SEA SALT

Sea Salt isn’t an especially complicated game, but at less than $15 it has plenty to make it worth the low price.

78%Game Brain Score

gameplay, story

stability, grinding

80% User Score Based on 611 reviews

Critic Score 74%Based on 3 reviews

Platforms

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About

SEA SALT is a single player real-time strategy game with horror and fantasy themes. It was developed by YCJY and was released on October 17, 2019. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

Sea Salt is an action strategy hybrid, in which you are an Old God summoning unfathomable horrors to blight the human lands. You will have your sacrifice, and humanity will pay for denying you what you are owed. Summoning a tide of minions, your army will emerge from the sea to take vengeance on the religious figures who have dared to defy you, and anyone else that stands in your way. When h…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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80%

Audience ScoreBased on 611 reviews

gameplay51 positive mentions

stability21 negative mentions

The game features a unique Lovecraftian theme with engaging pixel art and a creepy atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
Gameplay is simple yet strategic, allowing players to experiment with different unit combinations and tactics to overcome challenges.
The variety of minions and apostles adds depth and replayability, making each playthrough feel fresh and interesting.

The AI pathfinding for minions is often frustrating, leading to units getting stuck or wandering into danger, which can result in significant losses.
Controls can feel clunky and unresponsive, particularly with the lack of mouse support, making precise movements difficult.
The game can become repetitive and may feel short for some players, with a lack of depth in certain gameplay mechanics.

gameplay
176 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
63%
8%
The gameplay is characterized as simple yet engaging, focusing on controlling a horde of Lovecraftian monsters with a mix of strategy and action. While many players appreciate the unique mechanics and variety of minions, frustrations arise from poor AI pathfinding, repetitive gameplay, and control issues, leading to a mixed reception overall. Despite its flaws, the game offers a decent amount of replayability and a charming aesthetic that some players find enjoyable.
- “Fun gameplay and music, as well as plenty of unit combinations that can work in any situation.”
- “The gameplay loop is hypnotic.”
- “Where I expected one-note gimmicky gameplay instead I got a strangely fleshed out and unique combat system that kept me satisfied for quite some time.”
- “The sheer amount of bugs, glitches, and the unrealistically frustrating gameplay shows that there was love at the start, then the dev just quit on it and posted it anyway for money.”
- “The muddy visuals and effects make it impossible to reliably track minions, and the only defensive option against the opposing human swarms is to run away.”
- “The gameplay is repetitive with uneven difficulty spikes, which makes this one hard to enjoy, let alone recommend.”
story
120 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
55%
3%
The game's story is generally well-received, featuring a compelling narrative set in a steampunk city with themes of social class disparity and eldritch horror. While some players appreciate the engaging writing and unique lore, others find the story to be short and not particularly memorable, often overshadowed by gameplay mechanics. Overall, the storytelling is enhanced by creative visuals and music, making it enjoyable for those who appreciate its aesthetic and thematic elements.
- “The story is also quite enjoyable, with a nice snappy pace that keeps you engaged with what's happening.”
- “While you progress through the story, you can even feel the difference between the social classes of that time: the opulence and richness of the nobles and clerics contrasted with the hopelessness of the citizens and workers.”
- “The atmosphere, the music, and the plot are brilliant for its size.”
- “I don't really care that much about the story, and I understand there are these small cutscenes sandwiched in between fighting sections, but they don't seem to make much of a difference to me, sadly.”
- “The story itself and the writing style made for interesting cutscenes, but the game itself just isn't engaging enough to warrant the price.”
- “Found the hunter to be kind of boring, as you exhaust his possibilities quickly; it holds no strong story.”
graphics
99 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
36%
3%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming pixel art style and ability to create a unique Lovecraftian atmosphere, effectively enhancing the overall experience. While many players appreciate the aesthetic and detail in the visuals, some note issues with muddy effects and glitches that can detract from gameplay. Overall, the visuals are considered a strong point, appealing particularly to fans of retro graphics and horror themes.
- “The simple charm of the pixelated graphics always makes a game feel nice to play in my opinion. Put them together with the right mix of colors and details, and you've got the perfect hopeless and gothic atmosphere to fit an invasion of the horrors from beneath the waters during medieval times.”
- “The graphics and sounds are amazing, taking full advantage of the pixel art to drag you deep into an elder god-led world.”
- “This game has great visuals and detail in the levels. It's cool to find new units and make your own playstyle or fit what you need for the specific level; the gore and blood you have when killing a bunch of villagers or other enemies gave me satisfaction.”
- “The muddy visuals and effects make it impossible to reliably track minions, minions die due to poor pathing, minions prioritize based off proximity instead of player targeting, classes lack any kind of direct gameplay action and the only defensive option against the opposing human swarms is to run away.”
- “As a PC game, even this cheap, the graphics feel very lazy.”
- “This game has a very polished art style but absolutely no sense of game design and was created with no actual technical skill.”
music
81 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
35%
6%
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many reviewers noting that it effectively complements the atmosphere and themes, particularly in relation to its Lovecraftian elements. While some praise the soundtrack as fantastic and immersive, others criticize it for being repetitive and forgettable, especially during extended gameplay. Overall, the music is described as fitting and atmospheric, enhancing the overall experience despite some concerns about its lack of variety.
- “The music is immediately engrossing and perfectly sets the theme.”
- “Very fun game with a superb soundtrack and Lovecraftian atmosphere.”
- “The soundtrack is amazing and the boss fights are awesome.”
- “The actual music is a bit lackluster...and the voice acting (if you can call it that) is just horrible.”
- “The music is fitting, but too repetitive and forgettable.”
- “Levels are too long, monsters are not responsive to clunky controls, and the music gets unbearably repetitive and annoying.”
atmosphere
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
82%
11%
7%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its effective blend of gothic and Lovecraftian elements, enhanced by charming pixel art and a fitting soundtrack that complements the gameplay without overshadowing it. Reviewers appreciate the detailed environments and the unique, darkly comedic tone, which together create a captivating and immersive experience. Despite some gameplay issues, the overall ambiance and artistic direction contribute significantly to the game's appeal, making it a standout in its genre.
- “The simple charm of the pixelated graphics always makes a game feel nice to play in my opinion. Put them together with the right mix of colors and details, and you've got the perfect hopeless and gothic atmosphere to fit an invasion of the horrors from beneath the waters during medieval times.”
- “I understand that the Lovecraft theme is kind of cliché and there are way too many games that exploit it already, but in this one, the developers do a good job recreating this old-fashioned atmosphere from Lovecraft's books while also not taking this stuff too seriously and adding some humor and fun as well.”
- “The game most certainly lives up to the hype I felt, and it continues to impress from the moment it boots up (seriously, just linger on the start menu and listen to the sounds; it builds the atmosphere so well).”
- “The soundtrack won't particularly catch your attention when compared with the other elements of the game, meaning the soundtrack perfectly fits the atmosphere and theme; both the music and sound effects just blend in during gameplay.”
- “Great music, the gothic and dark style fits the Cthulhu atmosphere well, and still holds the tension of battle.”
- “The game most certainly lives up to the hype I felt, and it continues to impress from the moment it boots up (seriously just linger on the start menu and listen to the sounds; it builds the atmosphere so well).”
replayability
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
43%
10%
The game offers significant replayability through various mechanics, including multiple minion choices, selectable apostles that alter gameplay, and branching paths that lead to different bosses and secrets. Players can unlock additional content and strategies by replaying levels, engaging in arena modes, and exploring different routes, making each playthrough feel unique. While the game is relatively short, its diverse options and challenges encourage players to return for more.
- “There are numerous choices of minions to use in your swarm and you can even choose an apostle to bless your swarm with different buffs and mechanics, so you can enjoy a lot of replayability, trying all the different strategies and see which is more voracious and horror-inducing.”
- “The choice of apostle at the start of a mission makes the experience vastly different, and highly replayable.”
- “There's a ton of replay value here as well, as between many levels you're given branching paths with no way to return and check out the other side, meaning entire areas as well as boss fights are left to explore even after your first playthrough. There are also arenas to unlock as you progress, which count towards your overall progress of unlocking more apostles and achievements.”
- “Has a decent amount of replay value as well, but is slightly short.”
- “Bit short but quite replayable with hard mode, arena, and all the possible horde setups.”
- “There's a ton of replay value here as well, as between many levels you're given branching paths with no way to return and check out the other side, meaning entire areas as well as boss fights are left to explore even after your first playthrough. When I finished the game, I recalled an earlier cutscene showing some of the enemies I'd eventually have to face and realized I missed about half of them! There are also arenas to unlock as you progress - sort of like endurance runs to see how far you get - which also count towards your overall progress of unlocking more apostates (your effigy in-game that determines your bonuses or unit preferences) and achievements, if you care about that sort of thing.”
stability
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
91%
The game's stability is heavily criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, glitches, and AI issues that significantly detract from the gameplay experience. Players have noted frequent crashes, frustrating gameplay mechanics, and a lack of polish, leading to a perception that the game was released prematurely. While some appreciate the game's charm and graphics, the overwhelming presence of technical problems makes it difficult to enjoy.
- “It's very polished, bug-free, and is a concept of a game I always dreamed of!”
- “There is a whole game here, kind of, but the sheer amount of bugs, glitches, and the unrealistically frustrating gameplay shows that there was love at the start, then the dev just quit on it and posted it anyway for money.”
- “The game also frequently crashes and freezes.”
- “This game is filled with charm and has a good atmosphere, but glitches make this game miserable to play.”
humor
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's humor is characterized by a blend of dark and silly elements, effectively balancing Lovecraftian themes with a lighthearted approach. Players appreciate the funny character designs and writing, though the humor may not resonate with everyone, particularly due to its dark undertones. Overall, the comedic aspects contribute positively to the gameplay experience, appealing to those with a taste for dark humor while potentially alienating others.
- “I understand that the Lovecraft theme is kind of cliché and there are way too many games that exploit it already, but in this one, the developers do a good job recreating this old-fashioned atmosphere from Lovecraft's books while also not taking this stuff too seriously and adding some humor and fun as well.”
- “Mind you, it will either appeal to your sensibilities of dark humor, or it will likely put you off quickly... like inside the first 10 minutes or so, I caused a mother to drop her baby to flee in a blind panic before tearing them both apart with a swarm of demonic krill... in low-res pixel art to make it a potentially tongue-in-cheek humorous moment rather than repulsive.”
- “There's even a bit of humor along the way to accompany your journey to make those pesky, ungrateful humans pay the bill Dagon sent them.”
grinding
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
78%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while some appreciate the lack of painful grinding and the fun elements it offers, others feel that the combat can become tedious and frustrating due to the need for mobility and the repetitive nature of enemy attacks. Overall, the game is seen as enjoyable but could benefit from more engaging mechanics to enhance the grinding experience.
- “Paired with the fact a lot of enemies have extremely powerful telegraphed attacks, it makes avoiding enemy attacks extremely tedious and very difficult to manage, forcing you to use the most mobile troops possible while leaving others in the dust because they simply can't compete.”
- “The game in itself is kind of tedious and not hard but fun for what it wants to accomplish.”
- “'Move and attack' is okay, but it ends up feeling tedious; it's a missed opportunity to not do more with such a cool concept.”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The game suffers from significant optimization issues, leading to a frustrating experience for players despite their appreciation for its Lovecraftian-inspired real-time strategy elements.
- “The game is poorly optimized.”
- “I love this game, I love the Lovecraftian-inspired real-time strategy, but this game is horribly optimized.”
- “The game is poorly optimized.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its wholesome life lessons, particularly emphasizing the importance of listening to wisdom from elder figures. This theme resonates with players, fostering a sense of connection and reflection on personal growth.
- “A good wholesome life lesson about listening to your elder god.”