Children of the Sun

As macabre as it is, Children of the Sun’s addictive leaderboard chase is sure to rekindle the competitive spirit in those who find themselves lapping up this world's darkness after having ventured heavenward in Neon White.

85%Game Brain Score

gameplay, story

grinding, optimization

93% User Score Based on 2,040 reviews

Critic Score 77%Based on 22 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom $12.58

Buy NowGet on Steam$14.99

About

In "Children of the Sun" , players control a single bullet in a tactical third-person puzzle-shooter, guiding it through levels to take down cultists and uncover dark truths. Using precise aiming, environmental manipulation, and strategic planning, players eliminate cult members and uncover the mysteries of the mysterious order. With a focus on stylish, satisfying kills, players wage a one-woman war against the cult, one bullet at a time.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

93%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,062 reviews

gameplay247 positive mentions

grinding24 negative mentions

Clever puzzle shooter mechanics that allow players to control a single bullet to eliminate multiple targets, creating a satisfying gameplay loop.
Stylish aesthetic and unique art direction that enhances the overall experience, reminiscent of films like Mandy.
Engaging and addictive gameplay with a good balance of challenge and accessibility, making it enjoyable for both casual and competitive players.

The game is relatively short, taking around 3-4 hours to complete, which may leave some players wanting more content.
Some levels can be frustrating due to hidden enemies and a sudden difficulty spike in the final levels, which may disrupt the flow of gameplay.
The inclusion of an unskippable mini-game that feels disconnected from the main gameplay can detract from the overall experience.

gameplay
573 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
54%
3%
The gameplay in "Children of the Sun" is characterized by its unique mechanic of controlling a bullet mid-flight, blending sniping with puzzle-solving elements that keep the experience fresh and engaging. Players appreciate the gradual introduction of new mechanics and challenges, which enhance the overall gameplay loop, although some feel the game could benefit from more variety in enemy design and level length. The combination of stylish visuals, satisfying mechanics, and a compelling atmosphere contributes to a fun and addictive experience, despite some criticisms regarding repetitiveness and clarity in gameplay mechanics.
- “The gameplay is fun and satisfying.”
- “I thought they'd be repetitive but each one brings something new to the table (with new mechanics every now and then) and there are a few which are quite different to the rest so it was a nice change of pace.”
- “The gameplay loop is the right mixture of challenging and enjoyable, making you consider every angle for the perfect shot.”
- “I enjoyed the premise, the visuals, and the little clues of a narrative, but the actual gameplay was not very engaging for me.”
- “If the game did something else with its enemy design and the mechanics of the latter half of the game it would be amazing but as it is, it is simply not 'fun' after a certain point and that is very disappointing as every ingredient necessary for this to be a cult hit in the indie sphere is there but it's just not quite working.”
- “The gameplay started out fine, I guess, but as more things were added, the more cluttered the game got and the new skills conceptual are great but the dev failed to make them work with the base gameplay on any level of depth.”
story
473 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
70%
4%
The game's story revolves around a dark and engaging revenge narrative, primarily conveyed through stylized cutscenes and visual storytelling rather than dialogue. While some players appreciate the unique aesthetic and the way the story complements the gameplay, others find it disjointed and lacking depth, wishing for more context or detail. Overall, the narrative serves as a backdrop to the mechanics, with mixed opinions on its effectiveness and coherence.
- “The story is a simple tale of revenge which is told through brief cutscenes before and after each level with beautifully unhinged art style showcasing the grim aesthetics, moreover there's no dialogue or soundtrack just silent white noise in the background coupled with the gritty visuals even during the gameplay.”
- “The story is dark and cinematic, not wasting a moment on screen, leaving you breathless with its dark imagery.”
- “The story is conveyed simply and is compelling.”
- “Dreaming of redemption just felt like a waste of time adding nothing substantial to the story.”
- “The story is pretty weird but after a few cut-scenes, you understand what is going on.”
- “The story is a bit everywhere in the sense that it's not too easy to discern what the story is, but I suppose that's part of the style.”
graphics
421 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
52%
2%
The graphics of the game are characterized by a unique, stylized aesthetic that blends lo-fi, grungy visuals with psychedelic elements, reminiscent of titles like "Hotline Miami" and "Superhot." While some players noted that the graphics are basic and at times overly dark, many praised the art style for enhancing the game's atmosphere and storytelling, making it a standout feature despite its simplicity. Overall, the visuals are described as vibrant and engaging, contributing significantly to the game's appeal, even if they may not meet high-end graphical standards.
- “A short sniper puzzle game with an interesting story and outstanding visuals.”
- “This game is an innovative puzzle game that has truly fantastic visuals.”
- “The graphics work very well for the gritty and graphic story they are telling.”
- “The art style of cutscenes is something from a fever dream with its abstract art and colors.”
- “At the start of each enemy, you're meant to tag the targets before sniping, but due to a combination of the pixelated muddy visuals and how dark the levels are, it is extremely hard to make out where each enemy is.”
- “For 15€, I expected a little more in terms of visuals.”
music
144 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
65%
6%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its atmospheric and adaptive qualities that enhance the overall experience, while others criticize the lack of a standout original soundtrack compared to the engaging trailer music. Some players appreciate the grunge and eerie tones that complement the game's unique art style, but others find the sound design repetitive or lacking, leading to a less immersive experience. Overall, the soundtrack contributes significantly to the game's mood, though opinions vary on its effectiveness and memorability.
- “The soundtrack fits the style of the game and the art style perfectly.”
- “One of the things I appreciated the most was the soundtrack, which is adaptive and really adds a whole lot to the experience.”
- “The art style adds a lot of character and the soundtrack just adds to that as well.”
- “It's hard to be enthusiastic about ambient drone music.”
- “For a game whose art style leans heavily on the more artistic side over quality, simply not having any music really breaks away from the mood.”
- “I was disappointed the music wasn't as fun as the trailer (was there even any music?), but the game played as promised.”
replayability
69 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
77%
6%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while it offers some value through scoring systems and leaderboard challenges, many players find it limited due to its short length and straightforward puzzles. Those who enjoy optimizing runs and competing for high scores may find enough incentive to replay, but others may feel that once puzzles are solved, the experience lacks depth for repeated play. Overall, it caters well to completionists and competitive players, but casual gamers might find the replay value insufficient.
- “The game has some replayability because you can complete each level differently and always fight for a better score.”
- “This game has high replayability thanks to the scoring system and the pretty open-ended solutions, of which you should take advantage not only to get your money's worth but also because it is really satisfying.”
- “Really great game, wish it was maybe a little longer or had a bit more variety in enemies, but the amount of replayability on display here from the sheer number of ways you can tackle each and every stage is beyond satisfying.”
- “But it doesn't hold much replayability as of right now.”
- “Game is extremely short and primitive, provides no challenge and has zero replayability.”
- “Overall, this is a fantastic game which is very short but I'd rather it be short than overstay its welcome, and there's no replayability apart from the challenges.”
atmosphere
59 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
41%
5%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its stylish, psychedelic, and surreal qualities, enhanced by exceptional art design, sound, and music. Reviewers highlight the compelling and unique ambiance that complements the gameplay, creating a memorable experience, even if the game is relatively short. Overall, the atmosphere is considered one of the game's strongest aspects, contributing significantly to its appeal and originality.
- “The atmosphere is also on point.”
- “Everything from the colors, lighting, sound, and definitely the story projects a surreal atmosphere that, even though might not be for everyone, sure is original.”
- “It has a very unique and unsettling art style, which combined with the music creates a really compelling atmosphere for the game.”
- “Very stylish game with a depressing atmosphere.”
- “The style, atmosphere, and storytelling weren't really appealing to me, but it's nice to play something truly unique. A game I didn't spend long in, but it certainly left an impression that I won't be forgetting for a long time.”
- “It is quite simply the best sniping game I’ve ever played and, better yet, it has a story, vibes, and atmosphere you just want to bathe in, much like the blood of your enemies.”
grinding
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
86%
Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game can become tedious and repetitive, particularly as players progress through levels and face trial-and-error challenges. While some appreciate the optional leaderboard placements and the gradual introduction of new mechanics, many find the process boring and overly reliant on puzzle-solving rather than shooting, leading to frustration. Overall, the experience is mixed, appealing to perfectionists but potentially off-putting for those seeking a more straightforward shooter.
- “It's tedious and boring, and that is, in my opinion, the worst a game can be: tedious.”
- “Its tedious and boring failing and re-shooting everywhere just to maybe find some guy behind a wall, car, or inside a building.”
- “Not something I would play again due to the tediousness of harder levels, but I recommend this game.”
optimization
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
63%
19%
The game's optimization varies significantly across platforms; while desktop performance is generally solid, players on the Steam Deck report issues like stuttering and pixelation, particularly during rain effects. Some users express frustration with the lack of attention to optimization, feeling that it detracts from the overall experience, especially for those who enjoy perfecting gameplay. Despite these concerns, many agree that the game remains enjoyable, particularly for players focused on exploration and puzzle-solving rather than strict performance metrics.
- “There are no performance issues whatsoever, all smooth.”
- “It's one of those games where you can choose whether you want to merely do well enough to progress or zero in on perfecting your performance on a particular puzzle.”
- “Though short, it is well worth your time and money if you are going to do anything other than simply play through once, without any regard for optimization and score (which is where the bulk of the game's excellence will be experienced).”
- “Although I know game developers aren't really interested in optimization these days, I'd rather get my money back for it when it seems like they only did half the job.”
- “Lots of stuttering and it looks very pixelated even on 720p setting.”
- “If you are not into endless optimization of kill routes or into achievement hunting, you will be done after about 3 hours.”
humor
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is generally described as light and entertaining, with players appreciating its comedic elements in the context of a fun, indie experience. While some reviews highlight the game's funny moments, others focus more on its overall quality rather than its humor.
- “Funny little game that does exactly what you would expect from it.”
- “Funny slow-motion gun game.”
- “A genuinely funny game.”
stability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Overall, the game's stability is generally positive, with users reporting smooth performance on the Steam Deck when settings are adjusted appropriately, such as capping the FPS at 40. However, there are concerns about occasional freezes during gameplay, which could impact the overall experience if not addressed in future updates.
- “Runs great on Steam Deck at default settings, just set the FPS cap to 40 and didn’t run into any issues.”
- “Also runs great on the Steam Deck, although the aim sensitivity doesn't quite go high enough to go for high scores.”
- “I just hope I can play it fully without freezes or crashes in the future.”
- “Shoot bullet, hit target, bullet freezes and you get to re-aim for another target; it's an extremely violent game of connect the dots with a cool setting and art style.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players report a strong sense of satisfaction and accomplishment as they progress through the levels, with the challenge of figuring out controls and overcoming obstacles contributing to an overall positive emotional experience. The game evokes feelings of awesomeness and fulfillment from start to finish.
- “After figuring out the controls, each level took some thinking but never made me feel stuck. On the later levels, where it took quite a few tries, it was so satisfying to feel that accomplishment.”
- “Made me feel awesome from beginning to end.”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The reviews highlight a significant lack of character development, particularly noting that the main character lacks depth, which hinders player empathy. Despite this shortcoming, the game is praised for its affordable price, engaging gameplay, and impressive level design.
- “Lack of character development: the main character, the girl, lacks depth, making it hard to empathize with her plight.”