Stilstand

Stilstand may be a short experience but it doesn't refrain from going deep, namely by delving into concerns about our mental health that have become more and more prominent during the global pandemic. Stilstand gets it right when it comes to capturing our attention with a captivating plot and a very relevant topic, while its art style and soundtrack encapsulate the theme without flaw. The only problem that needs to be pointed out is its length - we can only wish Stilstand was a longer game.

Life is hard, there's no question...

Stilstand is an interactive graphic novel that accurately captures the minutiae of despair and loneliness through a darkly funny and absurdist story.

The feeling of being stuck emotionally and maybe favoring isolation is a common theme that many can relate to given the last 18 months we have all experienced. Tie that in with this slice of life being shared with us, and you have yourself an incredibly well written and truly unique experience. Stilstand is a brief, yet powerful story that is well worth taking the time to check out.

A unique narrative framing and art style give Stilstand the tools to tell the story of one woman’s summer long existential crisis in a compelling and original way. It’s a short experience but one that’ll be deeply relatable and darkly funny to those who know the sting of anxiety and depression. This is one of 2020’s hidden gems.

Stilstand is what it is, an interactive comic book that we can call a video game by the hair, and a story and presentation that has touched my fucking heart. I have no idea if it will do the same to you, reader, here everything is as personal as passing around cartoons, having some very simple interactive situation, and digesting each one in our own personal sphere what we see on the screen during the hour it takes for everything to happen.