Close to the Sun Reviews

Close to the Sun is ranked in the 23rd percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
8 / 10.0
May 1, 2019

So all in all Storm In A Teacup have done a great job with Close To The Sun. Its story driven action, combined with puzzle solving and the unnerving fact that you can’t defend yourself, all gets packaged up into a nice neat bundle of joy to play through. Close To The Sun thoroughly deserves its Thumb Culture Gold Award

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May 1, 2019

Close to the Sun is a spectacle piece for the explorative player that is well worth sinking time and money into. Despite the horror label, the game is not so scary that it cannot be enjoyed by everyone. The game may be short with a frustrating conclusion but this should not deter players from picking up this title. From highly detailed environments to smooth gameplay, Close to the Sun is a short, but unique experience that deserves players attention.

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8.5 / 10.0
May 1, 2019

Close to the Sun delivers one of the best horror narratives in years thanks to an engaging and atmospheric experience

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8 / 10.0
May 2, 2019
Close To The Sun Review 4K - Art Deco inspired first-person adventure video thumbnail
6 / 10
May 2, 2019

Granted, the chase sequences are frustrating and the story falls a bit flat, but there's some wonderful attention to detail in Close to the Sun's environments, and tension is present even in the game's calmest moments.

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6.8 / 10.0
May 2, 2019

With interesting setting and characters, Close to the Sun starts as a piece of art, but it doesn't keep its premises due to hurried pacing and a bit superficial evolution of the story. Non trivial jumpscares and a good direction make this short game really a missed opportunity and only a decent horror adventure.

Review in Italian | Read full review

7.5 / 10.0
May 2, 2019

In the end, your enjoyment of Close to the Sun will depend on whether you want to be surprised. If you've played some of the previously mentioned games, you know exactly what to expect in terms of pacing and story, even if the subject matter is different. The lack of combat is an interesting choice, but the simple puzzles and slightly frustrating chase sequences dull the experience, while the inability to view collectibles after you leave a level significantly diminishes their value.

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5 / 10.0
May 2, 2019

Close to the Sun is a game that’s only remarkable for its scenery. And it’s a shame, really, as the Helios could have carried a great tale. As it is though, while there’s nothing about Close to the Sun that’s broken, there’s nothing compelling enough to make it worth your while, especially with its short run time and lack of replayability.

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7.5 / 10.0
May 2, 2019

Storm in a Teacup did an excellent job in creating an intriguing and at the same time anxious setting, even if it's held back by shallow puzzles and pointless action sections.

Review in Italian | Read full review

6 / 10
May 2, 2019

While Close to the Sun is a visual treat, it isn't quite matched by the game's substance; it dips a toe in the waters of numerous genres but fails to fully commit to one, and ultimately suffers because of it.

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6 / 10.0
May 2, 2019

Close to the Sun is a masterclass in atmosphere and storytelling, sadly let down by poorly-directed chase scenes that quickly grow repetitive and tedious.

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Unscored
May 2, 2019

I wish my adventure on the Helios hadn’t ended so abruptly and I feel a wee bit short changed, but I’d still be really pleased if they announced an add-on

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May 2, 2019

Close to the Sun's bland narrative and lack of challenging mechanics, as well as being light on the scares, makes for a rather dull experience.

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4.4 / 5.0
May 2, 2019

With such an amazingly thought up location of the Helios, Close to the Sun is an adventure full of atmosphere, tension and a surprisingly lack of people. The puzzle elements never felt out of reach but had an element of thinking to them.

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May 2, 2019

I was intrigued about Close to the Sun from the very first time that I saw the trailer and the original concept art. The comparisons with Bioshock, which can never be a bad thing, are many. The ocean setting, the art deco style, the communication via radio and the scientific element of the story. However, this is where the comparisons stop. Close to the Sun is a game that deserves its own identity and will offer a different experience to Bioshock. Read on to find out about my time aboard the Helios.

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8.3 / 10.0
May 2, 2019

If you like story-driven suspenseful horror games which aren’t too scary, Close to the Sun is perfect for you. With it’s beautiful Art Deco design, horrific scenes of gore and brutality, incredible inventions from Nikola Tesla, and an engaging storyline, you’ll be hooked from the moment you step aboard the Helios. I found some of the narrative predictable and muddy towards the final chapters, but the overall experience was very enjoyable and entertaining. If you go into the game thinking it’s going to be like Bioshock, you’ll be disappointed, be open-minded and you’ll enjoy it a lot more.

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5 / 10.0
May 2, 2019

The lack of interactivity and emotional connection, the ease of gameplay, and the almost total absence of replayability unfortunately prevent the Italian studio from flying high towards the sun.

Review in Italian | Read full review

5.5 / 10.0
May 3, 2019

An interesting premisal that becomes less and less interesting while you advanced in this 4-5 hours horror adventure, that doesn't excels at anything.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

60 / 100
May 3, 2019

Close to the Sun is a few steps shy of a great narrative-driven horror, but its trite gameplay expels the magic its environments worked to create.

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Chris Wray
Top Critic
7 / 10.0
May 5, 2019

All things considered, though, I would heartily recommend Close to the Sun. With some fantastic world-building, an incredibly well detailed and atmospheric setting that's enhanced by a cast of interesting characters with great voice acting. The real issue comes from the lack of replay value, though for those who like to explore the world and story, there are reasons to go back.

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