The Stanley Parable is a narrative-driven video game where the player takes the role of Stanley, an office worker who must navigate through a seemingly empty office building. The game features multiple endings, depending on the player's choices.
The game begins with Stanley searching for his missing coworkers and soon discovers that he can make choices that affect the story. However, the narrator often contradicts Stanley's actions, making it seem like the player's choices don't matter.
Throughout the game, Stanley explores different areas of the office, including a room with a mysterious button, a door that leads to a copy machine, and a room with a series of doors labeled with numbers. The player's choices lead to various endings, including a scenario where Stanley dies, but the game restarts, and Stanley is back in his office, alive and well.
The game's narrative explores themes of free will, choice, and the illusion of control. The narrator often breaks the fourth wall, addressing the player directly and questioning the nature of reality.
The game also features a segment where the player takes on the role of a woman named Mariella, who encounters a strange man who has stumbled through town, talking and screaming to himself. This segment serves as a commentary on the nature of reality and how people perceive it.
Ultimately, the game's ending is open to interpretation, leaving the player to question the true nature of the story and the characters involved.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The story begins with a character named Stanley who loses his work and footage again.
2. Stanley is in a mysterious office building with multiple doors, including doors 415, 437, and 416.
3. There is a voice in Stanley's head that guides him and provides commentary throughout the story.
4. Stanley's coworkers are absent, and he is left to explore the office building on his own.
5. Stanley discovers a secret button under a bureau in room 437.
6. Stanley is encouraged by the voice to click on various doors, including door 437, 20 times.
7. Stanley's actions become more erratic and desperate as the story progresses.
8. Stanley begins to question his own sanity and the nature of reality.
9. The voice in Stanley's head suggests that he is dreaming and that his actions are not real.
10. Stanley tries to wake up from the dream but is unable to do so.
11. The story takes a dark turn as Stanley is led to an escape pod bay, where he meets his demise.
12. The narrator suggests that Stanley's death is meaningless and that he is already dead from the moment he started the game.
13. The story ends with a commentary on the nature of free will and control.
14. A character named Mary Ann is introduced in a separate storyline.
15. Mary Ann encounters a man who has stumbled through town, talking and screaming to himself.
16. Mary Ann considers calling for an ambulance but decides to continue on her way to a meeting.
17. The story shifts back to Stanley, who is still trapped in the office building.
18. The narrator provides a commentary on the nature of reality and the relationship between Stanley and the voice in his head.
19. The story ends with a message about the futility of trying to escape or change one's circumstances.