Saltsea Chronicles is a unique adventure that goes beyond typical storytelling, focusing on harmony, deep human connections, and a diverse cast.
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| Saltsea Chronicles Review: an adventure build on harmony and human connections |
SALTSEA CHRONICLES
Developer: Die Gute Fabrik
Publisher: Die Gute Fabrik
Release Date: 12th October
Platform: PC, Switch and PS5.
Saltsea Chronicles Review: 4/5 (★★★★☆)
"Saltsea Chronicles" is a unique post-apocalyptic game set on rebuilt islands after a climate disaster. Despite the harsh backdrop, it radiates with vibrant colors and a sense of harmony. In this game, players navigate through these colorful islands, taking control of a diverse cast of characters. The main focus is on understanding different cultures and fostering a spirit of exploration.
The game relies heavily on conversations, impacting the relationships between crew members with significant decisions. The mix of characters and the exploration of the islands add depth to the experience, ultimately celebrating human connections, whether physical or emotional, in a world undergoing constant change.
Detailed Saltsea Chronicles Review
Now, let's delve into a detailed review of Saltsea Chronicles.
The story revolves around The Crew
Saltsea Chronicles is a testament to interactive storytelling, falling into the Choose Your Own Adventure genre. The story revolves around a crew searching for their kidnapped captain, led by a ship with distinctive indigo sails. As you progress through the game, you explore beautifully illustrated islands, ships, and chambers, guided by your cursor.
At first glance, Saltsea Chronicles may seem like a visual novel, but it breaks away from many standard storytelling conventions. Instead of following a single protagonist, it's a story about the collective experiences of an entire crew, eventually expanding to encompass an entire community. The narrative is presented in short scenes, carefully weaving through the mystery.
This unique approach to gameplay choices offers a deep understanding of the dynamic relationships among the cast, rather than just one character's perspective. The save system encourages players to explore different options, providing a chance to dive into the stories of all the characters.
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| Saltsea Chronicles may seem like a visual novel |
The rich and diverse cast is the main highlight
Diversity is a key feature of the cast of Saltsea Chronicles, including a new mother with her adorable baby, a non-binary youth, and a wise elder at the heart of the tale. The society depicted resembles a solarpunk utopia, valuing individuals of all ages and genders equally. While the rich vocabulary might feel a bit overwhelming initially, frequent pop-up explanations help with unfamiliar terms, dialects, and phrases. This thorough world-building will resonate with fans of tabletop campaigns in tone and style.
A well-designed menu system keeps you informed about each character's whereabouts and desires, making sure you're always in the loop. Conversations and scenes unfold, revealing a rich mystery bit by bit.
Visually, the game embraces a modern picture-book style, influenced by the Corporate Memphis style seen in games like "Going Under." This choice amplifies the diversity within the ensemble. Personally, I found myself particularly drawn to Stew, an elderly woman whose face tells a story of a life well-lived. Her habit of calling fellow characters "kitten" is revealed as a product of her life on El Gato, an island full of feline companions—a charming revelation.
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| Diversity is a key feature of the cast of Saltsea Chronicles |
Engaging and thought-provoking gameplay
Saltsea Chronicles is filled with moments of revelation. While the player is thrown into a world with its own social norms and expressions, every context is immensely satisfying. Like recent indie gems "Cult of the Lamb" and "Sea of Stars," there's an in-game card game called Spoils, which offers a delightful diversion. It left me wondering if I could master it with a standard deck in real life. The rules are presented clearly, so tabletop players will feel right at home.
At each step, you have to make a choice which often culminates in a sequence of rituals that maintain the narrative's momentum. You decide between two locations, based on your accumulated knowledge, and select which two crew members to accompany you ashore. Then there are the less frequent rituals: whom to believe in a disagreement, or whom to welcome on board when seeking to join the crew. Beyond these immediate decisions, the game opens up further, extending its reach to the horizons.
Set against a submerged, oceanic backdrop, where radios and astral plane sailing define technology and prayer, the characters grapple with their shared mission amidst occasional discord.
Saltsea Chronicles is a sophisticated adventure, pushing the boundaries of narrative gaming to new and captivating horizons. It's poised to captivate aficionados of cozy indie titles and tabletop RPGs this autumn, delivering a tale that is immersive, challenging, and elegantly constructed—a captivating odyssey in every sense.
Final Verdict
"Saltsea Chronicles" is like stepping into a world that's risen from the ruins of an old civilization. Imagine a visual style straight out of vintage children's books from the 50s and 60s, full of bright colors and charming characters. The heart of the story lies in a cluster of islands, delving into the themes of arrivals, departures, and how we treat those we don't know.
When you play, you'll find yourself making decisions that shape the adventure, each one leaving its mark on the tale. While conversations play a big role, the game keeps you fully engaged with its world. The varied cast of characters and the feeling of community really enrich the experience. Sure, the talking parts can get a bit long, but in the end, "Saltsea Chronicles" offers a bright and thought-provoking journey.
Now, if you're someone who's all about a lively art style, a world that feels alive, characters you'll grow to love, and a dialogue system that makes you think, then Saltsea Chronicles is a perfect fit.
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