Sunless Sea

Spooky and weird and surprisingly funny. The learning curve is steep and there's a lot to read, but your efforts are rewarded. A game I keep coming back through the years.

I really enjoy playing this game. It reminds of a roguelike but is more static - for example every playthrough is on the same map with the same basic quests; the variation comes in with random drops, dialog outcomes, etc. Overall the game nails it on atmosphere (dark/steampunkish) and I am enjoying the learning curve as well as the difficulty. Might be a little expensive in comparison to similar games but it's worth a try if a fan of the genre.

I got into Sunless Sea because the idea of going mad and eating your crew sounded intriguing. I stayed with it because of the fascinating and detailed world they constructed around it, but also because of the music (alternatively haunting and dramatic) and the added bonus of linking your game account to your Fallen London account. The actual in-game bonuses granted by this link are few and far in between, but the Zee provides some fascinating insights into London, and vice-versa. The difference is that while you can dip into Fallen London throughout the day, Sunless Sea IS your day. Movement is slow, death is sudden and progress is frequently reset, so expect to spend a lot of time tracing and re-tracing your steps. The map changes every time you die, with a few notable exceptions (generally a few things near London, or anything you've discovered if you decide to inherit the map), so the rogue-like element is still very much in play. Just be warned that you won't be dropping in for a short play session, at least not without the save feature (which costs you points if you manage to survive long enough to retire). Overall though a fascinating game and one I wish my work schedule allowed me to keep playing.

Sunless Sea is one of the most addicting, engaging, and supremely dark experiences one can have in a game. Sure, its a bit like a choose your own adventure with RPG elements, but it does it so perfectly. The game design is very very old-school. You will have absolutely no clue what you're doing for the first hour or so of gameplay. Luckily, all the gameplay concepts are very simple to grasp. Read the short tutorial to learn the very few keys required, and just go explore. Don't be (too) afraid to die, because death has benefits, and it will happen from time to time if you're not extremely careful and lucky. Like everyone else says, the graphics and atmosphere are stunningly gorgeous and disturbing. The world is right out of Lovecraft's nightmares. Even more disturbing are the events that unfold throughout the story. This is one of the darkest games I've ever played, right up there with Planescape: Torment, and although the games are different styles, I enjoyed it just as much. My only knocks against Sunless Sea is that I wish the music played more consistently because its quite lovely and eerie, and that the in-game journal is as obtuse as is possibly imaginable, its almost completely useless. Because of that, I highly suggest you take hand-written notes. I did say this game is very old-school in its implementation. Don't expect your hand to be held on the zea, ever. Its a very unforgiving place, but yet you'll yearn to discover more and more. That's the whole point. Discovery while pushing through a constant and slowly crushing feeling of dread. If that sounds fun to you, by all means buy this and it's Zubmariner DLC, you won't regret it. If you wear (metaphorical) diapers while gaming, then please bugger off and go play Call of Doody.

This game requires patience and a lot of reading and a dash of imagination, but is truly a wonderful experience and quite rewarding once you get a hang of it.