Sunless Sea

Do not play this game if you hate reading. Or if you hate reading interpretable text. This game is best enjoyed in lew of a good book. Start the game, have a glass of your favorite beverage nearby and enjoy a slow burn game that will surprise you in a lot of ways. Perfect for people who like to take their time or finding ways to expediate repetitive actions. Not recommended for people that think that they can blast through the game in a few hours to check it of their list. This is a longhaul game that will keep you engaged for hours if you enjoy a lot of text or skill based interactions and if you do not mind starting again (but with added bonuses from your previous run, which if you planned carefully will make the next run even better) from time to time. The lore of the game is not required, as most can figure out what is happening within the game, but if you are craving for more of the same, Fallen London (a browser game also available on most mobiles) will provide what you seek (including a nice bonus for your Zee Captains)

Most reviews for this game say that it has "Great writing but is held back by its gameplay." I think the reason for this is that most games have the story as an excuse for the gameplay, which prompts most Gamers(tm) to look at all games like that by default. What makes Sunless Sea and, indeed, all Fallen London propreties special is that that dynamic is reversed.

Instructions: - Install - Spend quite some time building your character and peeking around - Repeat { - Spend money for fuel & supplies - Set sails (well, steam) - Spend half of the fuel & supplies looking for nothing in the dark - Spend the other half going back to port - Try to get some money for whatever you found (if ever) } until no money, fuel or supplies left (a couple of loops should do) - Uninstall Total playing time: 2hrs. Luckily I got it for free, or else... :)

At ~240 hours gameplay, I am clearly the target audience for this game. It haunts me in a way that I can't explain. When I think of it I feel a longing, akin to wanting to drown myself in its depths. Yes, this is apt. The learning curve is very steep and I rage quit more than once due to losing all my progress in permadeath mode. However, permadeath is optional (it does add to the tension, though), and once you learn the basics you find a rhythm that keeps your resources and terror (mostly) in line. Stories are uncovered piecemeal. Every time you dock another layer of sand is gently brushed back from the tales of that port. Some mysteries are never solved, because the Unterzee is not a place for answers. This can be divisive; I love this style of storytelling and others find it irritating. The game is also not respectful of your time. You can spend hours building up money and supplies without feeling that you've made any real progress. Again, I love spending time in this world so I enjoy it. Others do not feel the same. The stand out aspect of the game for me is atmosphere. It's the reason I love sinking (heh) hours into it. The music (which deserves a special applause) and sound design (appropriately sparse when it needs to be) contribute to many emotional responses: fear; dread; loneliness; utter inescapable joy. Discovering a new port. Being stalked by a living island of black glass. Finally making it home. It's indescribable. This is my most-played game on PC and undoubtedly my favourite fictional world. That said, it's not for everyone and I can understand why some people don't like it or have issues with various aspects of it. But if it's for you, prepare to be drawn into a world from which there is no escape.

at first i found the survivalist mechanics (having to spend ALL your money on fuel and supplies) challenging, then nearly unplayable, so i found a mod that removes that element from the game. now i'm crazy about it!! the stories and choices are really interesting and intriguing and the quests are still challenging, but in a fun way now that you can think about anything other than just staying alive.