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.
