STANDBOX

I have had so much fun with STANDBOX that I am super grateful that a good friend of mine gifted the game to me. It is the kind of game that is so simple, but it is also so addictive. This is a rag doll style of game where you just have fun abusing a poor old rag doll. What makes this game so much fun is the game engine which is one of the best that I have seen in a game of this style!

Meet Stanley

Stanley is the name of the rag doll that we are going to be putting through his paces in STANDBOX. Stanley is not your typical rag doll that we have all abused a million times before in a game like this. You see Stanley has bones, internal organs, and so on and that may not sound like a big deal or just an excuse to break bones and cause him to bleed, but it actually does play into the gameplay and that is what I found to be quite interesting.

He's Already Dead!

What I mean by that is that in STANDBOX, you can break his bones, damage his organs, and even mess him up so much that he bleeds out. You are basically not just screwing around and putting him into all kinds of dangerous situations, you are seeing just how much he can take until he can stand up no longer. It is a kind of sadistic thing I know, but it is no worse than doing all those final blows or fatalities in Mortal Kombat 1! It makes you get quite creative, almost like you are Jigsaw from the SAW movies as you try to “play a game” with poor Stanley to see how much he can take!

Getting Creative With Poor Stanley

Let me ask you a question, have you played a rag doll physics style game before where you just abuse a little rag doll in all kinds of crazy ways? Well, that is pretty much what we have here with STANDBOX. From shooting him, throwing him, setting up elaborate SAW like traps. You just screw around and come up with all kinds of crazy scenarios to put Stanley through and then see if he can get up afterward. There are only a few maps, but there is still enough to mess around with to make this worthwhile.

A Taste Of Things To Come

On the Steam page, the developer says that they want people to buy this game for what it is, not what it can become. I like this, but STANDBOX is a game that I am sure will be updated with more maps, more things to use, and so on and that is awesome. However, one thing that I really do hope is implemented into the game is workshop support. The community can make or break a game like this and it would be awesome for creative types to be able to share their maps and other things that they have made.

Pros:

• I like how Stanley has more going on than a typical rag doll
• You can get very creative with what you do to Stanley
• There are a few different maps/areas to play in
• This can be very addictive

Cons:

• While fun, there is not a great deal of content here
• It may turn you into the next Jigsaw!

It’s never okay to be a bully in real life, but if you’ve ever just wanted to beat someone up, STANDBOX may be your perfect solution. STANDBOX is all about bullying a ragdoll, in pretty much any way you want. The game has a variety of different settings that let you push, kick, or even shoot a ragdoll until it’s unable to take your abuse anymore.

Stanley, the ragdoll in the game, reacts appropriately depending on what you do. He will attempt to regain his balance, try to catch himself if he is thrown, and passes out or collapses when enough damage is done. If you’ve played People Playground before, this is very similar except the ragdolls do have a face.

Bare Bones at this Time

STANDBOX is a new game and currently in early release. The developer is actively working to provide new content. At this time there are just a few weapons and maps to experiment with. This means that while the game is very fun at first, players quickly run out of things to do.

At this time there isn’t a map maker or access to the steam workshop, so there’s no way for players to take it from here and add their own stuff. There’s only so many ways to shoot, slap or toss the doll before things get pretty repetitive. If you need a lot of content to be satisfied with a game, this is not one you’ll want to experiment with. Fortunately, the developers are very active and provide weekly updates on their progress in providing more features. Some future improvements include adjustments to the scope, and a brand-new secret level.

Although it hasn’t reached the development stage yet, a medical center is planned so it’s possible to heal dolls after injuring them. The developers do ask that even though more features will be available, to only purchase the game if you like what is there now.

Some Crashing

The developer is actively working on fixing the game right now, but at this time the game can crash occasionally. A list of possible reasons it could crash and how to fix them are available on the steam page. Very few people seem to be experiencing these crashes, but it’s nice that the developer took the time to let people know about possible fixes while repairs are being made.

Rating: 7/10

STANDBOX is a unique game that lets you kick around a doll in a variety of creative ways. If you’ve ever wanted to see what it’s like to be a bully without ever actually hurting anyone, this is the way to do it.

Pros:

• Active developer
• Doll attempts to catch its balance and moves appropriately

Cons:

• Not much to do
• Occasionally crashes

STANDBOX is a sandbox game that allows you to mess with your ragdoll. Unlike most games of this genre in STANDBOX your ragdoll reacts to all manipulations with it. The intelligent ragdoll is able to keep its balance on unstable structures, react to injuries and makes attempts to escape even in desperate situations. Use all your sadistic fantasy to kill the unfortunate ragdoll, or try to play something completely non-threatening with him.

Pros of the game:

• Realistic physics of the objects
• Ragdoll reacts to your actions
• Three locations and endless possibilities