Sun Dogs
- October 29, 2015
- nictringali
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Get on itch.io Store"Sun Dogs" is a first-person, open-world survival game set in the frozen Arctic. Gather resources, craft tools, and build a shelter to survive the harsh conditions while uncovering the mysteries of the abandoned settlement. With a heavy emphasis on player choice and narrative, each playthrough offers a unique experience.
Mac OS
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Windows
Reviews
- The game features excellent world-building and imaginative writing, creating a rich, post-human solar system to explore.
- It offers a unique experience for fans of text-based adventures and hard science fiction, with the ability to modify and create new content.
- The minimalist graphics and evocative music enhance the immersive reading experience, allowing players to engage deeply with the narrative.
- Gameplay is limited, relying heavily on random events and a lack of player agency, which can lead to frustration and a feeling of helplessness.
- The tutorial is insufficient, leaving players to figure out mechanics and item usage on their own, which can detract from the enjoyment.
- There is a lack of a clear storyline or endgame, making the experience feel aimless and potentially unfulfilling for some players.
- story10 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The game's story is presented as a free-roaming, text-based adventure set in a post-human solar system, lacking a traditional narrative but rich in exploration and detail. Players uncover missions and collectibles through exploration, with the writing featuring believable terminology that enhances immersion. While the mechanics may detract from the experience, the option to add personal story files allows for a unique and customizable storytelling experience.
“There's believable terminology and language, and little details in the story text that bring it to life.”
“The story unfolds through you exploring moons and planets in our solar system, and all of this plays to the backdrop of some great music.”
“The game is like a free roam, text-based adventure, where there is no storyline, few side quests, and infinite combinations of collectibles.”
“To me, the game is like reading a short story set in a distant, post-human solar system.”
“Thus the core flaw of Sun Dogs is not the idea, the story, the graphics, but the choice of mechanics.”
- gameplay7 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Sun Dogs" is characterized by its limited mechanics, primarily involving navigation and text-based interactions, which some players find simplistic and lacking depth. While the writing and storytelling are praised, the overall gameplay experience feels constrained, resembling a basic form of roguelike without significant variety or challenge. Despite these limitations, there is a curiosity about the skill system and potential discoveries within the game world.
“Gameplay is presented entirely as text in well-written and imaginative exposition, like in a roleplaying game.”
“Though I feel I have seen everything gameplay-wise the game has to offer even with less than an hour in-game at the time of writing this review, I am still interested to see the extent of the skill system and what I can trigger by discovering different things to learn more about the setting, which is the core of the game.”
“Thus, the core flaw of Sun Dogs is not the idea, the story, or the graphics, but the choice of mechanics.”
“However, it is worth saying that the actual gameplay elements of Sun Dogs are... limited.”
“Most of the gameplay is choosing where to go, and then clicking around a bit for the flavor text and random encounters before moving on and hoping you don't get killed - die too often, and even the most rigorously updated backup will start to corrupt.”
- music5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The music in the game enhances the exploration of moons and planets with a great ambient backdrop, though it was initially described as somber and repetitive. However, recent updates have introduced more variety, leading to improved player satisfaction with the soundtrack.
“The story unfolds as you explore moons and planets in our solar system, all set to the backdrop of some great music.”
“It somewhat reminds me of the main menu theme from Stalker and the general ambient mood of that game's music.”
“Edit: The music seems fine now that there's some variety; no complaints.”
“The music is somber, if repetitive, since it never changes.”
“After about five minutes, you may feel the need to set up your own soundtrack.”
“It somewhat reminds me of Stalker's main menu theme and the general ambient mood of that game's music.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The graphics in "Sun Dogs" are characterized by a minimalistic design that enhances the gameplay experience, allowing players to engage their imagination. While the visuals effectively represent the solar system, the game's core issues lie more in its mechanics than in its graphical presentation.
“In fact, the minimalism of the game works in its favor - your brain is the graphics card and rendering engine.”
“The actual graphic elements in the game are extremely minimalistic.”
“Sun Dogs is a text adventure sci-fi game with some neat visuals to represent the solar system you are exploring.”
“Thus, the core flaw of Sun Dogs is not the idea, the story, or the graphics, but the choice of mechanics.”
