Sea of Solitude PC review: Exploring the depths of a mind drowned in sorrow

One of my favorite moments from E3 2022 was watching Jo-Mei Games CEO Cornelia Geppert debut Sea of Solitude's showtime e'er trailer. On stage, she was laughing, smiling, and tearing up all at once, and it was clear to everyone watching that there was an immense amount of heart, soul, and honey being poured into the game. Ever since that day, I've been eagerly anticipating Bounding main of Solitude's release.

At present it's here, and it absolutely lived up to my excitement and my expectations. The gameplay, while not superb, is enjoyable — but the best of Ocean of Solitude lies within its gorgeous presentation and in its thoughtful narrative well-nigh healing in the aftermath of trauma.

Confront your demons

Body of water of Solitude

$20

Bottom line: Ocean of Solitude is a tremendously moving and well-thought out narrative adventure that nails story and art direction and offers solid gameplay, simply could take better voice acting and a longer overall length.

Pros:

Phenomenal, moving story
Astonishing art direction and music
Solid overall gameplay

Cons:

Some frustrating moments
Voice interim could exist better
Feels a bit short

What yous'll love almost Ocean of Solitude

Unquestionably, the all-time thing about Sea of Solitude is the story. The game places you in the shoes of Kay, a adult female who is going through severe mental trauma as she navigates the depths of her mind, which is depicted as an endless sea. This solitary, desolate setting is dotted with locations from Kay's memories, equally well as gigantic monsters that stand for what caused her trauma. Over the form of the story, Kay faces these demons — which range from family unit issues to her ain insecurities — and learns how to overcome them.

Sea of Solitude approaches mental wellness issues in a fashion that feels authentic and rich.

This is some heavy stuff, merely thankfully, Body of water of Solitude's narrative feels authentic and rich. It's a story that'southward raw and existent, and its commitment to tackling these themes in a sensitive, yet unapologetically authentic manner is precisely what makes it so moving. I cried several times during the game, because in may ways, I've been right where Kay was mentally, and I've been through the journey that Kay goes through.

The story is fantastic, but a big reason why it flows so well is because of how stellar the game's creative direction is. The utilize of visual metaphors in Sea of Confinement is on-signal, and everything, from the designs of the demons Kay has to face to Kay'southward own appearance, is dripping with meaning. These artistic choices brand for a gorgeous visual experience, but more than importantly, they serve to guide the player into agreement how Kay is feeling, and why. For example, the massive ocean that the game takes place in is a representation of Kay's immense sadness. And while the visuals steal the prove, the soundtrack doesn't lag behind. The music in this game is amazing, and information technology perfectly fits every scene it'south used in.

Lastly, in that location'south the gameplay, which isn't incredible, simply information technology'due south nonetheless enjoyable. Sea of Solitude is best described every bit a platformer with lite stealth elements, and while its mechanics are very elementary, the game does occasionally force you to use them creatively, which adds some claiming. The game is far from a difficult ane, but it's non a breeze, either, which keeps it engaging. It'due south also entirely non-violent, which I dearest because this is a story about healing. The goal isn't to kill your demons, but to effigy out how to move past them.

What you lot'll dear less about Bounding main of Solitude

The vocalisation acting for Kay sometimes falls apartment, which makes information technology harder to connect with the character.

While at that place'due south a ton to love about Bounding main of Solitude, information technology isn't a perfect game. I think the affair that bugs me the nigh is that the vocalisation acting for Kay is inconsistent. Generally, it'southward expert, just in that location are several moments in the story where something incredibly serious happens, but the response from Kay isn't as potent or every bit emotionally-charged as information technology seems similar it naturally should be. This took me out of the experience a chip, and I wish that there was more than "oomph" to the performance.

In that location are also a few segments of gameplay where the way frontward is hard to find considering of confusing level design and some enemies that feel impossible to dodge unless yous move perfectly. These moments are relatively rare, only they were pretty frustrating nevertheless. Likewise, the game feels a bit rushed, and I beat it in four hours. There's nothing wrong with short games, of course, merely I call up that even some other half-hr'southward worth of gameplay would have helped to gainsay that rushed feeling I take about it.

Should you buy Ocean of Solitude?

While at that place are certainly some issues with Bounding main of Solitude, it's however a wonderful game that offers so much in the way of narrative and art, and the gameplay is pretty solid, also (although nothing amazing). It's articulate that an incredible amount of eye, love, and soul was poured into this experience, and I can confidently say that my money was well spent.

If you desire something with a next-level gameplay experience and aren't very interested in the narratives of video games, y'all won't find much value in Body of water of Solitude. Yet, if you're somebody that loves a touching story and enjoys simple mechanics and exemplary visuals, Bounding main of Solitude will take your breath abroad.

Face your demons

Sea of Solitude

Explore the depths of a broken listen

Bounding main of Solitude is a tremendously moving and well-thought out narrative take chances that nails story and art management and offers solid gameplay, but could have better vocalism acting and a longer overall length.

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