Thalassa: Edge of the Abyss

クリアまで6時間程。沈没船を探索し沈没の謎を解くミステリーアドベンチャー。 他のレビューでも言われてる通り確かにReturn of the Obra Dinnっぽい。 1つの実績が初回初見プレイではまず取れないので全実績解除はほぼ2週必要。 海中が舞台ですが、幽霊とかモンスターとかサメとかホラー展開は無いです。 海中描写は少し物足りないけどカジュアルで優しい作りでとても遊びやすい。 これ系の作品の中では登場人物全員の掘り下げが入念に行われるのが特徴で、 だからこそ終盤のシナリオも映えたと思います。あまり多くは語れませんが… 少し人を選びそうですが難易度低いし綺麗な作品なのでオススメしたいです。

While I'm giving this a thumbs down, it's because of Steam's lack of a sideways thumb. Lots of people like this, so this is clearly dependent on the type of player you are. This is a mystery story that's principally a walking simulator. There's clues to find and piece together, but it's all very straightforward and you'll be led by the nose through most of it. I strongly recommend playing on the easy mode, which only makes it so you don't have to be right beside something to find it's interactable. Otherwise, you'll be doing the 3D FPS version of old school adventure game pixel hunting. You don't have to finish all mysteries to complete the story, but it's not hard to complete the vast majority of them, especially since you'll be forced to backtrack to areas you've already been to in order to pick up clues that were always there, but only become interactable at certain arbitrary points. Aside from the all too typical awful Unreal Engine 5 optimization that results in constant stutters, even on higher-end machines, this game's biggest sin is just how unnecessarily slow everything is. Yes, you spend most of it walking underwater but the walking speed didn't need to be as slow as it is, with no option to at least move a little bit quicker. On top of that, every single time you interact with something, you have to go through one of the same handful of long, plodding, stiff, unnecessary animations that feel more like padding than everything else. You'll be told when you have the clues needed to solve a mystery and even taken directly to the proper one when you press Tab and piecing the clues together has either an obvious solution or if not, can be brute forced by just trying different combinations until it works. There's no penalty for failure and in fact, no failure state in the game whatsoever. As for the mystery itself, I won't spoil anything but I found the main one to conclude in an utterly unsatisfying way and most of the sub ones to be a bit more interesting, but still nothing notable. There's supposed to be an underlying message to the narrative, but it didn't have any kind of satisfying landing for me. Again, I didn't care for this, but many others do so there's clearly a group this appeals to. For me, this was just another boring walking simulator whose writing and narrative didn't make up for the lack of gameplay and glacial pacing.

9/10. One of the best games I've played from the last few years. Really good story and build up, really unique characters as well. I do wish more games just like this were coming out as well; with a focus on an engaging story, mystery, investigation, exploration, and characters that you care about. Only reason why it isn't a 10/10 for me, is because you do sometimes see the limitations of the game, graphically. But the art style itself is very nice to see.

Thalassa: Edge of the Abyss is a first-person narrative mystery that transforms the depths of the ocean into the setting for a deeply personal and emotionally charged investigation. Developed by Sarepta Studio and published by Team17, the game places players in the role of Cam, a diver who returns to explore the wreck of the research vessel Thalassa after a devastating tragedy. Rather than focusing on action or survival, the experience centers on uncovering the stories of the people who once occupied the ship and understanding the circumstances that led to its downfall. The result is a slow-burning adventure that combines environmental storytelling, detective work, and emotional reflection in a compelling package. The game immediately distinguishes itself through its remarkable underwater atmosphere. Every section of the submerged vessel is filled with a sense of mystery, loneliness, and quiet tension. The ocean surrounding the wreck is beautiful yet intimidating, creating an environment where every discovery feels significant. Lighting effects, drifting debris, and the natural movement of the underwater world contribute to an immersive setting that consistently draws players deeper into the narrative. The wreck itself feels like a preserved moment in time, allowing players to piece together fragments of lives interrupted by disaster. Investigation serves as the core gameplay mechanic. Players gather clues, inspect personal belongings, review documents, and connect evidence to reconstruct the final days of the crew. The deduction system encourages careful observation rather than trial-and-error puzzle solving. Each clue contributes to a larger web of relationships, motives, and hidden truths, making progression feel rewarding. The mystery unfolds gradually, revealing that the disaster was not simply an accident but the culmination of personal conflicts, ambitions, and emotional struggles among the crew members. One of the game's strongest achievements is its character writing. The crew of the Thalassa are more than names attached to a tragic event; they are fully realized individuals with distinct personalities, hopes, fears, and complicated relationships. As players uncover more information, the emotional impact of the story grows stronger. The narrative explores themes such as grief, guilt, friendship, sacrifice, and the burden of unresolved trauma. These themes are handled with maturity and restraint, allowing the story to resonate without relying on melodrama or sensational twists. The presentation further strengthens the experience. The environmental detail throughout the ship is impressive, with each cabin, workstation, and corridor contributing to the overall narrative. Audio design is equally effective, combining ambient underwater sounds with a subtle musical score that enhances the feeling of isolation and discovery. Voice performances add authenticity to the characters and help bring their stories to life, ensuring that players remain invested in the investigation from beginning to end. Despite its many strengths, the game may not appeal to everyone. Its pacing is deliberately measured, and players looking for combat, survival mechanics, or fast-moving gameplay may find the experience too passive. Exploration and investigation make up the majority of the adventure, and the limited gameplay variety can occasionally make certain sections feel repetitive. However, those who appreciate story-driven experiences will likely find these elements secondary to the strength of the narrative itself. What makes Thalassa: Edge of the Abyss memorable is its commitment to storytelling and atmosphere. The game uses its underwater setting not only as a visual spectacle but also as a metaphor for memory, loss, and buried emotions. Every revelation feels meaningful, and the final pieces of the mystery come together in a satisfying and emotionally impactful manner. It is a thoughtful adventure that rewards patience and attention to detail, offering a narrative experience that lingers long after the credits roll. Rating: 8/10

[h3]Un voyage contemplatif et mélancolique.[/h3] Je m'attendais à un walking sim d'explo sous-marine et je me suis presque retrouvé à faire le deuil de personnages attachants. [url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1783680/Thalassa_Edge_of_the_Abyss]Thalassa: Edge of the Abyss[/url] a été pour moi une belle découverte. Il s'agit avant tout d'un jeu d'exploration et de narration qui prend son temps. Chaque avancement vous investit d'avantage dans son histoire que l'on découvre au compte goutte dans laquelle on est finalement englouti (littéralement). Le sujet abordé, comme décrit, est en effet assez triste et à quelque chose d’inévitable. Et plus on avance, plus le jeu devient mélancolique. Alors oui, il y a bien quelques des défauts. Pour commencer, le graphisme des personnages n'est pas fou, surtout de prêt, bien que cela soit une histoire de goût. Les déplacements sont lents et il y a pas mal d’allers-retours. Mais pour ceux qui sont habitués aux walking sim, cela est presque attendu. Si vous êtes prêt à accepter son rythme, alors vous serez récompensez par une ambiance aussi dramatique que contemplative. La force de ce jeu est qu'il cherche à vous faire ressentir quelque chose. Pour moi en tout cas, cela à marché et rien que pour cela, la recommandation est méritée. A jouer au casque, sous faible luminosité, l'esprit détendu. Bon voyage aux futurs explorateurs !

This game has an amazing story. It is dark and weighty but I did not feel it was for shock value and by the end it feels really...normal but in a meaningful way. I think a lot of it is the mental state of Cam and his grief. Other reviews have talked about the monotony and the slowness, but...you are deep diving underwater. I am fairly certain you can't run like that. This game is 100% focused on storytelling and I would agree that it is closer to a walking sim than a typical adventure game. I feel like all of the slowness added to my immersion in the story and the setting and the mindset of the character we control as the player. I will succinctly state that if you are looking for something quick and to the point, this is not that game. If you are looking for a very dark, weighty, and immersive story experience, this is that game.

A strong prologue that leads into a very compelling mystery, centered around an immersive story with heart and stellar voice acting throughout. It keeps you on the edge of your seat, while you slowly uncover what must have happened, with twists and turns along the way that keep you guessing and challenge your assumptions with skilled (mis)leads. I played it over two days in the evenings to relax and had a very good time. Would very much recommend if you are into immersive mysteries.

An interactive storybook. I absolutely loved it and I would have spent more money going to see a movie than what I paid to play this game. Money well spent imo and the story and it's characters were engaging and relatable. No regrets. Thank you for spending the time to create this game!

Игру рекомендую. Плюсы: 1. Интересная сюжетная линия, игра не про ужасы и даже не столько про саму катастрофу, сколько про взаимоотношения между людьми. 2. Завораживающий визуал, гулять по затонувшему кораблю было действительно необычно. 3. Отсутствие скримеров. Из минусов: 1. Пожалуй ужасные 3D модели персонажей, старалась смотреть на их классные 2D изображения. 2. Отсутствие нормальных сцен при восстановлении событий из прошлого, мы также на затонувшем корабле и видим лишь какие-то полупрозрачные желтые силуэты. Понимаю, что тут все упирается в бюджет, но хотелось бы видеть полноценные сцены с нормально прорисованными персонажами.

It was fun, although slow movement. Fun little mystery game under water