History VideoGame / Stacking

%% * GettingCrapPastThe Radar: Due to overwhelming and persistent misuse, GCPTR is on-page examples only until 01 June 2021. If you are reading this in the future, please check the trope page to make sure your example fits the current definition.

''Stacking'' is an adventure puzzle game and Creator/DoubleFine's second venture into downloadable games, following the release of ''VideoGame/CostumeQuest''.

''Stacking'' takes place in a 1920's inspired world. That happens to be populated entirely by Russian matryoshka dolls. The game has you taking on the role of young chimney sweep Charlie Blackmore as he attempts to rescue his family from the clutches of an evil industrialist, The Baron, forcing them to work against their will. Charlie's tiny size proves very helpful in that it allows him to inhabit the body of any stacking doll bigger than himself and use that new form's skills to aid him in his quest.

It was released February 9th for Xbox Live and PSN, and March 6th for UsefulNotes/{{Steam}}. PSN Plus subscribers got the game for free.

--> ''Chastity'': "Do you happen to know your net worth? I'm not after your wealth, I'm just fascinated with math and numbers!"

* TheGreatDepression: The setting was inspired by this and elements of the late Victorian era. Child Labor is a major theme.

* MonsterClown: Peck the Clown, a massive and creepy-looking clown unlike the other {{Non Ironic Clown}}s in the game.
--> Peck: "Never look a clown straight in the eyes."

** One of the most hilariously heinous things one can do in The Lost Hobo King DLC, which is also a challenge solution, is to [[spoiler: Trap children in cages, then use them as live bait to distract zombies. They don't come to any physical harm though]]

** Levi, after pulling a BigDamnHeroes moment, remarks, "[[StarWars You're all clear, kid.]]"

* BadassCreed: See the page quote.

* BlackWidow: Chastity. Lampshaded in her bio.

* DressingAsTheEnemy

* FreeRangeChildren

* GrandTheftMe: The Game

* LivingBodysuit

* ParentalBonus: InvokedTrope.

* SexyWalk: Chastity's wooden lower half has a little swing to it when walking.

* TheVamp: Chastity.

* YouHaveFailedMe: "No, Baron! Not the wood-chipper!"

Stacking is an adventure puzzle game and Creator/DoubleFine's second venture into downloadable games, following the release of VideoGame/CostumeQuest.

Stacking takes place in a 1920's inspired world. That happens to be populated entirely by Russian matryoshka dolls. The game has you taking on the role of young chimney sweep Charlie Blackmore as he attempts to rescue his family from the clutches of an evil industrialist, The Baron, forcing them to work against their will. Charlie's tiny size proves very helpful in that it allows him to inhabit the body of any stacking doll bigger than himself and use that new form's skills to aid him in his quest.

* PersonalSpaceInvader

* RedBaron

* EverythingsBetterWithMonkeys: One of the puzzles involves derailing a monkey-driven carriage.

* NotSoDifferent: The final boss is [[spoiler: The tiniest version of The Baron, who gains the ability to stack.]]

** If you possess a Kodiak Bear (or Peck the Clown), you can use the ''Growl'' ability to scare others. They run away and drop [[GettingCrapPastTheRadar sawdust]].

* GettingCrapPastTheRadar:
** The Lost Hobo King DLC takes place in the town of Hamel Roe, which is the legendary city of Camelfoot. Yow.
** If you talk to Chastity as ''Solicitor'' Barnabas, she will reply with "Perhaps we can come to some sort of arrangement." Doubles as a StealthPun.

* GettingCrapPastTheRadar: The Lost Hobo King DLC takes place in the town of Hamel Roe, which is the legendary city of Camelfoot. Yow.

* LethalJokeCharacter: [[spoiler: Meriwether Malodor initially seems like a character whose interminable flatulence is played for laughs, but when his gas is combined with an open flame later on, he produces explosive results multiple times.]]

* OddNameOut: The Blackmore children are Albert, Abigail, Agatha, Archibald ... and Charlie.

* TakeYourTime: Lampshaded during the cruise. The newspaper article reads "''Guilded Ship goes on never-ending cruise.''"

* ToiletHumor: Meriwether Molodor's ''Flatulate'' ability, and Hans' ''Go Potty'' ability. Felicity Fowler has the ''Pass Potpourri'' ability, where she lets out a rather pleasant waft.

** A child with a hammer has the "[[MCHammer Hammer Time]]" ability.

* XMeetsY: VideoGame/{{Hitman}} meets VideoGame/MonkeyIsland.

-> ''Ain't no mess we can't address!''

The lead director of this game is Lee Petty, the lead Art Director of BrutalLegend. He was inspired by watching his daughter playing with real matryoshka dolls and decided to make a game around it. Like ''Costume Quest'', Creator/TimSchafer took a back seat to allow Lee Petty to lead the project.

* LargeAndInCharge: InvokedTrope, according to TimSchafer. Larger dolls tend to have more authority and status, while smaller dolls are insignificant in both physical size and social status, fitting in with Social Classes being a recurring theme of the game. The BigBad is the largest, wealthiest, evilest doll. And of course, the hero is the smallest doll.

** Go [[TheMostDangerousGame steward-hunting.]]

* PublicDomainSoundtrack: Works of FredericChopin are used in the soundtrack.

* {{Showrunner}}: TimSchafer, taking a backseat to Lee Petty, like he did with CostumeQuest.

The lead director of this game is Lee Petty, the lead Art Director of BrutalLegend. He was inspired by watching his daughter playing with real matryoshka dolls and decided to make a game around it. Like CostumeQuest, TimSchafer took a back seat to allow Lee Petty to lead the project.

Stacking is an adventure puzzle game and Creator/DoubleFine's second venture into downloadable games, following the release of CostumeQuest.