Sunken Engine

Sunken Engine is a unique blend of a ship maintenance simulator and Lovecraftian psychological horror, set in a decaying coastal town where players inherit a shipyard from their late father. The core gameplay loop involves cleaning, repairing, and upgrading ships, which is satisfying and engaging. The game’s atmosphere is deeply immersive, combining gritty maritime visuals with eerie audio cues that build tension without relying on jump scares. Narrative elements unfold gradually through letters and discoveries, exploring themes of inheritance, obsession, and sanity. While still in early access, the developers are highly responsive and actively improving the game, addressing bugs and refining mechanics. Players appreciate the creative integration of horror with simulation, the polished art style, and the compelling story fragments. However, some find the content limited and repetitive at this stage, with certain mechanics like the hammering minigame and sanity system needing polish. Controller support and UI elements also require improvements. Overall, it shows strong potential and is recommended for fans of atmospheric sims and Lovecraftian themes.

Highlights

Players praise the game's engaging gameplay loop of repairing and upgrading ships, which balances simplicity with depth. The Lovecraftian atmosphere is noted for its immersive and unsettling tone without overusing jump scares. The art style is appreciated for its distinct, consistent, and polished aesthetic, capturing the maritime horror vibe effectively. The story, though currently short, intrigues players with its mystery and psychological elements. Many commend the developer's responsiveness and frequent updates, enhancing the game steadily. The variety of activities like fishing, selling wares, and managing licenses adds enjoyable layers to the simulation experience.

Criticisms

Common criticisms include the game’s limited content and short story length in early access, leading to some repetitiveness. The sanity mechanic is seen as too easy and sometimes overly obvious, reducing tension. The hammering minigame has been described as annoying and in need of an option to disable it. Some players find the controller support lacking, with issues in tool selection and camera speed. The UI can be clunky, especially when working in dark environments, making tasks harder to complete. A few reviews mention occasional bugs, hidden or unreachable trash, and some dissatisfaction with AI-generated art concerns despite developer clarifications. More immersive worldbuilding and expanded ship variety are also desired.