Children of the Sun

It is a genuine pleasure from start to finish, as dark and uncomfortable as it may be. But for every moment that might make you grimace, there is satisfaction to be found in seeking THE GIRL’s revenge, and destroying THE CULT is definitely a damned good way to spend 5-6 hours of your time.

Children of the Sun is everything I love in a game: Fun mechanics, creative direction, and a fantastic sense of style proudly displayed in the game’s art and story. Fans of gritty storytelling, telekinetic sniper challenges, and just killing cultists will love this pulpy murder puzzle game.

There were points where it made me feel over the moon with glee at a perfectly-chained series of strikes, and times when the plot left me deeply disconcerted in just the right way. It’s not gonna be a game for everyone, but for some, it’ll be an unforgettable ride.

Children of the Sun is a prime example of an experience born from a straightforward premise and then iterated for the right amount of time before it loses its charm. On occasion, the central mechanic can't keep up with itself – I missed more than a few finicky shots that should have landed, forcing a retry. But once you successfully execute a strategy and finish a level, the satisfaction is unmatched. You then seek to replicate the feeling during subsequent hunts, completely alienated from the messiness of your actions as you chase a higher score.

Children of the Sun is a great video game, designed for players who want a hyper-violent revenge story that remixes puzzle and slow-motion mechanics in a unique way. The narrative is familiar but gripping, delivered in small chunks and with a distinctive style. The entire presentation communicates dread and determination. The Girl’s ability to fire just one bullet and then control it to kill multiple targets is unique. It allows the developer to create impressive puzzles while also giving gamers freedom to explore and craft plans. Children of the Sun is immersive, dark, accessible, challenging, and fun.

While many will feel it's one or two chapters short of a truly fleshed-out and fully-realized vision, Children of the Sun's short but lavish flair for the hyper-violent is one of both visual and audible delight throughout. With what might be one of the most interesting and quick-to-convince takes on shooter mechanics in many a year, developer Rene Rother's knack for the look and feel of such an onslaught allows both art-style and gameplay alike to boldly glisten. As divisive the in-game graphics and general presentation might wind up being. But it's in no small part thanks to composer Aidan Baker's treatment of sound on top that only emboldens Rother's vision more so as one of both depth and replayability. An easy-to-understand pitch that comes with just as easy a recommendation, Children of the Sun is a blistering but brilliant take on shooting as a puzzle to be solved.

Children of the Sun is a standout puzzle shooter that successfully blends a dark, revenge-driven narrative with unique gameplay mechanics. Its approach to storytelling, through minimalistic but impactful vignettes, and the challenging puzzle aspects of its shooter gameplay make it a memorable experience. However, its dark themes and potential for uncomfortable moments mean it's not a game for everyone.

Children of the Sun is one of my favorite games this year. It makes you feel like a badass as you guide the bullet as it soars through each level.

If a dark revenge fantasy tale of destroying an evil cult sounds like your kind of thing, then Children of the Sun is everything you could want.

More puzzle than shooter, Children of the Sun is the violent demonstration that good ideas and talent are a winning combination.

Children of the Sun is an insanely addictive puzzle game cleverly pretending to be a shooter. It’s an excellent title for those who prefer solving problems over spectacular action. The developer knew exactly how to build tension by gradually unlocking new mechanics that increase the difficulty, and as a result this indie gem is more fun than many AAA products.

I enjoyed the game’s atmosphere, visuals, and distinctive gameplay style. I do think that the game would have been a bit better if it didn’t try to introduce new, more complex bullet controls in the later levels – I would have enjoyed making my way through the game with just the fundamentals. There would have been more an emphasis on planning and a little less on tricky controller combos. I don’t want this to discourage you from giving the game a try, though. It is a rather unique experience, and even if the later levels prove a bit of a trial, replaying many of the game’s levels in an attempt to find the perfect plan that will push you higher in the leaderboards is in and of itself quite enjoyable.

Children of the Sun is a game that's probably going to appeal to a different general audience than its visuals may imply, but whether the grungy, ultra-violent visuals seem tempting or it's the unique puzzle mechanics, there's a lot to love. However, it's worth noting that what a player wants out of the game will affect the dollar value of the package. It's possible to plow through the whole thing in a long afternoon, and it's the pursuit of better scores and a higher ranking on each level's leaderboard that adds true longevity.

Children of the Sun is no rough diamond. Maybe a harsh diamond. Actually, it's not even a diamond. It's a lump of coal that no one wants, but some people fall in love with. Somehow, the vengeful journey of the young girl who has lost everything because of broken promises, in its darkness, in its boundless cruelty, manages to capture you. This trajectory of death makes one feel like the conductor of a macabre ballad. A small work not for everyone, but worth trying.

As macabre as it is, Children of the Sun’s addictive leaderboard chase is sure to rekindle the competitive spirit in those who find themselves lapping up this world's darkness after having ventured heavenward in Neon White.

Children of the Sun is an incredibly vivid and creative puzzler-shooter. It is thoroughly engaging to find the perfect thread of headshots to line up, poking holes in a setpiece cultist encampment, linking each bloody kill to the next with both finesse and inventive solutions. It is quite simply the best sniping game I’ve ever played and, better yet, it has a story, vibes and atmosphere you just want to bathe in, much like the blood of your enemies. In the plethora of ‘cool’ video games to have graced our screens over the years, Children of the Sun is near the tippy top.

Children of the Sun is a thrilling puzzle game that does a great job of keeping you engaged, and when you're on a roll it's hard to put down.

Children of the Sun definitely hits the target.

An innovative take on the sniping genre that never fails to offer up a unique challenge and engages throughout.

Children of the Sun is a puzzle game disguised as a first person shooter, in which it seems that the protagonist is The Girl when in fact it is The Bullet. The difficulty of the levels increases gently, without placing insurmountable barriers on the players, but it is unfair not to have a complete overview of the situation from the beginning, which usually happens in this genre of games. Exploding the heads of enemies in super slow motion guarantees double satisfaction, first of all because a kill is always a kill, secondly because it is proof that our strategy works. The pulp atmosphere and the tragic story greatly increase the charm of the game.

Like Hotline Miami a decade ago it stretches the limits of what a puzzler can be into some bloody places, and it pulls it off so well that you can’t help but enjoy every minute of it.

Children of the Sun is a magnificent and original fusion of a sniper and puzzle game, with a bizarre and decadent aesthetic that evokes the Suda 51 games. Highly replayable, we loved its proposal, and just the fact that it ends abruptly in its best moment prevents it from becoming a modern classic.

It is possible that Children of the Sun is only the beginning of the outstanding developer's journey. It remains to follow the trajectory of his shot.

Children of the Sun has a truly unique premise, an achievement that has become quite rare, even for the always imaginative indie scene.

Solo developer René Rother not only brought an innovative approach to sniper games, but also put it in a fun form. Don't forget to look right, then left when bending your bullet.

A tactical puzzle shooter imbued with the aesthetics of destruction. While It presents a new form of shooting accompanied by intense artwork, it's somewhat disappointing that the overall gameplay only lasts 3–4 hours. Apart from the leaderboard system, there's a need for additional incentives to engage players in repetitive gameplay.

Children of the Sun is a short ride, but entertaining from start to finish. The concept, action puzzles that you have to solve with one bullet, lasts for five hours and introduces just enough variety to avoid being repetitive. The simple story about a cult and the unique, bizarre style are the icing on the cake.

Children of the Sun is an exemplary example of indie talent. Like its protagonist’s bullets, the game doesn’t follow a predictable trajectory. Initially, solo developer René Rother seduces you with long-range bloodshed. But before long, the sniping gives way to brainy spatial puzzles. Later, the experience will goad you into ruminating over your actions. Devolver’s talent scouts are undoubtedly some of the best in the business.

If you’re fan of snappy, unique puzzle gameplay and short time commitments, Children of the Sun is going to absolutely be your jam. By consistently introducing new gameplay twists and building on its complexity, it creates an addictive gameplay loop where each stage asks the player to do a new kind of problem-solving and utilize the tools they’ve unlocked in a different way. Your mileage may vary depending on how much you enjoy trial and error, and the game could certainly have kept the ball rolling for longer than it does, but Children of the Sun remains a highly unique experience that’s well worth your time.

The puzzle-shooter gameplay and bizarre presentation of Children of the Sun make it utterly unique. And while your success in some levels unfortunately relies on trial and error, it doesn't stop it from being a highly rewarding experience on the whole.

Children of the Sun has a specific gimmick, and it absolutely nails it. It's a simple but engaging premise that remains fun throughout the entire runtime. It's not overly long, so it's short enough to finish in one sitting, but the potential for high score runs gives it some extra bite. Children of the Sun provides exactly what players want: the chance to play out the raw insanity of Wanted or Guardians of the Galaxy's Yondo, and it nails that concept perfectly.

Gory and exacting, Children of the Sun mixes the highs of tactical precision and cracking a killer puzzle.

Children of the Sun is short, sweet and doesn't outstay it's welcome. Despite it's short length, this is a very fun puzzle game that has a lot of replay value, especially if you want to get the high score on the leaderboards or via speed running. There is a lot of potential here with this concept and id love to see the developers expand upon the idea in the future.

Children of the Sun excels where it counts. It’s a cerebral puzzle in which you weave a bullet between targets, and solving the puzzle is dangerously satisfying.

Children of the Sun is a twisted take on a tactical shooter. Surveying your surroundings to identify your prey before sending a solitary bullet for complete eradication is a blast. The development of the premise through special skills, challenges and end-level scores helps to make the game endlessly replayable. While I would have liked a little more focus on the interesting story that bubbles underneath, the intoxicating gameplay will sink its seedy hooks deep into your psyche, ensuring countless hours of adrenaline-fueled excitement.

Children of the Sun's unconventional approach to sniping is consistently thrilling and wholly satisfying. It might be full of gruesome blood spatter and cracked skulls, but it's also the thinking person's shooter--more of a delightfully macabre puzzle game than anything else. It's admittedly short, and the game's longevity will largely depend on how hard you fall for its inventive and bloody puzzles. That shouldn't be a problem when it's so difficult not to. And even if it's relatively one-note, Children of the Sun plays that note with such morbid aplomb that it's easy to recommend.

Children of the Sun is a dark and engaging puzzle that successfully transports familiar mechanics into a fresh setting at the speed of a flying bullet.

Anyone who loves spatial puzzles or novelty action games should feel catered to here, and score-chasers will be battling over the leaderboards and sharing video clips of their best clears in the days to come. Overall, Children of the Sun is a great video game idea done well, a darkly beautiful assassin simulator with a worthy and fulfilling hook.

Equal parts revenge epic and gory brain teaser, Children Of The Sun is an utter thrill that will leave you desperate for more. Short yet sublime, this is one game you really can’t miss.

Children of the Son ingeniously combines sandbox levels, tactical planning, and puzzle-solving within the scope of a single sniper rifle to create a unique little gem of a game. However, it is limited to being a good concept and a short experience, struggling to sustain replayability or deeper exploration of its mechanics.

Children of the Sun is a fun sniper shooting puzzler that offers very engaging gameplay, but just as it uses its mechanics to its fullest potential, it ends before you even realize it. It is very light on its story but flourishes with such a great dark atmosphere and flavour that it makes you wish it explored its world more and offered additional levels or alternate game modes.

Children of the Sun offers a unique "puzzle shooter" experience where players control a character seeking revenge against a cult, using strategic shooting mechanics to clear levels with a single bullet. While it provides an enjoyable and innovative gameplay loop, it suffers from pacing issues and ends abruptly, leaving players wanting more.

Children of the Sun carves out its own niche with a bold and memorable identity. The game takes a “less is more” approach to its mechanics, but the variety of situations you encounter with those mechanics keeps things fresh and engaging. It’s just a pity that the experience is over too soon, leaving you wanting more from this stylish blend of paranormal mystery, occult horror, and creeping paranoia. I still had a lot of fun with it and something tells me we will hear about Children of the Sun again in the future.

A killer puzzle game that tests your skill and your patience.

Children of the Sun wears that rawness like a badge of honour, its rough edges not sanded down but rather made so jagged as to draw blood. [Issue#397, p.106]

It’s easy to imagine Suda Gôichi out there taking notes on what this game has accomplished.

Unique, creative and apparently horny: Children of the Sun has a few quirks, but overall it's a lot of fun.

Children of the Sun built upon some concepts from other first-person puzzle games, and came up with something charming and uniquely fun.

A low introductory price, a simple structural premise that allows for mechanical quirks and a well-constructed aesthetic - what's not to like? Well, as with some indie games there's a slight mismatch in the amount of mechanical variety, the number of active systems and the overall length of the experience.

Children of the Sun stumbles on story, but its unnerving hyper violence hits its mark.

Strip essentially everything out of the Sniper Elite series except the bullets – then make the bullets magic and capable of steering, stopping, and speeding up – and you’re maybe four-fifths of the way to understanding what Children of the Sun is. Either way, puzzle-shooter is probably too broad a term to adequately describe it, which makes it a rare commodity. That is, it’s weird, and it’s different, and it’s not really like anything I’ve played before. However, while this slickly-packaged and shrewd supernatural sniping game is packed with satisfying spatial problems to solve (and shoot), once you’ve had success on a map there’s not a great deal to glean from trying it again.