STAY

STAY is out now on PC and Mac

An innovative take on the “lifeline” genre with deep meaning. 

Barcelona based studio Appnormals released today its nail-biting “lifeline” puzzle thriller STAY, where how much time you spend playing the game is equally as important as how much you don’t. Join Quinn, a depressed therapist, on his journey to escape a huge house filled with mysterious puzzles and messages after being abducted on his sleep.

Appnormals tackles some pretty interesting topics in their new game, available as of today for PC and Mac OS, exploring mental health like very few games have before, enveloped in pretty neat looking pixel art and with a greatly engaging and perfectly fitted soundtrack.

With elements of point and click, puzzle adventure and the “lifeline” genre, STAY puts players in the role of Quinn’s only hope and contact with the outside world through a chat app that lets Quinn tell us what’s going on and the choices he has to move forward.

STAY

The relationship between players and Quinn can get strong or weak, depending on how much time we spend by his side or leave him alone, aside from many situations were a path must be chosen with his future on the line.

Each room in this dark house is a new world to explore and understand, with countless references to different cultures, mythologies, languages and historical characters and events. Puzzles are around every corner, added to Quinn’s struggle to maintain sanity and stability amongst his fears and uncertainty of what’s going to happen next and how, if ever, is he going to escape.

For a more in depth look con STAY and its structure, please check out the review we’ve put out on this game, including some quotes from the developer team to further understand STAY’s motives and details.

In its latest press release, Appnormals stated the following features:

  • The clock never stops

STAY plays out in real-time, meaning that every minute spent away from the game is a minute Quinn is left alone. Drop out of conversations or leave Quinn to fend for himself for too long and there may be consequences for your actions.

  • Raise your empathy

Quinn is on edge, and every response matters. Prove yourself a compassionate ally and he’ll learn to trust you and share both his findings and deepest thoughts. Fail, and his emotions may work against you.

  • Interactive storytelling

Featuring 24 chapters, seven different endings, dozens of life-altering choices and entire webs of conversation, STAY is designed to be replayed multiple times. Explore myriad rooms and unearth hidden secrets in subsequent playthroughs to piece together the full story.

  • Uncover the truth

Webcams around the environment and on the computer enable you to watch and analyse Quinn’s reactions, mental state and actions while he is Away From Keyboard. Pick up on his lies, use that knowledge to your advantage and uncover the truth at the heart of STAY.

  • Solve mind-bending puzzles

Help Quinn get the better of the conundrums he encounters inside his prison by taking direct control of his actions during numerous puzzle sections.

STAY is available for PC as of today for $11.99 with an initial discount price of 20%. The original soundtrack is also for sale for $6.99.