STASIS: BONE TOTEM is an isometric point-and-click adventure game developed for PC that blends sci-fi horror with puzzle-solving in an underwater environment. Players control a husband and wife salvage team along with their robotic companion as they investigate an abandoned oil rig and confront corporate secrets hidden beneath the ocean.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on exploration and interaction within detailed scenes. Players switch between three controllable characters at any time to access different abilities and inventory items. Mac handles physical tasks such as breaking or bending objects, Charlie focuses on technical and analytical actions, and Moses provides unique robotic functions that aid in reaching otherwise inaccessible areas. Items can be shared between characters or used on the environment and on the characters themselves to progress.
Puzzles require careful observation of the surroundings, examination of computer terminals and documents, and logical application of collected objects. The system emphasizes reading item descriptions and paying attention to dialogue and visual clues rather than trial-and-error. Movement occurs through left-click navigation, with right-click options to highlight interactive elements. The game maintains a consistent isometric perspective throughout the large underwater facility.
Game Modes
STASIS: BONE TOTEM offers a single-player experience built around narrative progression and sequential puzzle challenges. There are no separate multiplayer options or competitive modes. The structure follows a linear story path with branching exploration opportunities within each area, allowing players to revisit locations and experiment with different character combinations to solve obstacles.
Story and Setting
The narrative follows Mac and Charlie, a married couple who earn their living recovering salvage from the ocean floor. Their discovery of an abandoned rig leads them into a concealed facility operated by the Cayne Corporation. The story unfolds through environmental storytelling, character interactions, and recorded messages that reveal an ancient secret tied to the location. The underwater base serves as the primary setting, presenting a confined yet expansive space filled with industrial decay and unexpected threats.
Audio and Presentation
Atmospheric visuals depict the submerged rig with rendered scenes that emphasize isolation and tension. The soundtrack, composed by Mark Morgan, underscores the horror elements with a score that shifts between ambient dread and more intense sequences. Voice performances bring the central characters and supporting cast to life, enhancing the personal stakes of the family unit facing corporate and otherworldly dangers.
Is It Worth Playing?
STASIS: BONE TOTEM received Very Positive reviews on its primary distribution platform, with 93 percent of over 1,300 user reviews rated positively. On Metacritic it holds a critic score of 85 based on seven reviews, classified as Generally Favorable. The game suits players who appreciate classic point-and-click mechanics combined with horror themes and logical puzzles. Those seeking a focused single-player story without multiplayer elements or ongoing seasonal content will find a complete experience released in 2023 that continues to receive positive feedback for its atmosphere and puzzle design.
