I'd like to preface this review by acknowledging my score of 5/10. I think numbered reviews are a limited form of expressing one's opinion about a game, but are necessary to bring across a person's general opinion.
I don't believe that Close to the Sun is a bad title in the least, though the score I have given it may indeed make that appear to be the case. I might, by the end of this piece, even end up recommending the game - but that's going to have to come with some big qualifiers. I'll keep it spoiler free, but if you happen to be familiar with Bioshock (2007), I may imply a little too much for you here.
Because yes, Close to the Sun borrows heavily from that title, as do many other titles releasing in this era (Atomic Heart springs to mind). I've seen critique that it is a complete rip-off, which I don' personally believe is a fair assessment. There is a unique identity, tone and world here - it's just the basic set up and late game twist that may seem familiar. I think this game does enough of its own to not be written off as a cheap knockoff.
But now, the game. Playing as an investigative journalist, the gameplay is that what you might describe a "walking simulator". There is light puzzles, and simple action sequences in which you run away from things, but mostly it's a slow paced experience that you'll get a lot more from if you approach it with an investigative eye; the first-person perspective works wonders to this effect.
Visually this game is quite striking, with a distinct uniqueness in its steampunk setting. The entire plot takes place upon an impossibly large boat at sea in which scientists were allowed free rein in their research (which strikes quite closely to a description of Bioshock's Rapture) and this ocean-faring vessel is very well realised. Across the games 10 chapters, I think each level is distinct enough that you could well enough tell them apart from one another, while all managing to adhere to a set theme.
Regarding other aspects of the game's construction, it certainly isn't perfect - you can tell it's an indie production when you look at anything other than the quality of the graphics and world. The animations can be smooth and believable sometimes, but other times they can be distractingly poor. Likewise, the voice acting is a constant point of contention, as is most of the lines in the script. It's a shame to see an interesting plot squandered by dialogue that is this bad. Even if they had top of their game voice actors on this, I don't think they could get a good performance from this script - and these voice actors are anything but. There are moments where it's okay, but overall it's probably the biggest problem with the game.
I'll refrain from close analysis of any story beats, because I want this to be spoiler free and would recommend going in as blind as possible to make the most of the developing mystery. I will, however, say that I think the ending is quite rushed. The final three levels are only about ten minutes each, if that. Maybe it wouldn't have felt weird if it was all condensed into one chapter? It's a strange feeling I have - I believe the game is as long as it needed to be, and would've loathed it to go on much further, but there is something amiss with the climax.
Also, the soundtrack is mostly understated piano pieces, but they do wonders for the game's atmosphere.
So, should you play Close to the Sun? If you've a few short hours to spare and a willingness to lose yourself in a well made (if flawed) world, then yes. If you play games for narrative depth or mechanical challenge, I can heartily say that you'll likely want to give this a miss. It's free on XBOX game pass, at least at time of writing, so at least there'd be no monetary investment - only your ever so precious time.
I don't believe that Close to the Sun is a bad title in the least, though the score I have given it may indeed make that appear to be the case. I might, by the end of this piece, even end up recommending the game - but that's going to have to come with some big qualifiers. I'll keep it spoiler free, but if you happen to be familiar with Bioshock (2007), I may imply a little too much for you here.
Because yes, Close to the Sun borrows heavily from that title, as do many other titles releasing in this era (Atomic Heart springs to mind). I've seen critique that it is a complete rip-off, which I don' personally believe is a fair assessment. There is a unique identity, tone and world here - it's just the basic set up and late game twist that may seem familiar. I think this game does enough of its own to not be written off as a cheap knockoff.
But now, the game. Playing as an investigative journalist, the gameplay is that what you might describe a "walking simulator". There is light puzzles, and simple action sequences in which you run away from things, but mostly it's a slow paced experience that you'll get a lot more from if you approach it with an investigative eye; the first-person perspective works wonders to this effect.
Visually this game is quite striking, with a distinct uniqueness in its steampunk setting. The entire plot takes place upon an impossibly large boat at sea in which scientists were allowed free rein in their research (which strikes quite closely to a description of Bioshock's Rapture) and this ocean-faring vessel is very well realised. Across the games 10 chapters, I think each level is distinct enough that you could well enough tell them apart from one another, while all managing to adhere to a set theme.
Regarding other aspects of the game's construction, it certainly isn't perfect - you can tell it's an indie production when you look at anything other than the quality of the graphics and world. The animations can be smooth and believable sometimes, but other times they can be distractingly poor. Likewise, the voice acting is a constant point of contention, as is most of the lines in the script. It's a shame to see an interesting plot squandered by dialogue that is this bad. Even if they had top of their game voice actors on this, I don't think they could get a good performance from this script - and these voice actors are anything but. There are moments where it's okay, but overall it's probably the biggest problem with the game.
I'll refrain from close analysis of any story beats, because I want this to be spoiler free and would recommend going in as blind as possible to make the most of the developing mystery. I will, however, say that I think the ending is quite rushed. The final three levels are only about ten minutes each, if that. Maybe it wouldn't have felt weird if it was all condensed into one chapter? It's a strange feeling I have - I believe the game is as long as it needed to be, and would've loathed it to go on much further, but there is something amiss with the climax.
Also, the soundtrack is mostly understated piano pieces, but they do wonders for the game's atmosphere.
So, should you play Close to the Sun? If you've a few short hours to spare and a willingness to lose yourself in a well made (if flawed) world, then yes. If you play games for narrative depth or mechanical challenge, I can heartily say that you'll likely want to give this a miss. It's free on XBOX game pass, at least at time of writing, so at least there'd be no monetary investment - only your ever so precious time.