Info about Stick It to the Stickman:

Official game description:
  
Punch, kick, slice, dice, burn, blast, staple-gun, fireball, jackhammer, and chainsaw your way up the corporate ladder solo or with a 'friend' in a truly hostile work environment. And remember: every red stickman you defeat is one dead red stickman closer to a promotion!  
WHAT DO WE DO HERE?
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Here at this great company, we do the thing. To be clear: the thing is what we do. But can YOU do the thing? Do you know the deadly art of the handshake? Can you perform an exploding heart punch? Successful applicants will be issued a range of brutal weaponry to help them become the boss. But watch out: everyone else wants the job too.  
THE ONLY WAY UPWARDS IS SIDEWAYS
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Stickmen need jobs, but more importantly, shareholders need growth. Climb to the top of the tower to crush your boss's nuts, and please note that 50% of office work is kicking stickmen out of windows. Deliver parcels and dash from task to task, with lots of murder in between.  
BECOME THE BOSS
---------------
Fight other CEOs for the prestige of being the CEO with the biggest muscles. Perform dubiously legal tasks critical to expanding the company. Steal cars, suppress protestors, and kidnap building inspectors, all in the name of profit. Because without profit, there is nothing. NOTHING!  
SHAKE HANDS WITH THE FREE MARKET
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Build out your own company with our Level Builder. Take control of hiring, firing, furnishing, marketing, and catering decisions as you upload your creations to the Steam Workshop. Then, download and evaluate the ideas of the other entrepreneurs within the community for your own enjoyment!

Release date: Aug 18, 2025

Categories: Beat 'em up, Local Co-op, Physics Simulation, Roguelike, Custom Level Editor

Feature scans:
- Proton/Linux: score 20; verdict: Works Well with Minor Performance Issues; summary: The game has a native Linux port that works on Ubuntu and SteamOS on capable hardware, but performance on Steam Deck and handhelds running SteamOS is notably poor due to early access optimization, leading to frame drops. Overall, Linux compatibility is functional but has performance concerns.
- Steam Deck: score 50; verdict: Playable with Issues; summary: The game exhibits significant performance instability on Steam Deck, with frequent frame drops (often 20-30 FPS) and occasional crashes or black screens, undermining its 'Verified' status. While some users find it playable with lowered expectations, the majority experience notable friction, though the game is not completely broken.

- Hardware Profile:
  - Summary: Across all VRAM cohorts, players consistently report poor optimization, stuttering, and FPS drops, even on hardware that meets or exceeds system requirements.
  - Sample size: 105 (1% coverage)
  - Audience skew: Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
  - Windows <8GB VRAM (mixed, 62 reports): Players report frequent stuttering and lag, especially with many minions or during combat, and criticize optimization; many still enjoy the game despite performance issues.
  - Windows 12-15GB VRAM (negative, 18 reports): Players with 12-15GB VRAM report poor optimization and unstable frame rates, even on capable hardware, leading to negative recommendations.
  - Windows 8-11GB VRAM (negative, 17 reports): Performance is widely criticized with significant FPS drops regardless of graphics settings, even on hardware that should run it smoothly.
  - Caveats: 105 of 7800 reviews expose hardware metadata.; Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $10.00 - $20.00
  - Reasoning: Multiple reviews indicate that the current price ($5-$6) is considered a steal and that $20 is a fair price. Some players explicitly state they would pay $20-$30, and others mention being willing to pay double the current price, implying a fair range of $10-$20. The evidence consistently points to the game being underpriced relative to its content depth and replay value, with $20 being the most commonly cited fair value.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 7.0h
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: 0.2h
  - Endgame: 25.0h
  - Reasoning: Multiple reviews report achieving all achievements in 7 hours, indicating typical game completion time. One review explicitly states a single run lasts 10 minutes (0.17 hours), which is the typical session length. The same review that mentioned 20-30 hours of replaying (from early access) reflects endgame/post-story playtime, as the player continued after exhausting the initial 6-hour content. No reliable evidence for a separate story/campaign completion time was found, so that metric is set to null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Most players find Stick it to the Stickman enjoyable within the first 15-20 minutes, thanks to its variety of modes, addictive progression, and humorous physics; however, some report later repetitive boredom and missing online multiplayer.
  - Stance: Fun immediately
  - Anchor: Game start
  - Time to anchor: 0h 15m
  - Friction: lack of online multiplayer; repetitive gameplay after extended play; no key rebinding; bugs and optimization issues; poor tutorials for movement and currency systems; some characters have difficult early game
  - Unlock drivers: multiple game modes (Fulfillment Center, Cage Fight, etc.); deep progression system with upgrades and unlocks; cooperative local multiplayer; funny ragdoll physics and chaotic combat; variety of weapons and character archetypes
  - Conditions: local co-op play with friends or family; ability to play casually without thinking; character and build variety to keep runs fresh; progressive difficulty that scales with upgrades; short gaming sessions to avoid repetitiveness
- Player Archetypes:
  - Nostalgic Stickman Enthusiast (buy)
    - Motivation: Reliving childhood memories and experiencing a polished version of classic stickman fighting games
    - Playstyle: Explores all modes with a sense of wonder, often experimenting with different characters and combos, appreciates the humor and physics.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: old-school player; stick figure fighting fan; flash game veteran
    - Reference games: Stick RPG; Stickpage games; Newgrounds games; Pivot animations
  - Casual Stress-Relief Brawler (buy)
    - Motivation: Relaxing and having a laugh without needing to think too much
    - Playstyle: Plays solo or with a friend, focuses on chaotic fun, tries different weapons and interactions, values humorous physics over skill.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: casual gamer; stress relief player; ragdoll physics enthusiast
    - Reference games: Broforce; Gang Beasts; Totally Accurate Battle Simulator
  - Completionist Grinder (buy)
    - Motivation: Unlocking all achievements, characters, and upgrades to achieve 100% completion
    - Playstyle: Methodically works through all modes, farms currencies, optimizes runs for efficiency, and seeks out secret characters.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: achievement hunter; completionist; 100% completion lover
    - Reference games: Dead Cells; Rogue Legacy; Binding of Isaac


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:
- Fun and enjoyable game (weight 0.55): Players consistently report that the game is fun, enjoyable, and a blast to play. The positive sentiment is very strong across many reviews.
- Lots of content (weight 0.18): Players appreciate the surprising amount of content available, especially considering the game is in early access. The variety and quantity are seen as strong points.
- Addictive roguelike elements (weight 0.16): Roguelike gameplay is highlighted as addictive and very fun, with rich elements like items, upgrades, and builds. Players enjoy the roguelike progression.
- Worth the price (weight 0.14): The game is considered a great value for its price, with many players feeling it is worth the money. This is a consistent sentiment among reviewers.
- Fun and humorous story (weight 0.1): The story is described as humorous and funny, with a simple but enjoyable narrative. The humor adds to the overall fun experience.
- Diverse character roster (weight 0.07): Players appreciate the diverse characters with unique starting moves and passives, which adds variety to gameplay.

Common complaints:
- Numerous bugs reported (weight 0.36): Players report many bugs across various aspects of the game, with some being game-breaking. These include elevator doors not opening, enemies causing softlocks, and crashes on startup.
- Multiplayer issues severe (weight 0.26): Multiplayer is largely unplayable due to lag, frame drops for non-host players, and broken online functionality. Local co-op also suffers from glitches, especially with elevators and progression.
- Game-breaking bugs forcing resets (weight 0.23): Several bugs force players to restart the game or entire runs, including softlocks from off-screen enemies, elevator door glitches, and partner death blocking progress. These bugs severely impact the experience.
- Poor game optimization (weight 0.21): The game suffers from poor optimization, with high hardware requirements, lag, and frame drops. Players note it requires an RTX 2080 for 60fps at 1080p and gets laggy over time.

Gameplay feedback:
- Beat em up combat (weight 0.3): The core gameplay is a beat em up with combo-based, fast-paced action and a one-button chain system. Players fight stickman enemies in a casual yet engaging manner.
- Co-op and multiplayer modes (weight 0.28): The game supports various co-op and multiplayer options including local, online, and Steam Remote Play for 2 players. This is a highly requested feature with high frequency and specificity.
- Roguelike and upgrade systems (weight 0.26): The game incorporates roguelike elements with progression upgrades, passive abilities, and three-choice move upgrades. Runs vary as players climb a corporate tower.
- Stickman art and physics (weight 0.24): The game features a stickman art style with silly animations and ragdoll physics. Combat involves imaginative stick fighting, and enemies get flung around.
- Office setting and progression (weight 0.24): The game is set in an office building where players climb the corporate ladder by beating coworkers and bosses. The progression includes literal ladder climbing and becoming CEO.
- Cage fight mode (weight 0.06): A dedicated cage fight mode exists within the game, adding a specific gameplay variation. This feature was mentioned by multiple reviewers.
- Level editor included (weight 0.06): The game offers a level editor, allowing players to create and share custom content. This enhances replayability.
- Early access status (weight 0.06): The game is currently in early access, which some reviewers noted. This indicates ongoing development.

Performance notes:
- Overall optimization issues (weight 0.29): Multiple reviewers cite poor optimization as a major problem. Frequent mentions include bad optimization, stutters, and low FPS on various hardware.
- Game crashes on launch (weight 0.19): Many users report the game does not launch or crashes on startup, requiring multiple attempts or factory reset.
- High system requirements (weight 0.15): The game requires high-end hardware like an RTX 2080 for 60 FPS at 1080p, and performs poorly on weaker PCs, causing frustration.
- FPS drops during combat (weight 0.13): Players frequently experience significant FPS drops to 15-30 during punching in main areas, affecting gameplay. Similar drops occur in combat sections and with many characters on screen.
- Long loading times (weight 0.06): Players experience long loading times and a startup that takes a couple of minutes, alongside frequent stuttering.
- Multiplayer lag for non-host players (weight 0.06): Frame drops occur in multiplayer for players who are not the host, and performance degrades with a second player.
- Steam Deck runs well (weight 0.06): The game is reported to run smoothly on Steam Deck, providing a positive experience for handheld gaming.
- Medium specs run well (weight 0.05): Some medium-spec PCs can run the game well, and low system requirements are noted positively.

Recommendations:
- Great value for price (weight 0.31): Players consistently report that the game offers good value for its cost, with many stating it is worth buying even at full price. Multiple clusters highlight that the price is fair and the content justifies the expense.
- Works well with controller (weight 0.08): Players recommend using a controller for the best experience, but some note PC controls are also fine. The feedback suggests good controller support.
- Appeals to nostalgia fans (weight 0.06): The game is recommended for those who enjoy stickman fighting games, 3D stickman aesthetics, or roguelike brawlers. Nostalgia for earlier stickman titles is a key draw.

Other player notes:
- Add Suction Cup Man (weight 0.03): A player requested the addition of Suction Cup Man as a playable character. This is a specific feature request.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.23): The primary causes are numerous game-breaking bugs and poor optimization, which result in crashes, stuttering, and progression-blocking glitches. Unfair enemy design, such as homing arrows and stunlocks, combined with clunky controls and unclear mechanics, further contributes to the negative experience. Issues with multiplayer co-op and a lack of key features like a dodge button also lead to significant frustration.
- Excitement (weight 0.16): Players express high excitement due to the game's fun and addictive combat, diverse gameplay modes, and extensive content. The physics-based combat, variety of jobs and upgrades, and humorous story are frequently highlighted as engaging elements. The anticipation of future updates and the game's overall replay value also generate enthusiasm.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.11): Satisfaction stems from the game's excellent value for its low price, coupled with humorous content and satisfying combat mechanics. Players enjoy the cathartic feeling of overpowering enemies and the depth provided by skill combos and secrets. The overall fun experience, responsive developer support, and good performance on various hardware contribute to a sense of fulfillment.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.1): Players primarily enjoy the game for its funny and addictive gameplay, especially in co-op mode. The satirical humor, creative combat, and variety of modes and strategies keep the experience entertaining. Smooth performance on devices like the Steam Deck and regular content updates further enhance enjoyment.
- Disappointment (weight 0.09): Disappointment is driven by poor optimization leading to performance issues, repetitive content, and perceived lack of depth in controls and gameplay. Several players note that the game feels unfinished or that updates have not delivered desired content. The removal of certain mechanics and unfulfilling side content also contribute to this feeling.
- Amusement (weight 0.08): The game's absurd and over-the-top violence, combined with its corporate satire and humorous descriptions, are the main sources of amusement. Players find joy in physics-based antics like punting coworkers and in the comedic story and voice acting. The goofy and lighthearted nature of the combat and scenarios provides consistent entertainment.
- Love (weight 0.03): Players express a deep appreciation for the game's overall fun factor, replayability, and creative combat system. The consistent quality since early demos and the clear passion poured into development are frequently mentioned. The blend of humor, action, and character is cited as the core reason for this positive sentiment.
- Anticipation (weight 0.03): Anticipation is primarily focused on future updates and the full release of the game. Players are eager for more content, such as the 'Rise of the Machines' update, and improvements during early access. The overall potential of the game and confidence in the developers drive this forward-looking excitement.
- Admiration (weight 0.03): Admiration is driven by the excellent quality of the combat feedback, ragdoll physics, and sound design. Players often describe the game as a 'masterpiece' or one of the best in its genre. The stylish visuals and exceptional voice acting are also key reasons for this admiration.
- Hope (weight 0.02): Players hope for continued improvement and expansion, particularly in optimization and content variety. The beta status of the game and ongoing developer work provide a basis for optimism. Many express a desire for specific features like more environment variety or online co-op to be realized.
- Appreciation (weight 0.02): Appreciation stems from the game's excellent value for money and the clear dedication of the developers. Players thank the creators for their work and commend the game's meaningful message and funny mechanics. The game is also valued as a loving homage to classic stickman animations.
- Joy (weight 0.02): Joy is experienced through fun co-op play with friends and family, as well as through engaging solo gameplay with a great story and humor. The game is described as fun, relaxing, and a great way to release stress. Addictive gameplay and the discovery of funny interactions like piggyback rides contribute to this emotion.
- Boredom (weight 0.02): Boredom results from repetitive gameplay and a perceived lack of combat variety, particularly after several hours of play. The game is often described as becoming boring quickly due to simplistic controls and limited lasting appeal. Speedrunning the content in one day also leads to this negative feeling.
- Fun (weight 0.02): Players find the game fun due to its great and chaotic gameplay, simple mechanics, and enjoyable physics. The combination of roguelite elements with beat-em-up action is praised, especially in multiplayer co-op. The variety of character transformations and moves keeps the experience engaging.
- Amazement (weight 0.02): Players are amazed by the game's tremendous content and depth for its low price. The creative fusion of a beat-em-up and roguelike, combined with a smooth combo system and unique art style, is highly praised. The ability to create powerful, stacking combos adds to the sense of wonder.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.01): Nostalgia is triggered by the game's clear inspiration from classic stickman flash animations and videos. Players recall childhood memories of similar stick figure fights and games. The art style and humor evoke a sense of familiarity and fondness for the source material.
- Desire (weight 0.01): Players express specific desires for additional content and features, such as a color changer, more playable characters, or more complex controls. The desire for more content after an update or for specific character additions is common. These requests indicate a wish for further game expansion and customization.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.01): Enthusiasm is generated by the game's versatile combat system, expandable world, and status as an early access title with promise. Players describe the game as 'absolute fire' and are impressed by its depth, variety, and value. The anticipation for more content fuels this positive, energetic feeling.
- Annoyance (weight 0.01): Annoyance is caused by persistent bugs, such as the menu cursor disappearing or progression requiring restarts. Poor optimization leading to stuttering later in the game and specific game design choices also irritate players. Annoying audio cues and unclear game mechanics further detract from the experience.
- Approval (weight 0.01): Players approve of the game's satirical message about corporate culture and its good quality. The game is seen as worth the price and possessing strong future development potential. The core gameplay and its delivery of a specific social commentary are the primary reasons for this approval.}