Sarpedon

About

Sarpedon is a single player action game with a horror theme. It was developed by Birdboys and was released on October 30, 2024. It received positive reviews from players.

Sarpedon is a surreal open-world adventure where you arrive on a mysterious island to slay a fearsome beast and return with her head. Encounter a diverse cast of mythical characters, engage in over 400 lines of handcrafted dialogue, and explore themes of grief and remorse through replayable mini-games. Your choices shape the story in this atmospheric journey.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

88%

Audience ScoreBased on 26 reviews

atmosphere6 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

The game features a dreamlike and atmospheric environment that immerses players in a surreal experience of Greek mythology.
The writing and character interactions are engaging, with thoughtful dialogues that enhance the storytelling.
The art style and music contribute to a spooky and mysterious vibe, making exploration enjoyable despite some gameplay challenges.

The large, empty island can lead to aimless wandering, making it difficult for players to find objectives and characters.
Gameplay mechanics are often unclear or janky, leading to confusion during encounters and a lack of polish overall.
There are significant issues with navigation and controls, including poor boat mechanics and excessive fog that hinders visibility.

atmosphere
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
86%
14%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its dreamlike quality, blending comfort with a sense of foreboding, enhanced by exquisite graphics and music. While some critiques suggest that overuse of fog can detract from the experience, the overall consensus highlights a captivating and immersive environment that evokes mystery and intrigue.
- “This game is exquisite: the atmosphere is splendid and the dialogues are very nice (the Graeae in particular).”
- “The graphical approach, music, and atmosphere are wonderful; it manages to hover between being a liminal space and also feeling both slightly comforting and foreboding.”
- “I was very immersed in the atmosphere of the game.”
story
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
33%
50%
The story in "Sarpedon" offers a modern reinterpretation of the ancient Medusa myth, focusing on relatable themes of fear and mortality rather than traditional tragedy. While it revisits the familiar tale of Perseus, it adds depth through quests and emotional reflections on grief and remorse, making it both engaging and thought-provoking, albeit occasionally cryptic. Overall, the narrative is concise and charming, enhancing the game's appeal.
- “The art, the references, the attention to detail -- 'Sarpedon' gives the ancient story of Medusa a modern makeover that only enhances its charm.”
- “The story of Perseus has been recounted so many times in so many different versions, each of which seems to argue over the monstrosity of his foe.”
- “There's no cheap Ovidian tragedy, no horrific backstory, only her deeply relatable fear of death to invoke in us sympathy.”
- “The story elements might be a little cryptic for some, but I enjoyed its little meditation on grief and remorse.”
music
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
The music in the game is generally well-received, with users appreciating its atmospheric qualities and ability to create a sense of tension. However, some noted that the abrupt ending of the tense music upon reaching safety felt jarring. Overall, the combination of music and art style contributes positively to the game's immersive experience.
- “The graphical approach, music, and atmosphere are wonderful; it managed to hover between being a liminal space and also feeling both slightly comforting and foreboding.”
- “The art style and music are great!”
- “The music was okay, until the end, when the 'tense' music just abruptly stopped as you reached safety.”
graphics
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The graphics are generally well-received, with a charming pixelated style that may not appeal to everyone. The combination of art, music, and atmosphere creates a unique experience that balances comfort and unease, enhancing the overall immersion in the game.
- “The graphical approach, music, and atmosphere are wonderful; it manages to hover between being a liminal space and also feeling both slightly comforting and foreboding.”
- “The art style and music are great!”
- “The graphics are nice in my opinion (although some people may not like the pixelated graphics; it's a personal preference).”
gameplay
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
100%
Gameplay features engaging mechanics that are enjoyable to experiment with, but some aspects, particularly in the final encounter, lack clear explanations and can feel clunky, such as the inconsistency of invisibility when jumping. Overall, players find the experience to be epic despite these issues.
- “I think that all the mechanics are super fun to play around with; overall, this game is epic!”
- “The mechanics for the final encounter aren't clearly explained and feel janky. For example, why does invisibility become inactive when you jump?”
- “The gameplay is frustratingly unresponsive, making it difficult to execute basic actions.”
- “There are numerous bugs that disrupt the flow of gameplay, leading to a disjointed experience.”