The Sea Will Claim Everything
- March 24, 2016
- Jonas Kyratzes
- 4h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"The Sea Will Claim Everything" is a point-and-click adventure game set in the fascinating world of the Lighthouse Library. As the new secretary of the Archipelago, you must navigate political intrigue, uncover secrets, and help the inhabitants in your quest to save the islands from being reclaimed by the sea. The game features beautiful hand-drawn art, engaging characters, and thought-provoking puzzles.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features charming art, beautiful music, and well-written, moving storytelling that immerses players in its whimsical world.
- It offers a unique and engaging experience with a plethora of humorous and thoughtful text, encouraging exploration and interaction with every element in the game.
- The narrative tackles important social and political themes, providing a thought-provoking experience that resonates with players long after they finish the game.
- The gameplay can feel slow-paced and repetitive, with a heavy reliance on pixel hunting and backtracking that may frustrate some players.
- The user interface is clunky and unintuitive, which can detract from the overall experience and make navigation cumbersome.
- The game is heavily text-based, which may overwhelm players who prefer more action-oriented gameplay or those who are not comfortable with extensive reading.
- story158 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The game's story is a whimsical and immersive journey that intertwines epic quests with charming, character-driven narratives, often focusing on themes of political commentary and personal growth. Players engage in rich dialogues and explore a beautifully crafted world filled with humor and creativity, making the storytelling a standout feature despite some critiques regarding its complexity and pacing. Overall, the narrative is praised for its depth, clever writing, and ability to evoke thought, making it a compelling experience for those who appreciate a good story.
“The brilliant thing about this game is that, despite the epic quest you go on to uncover ancient secrets and overthrow tyrannical governments, ultimately it's all in service of fixing a nice person's house, which feels just as important as the other stuff.”
“The story is immersive, the characters are unforgettable, the interface is so unique and fun.”
“As your quest to aid the mysterious druid unfolds, you'll find a thread of plot that strongly echoes the hardships of our very real world, held aloft by subversions of myth, challengers of intellect, and some of the best writing to be found in gaming.”
“Unfortunately, it is either purely flavor or a mcguffin - none of it affects the storyline, which seems like real-world drama hammered on top of a fictional setting.”
“At the same time, it's also the most confusingly absurd story I have ever seen, and the gameplay doesn't really deserve to be called an adventure as there is no inventory management, no real dialogues with other characters, and it plays like a terribly hand-drawn hidden object game most of the time.”
“An overall confusing storyline and unsatisfying conclusion.”
- music96 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its beauty and ability to enhance the overall experience, with many reviewers highlighting the work of composer Chris Christodoulou. Players appreciate the soothing, whimsical soundtracks that complement the charming art and engaging storytelling, creating a dream-like atmosphere that invites exploration. While some noted occasional repetitiveness, the overall sentiment is that the music significantly contributes to the game's appeal and emotional depth.
“The art and music are phenomenal, and the whole surreal experience is definitely one I would recommend as a masterpiece in its own right.”
“The music and art combine to give everything a very dream-like atmosphere; and it's a genuine treat to just explore the world.”
“Incredible music & existential philosophy.”
“You cannot turn off the music during the first stage of the game unless you turn off the sound completely.”
“As for the presentation - it's weird yet understandable, the art is fairly simple and the music is relaxing although it is repetitive (but not too annoying).”
“I almost quit in the first area (because it was so weird and the music was repetitive) but I'm glad I got back to it!”
- humor84 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as quirky, clever, and often reminiscent of authors like Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett, appealing to those who enjoy offbeat and surreal comedy. Players appreciate the abundance of funny dialogue, imaginative descriptions, and humorous interactions with objects, though some find the humor can become repetitive over time. Overall, the game successfully blends whimsy with thoughtful commentary, creating a delightful experience filled with laughter and charm.
“Clever, funny, and comfy.”
“Beautiful, funny, delightful point-and-click adventure!”
“There is lots to click on, and everything is just the right balance of absurd and profound and laugh-out-loud funny.”
- graphics72 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The game's graphics feature a charming, whimsical 2D art style that some may initially perceive as simplistic or crude, yet it effectively complements the engaging storytelling and character interactions. While the visuals lack advanced animation and may appear childish at first glance, they are well-executed and contribute to the game's overall appeal, emphasizing creativity and humor over graphical fidelity. Players are encouraged to look beyond the graphics, as the game's strength lies in its imaginative writing and immersive world.
“The artwork is very well done, the music is beautiful, and you can see how much energy has been put into this game in regards to all small details and secrets.”
“The game's whimsical art style, really likable characters, peaceful music, simple point-and-click gameplay, amazing storytelling, plethora of things to do, and little jokes/puns when you interact with objects and people all combine to envelop you within the game's world.”
“I really enjoyed the art style; it's cartoony, whimsical, and colorful.”
“The graphics are mostly 2D drawings that do not move, though there are some places where this changes quite a bit.”
“As mentioned earlier, the game's art style is mostly 2D without animation, with the exception of a few areas or specific scenes in the game.”
“'meh' graphics, sound, UI, gameplay, and writing.”
- gameplay44 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The gameplay is primarily a point-and-click adventure that emphasizes exploration and interaction with quirky characters in a whimsical, dream-like world. While it features charming aesthetics and clever writing, many players find the gameplay to be slow-paced and lacking in challenging puzzles, often revolving around simple tasks like item gathering and potion brewing. Overall, the experience is enjoyable for those who appreciate narrative-driven games, but it may not satisfy players seeking more complex mechanics or active gameplay.
“The game's whimsical art style, really likable characters, peaceful music, simple point-and-click gameplay, amazing storytelling, plethora of things to do, and little jokes/puns when you interact with objects and people all combine to envelop you within the game's world.”
“I wasn't sure what to expect when I added this game to my library, but what I got was an amazing few hours of gameplay that I was genuinely sad to finish.”
“Simple mechanics, charming characters, and a satisfying story arc made this a really fun game.”
“This could be considered a slow-paced game, because besides this there is not much active gameplay.”
“At the same time, it's also the most confusingly absurd story I have ever seen and the gameplay doesn't really deserve to be called an adventure as there is no inventory management, no real dialogues with other characters, and it plays like a terribly hand-drawn hidden object game most of the time.”
“'meh' graphics, sound, UI, gameplay, and writing.”
- atmosphere16 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is described as a whimsical blend of quirky fantasy reminiscent of authors like Pratchett, creating a rich and immersive experience. Players are encouraged to explore a vibrant world filled with life, where the art and music contribute to a dream-like quality, making the journey through its serious yet not overly gloomy narrative rewarding for those who take their time. Overall, the game offers a unique ambiance that feels like a cross between a children's illustrated book and an old tabletop RPG manual, inviting deep engagement with its philosophical themes.
“I would recommend this game to anyone who prefers an immersive atmosphere, innovative and lovely UI, a cute world of mushrooms, animals, humans, and a home with an artery system, breathing with life, and especially, heavy scripts.”
“But I feel that adds so much depth while you're incrementally learning about the land of dreams, about the political atmosphere, about the residents of the fortunate isles, how everyone is still so connected despite the bodies of water separating them.”
“They give the game a peculiar atmosphere, somewhere between an illustrated book for children and an old PnP RPG manual from the 80s.”
“The music and art combine to give everything a very dream-like atmosphere; and it's a genuine treat to just explore the world.”
“The story is pretty serious, but the atmosphere doesn't get too gloomy.”
- emotional10 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its powerful emotional impact, with many players expressing that it resonated deeply, often leading to tears by the end. Its blend of philosophical and political themes, along with clever symbolism and heartwarming storytelling, creates a rich emotional experience that encourages thoughtful discussion and reflection. Overall, it is described as a heartfelt and lovely game that leaves a lasting impression.
“It's a really powerful, emotionally resonant game.”
“I will note that the game is politically charged, but I found its approach to be both philosophical and heartfelt enough to make up for any differences between my politics and the author's.”
“A really lovely game that gives you a fine heartwarming feeling.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game is considered fairly priced, but many users note that it lacks significant replay value, suggesting limited incentive to play it multiple times.
“It's priced fairly cheaply, but then again it doesn't exactly have much replay value.”
