Once you start asking too many questions, certain details stop making sense. Lots of the plot points feel ethereally tied together, in ways that you could nitpick. With that said, the narrative isn’t without weakness. Some Narrative Hiccups in Sea of Solitude What's more ominous, the bird or the hand? The game has “personal” written all over it, making it feel like a window into the developers’ souls. So much so that it wouldn't surprise me if the developers pulled from their own experience. Jo-Mei handles these themes respectfully. The story touches on some dark themes, including but not limited to suicide and depression. It’s worth noting that Sea of Solitude isn’t for the faint of heart. In a way, it feels like you’re walking her through some out-of-body experiences. By empathizing with them, Kay learns more about herself in the process. Other times, the monsters speak directly to Kay, showcasing emotions ranging from sorrow to scorn. More often than not, ugly truths come to light. Audio flashbacks retell some stories from when Kay was still human. Generally speaking, each encounter is an exercise in helping Kay understand how she fits into other people’s lives. It’s up to you to help them find peace as you learn more about their lives. However, she mostly retains her human-shaped body, while all the other monsters in the world transform into giant animals.Īs you work through each major monster, you slowly unravel their human identities, all of who were close to Kay in her human life. You play as Kay, a girl in her early 20s who turned into a monster. In this world, lonely humans turn into cursed monsters who roam this flooded world eternally. Sea of Solitude's Emotionally Charged Story There are moments where the sea parts, giving you access to the seafloor.Īfter seeing the E3 trailer, it comes as no surprise that Sea of Solitude feels like a game that prioritizes storytelling over gameplay. In other words, this game has a low barrier to entry in order to make its narrative more accessible. Toward the end, Sea of Solitude challenges you by making you maneuver around enemies while absorbing the corruption, but it’s nothing too complex. Occasionally, you’ll find gatherings of corruption, but if you hold down a button, that corruption gathers in your backpack. When it doesn’t, there’s usually no other way to go but forward. Once launched, this ball of light almost always leads you to your next objective. Simply put, it’s all an exercise in understanding basic timing and movement. Occasionally, you’ll have to maneuver around large monsters or lead smaller ones to a light, which destroys them. Even if you’re new to video games, you’ll pick it up pretty quickly. The light platforming moments present a pretty minimal challenge. Sea of Solitude could be best described as a walking simulator with puzzle elements. A Walk in the Flooded Park When the sun's out, this sea of solitude really doesn't seem so bad. Despite some gameplay shortcomings, this EA Original will leave you emotionally spent and satisfied. While it may not break your heart or start the waterworks, it tells a deeply personal, messed-up story about a girl named Kay. Either way, Jo-Mei Games’ debut indie title Sea of Solitude fits the bill to a tee. Maybe the sad content makes the happy highs that much better. Maybe it’s worth distracting myself with people who are worse off. Every now and then, I love to binge painfully depressing, heart-wrenching content.
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