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.
Reviews
- The game offers a deeply emotional and immersive experience, making players reflect on their values and humanity.
- There is a vast array of customization options and meaningful choices that significantly impact the story and character development.
- The writing quality is high, blending sci-fi elements with humor and moral dilemmas, providing a rich narrative experience.
- The story loses coherence in the final third, descending into clichéd tropes that detract from the initial premise.
- Character interactions and romance options feel underdeveloped and often irrelevant to the main storyline.
- The epilogue is poorly executed, with inconsistencies and a lack of connection to the choices made throughout the game.
- story26 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The story is described as semi-linear with meaningful choices that impact the plot, offering a mix of realistic first contact themes and more fantastical elements, particularly in the latter third. While the initial setup is engaging and world-building is strong, the narrative ultimately shifts towards a more conventional and chaotic climax reminiscent of late 90s space adventure films, leading to a disconnect in the epilogue. Overall, the story is praised for its interesting characters and potential, though it suffers from pacing issues and underdeveloped romance options.
“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.”
“It's an interesting setting, you have a lot to do, and the various directions the story can go are intriguing.”
“But in the last third, the story unexpectedly falls down to Hollywood-esque tropes (alien invasion! telepathy! deadly cults! mad rat swarms!) that feels more in line with late 90s 'space adventure' action films than anything resembling real sci-fi.”
“Romance options are so sparse that an entire part of the story could be cut with little to no effect.”
“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.”
- music1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % 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.
“The soundtrack is absolutely mesmerizing and perfectly complements the gameplay.”
“I love how the music evolves with the game, creating an immersive experience.”
“The variety of tracks keeps the energy high and makes every moment feel unique.”
“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 fit the game's theme, creating 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 feel the need to take 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 forced me to take a few minutes to walk away. It has made me 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 moved by the characters and their stories. The emotional weight of the decisions I had to make left a lasting impression on me.”
- 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 leaves me in stitches, making even the most serious moments feel light-hearted.”
“I love how the game balances humor with deep themes, making me reflect on my values while still keeping me entertained.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find significant replayability in the game, driven by intriguing "what-if" scenarios that encourage multiple playthroughs and exploration of different outcomes.
“Plenty of replayability to be found, thanks to those perennial 'what-if' questions trotting in our heads.”
- 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.”
