![]() ![]() Problems are rooted in mental health, such as Kay’s boyfriend who is in a deep pit of depression and another sequence about a young boy being bullied. But the easy puzzles never bothered me much, since smooth progression allows the story to continue uninterrupted – and narrative is Sea of Solitude’s strength.Ĭharacters have depth, and you learn more about Kay and others when clearing corruption. For example, you can trick enemies into chasing you to lead them away from a door you wish to enter. ![]() Puzzles, like defeating shadow creatures, are shallow. ![]() ![]() Fighting or manipulating enemies is a lackluster experience since it doesn’t require much strategy, and I preferred platforming moments that are intertwined with voiceovers that give insight into what happened to Kay’s family. Light defeats shadow enemies sometimes you have to kill them before moving on or, as the gameplay evolves, turn them into allies so they can jump upon ledges you can’t reach to grab orbs for you. You have a flare you can shoot into the air that helpfully guides you to your next objective, but it’s also your one and only weapon. To eradicate these, you collect other smaller orbs by platforming around the area and doing light puzzle solving. Corruption points appear as glowing orbs with clouds of black smoke twirling around them. It’s a clever approach that succeeds in driving empathy in the player, too.Ĭlearing corruption is your main goal in Sea of Solitude. Boss battles in Sea of Solitude are not conventional fights rather than defeating enemies, you help them overcome issues by clearing corruption, which increases Kay’s understanding of their problems and helps those in pain see clearly, such as two characters realizing its best to end a relationship that is dead in the water. I empathized with each major foe, and never wanted to hurt them. Kay has a personal connection with each beast, whether that’s a reflection of a familiar darkness within herself or an embodiment of a tortured family member, which brings a fascinating depth to enemy encounters. I was always eager to see what the next beast awaited me would be, and how the world would change to reflect it, such as sunset skies and harsh waves when Kay’s parents bicker at one another. You spend your time travelling by foot and by boat, platforming over roofs and through cityscapes, avoiding dangers, and engaging with whatever grandiose monster – like a large, fear-inspiring crow – lurks in the area. Sea of Solitude introduces an intriguing premise with darkness hiding under the surface, and it largely succeeds despite occasional hiccups. Soon she finds out she’s not alone in this world, and she begins a quest of self-discovery in which she attempts to right previous wrongs by helping her family (who have also become beasts) find peace. She navigates a partially submerged city, with blurry memories of a human past. Sea of Solitude casts you as Kay, a young girl whose loneliness has transformed her into a literal monster. Titles like Celeste and Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice illustrate this, and Sea of Solitude boldly plunges into similar subject matter its world is as beautiful as it is melancholy, with several characters opening up about how their lives are ravaged by mental health. Achieving a tactful balance between game mechanics and tough themes requires insight, but it can make for a rewarding experience when the two intertwine in meaningful ways. Mental health is a difficult subject to tackle in games. ![]()
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