When there is no light, a red-eyed creature will chase you if you touch the water, giving these sections a certain level of tension that distracts from the otherwise basic gameplay. The main danger comes from the sea monster that stalks you on your adventure. I have to commend Jo-Mei for implementing the flair as it ensured I never felt lost while exploring. Usually, this is done by shooting a flair, which leads you to your objective, finding a corrupted spot then holding ZR until you clear it. You will mostly be navigating areas to rid them of corruption. While there is only a bit of little platforming, it always felt like there was a slight delay in my inputs. They felt somewhat sluggish and unresponsive, and I’m not entirely sure if it was an issue with the frame drops or if it is just how it feels to play. Where the game slightly falters is in the on-foot controls. Controlling the boat felt good there’s not much precision required throughout, so it was never put to the test. The majority of my four or so hours were spent sailing from one building to the next, with some light platforming.

I wasn’t expecting much from a gameplay perspective. The subject matter is heavy, and while I genuinely felt uncomfortable playing Sea of Solitude, the moments of respite while sailing with blue skies gave me a well-needed break from the bleakness of the rest of the experience.Ĭreepy monsters Gameplay – Nothing spectacular There is a perfect balance between light and dark here. Discovering the hardships of the people closest to Kay was as interesting as it was disturbing. One minute you’re experiencing a conversation between Kay’s parents when they first met, the next you’re slowly creeping through a school as you hear your younger brother getting bullied at school. There is a constant battle between peace and chaos. You slowly discover the things haunting your family members, which are represented by corrupted animals of some sort. However, the game doesn’t shy away from dark themes, exploring emotions of regret, resentment, and self-loathing. Hearing little snippets of happy times with her friends and families. As you explore, you’re given glimpses into Kay’s life before the flood. You set sail on your small boat to explore a sunken city. These black shadowy monsters are manifestations of one’s negative emotions. The game begins with our protagonist, Kay, curled up on a ship, seemingly turned into a monster. 3) Graphics and Audio – Choppy framerates Story – Dark and Depressing

Sea of solitude directors cut