Pinstripe Reviews
There are some elements of the gameplay that lets it down and the whole experience is a tad short, but if you’re a fan of story, tone and original gaming then I would plead for you to enter the world of Pinstripe. You won’t regret it.
Fantastic sound and visuals but the most important thing was a little forgotten, Gameplay. While Pinstripe is surely a game I can recommend to play, the potential was astonishing and Armor Games didn’t reach that high level. One thing is for sure though, I won’t easily forget Mr. Pinstripe.. what a haunting character!
From the gorgeous backdrops to the interesting character design, the whole thing feels like an illustrated storybook. The use of the bright, bold colours contrasting with the characters who contain hardly any colour is a great effect – along with the creepy, atmospheric environments and settings. Everything is stylised and designed in such a cute yet terrifying way and you can really tell that the developer has poured a lot of love into this project.
There really just wasn't enough to Pinstripe despite having some interesting concepts and a unique style of art presentation.
Despite its shortcomings in regards to the puzzles, combat, and overall length, I still walked away from Pinstripe moved by the emotional tale surrounding Teddy and why he is headed down this dreary path. The art style is excellent and appealing, and each area is unique in its own way and littered with cynical characters who clue you in on Teddy’s haunted past. Coupled with a fantastic score and solid voice acting, Pinstripe manages to overcome its imperfections with an excellent presentation and a touching story that makes it worth a look.
Pinstripe is a game that isn’t without its problems. For me, what kept me going was the story and the characters. It feels like it’s a game that accomplishes exactly what it sets out to do and doesn’t try to be anything more. Its simple gameplay might put some off, as will some of the dodgy design flaws such as the backtracking that takes place, but stick with it and you will find an adventure that will stay with you for a long time to come.
Pinstripe is the result of one man’s passionate attempt to create a whimsical tale which sits shoulder to shoulder with other highly regarded indie titles. Pinstripe not only matches the success of these games but in some cases surpasses them by delivering a clean cut adventure, one which is hard to forget and easy to recommend.
If you’re a fan of Burton-esque stylings and weird characters Pinstripe gladly offers those up over its runtime. It’s story is appropriately a bit on the dark side as well, and the characters you interact with along the way help provide the glue that helps make it all feel worthwhile. Paired with a smart mix of platforming and puzzle-solving it is a terrific bite that you could probably finish in a long afternoon or a few sittings.
When thrown into a shopping cart amongst its other peers and stripped of its author, however, Pinstripe is a very brief, pleasant jaunt that refuses to challenge, surprise or be particularly memorable. It feels like a trinket you'd place in a showcase: beautiful, and perhaps even evocative to the right person, but ultimately something you'll forget is there in your library.
Frankly I liked it, Pinstripe has caught me from start to finish and made me finish it in a few hours, but not before having had to give a few extra turns to some of its puzzles and situations. An artistic section of nice but dark designs, a hell that is not so scary, but it worries you, and a story that unfolds inexorably with an ending that we will anticipate but that we do not want to see accomplished. It leaves me satisfied, although perhaps a little longer than that would have been appreciated, or perhaps it would have spoiled his fascination, be that as it may, it is a small work of art that I have the pleasure to recommend.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Recommended 2D Side-scrolling platformer with a unique store
If Pinstripe were a film, I'd watch it and be glad that I did.
A fearsome atmosphere that comes to life thanks to great visual and audio design can't help Pinstripe fully overcome its dull and repetitive gameplay.
Despite some design missteps, Pinstripe is worth your time if you're a fan of games that bring the feels
Pinstripe is genuinely creepy, and takes some chances other games simply won't in terms of its story. Unfortunately, there are minor issues riddling this bizarre take on Hell that anyone venturing in should definitely know about. Definitely pick it up, but remember, you're venturing into Hell. Things are going to be rough, even if they weren't always supposed to be.
I've spent hundreds of hours playing video games before now and, at the conclusion, felt good for having completed it… but it's those shorter games, games like Pinstripe, that stick out in my mind as having formed a real connection and left a lasting impression.
PSN Price (PlayStation 4): $14.99
hese issues might be enough to discourage some gamers, but for most it will probably serve as a fantastic way to spend a long evening or a weekend where you’re in the mood for something a little more emotionally driven than your average game, because when you reach the ending, the final moments will likely melt away every annoyance from the last few hours.
When Pinstripe focuses on emotional storytelling and rich atmosphere, it presents a haunting-yet-beautiful adventure game that's worth playing. But when it tries to artificially pad its length with backtracking, that's when the game begins to drag itself down. With a unique setting and memorable characters, Pinstripe is an extremely short but unforgettable experience that will continue to linger in your mind long after it's over.