The Stanley Parable is a comedic walking simulator that was released in 2013.

In it, you play an office worker who’s trying to figure out why you’re no longer given tasks for work and why everyone in the office has disappeared.

Quite frankly, it’s hilarious and definitely merits multiple playthroughs.

A core aspect of this game is the narration. At first, the narrator seems fairly straightforward, but as time goes on, he grows more and more unhinged as he tries to push you into an “adventure”.

The controls are fairly simple. Your biggest concern is navigating the rooms in the office. So it’s pretty much WASD and mouse for looking around, or dual analogs if you’re using a control. Occasionally, you’ll open doors or press a button but that’s it.

By today’s standards, the graphics are fairly simple. It uses the source engine which, while old even by the standards of the game’s release, create a sense of isolation and loneliness. The 4:3 aspect ratio cannot be changed to widescreen, which is in keeping with the CRT monitors depicted in the game.

There’s no soundtrack to speak of, apart from a few moments like when you’re in an elevator. Most of the sound is just ambient environmental noises in keeping with an office.

The Stanley Parable doesn’t require much in the way of specs. You need 3.0Ghz single core CPU, 2GB RAM, 128MB VRAM, and 3GB storage. It has native compatibility with Windows, Mac, and Linux. It is also verified for Steam Deck.

The original Stanley Parable, at least the one I have, is exclusive to PC. But there’s an “ultra deluxe” version available to Switch, PS3, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.

Since release, The Stanley Parable has become one of the most critically praised walking simulators ever, a high watermark for video game comedy, and a true indie classic.

It’s had a big impact in popular culture, notably being the inspiration for Severance, the Apple TV+ series.

While it is by no means “challenging”, that’s not the point, The Stanley Parable largely succeeds because it’s a great story – a funny one at that.

The Stanley Parable is excellent and definitely worth playing.