Stilt: Review

This game was reviewed on the Meta Quest 3s.

Reviewed by: David Cameron

Stilt, developed by Rekt Games and published by VRKiwi, is a captivating and immersive virtual reality (VR) experience that invites players into a whimsical world where balance, exploration, and precision are essential for progression. As one of the more unique VR titles available for the Meta Quest 3, Stilt offers a fresh take on movement and puzzle-solving, combining innovative mechanics with atmospheric design. However, like any game, it's not without its imperfections. Here's a deep dive into the strengths and weaknesses of Stilt.

Gameplay and Mechanics

At its core, Stilt revolves around the act of walking on stilts—an unusual mechanic that immediately sets the game apart from typical VR adventures. Developed by Rekt Games, this innovative idea plays into the game's central theme of balance and precision. In the game, your goal is to explore a variety of environments, solve environmental puzzles, and navigate obstacles, all while balancing on stilts. The use of the Meta Quest 3's hand controllers is key here, with intuitive motion controls that simulate the act of walking and balancing.

The initial learning curve can be steep. At first, simply standing on the stilts and moving might feel awkward, especially if you're accustomed to more standard VR locomotion. However, once you get the hang of it, Stilt becomes a deeply satisfying experience. You'll quickly find yourself engrossed in the act of balancing as you explore different terrains and overcome environmental challenges. The sensation of movement is fluid once you become accustomed to the mechanics, with your stilted legs offering a distinct, immersive feel that is rare in VR games.

The mechanics encourage a mix of patience and skill, requiring you to constantly adjust your position to stay balanced. This blend of focus and challenge creates a unique gameplay loop, but some players may find it more frustrating than fun, especially in sections where balance feels particularly tricky. For those who enjoy games that demand careful control and mastery of movement, Stilt delivers a rewarding experience, but for others, the constant need for balance may feel cumbersome.

World Design and Exploration

One of Stilt's strongest elements is its world design. The game's environments, crafted with care by Rekt Games, are a joy to explore. Each area is distinct, offering diverse landscapes and challenges. From lush forests with towering trees to expansive open fields and mysterious ruins, the world feels alive and full of potential. The art direction is vibrant and imaginative, with the stylized visuals lending a whimsical quality to the overall atmosphere. The use of color and light is particularly striking, with beautifully rendered skies, realistic shadows, and natural lighting creating a deeply immersive experience.

What makes Stilt stand out in the exploration department is its sense of freedom. While there are objectives and puzzles to solve, you can explore at your own pace. This open-world aspect lets you decide where to go next, and the game rewards curiosity with hidden treasures, collectibles, and secret areas. Whether you're climbing to the top of a precarious tower or stumbling upon an ancient artifact, there's a real sense of discovery in Stilt.

However, while the environments are visually stunning, some of the game's more intricate puzzle sections can feel repetitive or overly challenging. For example, there are areas where narrow platforms or narrow gaps demand perfect balance, which can quickly turn from a rewarding challenge into a source of frustration. While the game is undeniably beautiful and vast, some players might feel that the difficulty spikes in certain areas could be more forgiving.

Graphics and Atmosphere

Graphically, Stilt makes excellent use of the Meta Quest 3's capabilities, showcasing stunning environments that blend realism with a light, stylized aesthetic. The game's visual appeal lies in its art direction, with colorful landscapes and detailed textures that create a warm, inviting atmosphere. There are moments where the environment feels genuinely breathtaking, such as when you're gazing at the horizon from atop a towering structure or walking through a sun-dappled forest.

The lighting is especially impressive. Whether it's the golden glow of a sunset or the mysterious darkness of a cave, the lighting effects enhance the immersion and give the game a cinematic quality. The sound design complements this well, with ambient noise—birds chirping, leaves rustling, water flowing—adding to the world's authenticity. The soundtrack is subtle but emotive, setting the right tone for exploration and discovery.

However, while the game's visuals are beautiful, there are moments where textures can feel a little flat, especially in more detailed environments. These minor graphical inconsistencies don't detract from the overall experience, but they're noticeable, particularly for those accustomed to the highly polished visuals seen in some other VR titles.

VR Comfort and Performance

When it comes to VR comfort, Stilt performs admirably on the Meta Quest 3. The game is smooth, with only rare instances of stuttering or frame rate drops, ensuring that the experience remains fluid. Given the reliance on balance, Rekt Games has clearly taken the time to optimize the game's mechanics to reduce motion sickness, and most players should feel comfortable throughout the majority of the game. There is also a variety of comfort settings available, including options for teleportation movement and vignette adjustments, allowing players to tailor the experience to their comfort level.

That being said, the balance mechanics—while innovative—do take time to master. In sections where you need to walk across narrow platforms or perform precise movements, the game's sense of physicality can sometimes cause disorientation, particularly for those new to VR. For the most part, though, the feeling of balance and immersion adds to the game's appeal, and it's worth investing some time to get comfortable with the movement.

Puzzles and Challenges

The puzzles in Stilt are varied and clever, often requiring you to use your stilts in creative ways to overcome obstacles. Many of the puzzles are physics-based, relying on your ability to balance and manipulate objects in the environment. Some sections will challenge your agility, while others require thoughtful observation of the world around you to solve.

While the puzzles are generally well-designed, a few can feel frustrating, particularly when the solution isn't immediately obvious. As you progress, the game ramps up the difficulty, and some sections may leave you feeling stuck for longer periods. This trial-and-error approach can be satisfying for players who enjoy a challenge but could be off-putting for those who prefer a more guided experience.

There's also an element of strategy in how you approach certain areas—do you take the time to carefully balance your way through, or do you take risks with faster, less stable movements? This flexibility adds an extra layer of depth to the gameplay, although it occasionally feels like a bit too much trial and error.

Replayability and Progression

In terms of replayability, Stilt provides a decent amount of content, though it doesn't have the expansive replay value of some larger VR titles. The game is linear in its narrative, but it does feature hidden items, secret areas, and collectibles that encourage players to return. Additionally, the progression system—where you unlock new abilities related to your stilt movements—adds a sense of growth and keeps the experience engaging over time.

However, the game's linearity means that once you've completed the core objectives, there isn't a lot of incentive to return unless you're a completionist. While there are a few different ways to approach puzzles, the narrative itself is relatively straightforward, and once you've experienced the world, there isn't much else to do beyond exploring for the sake of exploration.

Final Thoughts

Stilt, developed by Rekt Games and published by VRKiwi, offers a unique and innovative VR experience that stands out for its balance-based mechanics and whimsical world design. The game delivers an experience that is at once challenging and rewarding, with a beautifully crafted world that invites exploration. The creative use of stilts as a movement mechanic is both a strength and a potential barrier, as it can take some time to master and may frustrate those unfamiliar with VR balance-based gameplay.

Despite its occasional difficulty spikes and minor graphical issues, Stilt remains a memorable and enjoyable experience. The game's charm, visual appeal, and sense of freedom make it an excellent choice for players seeking something different in the VR space. However, its niche appeal means that it might not be for everyone, especially those who prefer a more straightforward or less physically demanding VR experience.

Stilt earns a solid 8 out of 10. It's a creative, engaging, and visually stunning title that successfully introduces new gameplay mechanics to the VR genre. While it may not be perfect, especially for those less patient with its balance-based challenges, it's a standout experience that VR enthusiasts will enjoy. If you're ready for a new kind of adventure and are willing to take on the learning curve, Stilt is well worth your time.

Reviewed by: David Cameron