It is the year 1897 on an alternate timeline. Nikola Tesla has gathered the scientific elite on his largest vessel, the ocean liner Helios, to create a free and unregulated utopia of science far out on the international waters, away from the curious eyes of society or any authority. Here, scientists are free to do as they please, with no limits to their experiments. This is the stuff from which Storm in a Teacup's indie horror adventure Close to the Sun is developed. A game that raises the question of how far science can go - and strongly reminiscent of Bioshock.
At the beginning of the game, your character Rose Archer, a young journalist, receives a mysterious message asking her to come aboard the Helios - signed by her sister. Of course, curiosity prevails and you accept the invitation. Upon arrival at the Helios, however, it quickly becomes clear that something bad must have happened here. The rundown ship is deserted. Empty, dark corridors and a foul smell of death are all you find.
So you have to find your way alone to the inside of the ship to find your sister. On the way you explore different rooms, the puzzle comes together little by little - here an experiment must have gone wrong. Newspapers report attacks on scientists, the way leads through bloody interrogation rooms and internal security protocols report on spies.
But from a certain point on you no longer have to struggle alone and get support: via a headset you are in contact with your sister, Tesla himself and others who support you in solving puzzles or other tasks.
All in all, Close to the Sun is a very dark story in steampunk optics, which shows what happens when science goes too far. There is also a - albeit superficial - social criticism. The threatening and tense atmosphere is caused by atmospheric music, the darkness running through the entire game and numerous jump scares that regularly increase the pulse - not for the faint of heart.
The indie title is a successful mix of a dark storyline, tricky puzzles and exciting chase scenes. Those who liked Bioshock will also enjoy Close to the Sun: The creepy atmosphere, the Art Deco look, the fight against dark creatures as well as the uncovering of secrets strongly remind of the popular shooter.
Close to the Sun comes from the indie developer studio Storm in a Teacup from Rome, which in the past could already celebrate successes with the titles Lantern, N.E.R.O. and also Enki.
If you're into discovery tours with a oppressive atmosphere, jumpscares and puzzles, you can't go wrong with Close to the Sun. You'll find even more information and price comparisons to similar games here on Keyfuchs. Feel free to have a look and find exactly the games that fit you - at fair prices!
