Underplayed Gems

SUNLESS SEA (2015)

SUNLESS SEA cover
Developer
Failbetter Games
Platforms
Windows, macOS, Linux
Genres
Adventure, Indie, RPG
Rating
4.2 of 5, 9,525 player ratings
Typical playtime
about 7.3 hours
Where to get it
Steam

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The 3D catalog: game boxes on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

You captain a steamship across a dark, underground sea, managing scarce supplies while facing madness and death at every turn.

gothic horroratmosphericpunishingexploratorystory richtensebleak

What players say

Players praise the haunting writing and world-building but warn the rogue-like permadeath fights the story-driven design, recommending merciful mode to enjoy it like a novel. The early game is a slog of repetitive supply runs to reach new locations, and combat rewards little.

Screenshots

SUNLESS SEA screenshot 1SUNLESS SEA screenshot 2SUNLESS SEA screenshot 3SUNLESS SEA screenshot 4SUNLESS SEA screenshot 5

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More by Failbetter Games

This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.