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Swallow the Sea

Swallow the Sea Game Cover
97%Game Brain Score
graphics, gameplay
replayability, grinding
97% User Score Based on 1,569 reviews

Platforms

LinuxPCMac OSSteam DeckWindows
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Swallow the Sea Game Cover

About

Swallow the Sea is a single player survival action adventure game. It was developed by Kondorriano and was released on September 3, 2021. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

Swallow the Sea is a free, surreal swimmer game where you play as a lowly egg cell growing larger and stronger by consuming other humanoid fish. Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux, the game features strange and beautiful underwater environments with sound design by Pato Flores, Chris Dang, and music by Publio Delgado. To play, download and extract the zip file, then run 'Swallow the Sea.exe' on Windows or control+click 'Swallow the Sea' and then click 'open' on Mac.

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Swallow the Sea screenshot
Swallow the Sea screenshot
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97%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,569 reviews
graphics65 positive mentions
grinding3 negative mentions
  • The game features a unique and captivating art style that enhances the eerie atmosphere.
  • Gameplay is simple yet engaging, providing a satisfying experience as players consume smaller creatures to grow.
  • Despite its short length, the game leaves a lasting impression with its thought-provoking themes and unsettling narrative.
  • The game is very short, typically completed in under 20 minutes, leaving players wanting more content.
  • Some players found the speedrun achievements frustrating due to random enemy placements and lack of a reset option.
  • The abrupt ending and minimal plot development may leave some players feeling unsatisfied or confused.
  • graphics
    101 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their unique and appealing art style, which combines eerie and grotesque elements with a pixelated aesthetic that enhances the overall atmosphere. Many reviewers highlight the visuals as the standout feature, contributing to a captivating and unsettling experience that complements the gameplay. Despite the game's short length, the striking artwork and sound design create a memorable ambiance that resonates with players.

    • “The artwork is both unique and intriguing, with a bizarre aesthetic that combines aquatic creatures with monstrous designs.”
    • “The graphics and music combine to create an unsettling atmosphere perfect for this game.”
    • “A unique, aesthetic style helps to propel Swallow the Sea to great heights while offering a fun, charming, and at times unsettling atmosphere with intriguing gameplay.”
    • “The graphics are... weird, the designs are weird... at least the pixel art is... weird too.”
    • “Not to mention, the unsettling visuals where the world seems to deteriorate more and more as you progress through the game certainly made me feel uncomfortable and have the looming feel of dread.”
    • “A simple but well-made game with disturbing undertones and surreal, grotesque artwork.”
  • gameplay
    93 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is characterized by simple yet engaging mechanics reminiscent of games like *agar.io*, where players control aquatic creatures, consuming smaller entities to grow larger. While the game is notably short, lasting around 10-20 minutes, it offers a satisfying and immersive experience enhanced by its unique art style and atmospheric sound design. Despite some critiques regarding its lack of depth and originality, many players find the gameplay enjoyable and worth the brief playtime.

    • “The game offers a fantastic short experience that has a good mechanic as well as solid visuals and soundtrack.”
    • “Beautiful pixel art, smooth gameplay that turns from relaxing to terrifying and kinda tense pretty fast, great soundtrack - a real winner!”
    • “This simple mechanic works amazingly well in a creepy environment that really makes you feel your progression as you delve deeper into the organic darkness of the sea.”
    • “The gameplay is nothing special, extremely reminiscent of agar.io.”
    • “After doing that for a few areas, it just abruptly plays the end cutscene and credits after less than 15 minutes of gameplay.”
    • “Has less than ten minutes of gameplay; it's okay but no incentive to play again.”
  • story
    57 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is generally described as very short and lacking depth, often taking less than 10 minutes to complete, with many players expressing a desire for a more fleshed-out narrative. While some appreciate the intriguing themes and visual storytelling, others find the plot minimal and the ending abrupt, leading to mixed feelings about its overall impact. Despite its brevity, the game is noted for its unique art style and the potential for multiple interpretations, making it replayable for those seeking to unlock all achievements.

    • “A short but very interesting story, with its own striking visual style and an unexpected ending.”
    • “Very fun and equally intriguing story with great art and music.”
    • “For how short and simple it is, it presents a bizarrely well-realized setting, story, and tone.”
    • “There’s no real story to speak of, and the ending feels abrupt and disconnected.”
    • “There is no real story here, just imagery, though there is an ending.”
    • “Though the story leaves a lot to be desired.”
  • music
    54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received widespread praise for its ability to enhance the atmosphere, with many reviewers highlighting its unsettling and captivating qualities that complement the visuals. While some found the soundtrack basic and unmemorable, the majority appreciated its role in creating tension and immersion, particularly during intense gameplay moments. Overall, the combination of well-composed music and sound design contributes significantly to the game's eerie and engaging experience.

    • “The music and atmosphere of the game are very good, and it's impressive that they're so finely crafted for such a small game, pun absolutely intended.”
    • “The grotesque and distinct visual environments, creatures, and animations set an eerie tone to the game, complemented by its unsettling but captivating sound design and soundtrack.”
    • “Between the incredible atmosphere, soundtrack, and artwork this is a must play experience!”
    • “The soundtrack is basic and unmemorable.”
    • “Ehhhmmm... I am not sure what it was... also I'd rather not think about the fetus-like images that went through the entire game... and the creepy music... and the ending...”
    • “Not much to say about the soundtrack and no complaints.”
  • atmosphere
    43 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is consistently praised for its eerie, immersive qualities, combining dark underwater visuals with haunting sound design that enhances the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the effective use of pixel art and music to create a creepy yet captivating environment, often noting the absence of jump scares in favor of a more unsettling ambiance. Overall, the atmosphere is described as a standout feature, making the game a memorable and engaging experience.

    • “A dark underwater world, with a creepy yet mesmerizing atmosphere.”
    • “The graphics and music combine to create an unsettling atmosphere perfect for this game.”
    • “Between the incredible atmosphere, soundtrack, and artwork this is a must-play experience!”
    • “Its eerie visuals and haunting atmosphere still linger in my mind, particularly after the ending.”
    • “Great design and I love how it doesn't rely on jump scares and other elements but just the eerie and disturbing atmosphere.”
    • “This game is truly bizarre and accomplishes a creepy atmosphere without the need for jump scares.”
  • humor
    9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is characterized by its dark yet endearing elements, with quirky character names like "ubb" and "nooty" adding a unique charm. Players appreciate the game's ability to blend comedy with survival themes, describing it as a short, well-designed experience that is both funny and engaging, especially given its free access. Overall, the humor is a standout feature that enhances the gameplay.

    • “Yet, strangely, these creatures have endearing names like 'ubb' and 'nooty,' providing a touch of dark humor amid the horror.”
    • “A very short and funny survival game.”
    • “Short, funny, well-designed game that more or less teaches you to eat your siblings.”
  • emotional
    9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a blend of unsettling visuals and a poignant narrative that evokes a range of feelings, from dread to heartwarming moments. Players report experiencing deep emotional responses, including tears and discomfort, highlighting the game's ability to resonate through its music and simple mechanics. Overall, it effectively combines bizarre elements with touching themes, creating a memorable emotional journey.

    • “Touching 'coming of age' story.”
    • “It's a bizarre and unsettling narrative that manages to be both heartwarming and revolting.”
    • “A perfect example of how one can make a truly great and emotional game using just music and some basic mechanics.”
  • replayability
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players find it enjoyable and worth revisiting for achievements and its short, engaging experience, others feel that the initial playthrough lacks depth, diminishing motivation for repeated runs. The game is praised for its immersive qualities and design, but opinions vary on whether the replay value is sufficient to warrant multiple playthroughs.

    • “The music is great, the art is great, the gameplay is great; it all works together very well. It's super short and very replayable.”
    • “This game is very enjoyable, a perfect example of 'short and sweet', with great replay value.”
    • “Very short and very fun, it has lots of replay value.”
    • “I'd love to see the design iterations, in-world explanations, etc. It's not very replayable, and it's not supposed to be.”
    • “Sure, there's a few challenging achievements to try to add some element of replayability; but when the initial playthrough was so underwhelming, the achievements aren't enough motivation to want to go through it again.”
    • “Overall, it's a unique experience and it has some replay value for achievement hunters.”
  • grinding
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players express that the grinding aspect of the game is excessively time-consuming, often requiring an unrealistic amount of effort to progress.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
    • “I spent hours grinding, and it felt like I made no progress.”
  • character development
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is highlighted by unique and trippy character designs that enhance the overall experience, complemented by an engaging soundtrack. While the story is minimal, it effectively piques curiosity, encouraging players to explore further. Overall, the combination of visual and auditory elements contributes to a memorable character experience.

    • “I love the character designs for this game, and the music just makes it 100 times better. It was fun to 100% this very anxiety-inducing game; I would recommend it.”
    • “You eat and grow, with weird and trippy character designs, and a small story that makes you want to see a bit more.”
    • “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
    • “I found the character arcs to be predictable and uninspired, leaving me wanting more complexity.”
    • “The characters seem one-dimensional, and their growth throughout the game is minimal at best.”
  • monetization
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization of "Swallow the Sea" is minimal, as the game is designed to be a brief experience lasting under 15 minutes, which enhances its suspenseful moments without overwhelming players with ads or in-game purchases.

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10h Median play time
8h Average play time
5-12h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Swallow the Sea is a survival action adventure game.

Swallow the Sea is available on PC, Mac OS, Steam Deck, Windows and others.

On average players spend around 8 hours playing Swallow the Sea.

Swallow the Sea was released on September 3, 2021.

Swallow the Sea was developed by Kondorriano.

Swallow the Sea has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its graphics but disliked it for its replayability.

Swallow the Sea is a single player game.

Similar games include Little Nightmares, They Breathe, Perfect Vermin, Happy Game, Bulb Boy and others.