Atmospheric Grind
Steeped in underworld trappings Sunless Sea is initially a trade sim style game with exploration to amass assorted resources and invest in better ship parts, base, etc. Lack of map randomization means that you will always play the "same" game each time... and makes dying a grind. There is an inheritance system to repeat with your best ship parts, money, etc but that did little to keep my interest in repeating the same events/settings. SS has a good board game like feel with a sense that there are secrets just under your nose but is less suited to marathon play due to same-ness of each trial. There is a marginal plot with some locations changing over time and of submitting "port reports" obtained at most destinations for currency/fuel but the vague script alone does little to compel play. I've enjoyed SS but your mileage may vary.
Pros: Novel setting, creepy scenarios, exploration required, cavernous world
Cons: Same set-up each time, limited plot, wordy, some deaths feel random
19 gamers found this review helpful