Call of the Sea

 Xbox One
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. App Trigger
    Jan 29, 2021
    100
    Call of the Sea is a visually beautiful story of a woman’s road to self-discovery and acceptance against a backdrop of Lovecraftian lore and storytelling. The great length and colorful graphics make for a medium-sized adventure, as long as you don’t rage quit from one of the puzzles.
  2. COGconnected
    Dec 10, 2020
    90
    When I finished Call of the Sea, I couldn’t help but smile. It was such an incredible journey with an intriguing story and a well-thought-out ending. From start to finish, with the exception of a couple of frustrating puzzles, I truly enjoyed this game. Considering it’s is launching on Xbox Game Pass, there is absolutely no reason for Xbox Series X/S or Xbox One gamers to not give this gem a try. The sheer amount of love and care that went into crafting this world should be the new standard that all devs strive to achieve. I can’t wait to see what Out of the Blue have in store for us next, and I truly hope we’ll return to the world of Call of the Sea in a future title.
  3. IGN
    Dec 8, 2020
    90
    Developer Out of the Blue’s debut game is a gorgeous homage to the films and games that inspired it. Through engaging Myst-style puzzles and a captivating story, Call of the Sea triumphs in bringing its island alive, along with the characters that have explored it. It delivers a short-lived but engrossing experience through stunning art direction and an excellent voice cast, with the biggest of its minor annoyances being a slow movement speed. If a fun, but emotionally affecting adventure is what you’re searching for then Call of the Sea most definitely answers that call.
  5. Game Informer
    Dec 27, 2020
    85
    Call of the Sea kept me hooked from beginning to end, making it a voyage worth embarking on. I could have gotten lost on that island and solved puzzles for double of its actual running time (about six hours), but the game spends as much time as it needs to spin its tale and test your noggin. This is one island worth getting marooned on.
  6. Video Chums
    Jan 30, 2021
    80
    As far as first-person adventure games go, Call of the Sea is a somewhat short and memorable one that you'll be glad you experienced.
  7. BaziCenter
    Dec 27, 2020
    80
    Call of the Sea is a great adventure game with solid puzzles and story, and if you are an adventure fan who holds a Game Pass, then you are all set to enjoy a great journey without even paying for it.
  8. JeuxActu
    Dec 12, 2020
    70
    Call of the Sea isn't as groundbreaking as what the sales pitch would make you think. It's a very classic puzzle game which doesn't stand out from the rest. Thankfully, le visuals are great, the narrative is a good surprise as it has multiple endings.
  9. Hardcore Gamer
    Dec 8, 2020
    70
    Call of the Sea could benefit from having more substance, but otherwise it’s a solid adventure game that manages to put a unique spin on the traditional Lovecraftian adventure. Norah’s journey is a memorable one, thinks to some terrific dialogue and a breathtaking, surreal island full of fantastical mystery. It may not be the most challenging graphic adventure game, but it’s still one that players might want to take a look at sometime. After all, after so many sheer descents into madness, why not set out to find a welcome change of pace?
  10. DualShockers
    Dec 7, 2020
    65
    Call of the Sea is a great start for developer Out of the Blue but didn't entirely capture me on any front, despite standout moments.
  11. GameOver.gr
    Jan 23, 2021
    60
    An old-fashioned adventure with an intriguing setting and a challenging set of riddles, which however fails to distinguish itself from the rest of the bunch.

Awards & Rankings

28
#28 Best Xbox One Game of 2020
44
#44 Most Discussed Xbox One Game of 2020

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 81 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 51 out of 81
  2. Mixed: 23 out of 81
  3. Negative: 7 out of 81
  1. Xbox_Alive
    Dec 18, 2020
    8
    Call of the Sea is an otherworldly tale of mystery and love set in the 1930s South Pacific. It is a first-person adventure game where theCall of the Sea is an otherworldly tale of mystery and love set in the 1930s South Pacific. It is a first-person adventure game where the story takes focus. Explore a lush island, as you'll solve puzzles and unlock secrets in the hunt for your husband’s missing expedition. In game, you are in a mysterious place full of plot. There are no monsters chasing you and there is no combat system. You follow in the tracks of your character’s explorer husband, Harry. You play as Norah, a woman suffering from an unexplained illness. You can walk around, interact with objects, and occasionally pick things up as Norah. You need to solve the puzzles and many of these puzzles will require a keen eye, looking around the surrounding area for clues and hints on how to complete them. Smaller puzzles will need to be solved in order to gather all the clues you need to tackle the larger one. As you follow Harry’s doomed expedition through the game’s six chapters, you learn what has happened to him and his crew, and it leads you to discovering your truth in the game’s excellent finale. In the end there could have been more meat and potatoes added to make this a truly amazing experience. It was very good, but fell short of great from a few small things that could have been added to flesh out the overall game. The ending is fabulous and worth the time and good gameplay to see it. Releasing for game pass and being able to acquire game pass for like trial for 3 months for almost nothing right now, you'd have to be silly to not give game pass and Call Of The Sea as your first download!… Full Review »
  2. Nervuz
    Jan 2, 2021
    8
    Call of the sea es un gran juego de puzzles, una gran ambientación y por lo general buenos acertijos (a excepción de alguno que otro que estaCall of the sea es un gran juego de puzzles, una gran ambientación y por lo general buenos acertijos (a excepción de alguno que otro que esta muy sencillo) es una de esas historias que te atrapan poco a poco y con un gameplay lento pero que es perfecto para apreciar toda la belleza del juego, tiene sus carencias en el ámbito y la fluidez en alguna partes se ve afectada con bajones de frame rate, pero es una gran juego indie que sin duda es una gran adición al Game pass. Pruebalo, quizá te atrape.… Full Review »
  3. Gokusondbz
    Dec 27, 2020
    9
    Personally I love the art style and for some reason I get a sort of the witness feel from this game. Plus I like some of the HP LovecraftPersonally I love the art style and for some reason I get a sort of the witness feel from this game. Plus I like some of the HP Lovecraft Vibes I get. If you like walking simulators with nice art and puzzles you enjoy this.… Full Review »
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