Info about The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe:

Official game description:
**The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe is a first person exploration game. It is an expanded re-imagining of the critically acclaimed, award winning indie game The Stanley Parable from 2013.**  
When a simple-minded individual named Stanley discovers that the co-workers in his office have mysteriously vanished, he sets off to find answers.  
You will play as Stanley, and you will not play as Stanley. You will make a choice, and you will have your choices taken from you. The game will end, the game will never end. Contradiction follows contradiction, the rules of how games should work are broken, then broken again. You are not here to win. The Stanley Parable is a game that plays you.  
**What's New?**  
Everything that was in the original Stanley Parable is here, preserved just like it was back in 2013. But The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe also dramatically expands the world of the original game with new content, new choices, and new secrets to uncover. The labyrinth has just gotten bigger.  
In addition, the game has been visually upgraded to reflect modern technology while faithfully preserving the tone of the original game. Accessibility features have also been added to the game, including localization of in-world text, colorblind options, and content warnings.  
And just as before, the impeccable voicework of Kevan Brighting will accompany you every step of the way.  
In The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe, everything you remember has been recreated, yet it's different somehow. We've been here before, haven't we? Is Stanley still the same as he was back then? Or is it you who has changed?

Release date: Apr 27, 2022

Categories: First-Person Perspective, Exploration, Narrative Adventure, Choice-based Narrative, Walking Simulator, Meta-Narrative Gameplay, Philosophical Exploration, Interactive Fiction

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 15; verdict: Mixed Sentiment on Pricing; summary: The reviews indicate a mix of opinions on the game's pricing. While some users find the game enjoyable, there is a significant sentiment that the game is overpriced and lacks additional purchasable content. Some users perceive the game as a cash grab, suggesting a lack of value for the price paid.
- Wiki: score 50; verdict: External Data Dependency; summary: The primary user complaints revolve around the need to use external resources like wikis and walkthroughs to fully understand and complete the game. This dependency on external data significantly impacts the user experience, as it detracts from the discovery and enjoyment of the game's hidden secrets and quest outcomes.
- Proton/Linux: score 25; verdict: Mostly Positive; summary: The game generally runs well on Linux and Steam Deck, with positive feedback on performance and compatibility. However, there are reports of significant graphical glitches and freezing on the Linux port, which affect the user experience. Some users also mention crashes, but it is not clear if these are Linux-specific issues.
- Steam Deck: score 40; verdict: Mixed Experience; summary: The analysis of user feedback reveals a mix of experiences with the game on the Steam Deck and Linux platforms. While there are significant stability issues reported, particularly with the Linux port, there are also numerous positive reports about the game's performance on the Steam Deck and Linux. Some users experienced crashes and bugs, but others found the game to run smoothly and enjoyed their experience. The overall sentiment is a blend of frustration due to technical issues and satisfaction with the game's performance and unique experiences.

- Hardware Profile:
  - Summary: The game generally performs well across different hardware configurations, even on systems with lower VRAM and RAM. Most users report stable performance and good optimization.
  - Sample size: 86 (2% coverage)
  - Audience skew: Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
  - Windows <8GB VRAM (positive, 51 reports): Users report stable performance and good optimization, even on lower-end hardware.
  - Caveats: 86 of 4894 reviews expose hardware metadata.; Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $8.00 - $15.00
  - Reasoning: The evidence consistently suggests that the game is worth purchasing when it is on sale. Multiple reviews mention that the game is best bought at a discounted price, implying that the full price might be considered too high by the community. The specific mention of a sale price of ten dollars provides a concrete data point for the lower end of the price range. Additionally, the sentiment that the game is worth it on sale but not necessarily at full price indicates that the community considers a discounted price to be fair.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 18.0h
  - Story completion: 7.0h
  - Session length: 1.0h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The evidence provides several direct and indirect references to playtime metrics. The first quote mentions an hour of playtime, which can be considered a session length. The second quote explicitly states '18 hours of gameplay,' which can be interpreted as the time taken for game completion. The third quote mentions 'around 7 hours to get all the endings,' which aligns with story completion time. The fourth quote does not provide a specific playtime but discusses the game's structure, which can be useful for understanding the overall gameplay experience.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe initially engages players with its unique concept and storytelling, but the fun drops as the repetitive nature of the game sets in.
  - Stance: Fun then drops
  - Anchor: Discovering new endings and paths
  - Time to anchor: 1h 0m
  - Friction: Repetitive tasks; Lack of variety in paths; Tedious process of finding new endings
  - Unlock drivers: Short, digestible gameplay bursts; Exploration of different endings
  - Conditions: Short play sessions; Exploration mindset
- Player Archetypes:
  - Explorative Meta-Enthusiast (sale)
    - Motivation: Exploration and appreciation of meta-narrative.
    - Playstyle: Explores thoroughly, enjoys meta-commentary and narrative depth.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: explorer; meta-enthusiast
    - Reference games: Superliminal
  - Philosophical Meta-Reflector (buy)
    - Motivation: Philosophical reflection and meta-commentary.
    - Playstyle: Reflects on philosophical themes, enjoys meta-humor and narrative.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: philosopher; reflector
    - Reference games: Superliminal
  - Narrative Meta-Explorer (buy)
    - Motivation: Narrative exploration and meta-commentary.
    - Playstyle: Explores narrative depth, enjoys meta-commentary and philosophical themes.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: narrative enthusiast; meta-explorer
    - Reference games: Superliminal


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Narrator is highly praised (weight 0.68): The narrator's performance is widely appreciated for being delightful, amusing, well-written, and engaging. Players find the narrator's voice and character to be enjoyable, funny, and charismatic.
- Game is very entertaining (weight 0.67): Players describe the game as very entertaining, fun, and engaging. The gameplay is praised for being enjoyable, interesting, and unique.
- Multiple endings and high replayability (weight 0.6): The game includes multiple endings based on player choices, adding to its high replay value. Players appreciate the expanded content and new endings in the Ultra Deluxe version.
- Witty and ironic humor (weight 0.41): The game's humor is highlighted for being witty, ironic, and clever. Players appreciate the self-aware and satirical commentary throughout the game.
- Bucket mechanic is notable (weight 0.31): The bucket mechanic is a unique feature that players find interesting and engaging. The bucket is seen as a companion and adds emotional depth to the game.
- Unique gameplay experience (weight 0.3): The game offers a unique narrative and storytelling experience. Players find the gameplay mechanics and style to be thought-provoking and different from other games.
- Atmospheric and visually impressive (weight 0.3): The game's atmosphere is praised for being effective and artistic. The graphics and environment are described as beautiful and impressive.
- Thought-provoking narrative (weight 0.29): The game's narrative is described as thought-provoking and engaging. Players appreciate the deeper themes and philosophical musings presented through humor.
- Engaging decision-making (weight 0.18): Players find the decision-making process in the game to be engaging and meaningful. Every choice matters and adds to the overall experience.
- Engaging dialogues and story (weight 0.15): The game's dialogues are described as engaging, interesting, and funny. The story is captivating and keeps players engaged.
- Broom closet ending is favorite (weight 0.14): Many players cite the broom closet ending as their favorite. This ending seems to resonate particularly well with the audience.

Common complaints:
- Game lacks excitement (weight 0.26): Many players found the game boring and a waste of time. The gameplay was described as banal and confusing.
- Game overpriced (weight 0.23): Several reviews mention that the game is not worth the price, especially considering its length and content.
- Lacks meaningful content (weight 0.19): The game is criticized for lacking depth and meaningful content, feeling shallow and repetitive.
- Repetitive gameplay (weight 0.16): Gameplay is criticized for being repetitive, consisting mostly of walking and following instructions.
- Achievements issues (weight 0.13): Players are disappointed with the inability to get all achievements due to some not working properly.
- Narrator talks excessively (weight 0.09): The narrator talks too much, making the experience uninteresting for some players.
- Game is too short (weight 0.09): The game is criticized for being very short, which adds to the perception of it being overpriced.
- No skip button (weight 0.08): Players express a desire for a skip button for dialogues, which is currently missing.
- Narrator's bullying (weight 0.08): Some players found the narrator's verbal bullying and mockery unpleasant.
- Disappointing choices (weight 0.08): The game's choices are described as disappointing and excessive, not living up to expectations.
- Not as fun as expected (weight 0.08): The game did not meet expectations, being less open-ended and fun than anticipated.
- Disappointing Ultra Deluxe content (weight 0.08): Players express disappointment with the Ultra Deluxe content, finding it annoying.
- Distracting bucket image (weight 0.07): Some players found the image of the bucket distracting and unable to concentrate on anything else.

Gameplay feedback:
- Narrator-driven interactive experience (weight 0.58): The game features a highly engaging and interactive narrator who guides players, responds dynamically to their choices, and even breaks the fourth wall. This creates a unique narrative-driven experience with multiple endings influenced by the narrator.
- Choice-driven mechanics (weight 0.48): The game offers unique choices that lead to different outcomes, creating a choice-driven experience. Players' decisions influence the narrative and gameplay, adding to the game's replayability.
- Nonlinear and open-ended gameplay (weight 0.28): Players enjoy a nonlinear story with open-ended and decision-based gameplay. The game balances existential themes with addictive and error-free mechanics, offering a rich and engaging experience.
- Breaking the fourth wall (weight 0.25): The game employs metafiction and self-aware narrative techniques, frequently breaking the fourth wall. This creates a unique and immersive experience that challenges traditional storytelling.
- Philosophical themes and messages (weight 0.22): The game explores deep philosophical themes, including fate, absurdism, choice, and free will. These themes are interwoven with the narrative and gameplay, providing a thought-provoking experience.
- Unique bucket interactions (weight 0.19): A notable feature of the game is the relationship and interactions with a bucket, which includes a unique love story arc. This adds a quirky and memorable element to the gameplay.
- Exploration of themes and paths (weight 0.18): The game encourages exploration of human nature, hidden meanings, and different paths. This adds depth to the gameplay and narrative, making it a rich and engaging experience.
- Multiple endings (weight 0.15): The game features a wide variety of endings, encouraging players to explore different choices and outcomes. This adds to the game's replayability and depth.
- Walking simulator mechanics (weight 0.12): The game is described as a walking simulator, focusing on exploration and interaction rather than action or combat. This creates a more relaxed and contemplative gaming experience.
- Achievement system (weight 0.12): The game includes an achievement system with long-term goals, adding to the game's replayability and depth.
- Meta-humor and self-awareness (weight 0.11): The game features meta-humor and self-aware commentary, often poking fun at video game tropes and conventions. This adds a layer of humor and intelligence to the gameplay.
- Commentary on game design (weight 0.11): The game provides commentary on player choice and game design, critiquing player behavior and the nature of games. This adds a layer of depth and self-reflection to the gameplay.
- New content integration (weight 0.11): The game offers new content that is interwoven with the original game, providing fresh experiences and unlockable content. This adds to the game's replayability and depth.
- Deconstruction of game world (weight 0.08): The game deconstructs its own world and even itself, adding a layer of complexity and self-awareness to the gameplay.
- Minimal grinding (weight 0.07): The game features minimal grinding, making it a more relaxed and enjoyable experience.
- Interactions with objects (weight 0.07): The game includes interactions with various objects, such as doors, adding to the gameplay's depth and interactivity.
- Psychological mechanics (weight 0.07): The game employs psychological mechanics, such as reverse psychology, adding a layer of complexity and depth to the gameplay.
- Player desire for control (weight 0.07): The game plays on the player's desire for control and the realization of predetermined outcomes, adding a layer of depth and self-awareness to the gameplay.
- Specific ending mentions (weight 0.06): Players mention specific endings, such as the broom closet ending, highlighting the game's variety and replayability.
- Player choices in French (weight 0.06): Some players describe their choices in French, adding a unique and personal touch to their gameplay experience.

Performance notes:
- Enhanced graphics and performance (weight 0.14): The game features improved graphics and is better optimized for modern hardware, offering a realistic art style that runs smoothly even on devices like MacBook.
- Various bugs and glitches (weight 0.1): Players have reported several bugs, including falling out of the map and general bugginess, which affect the gameplay experience.
- Performance issues on laptop (weight 0.09): The game experiences lag and potential crashes on laptop hardware, indicating optimization issues for certain devices.
- Reasonable system requirements (weight 0.09): The game has decent PC requirements and a workable game size, making it accessible to a wide range of players.
- Game crashes (weight 0.06): The game has been reported to crash, which is a significant issue affecting player experience.
- Control issues (weight 0.05): There are reported issues with the game controls, which can hinder the overall gaming experience.
- Mixed graphics quality (weight 0.05): While the game generally has improved graphics, some areas have lower quality graphics reminiscent of older gaming systems.
- Technical hardware issues (weight 0.05): There are technical issues related to hardware compatibility, which can affect the game's performance on certain systems.
- Steam Deck compatibility (weight 0.05): The game is compatible with Steam Deck, providing players with the flexibility to play on this handheld device.

Recommendations:
- Highly recommended game (weight 0.58): The game is frequently recommended by players for its unique and thought-provoking experience. Many suggest it to friends and consider it worth the money.
- Unique and philosophical experience (weight 0.22): The game is praised for offering a unique, clever, and different kind of gaming experience that is narrative-driven and thought-provoking.
- Worth the price on sale (weight 0.21): Many players find the game worth its price, especially when purchased during a sale or discount.
- Recommended for fans of unique narratives (weight 0.19): The game is highly recommended for those who appreciate unique interactive experiences and narrative-driven games.
- Play original version first (weight 0.09): Several reviews suggest playing the original version of the game before diving into this one for a better understanding and experience.
- Avoid guides and play blind (weight 0.08): Players recommend experiencing the game without any guides to fully immerse in its unique narrative and interactions.
- Not recommended for some users (weight 0.08): Some players do not recommend the game due to repetitive gameplay or because they have access to the original version on other platforms.
- Update for new content (weight 0.05): Players suggest updating the game to access new areas and content, enhancing the overall experience.
- Specific achievement tip (weight 0.04): A specific tip mentions playing the game on Tuesdays to achieve a particular goal or unlock an achievement.
- Check for language compatibility (weight 0.04): Players suggest checking for compatibility with specific language voice acting, such as Ukrainian.

Other player notes:
- Thumb discomfort reported (weight 0.05): Some players have reported experiencing thumb discomfort while playing the game. This could be due to the control scheme or prolonged play sessions.
- Unrelated medical comment (weight 0.04): A comment in a foreign language suggests the game is suitable for treating anal fissures, which is unrelated to the gameplay experience.

Emotions:
- Excitement (weight 0.12): Players are thrilled by the game's non-linear story, multiple endings, and unique gameplay mechanics. The humor, meta-narrative, and the Narrator's interactions add to the excitement, making the game highly engaging and replayable.
- Joy (weight 0.12): The game's humor, creativity, and the narrator's commentary bring continuous laughter and enjoyment. Players find the exploration of different endings and the interactive elements highly entertaining and funny.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.12): Players enjoy the game's humor, heart, and variety of endings. The interactive elements, narrator's monologues, and the game's unique features contribute to a fun and engaging experience.
- Amusement (weight 0.1): The game's comedic elements, funny narrator, and humorous interactions keep players amused. The self-aware content, hidden jokes, and absurd situations add to the entertainment value.
- Appreciation (weight 0.06): Players appreciate the game's artistic and philosophical depth, unique commentary on game design, and the narrator's captivating voice. The emotional impact, replayability, and overall quality are highly valued.
- Disappointment (weight 0.06): Some players feel disappointed by the game's repetitive mechanics, lack of new content, and uninspired humor. The game's high price and lack of depth compared to the original also contribute to this sentiment.
- Surprise (weight 0.06): The game's multiple endings, unexpected turns, and detailed choices surprise players. The game's ability to break the fourth wall and its creativity add to the sense of amazement.
- Frustration (weight 0.06): Players are frustrated by the lack of new content, buggy gameplay, and repetitive tasks. The difficulty in achieving certain goals and the narrator's interruptions also contribute to this frustration.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.05): Players feel satisfied with the game's depth, unique features, and overall quality. Completing achievements and enjoying the extra content in the remake add to this sense of fulfillment.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.04): Players feel nostalgic about their past experiences with the game, especially those who played the original Stanley Parable. The game's timeless classic status and personal history with it evoke this sentiment.
- Admiration (weight 0.04): Players admire the game's deep exploration of human nature, unique narrative experience, and brilliant expansion. The game's philosophical depth and criticism of the gaming industry are highly regarded.
- Love (weight 0.04): Players express deep love for the game due to its entertaining aspects, thoughtful expansion, and care in design. The narrator, story, and overall game elements are highly cherished.
- Curiosity (weight 0.02): Players are curious about the multiple endings, the significance of the bucket, and the desire to unlock achievements. The game's limitless journey and different paths spark this curiosity.
- Awe (weight 0.02): The game's philosophical depth, narrative elements, and hidden paths inspire awe. Players are deeply impressed by the game's storytelling and themes.
- Sadness (weight 0.02): Some endings and the game's emotional depth bring players to tears. The tragic turns in the story and the lack of updates or sequels evoke sadness.
- Boredom (weight 0.02): Players feel bored due to repetitive gameplay and lack of depth. Completing all endings and repetitive meta-commentary contribute to this sentiment.
- Positive (weight 0.02): Players have an overall positive sentiment due to the game's high ratings in multiple categories and personal impact. Despite some concerns, the game is highly praised.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.01): Players are enthusiastic about the game's unique design, replay value, and narrative. The choice-driven gameplay and positive overall experience contribute to this enthusiasm.
- Affection (weight 0.01): Players express deep affection for the game and its characters. The narrator's voice and the game's elements evoke a sense of love and attachment.}