When I covered Squirrel Stapler in its original form, I noted that the updated version at least seemed like it was taking steps in the right direction, working on deepening what was already there as opposed to expanding the (already rather long) length of the original. What I didn’t quite realize was that that was a joke: the “expanded mechanics” talked about are random stalls plonked around the forest that at best, only superficially add to the game, poking fun at how some game rereleases tend to add things that futz with the original game to justify their own existence — kind of like The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe in that regard. What the rerelease does do, however, is make the game feel much more friendly to play: the forest is a lot more populated so you don’t have to scour the landscape for several minutes just trying to find (and then go through the whole process of sneaking up on) a single squirrel, and there seem to be fewer enemies, keeping death as a setback but also making it much less frequent as it sometimes got in the original. It doesn't quite fix what I felt to be the biggest problem with the original version: days 3-5 still feel like the same loop three times without much added in between. At the very least, though, the quality of life changes make it much easier to deal with, and helps the game lean in on its strengths: the way the narrative builds up, the way the game simplifies/parodies the mechanics of a hunting simulator while still managing to emulate the general feel, and how the game (like others from its creator) builds up this absolutely bizarre premise around the player yet makes it feel like the most normal thing in the world. They’re perhaps not the iterations I maybe wanted to see going in (and I do wish day 4, in particular, didn't feel like the game was repeating itself), but they are improvements, and as a whole I’d recommend this as the definitive Squirrel Stapler. I got to see God this time :).

Certainly an interesting game, as would be expected from David Szymanski. That said, I am not sure this is going to be a game for everyone. It is a mix of comedy and horror. Despite the happy looking visuals, it managed to be legitimately creepy. The small but unsettling changes make you feel on edge, and you always have a sense of "wtf is going on". The segment before God comes is genuinely paranoia inducing.

The notes you find are horror stories often so bad that you can't help but laugh at them. Finding a secret building only for you to be greeted by a low rez picture of a squirrel while it says "committing sins". It's hilarious.

That said, I kind of wish the game went further. Why is all of this happening? Why squirrels? What even is this place you live in? Poison grass? The person you are stapling squirrels to? How are they moving around? What's the deal with God?

This will be enjoyable or a certain type of player, and you probably already know before you delve into the game. I enjoyed it, but I wish it did more. I am sure there is more to uncover, and I am sure a youtuber will make a 90 minute video explaining this game's excellence. I will probably watch the video and agree, but based on the player experience, I can't give it more than an "ok".

COMMITTING SINS

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Cool, funny, short game.

Art will destroy the artist.

A solo release of DUSK Dev and new CEO of OceanGate David Syzmanski's Dread X Collection 2 game, Squirrel Stapler. Compartmentalizes everything you should expect from the man - bizarre horror, morbid humor, and guns. Can be completed in about an hour, and there's plenty enough from short stories about an artist's woes, to kamikaze bears, and of course stapling squirrels onto your beloved wife to keep you engrossed until God's arrival.

And the stapler will become the stapled.

Day 1: Hunt squirrels, give wife squirrels.

Day 2: Hunt squirrels, give wife squirrels.

Day 3: Hunt squirrels, give wife squirrels.

Day 4: Hunt squirrels, give wife squirrels.

Day 5: Hunt squirrels, give wife squirrels. Meet God.

Another twisted horror zinger from Szymanski, although not as much of a complete package like Dusk or Iron Lung.

Don't get me wrong, it's a fine enough short indie game that does what it sets out to do, but I can't help but feel that there is this unfinished quality to it. I know this was originally supposed to be a jam game or whatever, but if you're gonna do a full release, it's best to flesh out the idea you have.

The story in Squirrel Stapler feels like it ends before it even begins, and you're left with a lot of questions that don't really ever get answered; and not in the good way like Iron Lung does it.

You see, Iron Lung also refuses to elaborate on a lot of things, but it does it in a really tactful way that makes it feel like an interpretative mystery that is left open-ended on purpose, rather than information that is omitted from negligence.

There is still pieces of lore you can collect in the game that give you hints about the overall story, but it doesn't feel complete for some reason.

The gameplay is good too and doesn't overstay its welcome in that regard, and overall this game has some good ideas, but I do wish there was more to this it; it's clear to see there was a strong vision at work here that would benefit from a little more polish.