The Sundew
- September 5, 2018
- 2054 - Video game studio
Get on Steam"The Sundew" is a dark adventure game set in a dystopian future Shibukawa, Japan in 2054. As cybernetically enhanced cop Anna Isobe, you must navigate a world where cyborgs like you have become obsolete, and protect and serve in a society that has left you behind after a devastating war. With a blend of cyberpunk and noir themes, you'll uncover a lonely and suspenseful journey.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- The game features a unique and atmospheric setting that combines traditional and advanced elements in a futuristic version of Japan.
- The pixel art and music create an immersive experience, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the game.
- The puzzles are engaging and logical, with a good balance of challenge that allows players to progress without excessive frustration.
- The story feels rushed and at times disjointed, with some plot points and character developments lacking depth.
- There are several bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, including issues with scene triggers and character scaling.
- The game is relatively short, leaving players wanting more content and character development.
- story40 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The story has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it lacking depth and connection to the characters, particularly due to a mean protagonist and a rushed plot. While some appreciate the familiar cyberpunk themes and engaging elements, others criticize the heavy-handed dialogue, abrupt info dumps, and a convoluted narrative that detracts from the overall experience. Despite its flaws, the game offers a decent few hours of gameplay that may appeal to fans of the genre, though it could benefit from more character development and a more cohesive storytelling approach.
“The sundew has a great story and while the only real character developed is your own, the others are interesting enough in their own right to make for an engaging gaming experience.”
“The story is obtuse at times, but in a very traditionally cyberpunk manner where it contributes to the paranoid conspiratorial atmosphere.”
“The sundew is classic cyberpunk; it's telling a familiar story, but the story is told well, hitting all of the right beats from start to end.”
“Unfortunately, it's hard to feel a connection with the characters because the protagonist is a bit mean, and the plot moves forward at a pace that doesn't allow us to get to know anyone else.”
“Sadly, the writing is quite hopeless, with overworked, heavy-handed dialogue, a hard-to-follow plot with paper-thin characters, and some weird tone shifts that don't really work within the otherwise serious story.”
“It would have been much more satisfying to learn bits and pieces throughout the entire game and let it slow burn into a player’s heart instead of suddenly informing about the reason to go through everything in the first place, all the while leaving some story threads purposeless in a head-scratching way.”
- atmosphere12 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 8 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its unique and immersive qualities, enhanced by moody pixel graphics, a compelling soundtrack, and a traditionally cyberpunk narrative that fosters a sense of paranoia and intrigue. Reviewers appreciate the artistic design and sound effects, which collectively create a captivating environment that draws players into its world. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout element, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.
“The pixel graphics are moody and atmospheric.”
“You feel really well immersed in the atmosphere, thanks to the graphics and the narration.”
“The story is obtuse at times, but in a very traditionally cyberpunk manner where it contributes to the paranoid conspiratorial atmosphere.”
“I think one of the key elements of this game is its overall atmosphere, supported by its graphic design and soundtrack.”
“I could complain about things that I haven't liked in other cyberpunk games that I've played or watched videos of, but it's all down to personal taste with a genre that is so steeped in atmosphere.”
- graphics12 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beauty and atmospheric pixel art, effectively capturing a moody cyberpunk aesthetic. While there are minor graphical glitches and some inconsistencies in character design, the overall visual experience, complemented by a strong soundtrack, immerses players in a richly detailed neo-Japan setting. Despite a few issues, the artwork significantly enhances the game's engaging atmosphere.
“The pixel graphics are moody and atmospheric.”
“The game is set in a neo-Japan, taking us from an urban Tokyo-like city to the snowy ruins of Hokkaido, and features a top-notch aesthetic that had me oohing and aahing every other screen.”
“I think one of the key elements of this game is its overall atmosphere, supported by its graphic design and soundtrack.”
“There were some pixels that had the wrong color or were missing in the graphics, but there were very few of them, because the game as a whole is awesome.”
“The visuals are, just to follow the overall pattern, exactly what cyberpunk NPCs tend to look like in their textbook variety.”
“A few bugs (mostly graphical glitches, none major).”
- music8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The music in the game features a mix of chip tunes and classic synth sounds, contributing to an atmospheric experience. While some players find the soundtrack engaging and immersive, others describe it as sporadic and occasionally unmemorable. Overall, the music enhances the game's atmosphere, though some users express a desire for more ambient tracks throughout.
“The music is a blend of neat chip tunes and classic arpeggiated synth sounds.”
“An engaging story, interesting characters, nice artwork, a workable game interface that doesn't get in the way, a great soundtrack, and a game world with a lot of potential.”
“Music is very sporadic, and whenever it is present it’s a rather 'unmemorable but nice' sort of techno deal.”
“I think one of the key elements of this game is its overall atmosphere, supported by its graphic design and soundtrack.”
“I think the only thing missing for me would be some more ambient music throughout the game.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is subtly woven into the narrative, with players appreciating the irony in the dialogues and the comedic moments, such as a glitch where a character unexpectedly speaks French. Despite the absence of voice-over, the engaging story keeps players invested, balancing progression with the enjoyment of humorous elements.
“There isn’t a voice-over here (apart from a hilarious glitch where Anna starts speaking French for a few seconds), but it works.”
“You get involved in the story and can't wait to progress, risking losing all the funny side 'bonuses' and the irony of many dialogues.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Character development is well-balanced, providing enough depth to engage players without overwhelming them, making it enjoyable rather than skippable.
“The character development is perfectly balanced; there's just enough to keep you engaged without feeling overwhelmed.”
“I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, making each decision feel impactful.”
“The depth of the characters and their growth over time really enhances the overall experience.”
“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 lack of meaningful choices in character development made the experience feel linear and unengaging.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is generally solid, with only a few minor graphical glitches reported by users, none of which significantly impact gameplay.
“There are a few bugs, mostly graphical glitches, but none are major.”
“The game suffers from frequent crashes that disrupt the experience.”
“I encountered several stability issues that made it hard to enjoy the gameplay.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers highlight the emotional journey of the game's development, noting the developer's resilience in overcoming significant setbacks to deliver a polished and enjoyable experience. This narrative of triumph adds depth to the game's overall impact.
“I know the project has faced some heartbreaking setbacks and high hurdles in its path, so it's wonderful to see that the developer was able to gracefully overcome those obstacles and release such an enjoyable, polished game.”
- gameplay1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Sundew is reminiscent of the Tex Murphy series, offering a familiar experience for fans with its engaging mechanics and artistic style.
“Gameplay and art-wise, Sundew feels most similar to the Tex Murphy games, and fans of that series will feel very at home here.”
