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SeaBed

SeaBed is a beautiful, emotional work of digital literature that won’t be to everyone’s taste, but come in with the appropriate expectations and there’s a true masterpiece of the visual novel medium waiting to be enjoyed here.
SeaBed Game Cover
90%Game Brain Score
story, music
character development, gameplay
95% User Score Based on 154 reviews
Critic Score 84%Based on 4 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchPCSteam DeckWindows
Buy Nowfrom $9.31
Buy NowGet on Steam €19.50
SeaBed Game Cover

About

SeaBed is a single player action game with a mystery theme. It was developed by Paleontology and was released on December 19, 2017. It received positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

"SeaBed" is a single-player mystery visual novel with a gripping yuri-themed story, centered around three characters: Mizuno Sachiko, Narasaki Hibiki, and Takako. Each character has a unique perspective as they navigate their interconnected naphewd-wracked memories and relationships, seeking to distinguish truth from illusion. The game boasts an audio novel collection, ingenious music, and a highly emotional narrative. A 4th extra episode is unlocked with the purchase of the audio novel collection.

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SeaBed screenshot
SeaBed screenshot
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SeaBed screenshot
SeaBed screenshot
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SeaBed screenshot
SeaBed screenshot
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SeaBed screenshot
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95%
Audience ScoreBased on 154 reviews
story43 positive mentions
character development3 negative mentions
  • SeaBed offers a deeply emotional and contemplative narrative that explores themes of memory, identity, and loss, making it a standout in the visual novel genre.
  • The writing is rich and descriptive, creating a vivid atmosphere that immerses players in the characters' experiences and emotions.
  • The characters are well-developed and relatable, with their relationships feeling genuine and complex, particularly the yuri romance at the center of the story.
  • The pacing is very slow, which may frustrate players expecting a more action-driven or fast-paced narrative.
  • The lack of dialogue tags can lead to confusion about which character is speaking, making it difficult to follow conversations at times.
  • Some players may find the extensive detail in mundane scenes to be excessive, leading to moments of boredom or disengagement from the story.
  • story
    221 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "Seabed" is a deeply emotional and introspective narrative that explores themes of love, loss, and memory through the intertwined lives of three characters: Sachiko, Takako, and Nara. Set against the backdrop of late 1980s Japan, the game presents a linear, slow-burn experience that emphasizes character development and psychological depth, often requiring players to engage thoughtfully with its subtle storytelling and complex relationships. While some may find the pacing slow and the narrative occasionally confusing, many reviewers praise its rich prose and emotional resonance, making it a standout title for those who appreciate story-driven experiences.

    • “Released in late 2017, it stands out in the genre for its quiet, introspective storytelling and its nuanced portrayal of complex relationships, particularly focusing on a yuri romance narrative.”
    • “Ultimately, Seabed is a standout title for those who value story-driven experiences that emphasize emotional depth and character complexity.”
    • “At its core, it's a very powerful story of love between two women, their happiness, struggle, and loss.”
    • “The story is told from the perspectives of three childhood friends: Sachiko, Takako, and Naraaki, but it often feels disjointed and dreamlike, making it hard to follow at times.”
    • “The tone of the story is depressing and bittersweet, so if you were looking for a happy ending, this might not be the right title.”
    • “The story jumps from one place to another, usually placing its focus on scenes that are mundane by nature: a day at school, an afternoon shopping, maybe a trip or a car drive, which can feel like filler and doesn't push the plot forward.”
  • music
    47 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the overall atmosphere and emotional depth of the experience, with many praising the diverse and fitting soundtracks that accompany various scenes. While some users noted that the selection can feel limited or repetitive over time, the majority found the compositions to be captivating and integral to the storytelling. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's immersive quality.

    • “Additionally, the music was a real highlight in Seabed: the subdued and ethereal sound of many of its songs enhanced its already strange atmosphere.”
    • “The soundtrack is astounding; the developers really handpicked some of the most suitable and chill music of all time.”
    • “The music, visuals, and characters all coalesce to create a lively, immersive world that is simultaneously grounded and ethereal.”
    • “Sadly even on dlsite the readme only has the sites where the music came from, not the names of the used tracks.”
    • “Though none of the music really stood out except for the creepy music box sounding one that only seemed to appear in the tips section called Narasaki's Clinic.”
    • “The music tends towards simplistic, but is by no means bad or dull, and really adds to the whole experience.”
  • emotional
    37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Seabed is a deeply emotional visual novel that explores themes of memory, identity, and loss through its rich storytelling and character development. Players are taken on a poignant journey filled with heartfelt moments, often leading to tears, as they navigate the intertwined lives of its three main characters. The game's evocative prose and expressive character designs enhance the emotional experience, making it a standout title for those who appreciate story-driven narratives that delve into complex emotional landscapes.

    • “Seabed, developed by Paleontology and published by Fruitbat Factory, is a contemplative and emotionally rich visual novel that delves deep into themes of memory, identity, and loss.”
    • “From being funny, to irresistibly sweet, all the way to heart-wrenching, Seabed has unquestionably taken me on an unforgettable journey.”
    • “It is one of the most touching things that I have ever had the pleasure of reading, and it now definitively holds the title of being my favorite visual novel.”
  • atmosphere
    19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of "Seabed" is characterized by its immersive, dreamy quality, enhanced by ethereal music and carefully crafted sound effects that contribute to a serene yet slightly tense environment. While the linear storytelling and slow pacing may not appeal to everyone, those who appreciate a contemplative experience will find the atmospheric elements—such as detailed backgrounds and evocative audio—create a captivating and unique vibe. Overall, the game successfully blends its themes and character dynamics within a richly atmospheric setting, making it a standout in the visual novel genre.

    • “Unlike many visual novels that rely heavily on player choices and branching storylines, Seabed presents a linear, kinetic experience, inviting players to immerse themselves fully in its atmospheric world and layered characters without distraction.”
    • “The backgrounds, pace, and prose all congeal together to form a dreamy yet mildly tense atmosphere I don't think I've experienced anywhere else; there are no better words for it than just 'it's a vibe and a half.'”
    • “Seabed is unique in many ways–atmosphere, story, themes, how it handles conventions and answering its questions–and is somehow familiar, not just in unlocking secret memories, but also in its high quality and presentation, like a golden age kinetic novel that time traveled years into the future.”
    • “The atmosphere audios work well with the writing style, but can be a bit repetitive sometimes, like the phone ringing and alarm sounds.”
    • “The backgrounds, pace, and prose all congeal together to form a dreamy yet mildly tense atmosphere I don't think I've experienced anywhere else; there are no better words for it than just 'it's a vibe and a half'.”
    • “There's no voice acting of any kind, but it makes clever use of environmental sounds to enhance the atmosphere.”
  • graphics
    15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "Seabed" feature a minimalist aesthetic that complements its tone, with a unique art style characterized by simplistic character sprites and a blend of 3D renders and edited real photos for backgrounds. While the visuals may not match the polish of modern titles, the impressive quantity of over 100 well-drawn CGs and a charming soundtrack contribute to an immersive experience. Overall, the artwork is described as decent and lovable, enhancing the game's nostalgic atmosphere despite some rough edges.

    • “Visually, Seabed adopts a restrained and minimalist aesthetic that perfectly complements its tone.”
    • “The music, visuals, and characters all coalesce to create a lively, immersive world that is simultaneously grounded and ethereal.”
    • “That, combined with the photographic backgrounds and the gorgeous BGM makes it for a memorable time.”
    • “The dialogue is a bit difficult to understand at times due to a lack of voice acting and the visuals department is lacking compared to some modern titles we have today, but being rough around the edges does not detract from the experience the game gives overall.”
    • “The artwork isn't brilliant but it does what it needs to do well, the character portraits and CGs aren't ugly but you've probably seen better.”
    • “As for the art style, I found it simple; there was nothing completely original about it, but it was nice to look at.”
  • humor
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in "Seabed" is described as a mix of light-hearted moments and deeper emotional undertones, with characters displaying a range of comedic traits, even in serious contexts. While some players found certain elements amusing, such as specific sound effects and quirky details, others felt that the overall writing lacked humor. Overall, the game balances funny and sweet moments, contributing to a memorable experience.

    • “From being funny, to irresistibly sweet, all the way to heart-wrenching, Seabed has unquestionably taken me on an unforgettable journey.”
    • “The sound effect that was used for dishwashing always made me laugh when it came on.”
    • “There’s not a single flat character – even the super serious have a sense of humor.”
  • character development
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development is highlighted as a strong point, with subtle yet expressive designs that effectively convey emotional depth throughout the story. While some scenes may seem like filler in a traditional narrative, they contribute to the overall engagement and emotional impact, culminating in a moving finale. The combination of great character designs and a compelling story keeps players invested for the long haul.

    • “I ended up quite teary for the last chapter and a half and the final tips chapter as well; so engaging was the story and the character development. It took me about 45 hours to complete, and I'm definitely not complaining about it, thanks to the story quality.”
    • “I'm a fan of most of the character designs, and they are all very expressive.”
    • “In a traditional story, these scenes would be considered 'filler', as they don't push the plot forward in any way or offer substantial character development.”
    • “Character designs are subtle yet expressive, capturing the quiet emotional turmoil that defines much of the story.”
    • “I'm a fan of most of the character designs (the library lady in one scene creeps me out) and they are all very expressive.”
  • gameplay
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of Seabed is characterized by a lack of traditional interactivity, with no branching choices or alternate endings, which may reduce its replay value. While its slow pacing and minimal mechanics may not suit all players, those who engage with its atmospheric world can find a rewarding experience, with a gameplay length of approximately twenty hours filled with rich subtext and foreshadowing.

    • “I'm having a fantastic time after about 8 hours of gameplay; there's a lot of subtext in every scene to tread through, and I'm seeing a lot of foreshadowing for the future that I'm very much excited for.”
    • “From a gameplay perspective, the seabed offers little in terms of traditional interactivity—there are no branching choices or alternate endings, which may limit replay value for some players.”
    • “While its slow pacing and minimal gameplay might not appeal to everyone, it rewards players willing to invest in its quiet, atmospheric world.”
    • “Expect a gameplay length of roughly twenty hours.”
  • stability
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Users report issues with stability, noting that the credits feature appears to be buggy and inconsistent.

    • “The credits seem to be buggy and flash.”
    • “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable.”
    • “I experienced constant lag and frame drops, which ruined the overall experience.”
  • grinding
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game somewhat excessive, particularly when revisiting choices in the visual novel segments, as it requires repetitive skipping to reach desired points. However, the boss fights are noted as a highlight, providing a more engaging experience amidst the grind.

    • “Unlike other types of games with visual novels, if you regret a choice or want to see a different ending, you don't get to do anything aside from press skip over and over until you get to that segment again and then pick a different option, which is really tedious.”
    • “A little too grinding, yes, but the boss fights are pretty good.”
  • optimization
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The absence of voice acting, while seen as a potential drawback, enhances the game's optimization by allowing players to focus on the written narrative and engage their imagination, fostering a deeper personal connection with the characters.

  • replayability
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game "Seabed" has limited replayability due to its lack of branching choices and alternate endings, which may deter players seeking varied experiences in subsequent playthroughs.

    • “From a gameplay perspective, the seabed offers little in terms of traditional interactivity—there are no branching choices or alternate endings, which may limit replay value for some players.”
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84%Critics’ scoreBased on 4 critic reviews
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8h Median play time
11h Average play time
5-20h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

SeaBed is a action game with mystery theme.

SeaBed is available on Nintendo Switch, PC, Steam Deck and Windows.

On average players spend around 11 hours playing SeaBed.

SeaBed was released on December 19, 2017.

SeaBed was developed by Paleontology.

SeaBed has received positive reviews from players and positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its character development.

SeaBed is a single player game.

Similar games include The House in Fata Morgana, Heart of the Woods, The Sekimeiya: Spun Glass, Kentucky Route Zero, Kentucky Route Zero and others.