Stealth Inc 2: A Game of Clones
Stealth Inc. 2: A Game of Clones is a puzzle platformer and a sequel to Stealth Bastard Deluxe. The player controls a clone in escaping an underground testing facility throughout 60 levels that are connected by an overworld, the main PTI building. The 'bad guy', Malcom Alderman, is Senior Quality Assurance Manager at the facility and he runs it over night. To progress in this game, the player has to solve puzzles and get out alive and well. Although dying doesn't have much repercussions since the player's character is a clone, and as such, death is never permanent. Therefore dying is used as a game mechanic to discover how certain puzzles can be solved, including avoiding lasers, cameras, robots or bosses. This can be achieved by using stealth, and thus shadows, to an advantage. There are no weapons, but various gadgets unlocked gradually, such as the Inflate-a-Mate blow-up-doll. It can be used to activate switches, as a platform to reach higher areas or to block out light. Another one is the Jackboy that allows the clone to hack robots and take control of them. Robots can then for instance break barriers or use their lasers to activate mechanisms. A lantern interacts with light-sensitive objects and using the Me Too device a second clone can be created that mimics the main clone's actions. Once unlocked the gadgets can be used in the overworld metrovania-style to solve puzzles and reach the next set of levels. The game was first developed for the Wii U and later ported to other platforms. The Game Pad displays the map and by activating the Miiverse a button can be tapped whenever you pass a Miiverse icon to read messages that are left by other players from that location in the game. Exclusive to the Wii U version of the game is a local cooperative mode where the second player uses a Wii U Pro Controller or Wii Remote/Nunchuk configuration. The player with the Game Pad gets a passive role but can interfere in a number of ways. Certain enemies are made invisible and they need to be revealed using the stylus. When hacking, the player controlling the clone needs to call out three numbers, rather than inputting them as in the single-player mode, and the second player needs to type these in on a keypad quickly. Other perks for the 'passive' player are shielding the clone from sight using the stylus, drawing on the television to provide tips or distracting enemies with fake clones. |
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