Call of the Sea Reviews

Call of the Sea is ranked in the 71st percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
IGN
Top Critic
9 / 10.0
Dec 8, 2020

Through engaging puzzles and a captivating story, Call of the Sea provides an excellent, poignant adventure.

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Recommended
Dec 9, 2020

A dazzlingly different debut with a haunting sense of place and adventure.

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8.5 / 10.0
Dec 26, 2020

Clever puzzles and an engaging narrative make Call of the Sea a voyage worth taking

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7.5 / 10.0
Dec 10, 2020

If the writers weren't so eager to spoil their own surprises, I think we'd be looking at one outstanding narrative-driven adventure here. As it is, Call of the Sea is a pleasing piece of pulp fiction and a decent test of your puzzle-solving skills.

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TheSixthAxis
Steve C
Top Critic
9 / 10
Dec 8, 2020

Call of the Sea's original setting, narrative, and overall feel totally hooked me – even when I wasn't playing I found myself working over the puzzles in my head. If you're a fan of emotional stories and challenging logical puzzles then you should dive straight into this adventure.

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80 / 100
Dec 11, 2020

Quotation forthcoming.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

7.2 / 10.0
Dec 8, 2020

Call of the Sea could be considered as a puzzle and exploration video game where the first element weighs much more than the second; although both depend on each other to exist. Thus and with a series of puzzles that will take the player into a smooth back and forth between the frustrating process of looking for a solution to the problem and the satisfaction of finding it, Call of the Sea offers a proposal that complies with all the basic rules of the genre and the topped off with a colorful artistic design and a plot that delivers what it promises.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

7.5 / 10.0
Dec 8, 2020

Puzzles with a great design (mostly) and a story that captures without remedy from the first minute. A must for lovers of narrative adventures and puzzles.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

7 / 10.0
Dec 8, 2020

Call Of The Sea is a good debut, that uses puzzle and riddle-based gameplay to tell an atmospheric story. Its weakness lies in a conception of riddles that is not always very clear, source of some moments of frustration, and in a limited duration. It will probably not remain among the most notable examples of the genre, but we must give credit to the fact that it manages to offer an alternative vision of the Lovecraftian narrative universe, potentially capable of satisfying those who do not always want monsters or scares.

Review in Italian | Read full review

7.5 / 10.0
Dec 9, 2020

Out of the Blue's debut game manages to pack in some complex puzzles set amongst some beautiful environments, and has a story that keeps you hooked throughout.

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VideoGamer
Top Critic
7 / 10
Feb 5, 2021

Who would have thought that the solution to madness might be marriage?

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95 / 100
Dec 22, 2020

Call of the Sea might be short, but it's a highly rewarding puzzle game with a fascinating narrative that keeps getting better and better as the game slowly reveals the truth to you. It's a fully engrossing experience that showcases the best parts of the Lovecraftian genre, but makes it fully accessible to players who want to experience the mystery but none of the horror.

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Dec 10, 2020

Carefully crafted puzzles and clues in the story give this game, set on a Polynesian island, the satisfying feel of a journey

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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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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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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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8 / 10.0
Dec 14, 2020

What a surprise Call of the Sea was! Out of the Blue's debut title shows off its own well-defined personality through a very accurate artistic direction and attention to details. All puzzles have their own logic and the idea of ​​proposing them in blocks, separating the adventure into sealed chapters, helps to focus attention on a limited number of elements. With its crazy atmosphere and an eight-hours duration, which prevents any kind of fatigue, Call of the Sea is a highly recommended game for adventure's (and Lovecraft's) lovers.

Review in Italian | Read full review

JVL
DonBear
Top Critic
17 / 20
Dec 30, 2020

Call of the Sea is a success. Taking the best of Firewatch as well as Lovecraft's books, Out of the Blue has managed to digest its inspirations to mix them and offer a moving story.

Review in French | Read full review

GameMAG
Top Critic
8 / 10
Jan 4, 2021

Call of the Sea is an example of a well-written and really captivating walking simulator, which, although inspired by the work of Lovecraft, tells a completely different story.

Review in Russian | Read full review

6 / 10
May 11, 2021

Aesthetically, the game looks really pretty and is totally evocative of its 1930s setting. The game is plagued with hammy dialogue that makes it feel totally campy and like an old B-movie, but not altogether terrible when coupled with the Lovecraftian influence it draws on. Call of the Sea is a mostly fun puzzle game that falls short on the mystery it tries to have you unveil. While it looks aesthetically pleasing and ticks a lot of boxes for its period setting, the story is lacklustre and predictable.

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