Submerged

The gameplay in "Submerged" is characterized by its simplicity and repetitiveness, primarily revolving around climbing buildings and navigating a boat to collect supplies for the protagonist's brother. While some players appreciate the relaxing, non-violent nature and beautiful visuals, many criticize the lack of depth, variety, and challenge, leading to a monotonous experience that feels more like a walking simulator than a traditional game. Overall, it appeals to those seeking a chill exploration experience but may disappoint players looking for engaging gameplay mechanics or a compelling narrative.

The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players praising the beautiful art style, atmospheric visuals, and stunning water effects that create an immersive experience. However, some critiques highlight that the graphics can feel dated, with repetitive textures and occasional graphical issues detracting from the overall aesthetic. Overall, while the visuals are often described as a strong point of the game, they may not meet the expectations of players seeking cutting-edge graphics.

The music in the game has been widely praised for its beauty and ability to create a calming atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience of exploration. However, many players noted that the soundtrack is limited and repetitive, often leading to stretches of silence that detract from the immersion. Despite these criticisms, the soothing melodies, primarily composed by Jeff Van Dyck, are considered one of the game's standout features, making it a recommended choice for those seeking a relaxing gaming experience.

The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its beauty, tranquility, and immersive qualities, with many reviewers highlighting the stunning visuals, gentle music, and the emotional weight of the environment. Players appreciate the game's ability to evoke feelings of exploration and melancholy, although some note that the gameplay can become repetitive. Overall, the atmosphere is considered the game's strongest aspect, making it a worthwhile experience for those seeking a relaxing and contemplative adventure.

The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding the story touching and heartwarming, particularly in its portrayal of sibling love and sacrifice. While some appreciate the minimalist storytelling and beautiful visuals that evoke strong feelings, others criticize the lack of emotional depth and connection to the characters, leading to a less impactful experience. Overall, the game succeeds in creating a soothing atmosphere with moments of emotional resonance, though it may not fully engage all players.

The grinding aspect of the game is frequently described as tedious and repetitive, particularly due to the climbing mechanics and backtracking required to collect items. While some players appreciate the game's atmosphere and visuals, many find the exploration and climbing to become monotonous and lacking in challenge, leading to a sense of boredom as the game progresses. Overall, the experience can feel more like a chore than an engaging adventure, especially for those aiming for 100% completion.

Overall, the game exhibits very low to zero replayability, with many players noting that once the story is completed and all secrets are discovered, there is little incentive to return. While some enjoy the initial experience and the game's aesthetics, the short playtime and lack of additional content or modes leave most feeling that replaying offers little value. Players recommend waiting for a sale due to the limited replay potential and overall content.

The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant performance issues such as stuttering, frame drops, and audio bugs, particularly on higher-end hardware. Conversely, others have noted that the game runs smoothly even on older systems, suggesting that while there are optimization flaws, it can perform well under certain conditions. Overall, the game's graphics are praised, but the inconsistent performance detracts from the experience for many users.

The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant bugs, crashes, and freezing issues, particularly at the splash screen. Others reported minor visual glitches and music reset problems, but a few enjoyed a smooth experience without major issues. Overall, while the game features beautiful graphics, its optimization and stability appear inconsistent, leading to frustration for some users.

Character development in the game is praised for showcasing strong bonds between the main characters and delivering a satisfying resolution, enhancing the overall narrative experience. While the character design is generally well-received, with a beautiful aesthetic that complements the world, some players noted minor anatomical issues and a desire for a more stylized approach. Overall, the character animations are appreciated, though they occasionally feel awkward, yet they contribute positively to the immersive storytelling.

The humor in the game is described as a mix of intentional and unintentional moments, with players finding amusement in both the gameplay mechanics and the absurdity of the ending. While some aspects, like the boat drifting and the flat terrain leading to awkward navigation, provided comedic relief, the overall conclusion left many feeling that it was unintentionally funny due to its lack of satisfaction.

The monetization of the game is criticized as a cash grab, with players feeling that the $20 price tag does not reflect the underdeveloped plot, lack of engaging gameplay mechanics, and outdated graphics. The initial intriguing premise is overshadowed by the overall execution, leading to disappointment among users.