Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 24
  2. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Apr 12, 2021
    100
    A wonderfully crafted fantastic adventure in the style of Jules Verne and H. P. Lovercraft with great puzzles and an immersive atmosphere. Don't miss it. [Issue#309]
  2. Dec 23, 2020
    95
    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.
  3. Dec 8, 2020
    90
    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.
  4. Dec 8, 2020
    90
    A perfectly-paced puzzle adventure that manages to pour more than the expected amount of heart into its story, it manages to combine a number of disparate elements into a hugely enjoyable game, and certainly not one to be missed.
  5. Dec 9, 2020
    89
    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.
  6. Dec 15, 2020
    85
    Call of the Sea is a well-executed Adventure game that feels both familiar and distinct, with imagery evocative of both Monkey Island and H.P. Lovecraft that comes together in a fun and concise adventure game.
  7. Jan 8, 2021
    80
    While its story relies on well-worn clichés, Call of the Sea is an otherwise compelling supernatural tale of self-discovery that will dazzle your eyes, delight your ears, and delightfully rack your brain.
  8. Jan 5, 2021
    80
    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.
  9. Dec 16, 2020
    80
    Some may be overwhelmed by the scope of the puzzles and some others may be left wanting for more, but Call of the Sea still delivers an engaging story of love and transformation with a surprisingly compatible Lovecraftian zest.
  10. Dec 14, 2020
    80
    Call of the Sea is an immersive puzzle / adventure that came almost out of nowhere. Its satisfying puzzles and well-written, sometimes moving, story compose a more than decent game that will shake your brain cells for about six to seven hours.
  11. Dec 11, 2020
    80
    Releasing early in the new gaming generation, Call of the Sea sets the benchmark for story-driven adventure puzzle games moving forward. It’s an experience full of surprises, from its lush game world that takes advantage of next-gen graphic capabilities, to its emotionally impactful story that puts a fresh spin on the Cthulhu Mythos. It’s also surprisingly challenging; so much so at times that the frustration over its obtuse puzzles damages your sense of immersion, and goodwill towards the game.
  12. Dec 8, 2020
    80
    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.
  13. Dec 8, 2020
    80
    Call of the Sea continues the tradition that sees the indie industry as a tireless forge of often unmissable gems and does so by moving beyond pure genres and also playing on contrasts. That contrast that perhaps pushes Norah to find comfort in an unknown so unfathomable and surreal as to be frighteningly fascinating.
  14. Dec 8, 2020
    80
    Call of the Sea is a puzzle adventure that should be played by all fans of the genre. Its writing and environments are strikingly immersive as the player and Norah find themselves traveling deeper down this rabbit hole of mystery. There are moments of confusion in its design, but all the tools are present to explore this beautifully charming adventure; my only wish is that it was longer.
  15. Dec 8, 2020
    80
    If you’re not a huge fan of puzzles, then you might find Call of the Sea‘s gameplay more frustrating than satisfying. But if you enjoy solving logic problems, there’s a lot to love here. The game looks beautiful, and the island you find yourself on, complete with all of its mysteries, begs to be explored. Its few bugs aside, Call of the Sea is a satisfying adventure that will keep you gripped from start to finish.
  16. Dec 17, 2020
    78
    Call of the Sea is a new take on Lovecraft’s lore with a vivid introduction that enhances the moments when the game transitions into darker waters. With an interesting story and solid puzzles, it is an adventure game worth playing.
  17. Dec 8, 2020
    75
    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.
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 152 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 18 out of 152
  1. Dec 12, 2020
    8
    Call of the Sea is a really nice relaxing puzzle game with a really decent story. The puzzle solving is fun if you like those type of gamesCall of the Sea is a really nice relaxing puzzle game with a really decent story. The puzzle solving is fun if you like those type of games you will love this game. The art style art direction is really interesting and I like it is something fresh new. I think the game deserved a decent 8/10 great game if you like this type of games you will like this game aswell. Full Review »
  2. Dec 29, 2020
    7
    Nice story, more of a walking simulator. Great music, voice acting and graphics/art style. Some puzzles are too easy, while others are fairlyNice story, more of a walking simulator. Great music, voice acting and graphics/art style. Some puzzles are too easy, while others are fairly tough. They did break the pace for me. Full Review »
  3. Dec 10, 2020
    7
    Call of the Sea
    Crashing Waves
    Call of the sea is a first person adventure puzzle game where you play as Norah who sets out to find her boo
    Call of the Sea
    Crashing Waves
    Call of the sea is a first person adventure puzzle game where you play as Norah who sets out to find her boo Henry on an island and uncover the secrets of an illness she had.. and overall the story is the best part of this 5 and a half hour long journey, ontop of that the puzzles are just challenging enough to feel like a little enough of a nussance to kind of be enjoyable to solve, and the world and its art style is so vibrant and pretty.. great environment, great story, decent puzzles… but the problems come with this games pacing and overall performance… Letspretend everything ran smooth.. call of the sea gameplay wise just never gives you a break to let you stop and smell the roses, youre constantly trying to solve a chapters bigger puzzle to open a gate and progress, youre thrown into an era, figure out how you have to arrange things to unlock a door just do it again, its non stop, I get it’s a puzzle game but still, spread it out a bit, give me a brain break… otherwise I feel overwhelmed trying to play through your game… but call of the seas biggest issue other ttan pacing is its performance, ive never played such an unstable game in my life… l tested across multiple high end gaming pcs with xbox game pass, I had issues with crashing going into chapters 2 and 6.. I eventually got chapter 2 to work, but I only got to see the beginning moments of chapter 6.. call of the sea just refuses to load leading me to have to watch the remaining 40 minutes on youtube to get this games ending… and the issue isn’t expclusive to what is admittedly a beta system in xbox game pass for pc, after looking into it, there are reports on all of the sea causing console crashes as well, there was also a bug where I would be shown a giant white blob where cinnmematics were supposed to b shown throughout the entire game!
    If you can get through Call of the Sea, this is a really interesting and pretty straightforward puzzle game.. but if you do decide to give this one a go, don’t do it through xbox game pass for pc
    it probably wont work
    I giv Call of the Sea
    a 7.5/10
    Full Review »