$19.99Submerged Climb a drowned city
Sail a flooded ruin by boat, scale its overgrown towers and piece together a wordless story of a brother and sister.
Is Submerged worth it?
Submerged is worth it if…
- you want a calm game with no combat, no timers and no way to fail
- you enjoy exploring a beautiful ruin at your own pace, by boat and on foot
- you like stories told through images rather than dialogue
- you are after something short and gentle to unwind with in an evening or two
Screenshots
Nowhere to hurry, nothing to fear
This is a game built for unwinding. There is no combat, no way to die and no clock: the only pace is yours. Miku cannot even run, and that is the point. You drift through the flooded streets, watch whales and other sea creatures move through the canals, and let the day pass into night over the rooftops. If you want to stop and watch the sunrise from a tower, nothing punishes you for it. The city keeps humming along, palms swaying, fish leaping, whether you push on or linger.
The boat and the telescope
Your small powered fishing boat is how you get around, and cruising the drowned streets is a pleasure in itself. Pull out the telescope to scan the skyline: buildings that hold supplies stand out, and you mark them on your map. Then it is your call which one to visit first, since the city is open and the supplies can be gathered in any order. You can also find upgrades for the boat along the way, which makes crossing the water between districts quicker.
Climbing the towers
Dock at a tall building and the real work starts: getting to the top. You pick your way up ledges, drainpipes, ladders and flowering vines, and the routes get trickier as you go. It plays like a navigation puzzle: the challenge is reading the wall and finding the path, not reflexes. Every grip holds, so a wrong turn costs you a moment, not a life. From the roof, the whole flooded city spreads out below you, and the supply crate you came for is usually waiting there.
What else should you know?
Is there any combat or danger?
None at all. There are no enemies, no weapons and no way for Miku to die. The strange figures watching from the rooftops add to the mystery, but they never attack. The tension in the game comes from the story and the setting, not from threats.
How long does it take to finish?
The main story is short: a few hours if you head straight for the supplies. There is more to find beyond it, including secrets, creature drawings, landmarks and boat upgrades, and you can keep exploring after the story ends. Expect the game to feel brief rather than sprawling.
How is the story told?
Without a single line of dialogue. As you explore, you find hand-drawn pictures that piece together two tales: how Miku and her brother ended up here, and how the city came to be drowned. You assemble the meaning yourself, one image at a time.
Is it good to play with kids around?
It is family friendly. There is no violence, the visuals are bright and colorful, and the story is told through simple drawings that are easy to follow. The slow pace also makes it easy to pick up and put down.
Who made the music?
The score is by Jeff van Dyck, a BAFTA-winning composer, and it is a highlight: gentle piano and strings that suit the quiet city. The soundtrack shifts with the moment and never wears out its welcome.
