Lies Under Ice
- December 7, 2023
- Choice of Games
- 6h median play time
Get on SteamIn "Lies Under Ice" by Joey Jones, you lead a mission to colonize Jupiter's moon, Europa, in 2079. As you build a settlement and explore the ocean, political factions within your colony stake their claims, and alien life lurks beneath the ice. It's up to you to navigate the power struggles and discern the truth in this 200,000-word interactive science fiction novel.
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Reviews
- The game offers a pleasantly re-playable experience with a mix of personal interactions, resource management, scientific exploration, and political intrigue.
- Players can deeply engage with the story, leading to emotional investment and meaningful choices that impact the narrative.
- The writing quality is high, with a good balance of humor, moral dilemmas, and a well-constructed world that enhances the overall experience.
- The story suffers from weak spots, particularly in the last third, where it shifts to a more Hollywood-style plot that feels disconnected from the initial premise.
- The ending and epilogue are poorly executed, with inconsistencies and a lack of coherence that undermines the choices made throughout the game.
- Romance options are sparse and feel like an afterthought, with little impact on the overall narrative or character development.
- story29 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 72 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The story of *Lies Under Ice* is set in 2079, focusing on a mission to establish a settlement on Europa, and while it starts strong with a semi-realistic space colonization narrative, it suffers from a rushed ending and a shift towards more conventional sci-fi tropes in its final act. Players appreciate the meaningful impact of their choices and the intriguing world-building, though some feel that character interactions and romance options are underdeveloped. Overall, the story is engaging but could benefit from a more cohesive conclusion and deeper character exploration.
“Overall, I recommend [i]Lies Under Ice[/i] to anyone interested in playing a semi-realistic space colonization story-game.”
“I really felt like what I undertook moved the plot forward in a grandiose and meaningful way.”
“Chekhov's gun is loaded: the storyboard is decently put together, and every choice I made actually had a significant impact later on.”
“But in the last third, the story unexpectedly falls down to Hollywood-esque tropes (alien invasion! telepathy! deadly cults! mad rat swarms!) that feel more in line with late 90s 'space adventure' action films than anything resembling real sci-fi.”
“The only thing I found mildly entertaining was the base building, but even that seemed to have little to no impact on the story.”
“I won't spoil what happens except to say there is a massive disconnect between the situation at the end of the story and the start of the epilogue.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game offers strong replayability, encouraging players to explore various outcomes and scenarios through thought-provoking "what-if" questions, making each playthrough feel fresh and engaging.
“Pleasantly replayable and thought-provoking.”
“Plenty of replayability to be found, thanks to those perennial 'what-if' questions trotting in our heads.”
“Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to go back and experience it again.”
“The lack of meaningful choices means that replaying the game feels more like a chore than an adventure.”
- music1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The music in the game is noted to be minimal or absent, leading to a lack of engagement and atmosphere. Players feel that the absence of a musical score detracts from the overall experience.
“There is no music in the game, which makes the experience feel empty.”
“The soundtrack is repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“The music doesn't match the game's atmosphere, resulting in a disjointed experience.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players report that the game elicits a wide range of intense emotions, from laughter to deep sorrow, prompting them to reflect on their values and humanity. Many express a profound emotional investment, likening their experiences to those in other impactful titles, and some even find themselves needing breaks to process their feelings. Overall, the game is noted for its ability to deeply engage players on an emotional level.
“This game has made me laugh, made me break down in tears on multiple occasions, and has forced me to take a few minutes to walk away. I've had to shut down my computer and come back to it after a few days to rethink my entire stance on humanity and who I am as a person. I have never been more emotionally invested in a game in my life.”
“This game has made me question my values and my place in the world. The emotional depth it offers is unparalleled, and it has truly impacted my perspective on life.”
“I found myself deeply connected to the characters and their struggles. The emotional weight of the story left me reflecting on my own experiences and feelings long after I finished playing.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as deeply impactful, eliciting a wide range of emotions from laughter to tears, and prompting players to reflect on their values and humanity. It combines comedic elements with serious themes, creating a unique emotional investment that resonates strongly with players.
“This game has made me laugh and cry, and I often find myself needing to take a break to process my emotions. I've never been more emotionally invested in a game in my life!”
“The humor in this game is so well-crafted that it often catches me off guard, making me laugh out loud at unexpected moments.”
“I love how the game balances humor with serious themes, creating a unique experience that keeps me engaged and entertained.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game has a promising premise but suffers from significant stability issues, being described as unfinished and buggy by users.
“The premise is great; it's just unfinished and buggy.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable.”
“I encountered numerous glitches that ruined my experience.”
