Call of the Sea Reviews

Call of the Sea is ranked in the 71st percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
8 / 10
Dec 8, 2020

Call of the Sea might have an overly familiar premise and some less-than-stellar puzzles, but it's a gorgeous, enjoyable game boosted by strong production values and involved world design.

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90 / 100
Dec 10, 2020

When I finished Call of the Sea, I couldn’t help but smile. It was such an incredible journey with an intriguing story and a well-thought-out ending. From start to finish, with the exception of a couple of frustrating puzzles, I truly enjoyed this game. Considering it’s is launching on Xbox Game Pass, there is absolutely no reason for Xbox Series X/S or Xbox One gamers to not give this gem a try. The sheer amount of love and care that went into crafting this world should be the new standard that all devs strive to achieve. I can’t wait to see what Out of the Blue have in store for us next, and I truly hope we’ll return to the world of Call of the Sea in a future title.

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Wccftech
Top Critic
8.9 / 10.0
Dec 9, 2020

Call of the Sea is a gripping, interesting, and creative take on the Lovecraftian formula. It moves away from the oft-trodden horror roots and creates an imaginative and immersive puzzle adventure with none of the lingering racism you might expect.

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8 / 10.0
Dec 15, 2020

In short, Call of The Sea is a title that everyone who approaches it will enjoy, discovering a good story, with touches of Lovecraft and showing that not everything has to be horror and fear, but that there is space for paradisiacal islands and irrational mysteries.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

Dec 8, 2020

Call Of The Sea is a real surprise. A perfectly-paced puzzle adventure that manages to pour more than the expected amount of heart into its story, it manages to combine a number of disparate elements into a hugely enjoyable game, and certainly not one to be missed.

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7.2 / 10.0
Dec 14, 2020

Call of the Sea is an interesting but imperfect experiment, denoted by some (legitimate) error of inexperience. In general, the feeling is that of an adventure written in a pleasant and on average enjoyable way to play, but never get to that status of small gem to discover.

Review in Italian | Read full review

8 / 10.0
Dec 11, 2020

Releasing early in the new gaming generation, Call of the Sea sets the benchmark for story-driven adventure puzzle games moving forward. It's an experience full of surprises, from its lush game world that takes advantage of next-gen graphic capabilities, to its emotionally impactful story that puts a fresh spin on the Cthulhu Mythos. It's also surprisingly challenging; so much so at times that the frustration over its obtuse puzzles damages your sense of immersion, and goodwill towards the game.

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6.5 / 10.0
Dec 8, 2020

Call of the Sea is a great start for developer Out of the Blue but didn't entirely capture me on any front, despite standout moments.

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8 / 10
May 10, 2021

With attention beneficially split between puzzles and story, Call of the Sea charms with an enjoyable pulp adventure.

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7.2 / 10.0
Nov 29, 2020

Issues aside, though, Call of the Sea is pretty good. It was nice to play through a new story with new characters, even if the story design was somewhat familiar and the outcome (essentially the same despite which ending you choose) was fairly predictable. Solid voice-acting, good writing, and pretty graphics (nothing show-stopping, but they’re good) make for a nice presentation package on top of an alright game. If you’re looking for a more casual, story and character driven game to play this holiday, Call of the Sea is worth considering.

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8 / 10
Dec 10, 2020

Call of the Sea is a charming adventure that immediately hooks you through its period-appropriate mystery, that slowly builds intrigue and excitement. The various puzzles you encounter along the way are thoroughly engaging, while at the same time offering enough of a challenge to not be too easy or annoying.

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8 / 10
Dec 9, 2020

I think Call of the Sea has something to offer a variety of gamers. The puzzles are fun, challenging, and genuinely make you learn more about the world around you and Norah's personal challenges. On top of that, learning more about Norah herself and what has caused her illness is a huge draw – it's one of those mysteries you want to figure out more and more as things progress. The bright, popping visuals and simplistic gameplay all tie this into a pretty good bow for those who want to give it a shot.

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80%
Dec 8, 2020

A thoroughly enjoyable first-person adventure brimming with mystery, intrigue and intricate, well-thought-out puzzles, Call of the Sea is a journey into the unknown that proves both rewarding and memorable.

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7 / 10.0
Jan 23, 2021

Call of the Sea is a visually stunning game offering a compelling story hidden behind a mixed bag of puzzles and a few frustrating pacing decisions.

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CGMagazine
Top Critic
8.5 / 10.0
Dec 15, 2020

Call of the Sea is a well-executed Adventure game that feels both familiar and distinct, with imagery evocative of both Monkey Island and H.P. Lovecraft that comes together in a fun and concise adventure game.

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Spaziogames
Top Critic
7.6 / 10.0
Dec 17, 2020

Intriguing and fascinating, Call of the Sea is a worthy new addition to Xbox Game Pass.

Review in Italian | Read full review

8 / 10.0
Dec 15, 2020

Call of the Sea dares to ask a question no game has ever asked before - what if Cthulhu was third-wheeling in your relationship? This 1930s South Pacific adventure will have you exploring an ancient and mysterious island, diving into clever puzzles and uncovering occult mysteries.

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3.5 / 5.0
Dec 8, 2020

Call of the Sea could benefit from having more substance, but otherwise it's a solid adventure game that manages to put a unique spin on the traditional Lovecraftian adventure.

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6 / 10.0
Dec 8, 2020

Call of the Sea's intriguing piecemeal story and beautiful setting falls to the wayside when its lack of signposting and overall artificially obtuse puzzles take center stage for much longer than acceptable.

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7 / 10.0
Dec 8, 2020

Call of the Sea feels like a mix between a puzzle game and a 1930s pulp novel. It blends these varied genres to mixed success; the puzzles are largely solid but you can find yourself banging your head against the wall in frustration for some, and the writing can be a bit campy but is carried by brilliant voice acting. While the game is decent, the visuals, the acting, and the setting are top notch. If entered with the right mindset, The Call of the Sea can be a good companion for an evening in.

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