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Call of the Sea

Name: Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Call of the Sea
Item: Call of the Sea
Author: Critik Editorial Team

2020

GenresAdventure, Indie, Puzzle and Logic, Casual, Single Player, First Person Perspective

AvailableDec 8, 2020

PlatformPlayStation 4, PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, PlayStation 5

DeveloperOut of the Blue, Inc., Out of the Blue Games S.L.

Overview

Call of the Sea is a first-person adventure puzzle game set in the 1930's that tells the story of Norah, a woman on the trail of her missing husband's expedition. The search takes place on a strange but beautiful island in the South Pacific, filled with secrets waiting to be unearthed. It’s an otherworldly tale of mystery, adventure, and self-discovery.

Elsewhere

7.1

Game analysis

Monster Scorecard

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Story and Narrative

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive (80-100)

76%

Mixed (50-79)

22%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.

The story of Call of the Sea has received a mix of positive and negative feedback from critics. Many reviewers praised the game for its engaging narrative, character-driven mystery, and emotional depth. Critics like Softpedia and Noisy Pixel appreciated the focus on self-discovery and the exploration of Norah's past and relationships. The Lovecraftian elements, coupled with themes of acceptance and identity, were highlighted by Adventure Gamers and Screen Rant as well-executed aspects of the story. The storytelling techniques, such as flashbacks and dream sequences, were commended by God is a Geek for immersing players in Norah's journey. On the other hand, some critics expressed concerns about the story's shortcomings. PlayStation Universe and Push Square criticized the second half of the narrative for lacking character interactions and emotional depth, making it challenging to connect with the protagonist. Jeuxvideo.com and Washington Post highlighted issues with coherence and abrupt revelations towards the end, impacting the overall impact of the story. Eurogamer Italy and IGN pointed out predictable plot points and a lack of background explanations as areas that could have been improved for a more satisfying storytelling experience. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the story of Call of the Sea leans towards the positive side, with many appreciating its Lovecraftian-inspired narrative, character development, and emotional resonance. While some reviewers noted shortcomings in terms of predictability and lack of depth in certain areas, the majority found the story engaging, immersive, and well-paced. The game successfully combines elements of mystery, fantasy, and self-discovery to create a captivating narrative that keeps players intrigued throughout their journey with Norah. Critics like Game Informer and DualShockers highlighted the intriguing mysteries and twists that add to the overall appeal of the story, making Call of the Sea a worthwhile experience for fans of narrative-driven games.

TL;DR

story and narrative

Critics have mixed opinions on the story of Call of the Sea. Positive feedback highlights engaging narrative, character-driven mystery, and emotional depth, with praise for Lovecraftian elements and themes of acceptance. Some critics criticize lack of character interactions and coherence issues, but overall, reviewers find the story immersive, well-paced, and captivating, blending mystery, fantasy, and self-discovery effectively. Critics suggest improvements in predictability and depth, but the majority agree that Call of the Sea offers a worthwhile narrative experience for fans of story-driven games.

Gameplay Mechanics

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive (80-100)

32%

Mixed (50-79)

66%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.

The gameplay of Call of the Sea has received a lot of praise from critics, particularly regarding its puzzle-solving mechanics. PlayStation Universe, Softpedia, and GameWatcher all highlight the enjoyable and rewarding nature of the puzzles in the game. Softpedia specifically mentions that the puzzles are well-integrated into the story and become more complex as you progress, challenging your observation and logical skills. Eurogamer Italy also appreciates the seamless combination of exploration, puzzles, and narration in the gameplay, providing a satisfying overall experience. The sense of accomplishment from solving difficult puzzles is highlighted by TheSixthAxis, emphasizing the game's ability to deliver challenging yet satisfying brain teasers. On the downside, some critics have pointed out issues with certain puzzles in Call of the Sea. Push Square mentions the frustration of not being able to access notes during puzzles, which can hinder the player's progress and enjoyment. Digital Chumps and PC Invasion both note that some puzzles were obtuse and required backtracking, leading to a less smooth gameplay experience. Adventure Gamers also criticizes the poorly communicated puzzles and Norah's slow movement, which can result in tedious backtracking and detract from the overall gameplay. Overall, the consensus among critics is that Call of the Sea offers a compelling gameplay experience with its focus on puzzle-solving and exploration. Critics like GameSpew and Worth Playing appreciate the satisfying challenge presented by the puzzles, while Game Rant and Hobby Consolas commend the game for progressively increasing the difficulty of the puzzles, keeping players engaged throughout. Despite some issues with specific puzzles and mechanics, the majority of critics find the gameplay of Call of the Sea to be engaging, rewarding, and well-balanced. The game successfully captures the essence of classic adventure games while adding its unique twist, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of the genre.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

Call of the Sea's gameplay shines with praised puzzle mechanics, seamlessly blending exploration and narration. Critics commend the challenging yet rewarding puzzles that intensify as you progress. However, some point out frustrating moments with obtuse puzzles and backtracking issues. Overall, the game offers a compelling experience for adventure game fans, striking a balance between enjoyment and challenge.

Graphics and Visual Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive (80-100)

82%

Mixed (50-79)

18%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.

The majority of critics praised the graphics and visual design of Call of the Sea, highlighting its stunning and immersive environments. Critics such as PlayStation Universe, Adventure Gamers, and Screen Rant commended the game for its visually distinct locations, vibrant colors, and detailed textures that brought the world to life. The game's art style, described as a mix of realistic and slightly cartoonish by Eurogamer Italy, and a blend of hand-painted and cel-shaded art by TheSixthAxis, added a unique and captivating aesthetic to the overall experience. Additionally, the game's use of lighting and water effects, as noted by Critical Hit and Noisy Pixel, contributed to creating a beautiful and atmospheric setting. On the other hand, some critics pointed out certain drawbacks in the graphics and visual design of Call of the Sea. PlayStation Country mentioned that the game is not photorealistic, which might be a downside for players looking for ultra-realistic visuals. Push Square criticized the hammy dialogue and campy feel, which they felt detracted from the overall experience. Worth Playing highlighted technical issues such as the lack of HDR support and performance problems on the Xbox Series X, which could impact the visual quality for some players. Overall, the consensus among critics is overwhelmingly positive regarding the graphics and visual design of Call of the Sea. The game was praised for its beautiful and immersive environments, stunning art direction, and vibrant color palette that enhanced the overall experience. Despite some minor technical issues and subjective critiques on certain aspects like dialogue and art direction in specific sections, the majority of reviewers found the graphics to be visually stunning and captivating. Call of the Sea's ability to create a visually rich and engaging world resonated well with critics, making it a standout title in terms of graphics and visual design within the indie game space.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Call of the Sea wows critics with its breathtaking graphics and immersive visual design, praised for stunning environments, vibrant colors, and detailed textures. While some critics noted minor drawbacks like lack of photorealism and technical issues, the majority lauded the game's unique art style and atmospheric setting. Overall, the consensus is overwhelmingly positive, making Call of the Sea a standout title in indie game graphics.

Music and Sound Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive (80-100)

88%

Mixed (50-79)

12%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.

The majority of critics praised the Sound Design and Music of Call of the Sea, highlighting various positive aspects. Adventure Gamers appreciated the orchestral music that punctuated key moments, creating a magical and mysterious atmosphere. They also noted the immersive quality enhanced by background noises and changing footsteps on different surfaces. Eurogamer Italy commended the exceptional voice acting by Cissy Jones and Yuri Lowenthal, bringing the characters to life authentically, along with a noteworthy soundtrack that added to the immersive experience. GameWatcher and Hobby Consolas both lauded the voice acting, with GameWatcher mentioning how it added depth to the story and Hobby Consolas emphasizing how it contributed to the immersive experience. While the overall sentiment towards the Sound Design and Music of Call of the Sea was positive, there were a few criticisms raised by some critics. Wccftech mentioned that while the music was peaceful and immersive, the voice acting could be immersion-breaking at times. God is a Geek pointed out occasional missteps in the dialogue, particularly when portraying an English woman in the 1930s, which could be off-putting. However, these negative aspects were outweighed by the numerous positive comments from other critics regarding the game's sound design and music. In conclusion, the consensus among the critics is overwhelmingly positive regarding the Sound Design and Music of Call of the Sea. Critics like Critical Hit, Digital Chumps, Noisy Pixel, TheSixthAxis, COGconnected, and IGN all highlighted the excellence of the sound design, voice acting, and music in enhancing the overall immersive experience of the game. The combination of top-notch sound design, exceptional voice acting, and a memorable soundtrack contributed significantly to the atmospheric and emotional depth of Call of the Sea, making it a standout aspect of the game that resonated with the majority of reviewers.

TL;DR

music and sound design

Critics unanimously praise the Sound Design and Music of Call of the Sea for creating a magical atmosphere with orchestral music, immersive background noises, and exceptional voice acting by Cissy Jones and Yuri Lowenthal. While some critics had minor issues with aspects like voice acting, the overwhelming consensus is highly positive. The combination of top-notch sound design, outstanding voice acting, and a memorable soundtrack added depth and emotion to the game, resonating with reviewers from various outlets.

Voice Acting

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING

Acting Score

Positive (80-100)

81%

Mixed (50-79)

12%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the voice acting.

The voice acting in Call of the Sea has received a lot of praise from critics, particularly for the performance of Cissy Jones as the protagonist, Norah Everheart. Critics such as PlayStation Country and Noisy Pixel commend Jones for delivering an excellent and touching performance, displaying a range of emotions that enhance the overall experience. PlayStation Universe also highlights Jones' fantastic job in narrating Norah's emotions, while Adventure Gamers appreciates her ability to capture the refined tones of a 1930s woman. Yuri Lowenthal's portrayal of Harry is also well-received, with critics like Adventure Gamers and IGN mentioning his convincing performance in expressing deep connections between the characters. On the flip side, some critics have pointed out shortcomings in the voice acting of Call of the Sea. Softpedia notes that while there are moments of quite good voice acting, there are also instances of flat delivery, particularly in the protagonist's monologues which are described as repetitive and obvious. Critical Hit mentions that Cissy Jones' vocal performance as Norah may not be entirely convincing due to stilted dialogue, although the emotional impact of the game remains powerful. Additionally, Eurogamer Italy and Wccftech highlight instances where the voice acting, especially Norah's, can be redundant and immersion-breaking, detracting slightly from the overall experience. Overall, the consensus among critics is that the voice acting in Call of the Sea is a strong aspect of the game. Critics such as GameWatcher and God is a Geek praise the excellent vocal talents of Cissy Jones and Yuri Lowenthal, creating authentic and compelling performances that leave a lasting impact on players. Despite some mixed reception, with critics like Jeuxvideo.com pointing out mechanical delivery and lacking emotional depth in certain parts, the majority of reviewers appreciate the efforts of the voice actors in bringing emotion and depth to the performances of the main characters. The voice acting, particularly by Cissy Jones, is widely regarded as enhancing the storytelling, immersion, and overall quality of the game.

TL;DR

voice acting

Critics praise Cissy Jones and Yuri Lowenthal's stellar voice acting in Call of the Sea, with emotional performances that enhance the game experience. Some note occasional flat delivery and repetitive monologues, but overall, the voice acting adds depth and authenticity to the characters. Despite mixed feedback on certain aspects, the majority agree that the voice acting elevates the storytelling and immersion in the game.

Technical Performance

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

Tech Score

Positive (80-100)

11%

Mixed (50-79)

89%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.

In terms of technical performance on PC, the consensus among critics is generally positive. Adventure Gamers notes that initial motion sickness issues were resolved with a post-launch update, while Eurogamer Italy praises the visually stunning environments created using Unreal Engine 4. However, GameSpew mentions encountering glitches that may require a patch, such as getting stuck on a screen. GamingTrend stands out with a fully optimized and glitch-free experience on PC, showcasing the potential for a smooth gameplay experience on this platform. Moving on to Xbox Series X, the feedback is a mix of positives and negatives. Critics like Game Rant appreciate the solid performance of Call of the Sea on the platform, running at 4K resolution and 60 frames per second. Gamer.nl acknowledges the game as technically well-made but points out occasional framedrops and the absence of HDR support as notable downsides. Hobby Consolas also mentions minor slowdowns on Xbox Series X, although they do not significantly impact gameplay. Worth Playing, however, highlights significant technical issues on the Series X, including performance problems and graphical issues, indicating room for improvement on this platform. On Xbox One, Hardcore Gamer's review emphasizes the technical issues present in this version of the game, such as pop-in problems and subtitles not matching dialogue. These issues are currently being addressed by the developers, reflecting a less polished experience compared to the other platforms. Overall, while Call of the Sea showcases impressive visuals and technical prowess on both PC and Xbox Series X, there are varying degrees of technical issues across platforms. Critics like GamingTrend and Game Rant highlight a smoother experience on PC and Xbox Series X, respectively, while Worth Playing and Hardcore Gamer point out significant technical challenges that need to be addressed. The general consensus suggests that while the game excels in certain technical aspects, there is room for improvement to deliver a more consistent and polished experience across all platforms.

TL;DR

technical performance

Critics praise Call of the Sea for its technical performance on PC, with stunning visuals and minimal glitches. Xbox Series X receives mixed reviews, with some praising performance but noting occasional issues like framedrops. Xbox One faces more technical challenges, with ongoing issues like pop-in problems. Overall, the game shines in visuals but struggles with technical consistency across platforms, leaving room for improvement.

Replay Value

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

82%

Negative (0-49)

18%

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.

In terms of positives, several critics highlighted the engaging puzzles and well-crafted narrative of Call of the Sea. IGN praised the game for offering a short but engrossing experience with multiple endings, encouraging replayability to explore different narrative paths. Game Rant also noted the presence of secret objects to find and a journal to fill out, which adds to the overall experience. Additionally, PC Invasion mentioned the presence of two endings, providing players with some extra content to explore, thus enhancing the replay value for those interested in uncovering different outcomes. On the negative side, Softpedia, Adventure Gamers, and Hobby Consolas expressed concerns about the limited replay value of Call of the Sea. Softpedia mentioned the linear experience with no twists or alternative paths, leading to a forgettable story that diminishes the desire to replay the game. Adventure Gamers highlighted that while the game offers fantastic environmental design and varied puzzles, the story may not be thrilling due to early reveals, potentially reducing the incentive for multiple playthroughs. Hobby Consolas also pointed out the linear nature of the story and predictable puzzle solutions as factors that contribute to the game's limited replay value. Overall, the consensus among critics leans towards Call of the Sea having limited replay value. While the game offers engaging puzzles, a well-crafted narrative, and multiple endings that provide some incentive for replayability, the linear nature of the story, predictable elements, and short length are cited as drawbacks by several reviewers. Critics like DarkStation and Game Rant acknowledge the limited replayability but suggest that certain aspects, such as experiencing different outcomes or finding hidden objects, may still attract players to revisit the game. Ultimately, the general sentiment is that while Call of the Sea offers a compelling initial experience, its replay value may not be as strong compared to other titles with more branching paths or dynamic storytelling elements.

TL;DR

replay value

Call of the Sea impresses with engaging puzzles and a well-crafted narrative, offering multiple endings for replayability. However, critics warn of limited replay value due to its linear story, predictable puzzles, and short length.

Overall Verdict

MONSTER

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Monster Score

Positive (80-100)

57%

Mixed (50-79)

42%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.

In analyzing the opinions of multiple reviewers on Call of the Sea, it is evident that the game received praise for several aspects. Critics such as Eurogamer Italy, Game Rant, and Hobby Consolas commended the game for its captivating narrative, engaging puzzles, stunning visuals, and excellent voice acting. The game's ability to blend Lovecraftian elements with puzzle-solving mechanics was highlighted as a strong point, attracting players who appreciate a well-told story with immersive environments. The beautiful art style and rewarding gameplay experiences were also mentioned positively by reviewers like GameSpew and TheSixthAxis, emphasizing the game's ability to keep players gripped from start to finish. On the flip side, some reviewers pointed out certain shortcomings of Call of the Sea. PlayStation Universe and Softpedia noted that while the game excelled in visuals and gameplay, its narrative fell short and lacked a strong impact, leaving some aspects feeling predictable or cliche-ridden. Adventure Gamers and DualShockers mentioned flaws such as slow movement speed, flat monologues, and puzzles lacking depth, which detracted from the overall experience. Additionally, some critics, like PC Invasion and Game Informer, highlighted occasional technical issues and lackluster puzzle design as areas that could have been improved upon to enhance the player's immersion and enjoyment. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding Call of the Sea leans towards a positive reception, with many acknowledging its strengths in storytelling, puzzle mechanics, and visual presentation. The game managed to deliver a captivating experience that resonated with fans of the genre, offering a mix of mystery, adventure, and Lovecraftian elements. While there were criticisms regarding certain narrative aspects, gameplay mechanics, and technical issues, the majority of reviewers found Call of the Sea to be a worthwhile journey that kept them engaged and intrigued throughout. The game's ability to provide a fresh take on Lovecraftian themes, coupled with its immersive world design and memorable moments, ultimately contributed to its overall positive reception among critics and players alike.

TL;DR

Call of the Sea captivates with its engaging narrative, stunning visuals, and immersive puzzles, blending Lovecraftian themes with gameplay mechanics. Critics praise its gripping story and rewarding gameplay experiences, though some note shortcomings like predictable narrative and technical issues. Overall, the game offers a worthwhile journey for fans of the genre, delivering a fresh take on Lovecraftian elements that keeps players engaged and intrigued.

MONSTER

Reviews

104 reviews found

100

App Trigger

Xbox One

Jan 29, 2021