Gray Skies, Dark Waters
- June 9, 2017
- Green Willow Games, LLC
Get on Steam"Gray Skies, Dark Waters" is a first-person adventure game set in a moody, atmospheric world. Players uncover a mystery while exploring a seemingly abandoned town and sailing the surrounding waters. The game features puzzle-solving, sailing mechanics, and a focus on narrative and exploration.
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Reviews
- The game features a deep and interesting story that effectively explores themes of loss and family dynamics, enhanced by beautiful watercolor art and a fitting soundtrack.
- Dialogue choices significantly impact the narrative, leading to multiple endings and encouraging replayability, making it a rewarding experience for story-driven players.
- Despite its modest production values, the game is considered a hidden gem, with many players appreciating its emotional depth and unique storytelling approach.
- The 3D character models do not blend well with the 2D backgrounds, resulting in a jarring visual experience, and their animations are often criticized for being lifeless.
- Voice acting quality is inconsistent, with some recordings suffering from echo and varying sound levels, detracting from the overall immersion.
- The gameplay is slow-paced and lacks traditional puzzles, which may not appeal to players looking for more dynamic or action-oriented experiences.
- story38 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The game features a deep and moving story that explores themes of loss and mental health, enhanced by player choices that shape the narrative. While some players found the gameplay slow and the narrative somewhat predictable, many praised its emotional depth and artistic presentation, likening it to other story-driven titles. Overall, it is recommended for those who appreciate a rich, character-focused experience over traditional gameplay mechanics.
“This was a moving story, and the 'decide what is true' aspect is innovative.”
“The game’s plot isn’t some big bombastic adventure; it’s a character piece all about coping with loss and trying to move on with life.”
“This is a well-fleshed out story game that presents a thoughtful, multi-dimensional picture of loss through the eyes of a family.”
“Very slow gameplay and stereotypical, vanilla (aka boring) narrative despite choices and storyline.”
“The story is so short that there is no room for growth or change; the characters stay in the same place and never evolve.”
“I do wish there had been a touch more backstory to explain what it was like before, a little more depth to where this family had been before mom disappeared.”
- music12 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with a dark-folk influence that complements the environmental art and storytelling. Players particularly enjoy the soundtrack, noting that it effectively sets a melancholy tone and includes a standout ending song that leaves a lasting impression. Many recommend purchasing the deluxe edition for access to the soundtrack, highlighting its quality and emotional resonance throughout the gameplay experience.
“The game’s environmental art and soundtrack are quite good, really setting the game’s melancholy tone.”
“The music is likewise very good, adding a dark-folk tinge to the environment.”
“Additionally, the beautiful music and artwork really drew me in and had me playing for hours without realizing it.”
- graphics7 mentions
- 86 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are characterized by a charming, watercolor-inspired 2D art style that complements its engaging story. Users appreciate the unique, children's book-like backgrounds and the overall artistic presentation, which enhances the relaxed pacing of the gameplay. While not state-of-the-art, the visuals effectively contribute to a fulfilling indie gaming experience.
“The artwork is like watercolors with good music and okay voice acting.”
“Additionally, the beautiful music and artwork really drew me in and had me playing for hours without realizing it.”
“The location backgrounds are drawn in a pretty unique children's book style, and the speed and pacing of the game is laid back and relaxed, which goes along with the graphics style very well.”
- gameplay6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay is primarily focused on dialogue choices and exploration, with minimal fetch quests, creating a strong emphasis on atmosphere and narrative. However, some players find the pacing slow and the narrative somewhat clichéd, suggesting that while the game can deliver a fulfilling experience, it may not appeal to everyone due to its static environments and limited movement. Overall, it highlights the importance of story in indie games, even if certain aspects of gameplay could be improved.
“I like the mechanics that drive this game forward with very few fetch quests, instead concentrating heavily on dialogue and atmosphere.”
“This game just proves that you do not need state-of-the-art gameplay or realistic graphics to make a great game; as long as you have the right story, it can deliver a fulfilling experience, which is what indie games are all about.”
“Very slow gameplay and a stereotypical, vanilla (aka boring) narrative despite choices and storyline.”
“The gameplay is mainly dialogue choices and exploration.”
“Nothing but the character in the game moves; everything else is just still in a painting, so I'd suggest watching gameplay for a couple of minutes before picking it up.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its deep and touching story, featuring a slow-paced emotional journey that explores serious themes and personal struggles. Its original premise and beautiful art contribute to an emotionally moving experience, leaving players reflecting on the protagonist's fate and her connection to her missing mother.
“The story actually was quite good, deeper, and touching on more serious and important themes than I expected.”
“This is a slow-paced, emotional journey through the day of a young woman with some heavy feelings and possibilities to come to grips with.”
“The premise is actually one of the strongest features this game offers; it is very original, emotionally moving, and interesting, leaving you to wonder not just about the fate but also about the heritage of your missing mother.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its evocative and story-driven environment, characterized by gray skies and dark waters that create an elegiac beauty. Reviewers appreciate the focus on dialogue and narrative over traditional gameplay mechanics, highlighting the top-notch style that enhances the overall experience.
“Overall, with its writing and atmosphere, gray skies and dark water have an elegiac beauty to them.”
“The style and atmosphere of this game are top-notch, which is exactly what I personally prefer.”
“Overall, with its writing and atmosphere, gray skies and dark water create an elegiac beauty.”
“It is very story-driven, with not much pointing and clicking and no classic puzzles, just atmosphere, story, and decisions.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is noted for its ability to seamlessly blend with more serious themes, creating a poignant contrast that reflects the complexities of human emotions, particularly in the context of grief. This interplay challenges players to navigate the balance between joy and sorrow, enhancing the overall narrative experience.
“The dialogue shifts between humor and gravity quite freely.”
“The conflict between the environment and the humor really parallels my experience with grief - everyone tries to act like things are normal, but when levity enters into that equation, it throws everything off and makes us question how we're supposed to balance our joy and our sorrow.”
