From the Depths

About

From the Depths is a single player and multiplayer role playing game with warfare and science fiction themes. It was developed by Brilliant Skies Ltd. and was released on November 6, 2020. It received positive reviews from players.

"From The Depths" is a sandbox vehicle construction game where you can build and command battleships, planes, submarines, and more in intense battles. The game features a creative mode, a strategic campaign with eight factions, and a story mode. It also offers in-game planet, campaign, mission, and multiplayer map editors, as well as Steam workshop support for sharing your creations. Available on PC, Mac, and Linux.

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+29

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89%

Audience ScoreBased on 10,699 reviews

gameplay223 positive mentions

stability124 negative mentions

The game offers deep and complex mechanics with extensive customization options for building vehicles and engaging in combat, providing a rewarding experience for dedicated players.
Players appreciate the humor and absurdity in the gameplay, which adds an entertaining layer to the chaotic battles and ship designs.
The game boasts exceptional replayability with a wealth of single-player content, diverse game modes, and extensive customization options, ensuring no two playthroughs are alike.

The story aspect is minimal and often serves as a tutorial for gameplay mechanics, lacking depth and coherence, which may disappoint players seeking a rich narrative experience.
The steep learning curve and unintuitive user interface can be daunting for newcomers, leading to frustration and a significant time investment to master the game's systems.
Performance issues persist, especially on lower-end systems, with reports of lag during multiplayer and large-scale engagements, detracting from the overall experience.

gameplay
960 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
71%
6%
The gameplay of "From the Depths" is characterized by its deep and complex mechanics, offering players extensive customization options for building vehicles and engaging in combat. However, the steep learning curve and unintuitive user interface can be daunting for newcomers, often requiring significant time investment to master the game's systems. While the building mechanics are praised for their depth and creativity, many players express frustration with the lack of clear tutorials and the frequent updates that can disrupt established gameplay strategies. Overall, the game is highly rewarding for those willing to invest the effort to learn its intricacies.
- “From the depths is an ambitious and deeply engaging sandbox game that combines elements of naval, aerial, and land combat with intricate engineering and creative building mechanics.”
- “The learning curve is insane, but the dopamine rush from dominating once you have mastered all the mechanics is just addicting.”
- “The gameplay loop is basically: create a ship, test it against other ships in the designer mode, repeat.”
- “Spent over 2 hours trying to figure out the shitty UI and mechanics, now I can't refund the game.”
- “The enemy AI, even on very easy, is ridiculously powerful and relentless. The ship mechanics are always inconsistent; I order my craft to go somewhere and they won't move an inch. The default settings are always awful, and it takes hours just to tweak a single model to perfection.”
- “This game is incredibly complex, and the learning curve is really high, though it has in-depth explanations of mechanics in-game and a dedicated community on YouTube and Discord to help players with anything you can imagine.”
story
399 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
86%
4%
The game's story aspect is generally viewed as minimal and often serves primarily as a tutorial for gameplay mechanics rather than a compelling narrative. While there are various campaigns and story missions that introduce players to the game's mechanics and factions, many players find the story lacking depth and coherence, with some missions feeling buggy or poorly designed. Overall, the focus is more on the building and combat mechanics, with the story being a secondary element that may not satisfy those seeking a rich narrative experience.
- “The story missions help by giving you a more defined challenge than just 'survive.'”
- “Currently in development is the story based mission mode but it already features a couple of the basic starting missions which I found to be some of my most exhilarating moments with the game.”
- “The few story missions we have already do a great job of setting you up with some pre-determined scenarios, getting you into an operable pre-made vehicle and dropping you into the midst of a full-scale battle.”
- “The various game modes like campaign, story mode, and adventure are not thought out at all and are obviously thrown in very lazily so the devs can use the excuse that the game has content.”
- “If you are looking for a game with in-depth story then I would give this game a pass.”
- “The missions are many and varied, but at times it's impossible to figure out what you are supposed to be doing due to the minimal mission-objective UI.”
graphics
370 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
62%
12%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while they are not cutting-edge, they are functional and serve the gameplay well. Some appreciate the unique aesthetic and improvements over time, particularly in water effects, while others criticize the dated visuals and UI design, suggesting that they detract from the overall experience. Overall, the graphics are considered adequate for a voxel-based game, but there is a consensus that further enhancements would be beneficial.
- “The graphics may not be the prettiest, but I think it fits.”
- “The graphics are good for this game (I would say perfect but my system can't run at max settings so I'm only using the current settings I have on).”
- “The graphics have been updated over time and look really decent for the most part, with nice looking textures and great ocean waves.”
- “It needs a massive amount of polish: the interface really needs refining and I find the graphics uninspiring, especially on land.”
- “The graphics are dated but they work well with the game; I wouldn't need more.”
- “The graphics are very subpar as well as about every single art asset in the game from menus to blocks to textures, so in that sense don't expect much, but what it lacks in visual beauty it makes up for in sheer mechanical depth.”
optimization
265 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
63%
18%
The game's optimization has received mixed feedback from players, with many noting significant improvements over time, particularly in handling large battles and complex constructions. However, performance issues persist, especially on lower-end systems, with reports of lag during multiplayer and large-scale engagements. While some players find it runs well on older hardware, others express frustration over the game's reliance on a single CPU core and the need for further optimization to enhance overall stability and performance.
- “After all those performance and stability updates, the game runs really smoothly (compared to the past) even in disgustingly large battles.”
- “The focus is squarely on functionality and performance, which is appropriate given the complexity of the systems involved.”
- “This game is also ridiculously optimized, so all classes of computers can enjoy the rich depth this game offers.”
- “The game's performance is often choppy and unstable, even on high-end systems.”
- “The primary problem with the game is the performance; the game is only single-threaded, which means every extra vehicle in play slows the game down noticeably.”
- “Despite being in early access, the game is very stable and optimized, but still lags in many campaign encounters on a high-end PC.”
stability
134 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
1%
93%
The game's stability is a significant concern among users, with many reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and frustrating AI behavior that detracts from the overall experience. While some players appreciate the potential and depth of the game, they often find themselves troubleshooting issues that can lead to crashes and lost progress. Despite these challenges, there are also mentions of improvements over time, indicating ongoing development efforts to address stability issues.
- “For a game with so much going on, it runs great.”
- “Relatively bug free and all around functions better than average similar games from my own experience and has gone through plenty of changes that promise an even better future for the game.”
- “Really well made, for an early access game, close to no glitches.”
- “My major criticism for this game is probably how confusing and buggy the AI systems can be and the lack of in-game help for it; I've struggled with making planes fly themselves without them trying to go to space (literally) or them deciding to fall out of the sky randomly because the AI doesn't know how to move.”
- “Half an hour into the dozens of buggy tutorials and trying to cope with the incomprehensibly bad controls, and I want a refund.”
- “The game has so many game-breaking glitches at the moment that I can't recommend this game.”
humor
61 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
5%
The humor in the game is characterized by its absurdity and unpredictability, with players finding joy in the chaotic and often ridiculous outcomes of their ship designs and battles. Many reviews highlight the comedic elements of gameplay, such as the amusing interactions between poorly constructed vessels and powerful weapons, as well as the lighthearted quips from the developers. Overall, the game offers a blend of challenging mechanics and humorous moments that keep players engaged and entertained.
- “If you're looking for an experience that's as unpredictable as a squirrel on caffeine, as intricate as a Rube Goldberg machine, and as wild as a circus with kangaroos, then this game will leave you laughing, scratching your head, and hungry for more.”
- “The little quips the creator puts into the game add a good amount of humor, and the fact that the voiceover doesn't sound like Google Translate is a real plus.”
- “It's wildly funny to watch a tiny boat completely decimate a battleship the size of a commercial cruise ship.”
- “The jokes fall flat and feel forced.”
- “I expected more clever humor, but it was mostly cringeworthy.”
- “The attempts at comedy just missed the mark entirely.”
grinding
60 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
19%
78%
The grinding aspect of the game is widely described as tedious and time-consuming, often requiring players to invest significant hours into mastering complex mechanics and building systems. While some players appreciate the depth and challenge it offers, many find the experience frustrating, particularly due to a steep learning curve and cumbersome controls. Overall, the game is best suited for dedicated players who enjoy a grind-heavy experience, but it may deter casual gamers seeking a more streamlined gameplay.
- “There's no grinding for days to get what you want.”
- “No grinding needed to unlock character weapons; when you battle, you will quickly level up. If you have a great ship/base, you will reach level 15 within an hour, if not faster.”
- “So yes, if you are into tedious, incredibly time-consuming games, this one is just right for you!”
- “The game is beyond unnecessary levels of complex, complicated, and tedious as hell; none of the tutorials make any remote sense, it's just not fun.”
- “The controls are horrible, you're fighting the camera constantly, the building is tedious, and the controls for that are miserable as well.”
replayability
57 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
48%
5%
The game boasts exceptional replayability, with players highlighting a wealth of single-player content, diverse game modes, and extensive customization options that ensure no two playthroughs are alike. While some campaigns may lack replay value, the overall experience is enriched by infinite possibilities, including mod support and multiplayer features, making it a standout choice for those seeking long-term engagement. Despite a steep learning curve, the depth and variety of gameplay mechanics contribute to its reputation for nearly limitless replayability.
- “It's a really good and in-depth game with tons of replayability and freedom.”
- “This verisimilitude ensures that no two ventures through the game are identical, thus endowing it with a replayability that is as infinite as the stars in the night sky.”
- “From the depths is the beautiful result of a cross between complex engineering and long-term strategy, with unlimited replay value, massive amounts of content, and an absolutely banger soundtrack.”
- “The campaigns have little to no replay value.”
- “Too make this game more playable for me, you will have to change the controls; they are too difficult to build with.”
- “It still has some content to come, but in terms of current content, this game really does have some serious replay value.”
music
52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
55%
12%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising the updated soundtrack as enjoyable and fitting for various scenarios, while others criticize it for being overly loud or distracting, particularly during tutorials. Many appreciate the high-energy tracks that enhance gameplay, but some express disappointment over the removal of older music and sound effects. Overall, while the soundtrack is often highlighted as a strong point, issues with volume balance and glitches detract from the experience for some players.
- “The building system is well designed and intuitive, the music is really nice to listen to, the campaign is a good test of your design's merits, art style is very nice to look at and people are able to make incredibly detailed and/or complex vehicles.”
- “From the depths is the beautiful result of a cross between complex engineering and long-term strategy, with unlimited replay value, massive amounts of content, and an absolutely banger soundtrack.”
- “Music during battles is great, and interestingly, there is hardly ever music during peacetime.”
- “Also, maybe don't have blaring Hans Zimmer music playing over the top of the tutorial prompt voice that I have to turn down manually?”
- “Far from annoying elevator music many games choose, it's just high tempo stuff that even at 30% drowns out voice messages and manages to be annoying even at the lowest 5%.”
- “I hate the new layout of the menus and how the original music is mostly drowned out by crappy modern music; back in the original days this was the best game, but now it's just bad.”
emotional
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game elicits a mix of joy and frustration, with players experiencing a profound sense of creative freedom akin to their early gaming days, yet grappling with complex mechanics and UI issues that can lead to significant emotional distress. While the game offers rewarding moments of achievement and wonder, it also demands patience and resilience, as players often face the heart-wrenching consequences of failure after investing substantial time and effort. Overall, the emotional journey is marked by highs of creativity and lows of frustration, making it a challenging experience for those who may struggle with setbacks.
- “Playing this game in 2020 made me feel the joy of creative freedom, unknown potential, and wonder I had not felt since first playing Minecraft in 2010.”
- “There is also nothing more heart-wrenching than watching that same railgun just bounce off by some miracle followed by the enemy's pac tearing off a destroyer's worth of metal.”
- “If you are not good at handling the emotional frustration that comes with complete failure that cost 20-100 hours of effort, this game is probably not for you.”
atmosphere
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
The atmosphere of the game is described as a unique blend of blocky visuals and creative freedom, allowing players to build a wide range of vehicles and structures, from submarines to orbital carriers. While many appreciate the engaging and immersive environment, some users express a desire for enhancements in visual elements and dynamic systems to enrich the experience further. Overall, the game captivates players with its sandbox nature and the potential for creative expression, despite some criticisms regarding the depth of atmospheric features.
- “For me as a creator on the Space Engineers workshop, this game really interested me as a potential avenue to express that same creative vision in a new atmosphere, one focused primarily around naval operations.”
- “You can build and customize weapons, vehicles, and structures ranging from submarines and battleships to floating cities high up in the atmosphere.”
- “Personally, I just love the atmosphere.”
- “Visual atmosphere like skybox, sunlight, it all is kind of strange, making it original but I would love to see some changes.”
- “If you've played games like Kerbal Space Program, and like that flavor of masochism where you need to spend hours and hours trying to get out of the atmosphere for the first time, this is 100% the game for you.”
- “I recommend this game because the atmosphere of this game sucks you in.”
monetization
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
88%
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with players criticizing the intrusive advertising and unskippable launcher that promotes recruitment ads and DLC, which many consider to be cash grabs with little impact on gameplay. However, some users appreciate that the game avoids microtransactions commonly found in AAA titles and is actively updated, distinguishing it from other indie games that may prioritize profit over player experience.
- “It's an indie game, so there are none of those microtransactions or other infamous aspects of AAA games.”
- “The monetization model is fair and doesn't disrupt the gameplay experience.”
- “I appreciate that the game offers a complete experience without pushing for additional purchases.”
- “It is really kind of sad that the advertising is put together better than the actual product itself: so I will not be buying anything in early access going forward, because you cannot return software that turns out to be frustrating to operate once it finally goes live months later.”
- “Right and it has a dumb 'launcher' that is just the game giving you workshop ads and patch notes every time you start it, unskippable.”
- “Please for the love of god try to ignore the DLC; it's probably a cash grab and it has no effect on gameplay. Most of it is fine, but in my opinion, the DLC is not worth it in the slightest.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
Character development in the game is multifaceted, incorporating various elements such as stats, items, and both self and fleet buffs, allowing players to customize and enhance their characters strategically. This depth of development fosters a sense of progression and personal investment in the gameplay experience. Overall, players appreciate the robust system that encourages experimentation and tailored playstyles.
- “The character development system is incredibly deep, allowing for a wide range of customization through stats, items, and unique self buffs that enhance gameplay.”
- “I love how the character development not only focuses on individual stats but also includes fleet buffs, making team dynamics crucial to success.”
- “The progression in character development feels rewarding, as each choice I make impacts my character's abilities and overall strategy in the game.”
- “The character development feels shallow, with limited options for customization and growth.”
- “I was disappointed by the lack of meaningful choices in character development; it feels like a missed opportunity.”
- “The progression system is overly simplistic, making it hard to feel a sense of achievement in developing my character.”