Stories Untold is a four-episode horror anthology built around old technology and changing ways of interacting with it. Its inventive interfaces and eerie atmosphere are the draw; parser misfires and puzzle-heavy middle episodes can disrupt the pace. The result is memorable and unusual, though not equally strong from start to finish.
What is Stories Untold?
Stories Untold is a compilation of four experimental horror adventures, including a remastered version of the original episode, The House Abandon. Steam lists No Code as developer, Devolver Digital as publisher, and February 27, 2017 as the release date. The episodes share a connected story, but their interaction styles change: the opening relies on typed commands, while later chapters have you operate equipment, consult instructions, and solve puzzles. Steam’s game page gives the basic release details.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
![Stories Untold - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41DDsszjD3L._SL160_.jpg)
|
Stories Untold - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code] | $9.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Minecraft - Nintendo Switch | $29.83 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Minecraft - Nintendo Switch 2 | $29.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Yoshi's Crafted World - Nintendo Switch | $52.90 | Buy on Amazon |
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
How does the gameplay change across episodes?
The House Abandon
The first episode is a parser-based adventure: you type commands to interact with a text-driven scenario. PC Gamer notes that the story mirrors events in the room surrounding the player, making the act of playing part of the horror. That setup is also where the interface is most likely to interrupt the mood: a command that seems obvious may not be recognized, according to PC Gamer’s review.
Recommended Free Tools
The later episodes
The anthology moves beyond conventional text adventure mechanics. You click and manipulate objects, operate simulated devices, and use in-game manuals to make sense of unfamiliar controls. GameSpot describes the second and third episodes as more involved apparatus puzzles; the changing interfaces are central to the anthology’s identity, not just a new coat of paint for the same gameplay.
#1 Best Overall
- Copyright 2020 No Code. All Rights Reserved.
GameSpot also observes that mundane, repetitive actions can become tense when their consequences matter. The game’s limited work areas and the player’s decision to keep going help make interaction itself part of the unease. The episodes refer to one another and build toward a payoff, as PC Gamer describes.
What works—and what may frustrate you?
Atmosphere and inventive form
The strongest appeal is the way old technology shapes both the mood and the actions you take. Typing into a parser, deciphering a manual, or making a device respond can feel unsettling because you are not simply watching a horror story unfold; you are choosing how to engage with it. The shifts in format keep the anthology surprising, while its connected episodes give the experiments a larger narrative purpose.
Rank #2
- Minecraft is a game about placing blocks and going on adventures
- Explore randomly generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles
- Play in creative mode with unlimited resources or mine deep into the world in survival mode, crafting weapons and armor to fend off the dangerous mobs
- Play on the go in handheld or tabletop modes
- Includes Super Mario Mash-Up, Natural Texture Pack, Biome Settlers Skin Pack, Battle & Beasts Skin Pack, Campfire Tales Skin Pack; Compatible with Nintendo Switch only
Parser friction and uneven pacing
The text parser can fail to understand commands a player might expect to work, which can stall an otherwise effective scene. The middle episodes’ machinery and puzzles create a different kind of friction. In its North American PS4 review, Push Square says the second and third episodes’ mechanics can hurt momentum. That is one outlet’s platform-specific assessment, not a universal response.
A divisive finale
Reviewers do not agree on how well the anthology’s later chapters land. Push Square found the finale more consistent and creepy than the middle episodes, but criticized how much it explains. PC Gamer, meanwhile, emphasizes the connections among episodes and their eventual payoff. If you prefer horror that leaves more unexplained, the ending may be less satisfying than the atmosphere that precedes it.
Rank #3
- Build whatever you can imagine in your own infinite world that’s unique in every playthrough.
How long is Stories Untold?
PC Gamer estimated a playthrough at about three to four hours. That is an outlet’s estimate, not a guaranteed completion time: individual pace will vary, particularly if you spend longer working through commands or device puzzles. The anthology’s shorter episodes suit its format of compact, distinct ideas. In a PC Gamer interview, creative lead Jon McKellan explained: “It was designed that way from the start. I have a lot of ideas for stories that wouldn’t work as a full 5+ hour game, so I thought a collection of monster-of-the-week episodes would be a fun way to present these smaller ideas.”
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is Stories Untold worth playing if you like atmospheric horror?
It is a good fit if you enjoy eerie settings, unusual interfaces, and stories that make interaction part of the tension. It is a less certain recommendation if you expect every puzzle to be intuitive or want the same style of play throughout. The experience is deliberately varied, and the parser and apparatus challenges can break the rhythm for some players.
Rank #4
- Explore each stage and then find even more secrets by making your way through the stage backwards on the flip side
- Overcome varied enemies and obstacles, like Zombie Guys, Skelesaurus, Ukiki, and Monty Mole as you seek out hidden collectables; ESRB Content: Mild Cartoon Violence; Genre: Action, Platformer
- Pass a Joy Con controller to a friend for 2 player cooperative exploration
- Clad Yoshi in collectable, protective, handicraft costumes as he makes his way through each stage
Steam listed the game as “Very Positive” when accessed on October 8, 2026: 85% of 3,198 English-language reviews were positive, across 4,246 reviews in all languages. These are changing storefront figures, not an independent survey; Steam also displays a separate recent-review rating and count, which can shift more quickly. Check Steam’s current listing for the latest rating and PC availability. A review index documents a Nintendo Switch version, but its current regional store availability has not been established here. Nintendo Life’s review index records the Switch version.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
