listening to an audiobook or podcast. Highly recommended.

Just when you thought it all had been done before, these geniuses make a challenging platformer that flips the whole concept on its head. In this game you play a god-like entity with the power to move mountains, tormenting a Sisyphean character who has no choice but to pursue the human rat race that we all know so well. Stagehand raises philosophical questions about free will and the notion of "self" that cannot be summarized in this brief review but certainly make you question the nature of reality itself. Great music too.