We’ve had plenty of stories explore worlds devastated over time. And similarly, post-apocalyptic stories are nothing new in the gaming world. It’s a story told time and time again, serving as a sort of resting point to ponder our place in the world. The Last of Us makes us think about the harm that people can do to other people, and how, even in a world filled with all sorts of monstrosities, it is the human condition that can lead to more hurt. Cyberpunk 2077 explores a world riddled with too much technology, coupled with late-stage capitalism and what that means for the people who live in it. All of them have their own allure, so what is it that for Submerged: Hidden Depths?
In this game, you play as Miku and Taku, siblings who have been exiled from their community. As to the reason why, it’s something you’ll have to uncover as you play through the story. It’s a relaxing game with puzzles and exploration. You use a boat to travel to different areas of the map, sprawling with notes, relics, and entries that explain what happened to the world you’re in.
You can go climbing, solve intuitive puzzles, and wield a mysterious power to help restore the ruins you currently inhabit close to its former glory. The world itself is vibrant and filled with life; everywhere you look is a new path to discover. And while you explore you’re accompanied by the sounds of crashing waves and open waters, as well as the gorgeous soundtrack.
It’s a short game, even with the occasional struggle to complete all the entries it only took me 7 hours, give or take.
The biggest pull for me was the worldbuilding. They used a different language–presumably developed by the communities post-apocalypse–and it really drives home that these are people beyond our time. Long after everything we know has been reduced to nothing but ruins. And it made me wonder how things got to that point. What did we do?
I do have thalassophobia–if you’re unaware, this is a fear of open waters–and still, I found this game so enjoyable. My biggest worry was that I wouldn’t be able to fully focus on the game and its lore due to this, but the story proved to be so captivating that I’m so glad I braved through it.
Although I’m not saying that this is a story that’s never been told before. Still, Submerged: Hidden Depths does a fantastic job of telling it in a way that’s refreshing. You come to care for the siblings as you progress, and it doesn’t feel forceful in the least. Not just that, but the game does a good job of making you feel the grief of what once was. Something that I adore in post-apocalyptic settings. It’s nice to hear these stories to remind us to treasure what we have now. If you’re looking for a game to play in small bursts to pass the time and relax while exploring, then this game is perfect for you!
