{{Short description|2019 video game}} {{Use American English|date=December 2016}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2016}} {{Infobox video game | italic title = y | title = Sea of Solitude | image = Sea of Solitude.png | alt = | caption = | developer = Jo-Mei Games | publisher = [[Electronic Arts]]<br>[[Quantic Dream]] (Director's cut) | series = | engine = [[Unity (game engine)|Unity]]<ref>{{cite AV media |author=''[[Unity (game engine)|Unity]]'' staff |date=October 25, 2018 |title=''"Gorgeous games and experiences made with'' Unity ''- Unite Los Angeles 2018"'' |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0tNGbr-Yi0&t=28s |access-date=July 10, 2025 |via=[[YouTube]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250710132320/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0tNGbr-Yi0&t=28s |archive-date=July 10, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> | platforms = [[PlayStation 4]]<br>[[Xbox One]]<br>[[Microsoft Windows|Windows]]<br>[[Nintendo Switch]] (Director's cut) | released = July 5, 2019<br>March 4, 2021 (Director's cut) | genre = [[Adventure game|Adventure]] | modes = [[Single-player]] | director = Cornelia Geppert | producer = Patrick Lehrmann | designer = Dirk Kultus | programmer = Dirk Kultus<br>Rob Lubawski | writer = Cornelia Geppert }} '''''Sea of Solitude''''' is a 2019 [[indie game|indie]] [[Adventure game|adventure video game]] developed by Jo-Mei Games and published by [[Electronic Arts]]. Played from a [[Third-person narrative|third-person]] perspective, the game follows a young woman named Kay as she navigates a submerged city while confronting monsters that symbolize her feelings of [[loneliness]] and mental health struggles. Gameplay combines exploration on foot and by boat with puzzle-solving, [[Platformer|platforming]], and the use of a flare mechanic to guide progression, alongside optional [[Glossary of video game terms#collectible|collectibles]].

The game was conceived and written by Jo-Mei co-founder Cornelia Geppert, who drew on her personal experiences with depression and loneliness. First announced in 2015 and unveiled publicly at [[E3 2018]], ''Sea of Solitude'' was released on July 5, 2019, for [[PlayStation 4]], [[Xbox One]], and [[Microsoft Windows|Windows PC]]. A revised version, ''Sea of Solitude: The Director's Cut'', featuring new dialogue, voice acting, and additional features, was released for [[Nintendo Switch]] in March 2021 by [[Quantic Dream]]. Both versions of the game received mixed reviews, with critics praising its visuals, atmosphere, and exploration of mental health themes, but finding its gameplay repetitive and unchallenging.

==Gameplay== ''Sea of Solitude'' is an [[indie game|indie]]<ref>{{cite web |last=Hall |first=Charlie |date=May 28, 2019 |title=Beautifully unconventional indie game ''Sea of Solitude'' coming this July from EA |url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/5/28/18642528/sea-of-solitude-release-date-price-platforms-jo-mei-games |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250709224152/https://www.polygon.com/2019/5/28/18642528/sea-of-solitude-release-date-price-platforms-jo-mei-games |archive-date=July 9, 2025 |access-date=July 9, 2025 }}</ref> [[adventure video game|adventure game]] played from a [[Third-person (video games)|third-person]] perspective<ref name="jul19theverge">{{cite news |last=Webster |first=Andrew |date=July 5, 2019 |title=''Sea of Solitude'' is a haunting game that turns personal demons into literal monsters |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/7/5/20681134/sea-of-solitude-review-ps4-xbox-one-pc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250709191415/https://www.theverge.com/2019/7/5/20681134/sea-of-solitude-review-ps4-xbox-one-pc |archive-date=July 9, 2025 |access-date=July 9, 2025 |work=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]]}}</ref> and narratively structured in episodes.<ref name="feb15eurogamer" /><ref name="jul19vice" /> The player controls Kay, a young woman who is undergoing a transformation into a monster and searches the sea and flooded cities for a cure.<ref name="feb15eurogamer" /><ref name="carboniinterview">{{cite AV media |last=Carboni |first=Anthony |date=January 7, 2016 |title="Sea of Solitude'' First Gameplay and Developer Interview''" |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjZnmBaChu8 |access-date=July 4, 2025 |via=[[YouTube]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250704115424/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjZnmBaChu8 |archive-date=July 4, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> Players can navigate the environment on-foot and by a [[motorboat]].<ref name="jun18bbc">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/159h3N347c2dlbmmvFVvxcR/apocalypse-now-seven-doomed-futures-from-e3-s-hottest-games |title=Apocalypse now: Seven doomed futures from E3's hottest games |work=[[BBC News]] |author=Staff writer |date=June 22, 2018 |access-date=July 4, 2025 |publisher=[[BBC]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209213355/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/159h3N347c2dlbmmvFVvxcR/apocalypse-now-seven-doomed-futures-from-e3-s-hottest-games |archive-date=February 9, 2023}}</ref> Kay can also exit her boat to swim in the surrounding water.<ref>{{cite web |last=Priestman |first=Chris |date=March 6, 2015 |title=Help A Monster Girl Survive A Flooded City In ''Sea Of Solitude'' |url=https://www.siliconera.com/help-a-monster-girl-survive-a-flooded-city-in-sea-of-solitude/ |website=[[Siliconera]] |publisher=[[Gamurs]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241206134320/https://www.siliconera.com/help-a-monster-girl-survive-a-flooded-city-in-sea-of-solitude/ |archive-date=December 6, 2024 |access-date=July 4, 2025 }}</ref> Kay must avoid dangers in the game.<ref name="jul19gameinformer" /> She can interact with some of the other monsters in the game, with some helping and others hindering her.<ref name="carboniinterview" /> Though an adventure game, it includes elements from [[Puzzle video game|puzzle]], [[platformer]], and [[stealth game]]s.<ref name="jun18bbc" /><ref name="jun19digitaltrends" /><ref name="jul19theverge" />

In the game, Kay's primary objective is not to fight her enemies, rather, she defeats them by clearing their corruption. This is done by collecting small orbs through platforming and puzzle-solving, which allows the player to cleanse the corruption points, which appear as glowing orbs surrounded by black clouds. Doing so increases Kay's understanding of their problems.<ref name="jul19gameinformer" /> Some of the game's monsters attack Kay, and upon death she respawns where she left off.<ref name="jul19gamespot" /> The game's animation depicts the dark energy being sucked into Kay's orange backpack.<ref name="jul19guardian" /> Another mechanic in the game is the [[flare]].<ref name="jul19gameinformer" /> Shooting the flare guides the player to their next location.<ref name="jul19guardian" /> It also acts as a weapon for the player, as it can defeat and kill shadow enemies. As the game continues, the flare can be used to turn shadow enemies into allies to help retrieve orbs that the player cannot reach.<ref name="jul19gameinformer" /> The game includes two types of [[Glossary of video game terms#collectible|collectibles]] the player can search for during their journey; [[Message in a bottle|messages in bottles]] the player collects and [[seagulls]] the player shoos away.<ref name="jul19ign" />

==Plot== The player controls a young woman named Kay who suffers from such strong loneliness that her inner feelings of hopelessness, anger and worthlessness turn to the outside and she becomes a monster. As Kay, the player explores a seemingly empty flooded city and interacts with its scaly red-eyed creatures to reveal why she turned into a monster. Her emotions manifest into giant monsters standing in her way, trying to help but also destroy her. She needs to interact with and understand their underlying intentions to overcome the negative effects of those emotions. The game is an inner dialogue of a person trying to reconcile her own shortcomings.

As the game progresses, it's revealed that Kay's parents Adam and Vivienne had her at a very young age, followed by a brother named Sonny 12 years later. Sonny was bullied often at school, but Kay was oblivious to his pleas for help because she was distracted by her growing relationship with her boyfriend Jack. Adam regretted Vivienne having Kay as early as she did because family obligations held him back in his career, and tensions over it led them to get a divorce. Sometime later, Jack went through a bout of depression and steadily isolated himself from his friends, breaking up with Kay in the process. Kay had her own bout of depression as a result, until she sorts through the events of her past over the course of the game.

==Development== ''Sea of Solitude'' was developed by Jo-Mei Games,<ref name="feb15eurogamer" /> a twelve-person studio based in [[Berlin]], [[Germany]].<ref name="jun19ign">{{cite web |last=Garcia |first=Janet |date=June 20, 2019 |title=''Sea of Solitude'' Is Full of Constant Tension and a Curious Story |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/06/20/sea-of-solitude-preview-constant-tension-and-a-curious-story-e3-2019 |website=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[IGN Entertainment Inc.]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220907140539/https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/06/20/sea-of-solitude-preview-constant-tension-and-a-curious-story-e3-2019 |archive-date=September 7, 2022 |access-date=July 5, 2025 }}</ref> The studio's first title,<ref name="may19digitaltrends">{{cite news|url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/sea-of-solitude-ea-original-release-date/ |title=''Sea of Solitude'', a haunting indie tackling loneliness, gets summer release date |work=[[Digital Trends]] |first=Charles Jr. |last=Singletary |date=May 28, 2019 |access-date=July 5, 2025 |publisher=[[Digital Trends Media Group]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241102175004/https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/sea-of-solitude-ea-original-release-date/ |archive-date=November 2, 2024}}</ref> it was written by Cornelia Geppert,<ref name="jun19ign" /> who said that the inspiration for it arose in 2014, a time when she felt creatively unfulfilled despite stable studio work, and after she ended a long-term relationship and entered a new one with a man who suffered from [[clinical depression]] and left her alone periodically for days at a time.<ref name="jul19thehollywoodreporter">{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/how-a-turbulent-relationship-professional-ennui-inspired-indie-game-sea-solitude-1224653/ |title=How a Turbulent Relationship and Professional Ennui Inspired Indie Game ''Sea of Solitude'' |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |first=Patrick |last=Shanley |date=July 16, 2019 |access-date=July 5, 2025 |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202032220/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/how-a-turbulent-relationship-professional-ennui-inspired-indie-game-sea-solitude-1224653/ |archive-date=February 2, 2023}}</ref> She considers this time period as one of the darkest and loneliest times in her life,<ref name="jun18variety">{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/ea-sea-of-solitude-trailer-1202838722/ |title=New Trailer for ''Sea of Solitude'' Revealed |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |first=Liz |last=Lanier |date=June 9, 2018 |access-date=July 4, 2025 |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326220713/https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/ea-sea-of-solitude-trailer-1202838722/ |archive-date=March 26, 2023}}</ref> as she was also helping friends suffering with depression, which in turn led her own low feelings.<ref name="jun18variety2" /> Geppert, having always wanted to develop an adventure game with a deep, emotionally driven story that focused on human emotions for years,<ref name="jun18variety2" /><ref name="jun19venturebeat" /> stated that ''Sea of Solitude'' was "the most artistic and personal project" she had ever created,<ref name="jun18variety" /> and compared the game's writing process to how singer-songwriters fill their output with their emotions.<ref name="jun19rockpapershotgun" /> She detailed: "As an artist, you process your emotional world by getting it out and putting it into your art."<ref name="jun18variety2" /> As well as writing the game, Geppert served as its [[chief executive officer]], [[art director]], and [[creative director]].<ref name="jun19ign" />

Jo-Mei Games originally worked on free-to-play [[Browser game|browser games]]. The studio's first prototypical game was similar to ''Sea of Solitude'', though it was rejected by publishers for being "too artistic", and they were encouraged to make it a free-to-play game.<ref name="jun18variety2">{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2018/gaming/features/sea-of-solitude-interview-1202839063/ |title=EA's ''Sea of Solitude'' Is Creator Cornelia Geppert's Escape From a 'Golden Cage' |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |first=Michael |last=Futter |date=June 10, 2018 |access-date=July 4, 2025 |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612124549/https://variety.com/2018/gaming/features/sea-of-solitude-interview-1202839063/ |archive-date=June 12, 2018}}</ref> When the game was pitched to [[Electronic Arts]], it was picked up after then-vice president,<ref>{{cite web |last=Tach |first=Dave |date=November 1, 2013 |title=How Patrick Söderlund hopes to transform EA and its game engines |url=https://www.polygon.com/2013/11/1/5055484/patrick-soderlund-transform-ea-game-engine |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151013212201/https://www.polygon.com/2013/11/1/5055484/patrick-soderlund-transform-ea-game-engine |archive-date=October 13, 2015 |access-date=July 7, 2025 }}</ref> [[Patrick Söderlund]], expressed his enthusiasm towards its themes surrounding mental health and loneliness.<ref name="jun19venturebeat" /> Before it was pitched, Jo-Mei Games developed and refined their existing prototype with its earnings.<ref name="jun18variety2" /> The game received funding from [[Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg]] in July 2014<ref name="feb15eurogamer">{{cite web |last=Matulef |first=Jeffrey |date=February 26, 2015 |title=''Sea of Solitude'' brings heart-rending loneliness to PS4, Xbox One and PC |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/sea-of-solitude-brings-heart-rending-loneliness-to-ps4-xbox-one-and-pc |website=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250429071831/https://www.eurogamer.net/sea-of-solitude-brings-heart-rending-loneliness-to-ps4-xbox-one-and-pc |archive-date=April 29, 2025 |access-date=July 4, 2025 }}</ref> and its production primarily took place in Berlin.<ref name="16ea">{{cite news|url=https://www.ea.com/en-gb/news/ea-originals-introducing-sea-of-solitude |title=Introducing Our Second EA Originals Title - ''Sea of Solitude'' |author-link=Patrick Söderlund |last=Söderlund |first=Patrick |date=2016 |access-date=July 4, 2025 |publisher=[[Electronic Arts]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170506065512/https://www.ea.com/en-gb/news/ea-originals-introducing-sea-of-solitude |archive-date=May 6, 2017}}</ref>

''Sea of Solitude'' focuses on loneliness,<ref name="jun18variety2" /><ref name="jun19digitaltrends" /> and during development, Jo-Mei hoped to reach an audience that understood the game's message and would feel less lonely after playing.<ref name="jul19thehollywoodreporter" /> At [[E3 2018]], Geppert said that the idea that "When humans become lonely, they become monsters" was the core of the plot.<ref name="jun18variety" /> To ensure the game's themes surrounding [[mental health]] were handled appropriately, Geppert consulted with Russ Pitts, a former game journalist who founded Take This, an organization that works to educate about mental health issues within the game industry.<ref name="jun18variety2" /> During development, everyone in the studio shared their experiences with loneliness with each other, to allow the story to account for multiple perspectives on it.<ref name="jun19ign" /> The game attempts to display different types and manifestations of loneliness experienced by people, while also showing the emotions that come because of it and how others react to their struggle.<ref name="jun19ign" /><ref name="jun18variety2" /> Despite the game's heavy subject matter, Geppert hoped that the story's progression would uplift and inspire empowerment in the player.<ref name="jun19ign" /> The game's setting is based on Berlin, Geppert's hometown.<ref name="jun19ign" /><ref name="jun19venturebeat" /> Kay, the [[protagonist]] of the game, was modeled after Geppert and inspired by Geppert's negative experiences following a breakup in 2013.<ref name="mar19newyorktimes">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/24/technology/personaltech/depression-anxiety-video-games.html |title=Depressed and Anxious? These Video Games Want to Help |work=[[The New York Times]] |publisher=[[A. G. Sulzberger]] |first=Laura |last=Parker |date=March 24, 2019 |access-date=July 5, 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250525095519/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/24/technology/personaltech/depression-anxiety-video-games.html |archive-date=May 25, 2025}}</ref> In the game, it is established that Kay is close to her family, despite feeling alone, a choice incorporated to show that loneliness could be experienced by someone if they were surrounded by their loved ones.<ref name="jun19rockpapershotgun">{{cite web |last=Bell |first=Alice |date=June 20, 2019 |title='When you feel lonely you always feel excluded' - ''Sea Of Solitude''{{'s}} writer on loneliness and metaphors |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/when-you-feel-lonely-you-always-feel-excluded-sea-of-solitudes-writer-on-loneliness-and-metaphors |website=[[Rock Paper Shotgun]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516230233/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/when-you-feel-lonely-you-always-feel-excluded-sea-of-solitudes-writer-on-loneliness-and-metaphors |archive-date=May 16, 2022 |access-date=July 5, 2025 }}</ref> Kay's design depicts her covered in black fur. When designing Kay, Geppert imagined scribbling on paper to release frustration.<ref name="jun19rockpapershotgun" /><ref name="jun19gamesradar" /> Kay's loneliness transforms her into a monster, a [[metaphor]] for the mental health issues caused by loneliness in humans.<ref name="jun19digitaltrends">{{cite news|url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/sea-of-solitude-ea-play-e3-2019-preview/ |title=''Sea of Solitude'' deftly explores how loneliness turns humans into monsters |work=[[Digital Trends]] |first=Steven |last=Petite |date=June 20, 2019 |access-date=July 5, 2025 |publisher=[[Digital Trends Media Group]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016102133/https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/sea-of-solitude-ea-play-e3-2019-preview/ |archive-date=October 16, 2021}}</ref> Horror movies such as ''[[Jaws (1975 film)|Jaws]]'' (1975) inspired the game's other sea monsters,<ref name="jun19rockpapershotgun" /> who represent different types of loneliness made apparent in their designs and actions.<ref name="jun19gamesradar">{{cite web |last=Delahunty-Light |first=Zoe |date=June 21, 2019 |title=Studio Ghibli-inspired ''Sea of Solitude'' is about confronting your inner demons and making peace with the bits of yourself you hate |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/studio-ghibli-inspired-sea-of-solitude-is-about-confronting-your-inner-demons-and-making-peace-with-the-bits-of-yourself-you-hate/ |website=[[GamesRadar+]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250614120102/https://www.gamesradar.com/studio-ghibli-inspired-sea-of-solitude-is-about-confronting-your-inner-demons-and-making-peace-with-the-bits-of-yourself-you-hate/ |archive-date=June 14, 2025 |access-date=July 5, 2025 }}</ref> Geppert intended for every monster in the game to represent a figure from Kay's life–such as her family members, and used them as a metaphor for the way mentally ill people are stigmatized in real life.<ref name="aug19theverge">{{cite news|url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/8/13/20803626/sea-of-solitude-cornelia-geppert-art-design-interview-ea-originals-creatures |title=How the creators of ''Sea of Solitude'' turned fear and anxiety into monsters |work=[[The Verge]] |first=Andrew |last=Webster |date=August 13, 2019 |access-date=July 5, 2025 |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240304025011/https://www.theverge.com/2019/8/13/20803626/sea-of-solitude-cornelia-geppert-art-design-interview-ea-originals-creatures |archive-date=March 4, 2024}}</ref> As well as voicing Kay, Miriam Jud served as the lead animator for ''Sea of Solitude''.<ref name="jun19venturebeat">{{cite news|url=https://venturebeat.com/business/how-cornelia-gepperts-sea-of-solitude-expresses-her-battle-with-loneliness/ |title=How Cornelia Geppert's ''Sea of Solitude'' expresses her battle with loneliness |work=[[VentureBeat]] |first=Dean |last=Takahashi |date=June 20, 2019 |access-date=July 5, 2025 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250418155047/https://venturebeat.com/business/how-cornelia-gepperts-sea-of-solitude-expresses-her-battle-with-loneliness/ |archive-date=April 18, 2025}}</ref> Geppert described the art style and tone of ''Sea of Solitude'' as "a mixture between [[Studio Ghibli]] and ''[[Silent Hill]]''".<ref name="dec16eurogamer">{{cite web |last=Matulef |first=Jeffrey |date=December 9, 2016 |title=Surreal sailing adventure ''Sea of Solitude'' picked up by EA |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/surreal-sailing-adventure-sea-of-solitude-picked-up-by-ea |website=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250429071846/https://www.eurogamer.net/surreal-sailing-adventure-sea-of-solitude-picked-up-by-ea |archive-date=April 29, 2025 |access-date=July 4, 2025 }}</ref> She explained that the visual style was inspired by her passion for [[manga]], particularly the visuals of Ghibli, whereas games such as ''Silent Hill'' inspired the game's horror elements.<ref name="carboniinterview" /> She also credited her previous work as a comic book artist as in inspiration for the art style,<ref name="jun18variety2" /> as it inspired her to translate 2D art styles into a 3D space.<ref name="jun19ign" /><ref name="jul19thehollywoodreporter" /><ref name="aug19theverge" /> The game's environmental changes to mirror Kay's emotions; such as water elevation levels and weather.<ref name="may19ign" />

==Release== ''Sea of Solitude'' was first announced in February 2015,<ref name="dec16eurogamer" /> with the game's official website revealing screenshots and [[GIF]]s from it to showcase its visuals.<ref name="dec16polygon">{{cite web |last=Sarkar |first=Samit |date=December 9, 2016 |title=EA picks up gorgeous adventure ''Sea of Solitude'' |url=https://www.polygon.com/2016/12/8/13893786/sea-of-solitude-ea-originals |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250522072707/https://www.polygon.com/2016/12/8/13893786/sea-of-solitude-ea-originals |archive-date=May 22, 2025 |access-date=July 4, 2025 }}</ref><ref name="carboniinterview" /> It was picked up by Electronic Arts in 2016,<ref name="jun18gamesrader">{{cite news|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/sea-of-solitude-is-the-next-ea-original-that-you-need-to-care-about/ |title=''Sea of Solitude'' is the next EA Original indie that you need to care about |work=[[GamesRadar+]] |first=Alex |last=Avard |date=June 9, 2018 |access-date=July 4, 2025 |publisher=[[Future plc]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612100237/https://www.gamesradar.com/sea-of-solitude-is-the-next-ea-original-that-you-need-to-care-about/ |archive-date=June 12, 2018}}</ref> becoming the second game to be announced under the [[EA Originals]] label, after ''[[Fe (video game)|Fe]]'' (2018).<ref name="dec16ign">{{cite web |last=Campbell |first=Evan |date=December 8, 2016 |title=EA Announces ''Sea of Solitude'' |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/12/08/ea-announces-sea-of-solitude |website=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[IGN Entertainment Inc.]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220907141453/http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/12/08/ea-announces-sea-of-solitude |archive-date=September 7, 2022 |access-date=July 4, 2025 }}</ref><ref name="16ea" /><ref name="dec16eurogamer" /><ref name="dec16polygon" /> EA Originals is an initiative used to help fund and promote indie games.<ref name="may19digitaltrends" /><ref name="dec16polygon" /> The game's first trailer was revealed at [[E3 2018]],<ref>{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Ali |date=June 9, 2018 |title=''Sea of Solitude'' is now an EA Original |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/sea-of-solitude/sea-of-solitude-ea-original |website=[[PCGamesN]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240621132535/https://www.pcgamesn.com/sea-of-solitude/sea-of-solitude-ea-original |archive-date=June 21, 2024 |access-date=July 4, 2025 }}</ref> while the game was still under development.<ref name="jun18variety" /> During promotion, gameplay was not shown or discussed as Geppert feared spoiling the game's plot.<ref name="jun18variety2" /> It was released for [[PlayStation 4]], [[Xbox One]] and [[Gaming computer|PC]] on July 5, 2019.<ref name="feb15eurogamer" /><ref name="may19ign">{{cite web |last=Garcia |first=Janet |date=May 28, 2019 |title=''Sea of Solitude'' Release Date Set for July 2019 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/05/28/sea-of-solitude-release-date-set-for-july-2019 |website=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[IGN Entertainment Inc.]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220907140518/http://www.ign.com/articles/2019/05/28/sea-of-solitude-release-date-set-for-july-2019 |archive-date=September 7, 2022 |access-date=July 5, 2025 }}</ref>

At [[The Game Awards 2020]], held in December, it was announced that a [[director's cut]] of ''Sea of Solitude'', published by [[Quantic Dream]], would be released for the [[Nintendo Switch]].<ref name="dec20ign" /><ref name="dec20eurogamer">{{cite web |last=Phillips |first=Tom |date=December 11, 2020 |title=Everything announced at The Game Awards 2020 |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/everything-announced-at-the-game-awards-2020 |website=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329064005/https://www.eurogamer.net/everything-announced-at-the-game-awards-2020 |archive-date=March 29, 2023 |access-date=July 10, 2025 }}</ref> The re-release included a new script, new voice acting, and include a [[Photography video game|photography mechanic]].<ref name="dec20ign">{{cite web |last=Kim |first=Matt |date=December 10, 2020 |title=''Sea of Solitude'' Director's Cut Announced for Nintendo Switch |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/sea-of-solitude-directors-cut-announced-for-nintendo-switch |website=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[IGN Entertainment Inc.]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210235801/https://www.ign.com/articles/sea-of-solitude-directors-cut-announced-for-nintendo-switch |archive-date=December 10, 2020 |access-date=July 10, 2025 }}</ref> Geppert returned as the game's writer, creative director,<ref name="may21forbes">{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/moorinsights/2021/05/13/an-interview-with-ceo-cornelia-geppert-of-jo-mei-and-her-experience-that-led-to-sea-of-solitude/ |title=An Interview With CEO Cornelia Geppert Of Jo-Mei Games And Her Experience That Led To ''Sea Of Solitude'' |work=[[Forbes]] |first=Zane |last=Pickett |date=May 13, 2021 |access-date=July 10, 2025 |publisher=[[Forbes Media]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250317191958/https://www.forbes.com/sites/moorinsights/2021/05/13/an-interview-with-ceo-cornelia-geppert-of-jo-mei-and-her-experience-that-led-to-sea-of-solitude/ |archive-date=March 17, 2025}}</ref> art director, and head of game design.<ref name="mar21thegamer2">{{cite web|url=https://www.thegamer.com/sea-of-solitude-directors-cut-interview/ |title=''Sea of Solitude''{{'s}} Writer And Director Explains Ripping Open Old Wounds For The "Completely Rewritten" Director's Cut |work=[[TheGamer]] |first=Stacey |last=Henley |date=March 18, 2021 |access-date=July 10, 2025 |publisher=[[Valnet]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220820045605/https://www.thegamer.com/sea-of-solitude-directors-cut-interview/ |archive-date=August 20, 2022}}</ref> It was released on March 4, 2021.<ref>{{cite AV media |author=[[Nintendo of America]] staff |date=December 11, 2020 |title=''"''Sea of Solitude: The Director's Cut ''- Announcement Trailer - Nintendo Switch"'' |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-L-1ZDLLgw&t=90s |access-date=July 10, 2025 |via=[[YouTube]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250710213957/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-L-1ZDLLgw&t=90s |archive-date=July 10, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="dcreleasedate">{{cite news|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/product/sea-of-solitude-directors-cut |title=''Sea of Solitude: Director's Cut'' |work=[[Game Informer]] |author=Staff writer |date=2021 |access-date=July 10, 2025 |publisher=[[GameStop]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250326094426/https://www.gameinformer.com/product/sea-of-solitude-directors-cut |archive-date=March 26, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/2020/12/10/sea-of-solitude-directors-cut-announced-for-nintendo-switch |title=''Sea Of Solitude: Director's Cut'' Announced For Nintendo Switch |work=[[Game Informer]] |first=Liana |last=Ruppert |date=December 10, 2020 |access-date=July 10, 2025 |publisher=[[GameStop]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250519044832/https://www.gameinformer.com/2020/12/10/sea-of-solitude-directors-cut-announced-for-nintendo-switch |archive-date=May 19, 2025}}</ref>

==Reception== ===Critical response=== ====Original version==== {{Video game reviews | MC = XONE: 72/100<ref name="xboxonemetacritic"/><br />PS4: 69/100<ref name="ps4metacritic"/><br />PC: 64/100<ref name="pcmetacritic"/> | OC = 40%<ref name="OpenCritic"/> | GI = 7.5/10<ref name="jul19gameinformer" /> | GSpot = 7/10<ref name="jul19gamespot">{{cite web |last=Wakeling |first=Richard |date=July 5, 2019 |title=''Sea of Solitude Review'' - Adrift |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/sea-of-solitude-review-adrift/1900-6417210/ |website=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221135611/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/sea-of-solitude-review-adrift/1900-6417210/ |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |access-date=July 5, 2025 }}</ref> | IGN = 6.5/10<ref name="jul19ign" /> | SN = 7/10<ref name="jul19shacknews">{{cite news|url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/112771/sea-of-solitude-review-flood-of-emotions |title=''Sea of Solitude'' review: Flood of emotions |work=[[Shacknews]] |first=Ozzy |last=Mejia |date=July 8, 2019 |access-date=July 5, 2025 |publisher=Gamerhub |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804041156/https://www.shacknews.com/article/112771/sea-of-solitude-review-flood-of-emotions |archive-date=August 4, 2024}}</ref> | Destruct = 7.5/10<ref name="jul19destructoid">{{cite web |last=Tolentino |first=Josh |date=July 13, 2019 |title=Review: ''Sea of Solitude'' |url=https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-sea-of-solitude/ |website=[[Destructoid]] |publisher=[[Enthusiast Gaming]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250320054317/https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-sea-of-solitude/ |archive-date=March 20, 2025 |access-date=July 5, 2025 }}</ref> | TG = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="jul19guardian" /> | GameRev = 2.5/5<ref name="jul19gamerevolution">{{cite news|url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/565293-sea-of-solitude-review-ps4-xbox-one-pc |title=''Sea of Solitude'' Review {{!}} Lost at sea |work=[[GameRevolution]] |first=Michael |last=Leri |date=July 10, 2019 |access-date=July 5, 2025 |publisher=Evolve Media |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241226171828/https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/565293-sea-of-solitude-review-ps4-xbox-one-pc |archive-date=December 26, 2024}}</ref> | PCGUS = 64/100<ref name="jul19pcgamer">{{cite web |last=Davenport |first=James |date=July 12, 2019 |title=''Sea of Solitude'' Review |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/sea-of-solitude-review/ |website=[[PC Gamer]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250426052511/https://www.pcgamer.com/sea-of-solitude-review/ |archive-date=April 26, 2025 |access-date=July 5, 2025 }}</ref> }} According to [[review aggregator]] website [[Metacritic]], all versions of ''Sea of Solitude'' received "mixed or average reviews".<ref name="xboxonemetacritic">{{cite web |title=Xbox One Critic Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/sea-of-solitude/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one |website=[[Metacritic]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240817183602/https://www.metacritic.com/game/sea-of-solitude/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one |archive-date=August 17, 2024 |access-date=July 5, 2025 }}</ref><ref name="ps4metacritic">{{cite web |title=PlayStation 4 Critic Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/sea-of-solitude/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4 |website=[[Metacritic]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241226174226/https://www.metacritic.com/game/sea-of-solitude/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4 |archive-date=December 26, 2024 |access-date=July 5, 2025 }}</ref><ref name="pcmetacritic">{{cite web |title=PC Critic Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/sea-of-solitude/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |website=[[Metacritic]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240817183603/https://www.metacritic.com/game/sea-of-solitude/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |archive-date=August 17, 2024 |access-date=July 5, 2025 }}</ref> [[OpenCritic]] reported that 40% of 94 critics recommended the game.<ref name="OpenCritic">{{cite web |title=''Sea of Solitude'' |url=https://opencritic.com/game/7838/sea-of-solitude |website=[[OpenCritic]] |publisher=[[Valnet]] |access-date=July 5, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250522195623/https://opencritic.com/game/7838/sea-of-solitude |archive-date=May 22, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Critics responded positively to the game's setting and [[worldbuilding]]. ''[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]'''s Nicole Clark commended the world for being engaging and interesting, writing that she enjoyed spending time exploring it during gameplay.<ref name="jul19vice">{{cite news|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/sea-of-solitude-is-a-beautiful-but-imperfect-exploration-of-loneliness/ |title=''Sea of Solitude'' Is a Beautiful but Imperfect Exploration of Loneliness |work=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]] |first=Nicole |last=Clark |date=July 5, 2019 |access-date=July 5, 2025 |publisher=[[Vice Media Group LLC]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250327231658/https://www.vice.com/en/article/sea-of-solitude-is-a-beautiful-but-imperfect-exploration-of-loneliness/ |archive-date=March 27, 2025}}</ref> Both Clark and Janet Garcia of ''[[IGN]]'' appreciated the frequent changes in the game's environment,<ref name="jul19vice" /><ref name="jul19ign" /> and ''[[GameRevolution]]''{{'s}} Michael Leri wrote that it the frequent contrasts invited viewers to appreciate each one's beauty.<ref name="jul19gamerevolution" /> Garcia said that she liked the balance between exploring on-foot and in Kay's boat.<ref name="jul19ign">{{cite web |last=Garcia |first=Janet |date=July 5, 2019 |title=''Sea of Solitude'' Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/07/05/sea-of-solitude-review |website=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[IGN Entertainment Inc.]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415201753/https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/07/05/sea-of-solitude-review |archive-date=April 15, 2022 |access-date=July 5, 2025 }}</ref> Sam Watanuki of ''[[TheGamer]]'' described the setting as "beautifully constructed".<ref name="jul19thegamer" /> Ozzy Mejia of ''[[Shacknews]]'' commended how the world's layout reflected Kay's emotional state through its environmental changes and thought it contributed to the narrative's effectiveness.<ref name="jul19shacknews" />

The game's visuals and presentation were praised. ''[[Digital Trends]]'' writer Scott Petite said the game was able to leave an impression solely through its striking visuals.<ref name="jul19digitaltrends">{{cite news|url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/sea-of-solitude-review-impress/ |title=''Sea of Solitude'' doesn't need words to tell its moving story |work=[[Digital Trends]] |first=Steven |last=Petite |date=July 3, 2019 |access-date=July 5, 2025 |publisher=[[Digital Trends Media Group]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250326231935/https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/sea-of-solitude-review-impress/ |archive-date=March 26, 2025}}</ref> ''[[Rock Paper Shotgun]]''{{'s}} Alice Bell complimented the subtle details the game's animation.<ref name="jul19rockpapershotgun" /> While Garcia agreed that the game was visually appealing, she noted that she found some environments to be reminiscent of each other.<ref name="jul19ign" /> Malindy Hetfeld of ''[[The Guardian]]'' believed the game was well-rendered and described its soundtrack as "soothing".<ref name="jul19guardian" /> ''[[GameSpot]]''{{'s}} Richard Wakeling found that the contrast between night and day helped to emphasize the game's beauty.<ref name="jul19gamespot" /> The game's sound design garnered a positive response from Favis and Watanuki, who both believed it helped the game's immersion.<ref name="jul19gameinformer" /><ref name="jul19thegamer" />

''Sea of Solitude''{{'s}} narrative was met with a positive response. Petite called the game successful in its attempt to depict many manifestations of loneliness.<ref name="jul19digitaltrends" /> The game's narrative was cited by Wakeling and ''[[Game Informer]]''{{'s}} Elise Favis as its greatest strength, with Wakeling calling it "a heartbreaking tale out of genuine characters and believable grief",<ref name="jul19gamespot" /> and Favis writing that she was usually excited to see which monster Kay would encounter next, believing the game did a good job at humanizing her opponents and establishing and developing characters.<ref name="jul19gameinformer">{{cite news|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/review/sea-of-solitude/uncharted-waters-of-the-mind |title=''Sea of Solitude'' Review |work=[[Game Informer]] |first=Elise |last=Favis |date=July 5, 2019 |access-date=July 5, 2025 |publisher=[[GameStop]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250326143705/https://www.gameinformer.com/review/sea-of-solitude/uncharted-waters-of-the-mind |archive-date=March 26, 2025}}</ref> The ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''{{'s}} Sam Watanuki praised the story for tonal flexibility, particularly its ability to switch between moments Kay faces serious danger to more calm and peaceful scenes.<ref name="jul19thegamer" /> Todd Martens liked how the game conveyed a deeply personal narrative, likening the experience to an intimate dialogue between the player and Geppert.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/herocomplex/la-et-hc-sea-of-solitude-mental-health-20190705-story.html |title=''Sea of Solitude'' is a game that wants us to play with what it means to be human |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |first=Todd |last=Martens |date=July 5, 2019 |access-date=July 5, 2025 |publisher=California Times |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250519002004/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/herocomplex/la-et-hc-sea-of-solitude-mental-health-20190705-story.html |archive-date=May 19, 2025}}</ref> Hetfeld admired Geppert's writing, believing that it helped the game leave an emotional impact.<ref name="jul19guardian">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/2019/jul/05/sea-of-solitude-review-a-dazzling-and-cathartic-exploration-of-mental-health |title=''Sea of Solitude'' review - a dazzling and cathartic exploration of mental health |work=[[The Guardian]] |first=Malindy |last=Hetfeld |date=July 5, 2019 |access-date=July 5, 2025 |publisher=[[Guardian Media Group]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241226171818/https://www.theguardian.com/games/2019/jul/05/sea-of-solitude-review-a-dazzling-and-cathartic-exploration-of-mental-health |archive-date=December 26, 2024}}</ref> Clark was generally positive towards the story, though was dismayed by the amount of dialogue given the game's emphasis on worldbuilding, believing the game felt too [[Exposition (narrative)|exposition]]-heavy at times.<ref name="jul19vice" /> Vikki Blake of ''[[Eurogamer]]'' praised the game's opening act, though thought that afterwards it struggled to maintain its emotional impact.<ref name="jul19eurogamer">{{cite web |last=Blake |first=Vikki |date=July 11, 2019 |title=''Sea of Solitude'' review - a noble adventure washed out by its own banalities |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/sea-of-solitude-review-a-noble-adventure-washed-out-by-its-own-banalities |website=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240712231426/https://www.eurogamer.net/sea-of-solitude-review-a-noble-adventure-washed-out-by-its-own-banalities |archive-date=July 12, 2024 |access-date=July 5, 2025 }}</ref> ''[[Bloody Disgusting]]''{{'s}} Michael Pementel thought the game effectively captured the emotions felt by Kay, though found some parts of the story to be confusing due to the game not having a clear timeline.<ref name="jul19bloodydisgusting" /> ''[[The A.V. Club]]''{{'s}} Alex McLevy felt the heavyhanded story weighed down enjoyable gameplay,<ref name="aug19avclub">{{cite news|url=https://www.avclub.com/sea-of-solitude-is-an-attack-of-the-50-foot-metaphor-1836862497 |title=''Sea of Solitude'' is an Attack of the 50-Foot Metaphor |work=[[The A.V. Club]] |publisher=[[Paste Media Group]] |first=Alex |last=McLevy |date=August 2, 2019 |access-date=July 5, 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917052737/https://www.avclub.com/sea-of-solitude-is-an-attack-of-the-50-foot-metaphor-1836862497 |archive-date=September 17, 2024}}</ref> while ''[[Screen Rant]]''{{'s}} Scott Baird found the story interesting in concept, though failed to translate to the medium of video gaming.<ref name="jul19screenrant">{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/sea-of-solitude-review/ |title=''Sea of Solitude'' Review: The Darkest Depths |work=[[Screen Rant]] |first=Scott |last=Baird |date=July 8, 2019 |access-date=July 5, 2025 |publisher=[[Valnet]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808051043/https://screenrant.com/sea-of-solitude-review/ |archive-date=August 8, 2024}}</ref> The ending was praised by Wakeling, who felt that its ambiguity reflected reality while also concluding the game's overarching conflict of self-discovery and healing in a satisfying way.<ref name="jul19gamespot" />

Baird liked the designs of the monsters, calling the designs of the underwater ones "genuinely unnerving".<ref name="jul19screenrant" /> Similarly, ''[[The Verge]]''{{'s}} Andrew Webster praised the game's monster designs, writing that they all successfully reflected the type of trauma they symbolized.<ref name="jul19theverge" /> Though Leri praised the monsters for being suitably threatening, he found the game's attempts at symbolism through their designs ineffective.<ref name="jul19gamerevolution" /> The game's horror elements were complimented by Clark due to the variety of creative designs of the creatures, though she noted that she wished the game had lent the more focus to its horror scenes.<ref name="jul19vice" />

Bell appreciated the game's compassionate exploration of emotional complexity, highlighting its gentle reminders about the dual nature of feelings and the humanity behind people perceived as monsters.<ref name="jul19rockpapershotgun" /> Watanuki commended the game's handling of mental health, believing it effectively personified the emotions associated with its heavy topics.<ref name="jul19thegamer">{{cite web|url=https://www.thegamer.com/sea-of-solitude-review/ |title=''Sea of Solitude'' Review: A Perfect Presentation Of Difficult Subject Matter |work=[[TheGamer]] |first=Sam |last=Watanuki |date=July 6, 2019 |access-date=July 5, 2025 |publisher=[[Valnet]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220901064013/https://www.thegamer.com/sea-of-solitude-review/ |archive-date=September 1, 2022}}</ref> Pementel praised the game's upfront presentation of the hardships faced by people struggling with mental illness and depression,<ref name="jul19bloodydisgusting">{{cite web |last=Pementel |first=Michael |date=July 8, 2019 |title=[Review] ''Sea of Solitude'' Makes For a Fumbling Journey Of Self-Discovery And Hope |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/reviews/3571182/review-sea-solitude-makes-fumbling-journey-self-discovery-hope/ |website=[[Bloody Disgusting]] |publisher=The Collective |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240803200629/https://bloody-disgusting.com/reviews/3571182/review-sea-solitude-makes-fumbling-journey-self-discovery-hope/ |archive-date=August 3, 2024 |access-date=July 5, 2025 }}</ref> while ''[[Destructoid]]''{{'s}} Josh Tolentino liked the game's open handling of serious topics, feeling that the game's blunt writing would resonate with players needing uncensored emotional messages.<ref name="jul19destructoid" /> Conversely, Hetfeld responded negatively to the game's depiction of depression as "something inherently dark that needs expunging".<ref name="jul19guardian" /> Blake was complimentary of the game's themes and found them powerful, however felt the game was weighed down by the lack of subtlety they were treated with, believing a more ambiguous handling and longer runtime would have benefited the game for a broad audience.<ref name="jul19eurogamer" /> Clark thought that issues tackled by the game, such as bullying, marital challenges, divorce, and [[suicidal ideation]] failed to cohere with each other as they focused on different people in Kay's life.<ref name="jul19vice" />

The simplistic gameplay mechanics received mixed reactions. Garcia praised the usage of the game's light flare mechanic, as it was utilized to do more than provide directions. However, she criticised the gameplay as a whole for being monotonous, particularly the corruption clearing and repetitive attack options.<ref name="jul19ign" /> Wakeling agreed, arguing that mechanics became repetitive and overused as the gameplay lacked progression throughout the entire runtime.<ref name="jul19gamespot" /> Hetfeld and Davenport agreed that the game's traditional gameplay mechanics undercut its mature themes, believing its simplicity contrasted with the game's nuanced narrative.<ref name="jul19guardian" /><ref name="jul19pcgamer" /> Webster praised the gameplay, writing: "It's not especially challenging, but it's all very streamlined and well designed."<ref name="jul19theverge" /> Bell and Petite agreed that the gameplay was straightforward, but enjoyable.<ref name="jul19digitaltrends" /><ref name="jul19rockpapershotgun">{{cite web |last=Bell |first=Alice |date=July 5, 2019 |title=Wot I Think: ''Sea of Solitude'' |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/sea-of-solitude-review |website=[[Rock Paper Shotgun]] |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513122713/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/sea-of-solitude-review |archive-date=May 13, 2021 |access-date=July 5, 2025 }}</ref> Favis found the puzzles unchallenging and fighting monsters "lackluster", though complimented platforming scenes.<ref name="jul19gameinformer" /> Mejia was critical of the flare mechanic as he found it to be ineffective in guiding the player to their objective and to contain several glitches.<ref name="jul19shacknews" /> Blake complimented the control of Kay's boat, calling it "a joy to use".<ref name="jul19eurogamer" /> Garcia wrote of mixed feelings towards the game's collectible options, as she enjoyed collecting the bottles though disliked shooing the seagulls,<ref name="jul19ign" /> while ''[[The Washington Post]]''{{'s}} Christopher Byrd and Riley MacLeod of ''[[Kotaku]]'' found both of the game's collectible mechanics unnecessary.<ref name="jul19thewashingtonpost" /><ref name="jul19kotaku">{{cite web |last=MacLeod |first=Riley |date=July 8, 2019 |title=I Don't Like ''Sea of Solitude'', and I Feel Really Bad About It |url=https://kotaku.com/i-dont-like-sea-of-solitude-and-i-feel-really-bad-abou-1836186510 |website=[[Kotaku]] |publisher=[[Gawker Media]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230504161237/https://kotaku.com/i-dont-like-sea-of-solitude-and-i-feel-really-bad-abou-1836186510 |archive-date=May 4, 2023 |access-date=July 5, 2025 }}</ref>

Petite found the dialogue in ''Sea of Solitude'' well-written and interesting, and thought it adequately covered the characters' backstories.<ref name="jul19digitaltrends" /> Wakeling described in-game conversations as "very raw and are oftentimes uncomfortable", but believed the game avoided becoming overly dreary thanks to its more lifhr-hearted moments throughout.<ref name="jul19gamespot" /> However, Garcia called the script "heavy-handed" and thought that the dialogue distracted from the immersion and weakened the impact of some scenes.<ref name="jul19ign" /> Both Leri and Favis panned the dialogue of the game, both finding it clumsy and unnatural.<ref name="jul19gamerevolution" /><ref name="jul19gameinformer" /> Byrd found the dialogue overly dramatic and "gracelessly straightforward and unironic".<ref name="jul19thewashingtonpost">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2019/07/11/sea-solitude-is-well-meaning-misfire/ |title=''Sea of Solitude'' is a well-meaning misfire |work=[[The Washington Post]] |first=Christopher |last=Byrd |date=July 11, 2019 |access-date=July 5, 2025 |publisher=[[William Lewis (journalist)|William Lewis]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230509062756/https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2019/07/11/sea-solitude-is-well-meaning-misfire/ |archive-date=May 9, 2023}}</ref> ''[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]''{{'s}} Nicole Carpenter was thought Kay's inner monologue was too blunt and precise, lessening the game's impact as she believed it would have been more successful if it was more subtle.<ref name="jul19polygon">{{cite web |last=Carpenter |first=Nicole |date=July 5, 2019 |title=''Sea of Solitude'' review |url=https://www.polygon.com/reviews/2019/7/5/20682547/sea-of-solitude-review-ps4-xbox-one-pc |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250503102941/https://www.polygon.com/reviews/2019/7/5/20682547/sea-of-solitude-review-ps4-xbox-one-pc |archive-date=May 3, 2025 |access-date=July 5, 2025 }}</ref> James Davenport of ''[[PC Gamer]]'' thought Kay's overly calm demeanor during horrifying events weakened her character arc and made her unrealistic.<ref name="jul19pcgamer" /> Garcia believed the voice acting from the sea monsters was overly theatrical, making the scenes seem unrealistic.<ref name="jul19ign" /> Leri and Wakeling were critical of the voice acting, with Leri finding it amateurish and Wakeling describing it as unconvincing.<ref name="jul19gamerevolution" /><ref name="jul19gamespot" /> Baird, however, praised the vocal performances from the game's monsters.<ref name="jul19screenrant" />

====Director's Cut==== {{Video game reviews | title = ''Director's Cut'' reception | MC = 69/100<ref name="nintendoswitchmetacritic"/> | OC = 33%<ref name="OpenCriticdirectorscut"/> | NLife = {{Rating|6|10}}<ref name="mar21nintendolife" /> }} Metacritic reported that ''Sea of Solitude: The Director's Cut'' also received "mixed or average reviews".<ref name="nintendoswitchmetacritic">{{cite web |title=Nintendo Switch Critic Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/sea-of-solitude-the-directors-cut/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch |website=[[Metacritic]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241226194341/https://www.metacritic.com/game/sea-of-solitude-the-directors-cut/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch |archive-date=December 26, 2024 |access-date=July 5, 2025 }}</ref> OpenCritic reported that 33% of nine critics recommended the game.<ref name="OpenCriticdirectorscut">{{cite web |title=''Sea of Solitude: Director's Cut'' |url=https://opencritic.com/game/11087/sea-of-solitude-directors-cut |website=[[OpenCritic]] |publisher=[[Valnet]] |access-date=July 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250421012425/https://opencritic.com/game/11087/sea-of-solitude-directors-cut |archive-date=April 21, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In comparison to the original game, Abram Buehner of ''[[Comic Book Resources]]'' liked that the director's cut further improved the original game's strengths, though expressed frustration towards the few fixes the director's cut incorporated to points of critique towards the original game.<ref name="mar21comicbookresources" /> Both ''Screen Rant''{{'s}} Rob Gordon and ''TheGamer''{{'s}} Scott Penwell enjoyed the director's cut's photo mode, with Gordon noting that the game's beauty justified the mechanic's inclusion.<ref name="mar21screenrant" /><ref name="mar21thegamer" /> The new voice acting and dialogue of the director's cut received praise from Gordon, who found it to be an improvement over the original game.<ref name="mar21screenrant" /> The voice acting was commended by Penwell and he found the dialogue believable.<ref name="mar21thegamer" /> In contrast, ''[[Nintendo Life]]''{{'s}} Stuart Gipp thought the new voice acting was a step down from the original, as he found the voices well-performed, but insincere.<ref name="mar21nintendolife" />

Abram Buehner of ''[[Comic Book Resources]]'' thought the narrative was the game's strength, describing it as "vulnerable and raw", and that its ending was impactful and empowering,<ref name="mar21comicbookresources">{{cite news|url=https://www.cbr.com/sea-solitude-directors-cut-review/ |title=''Sea of Solitude: The Director's Cut'' Fails to Capitalize on Its Emotional Punch |work=[[Comic Book Resources]] |first=Abram |last=Buehner |date=March 8, 2021 |access-date=July 10, 2025 |publisher=[[Valnet]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210315201113/https://www.cbr.com/sea-solitude-directors-cut-review/ |archive-date=March 15, 2021}}</ref> while Gipp found the it clumsy and overly familiar, and thought that it relied on heavy-handed symbolism that failed to resonate.<ref name="mar21nintendolife">{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nintendo-switch/sea_of_solitude_the_directors_cut |title=''Sea Of Solitude: The Director's Cut'' Review |work=[[Nintendo Life]] |first=Stuart |last=Gipp |date=March 22, 2021 |access-date=July 10, 2025 |publisher=[[Gamer Network]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250519014103/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nintendo-switch/sea_of_solitude_the_directors_cut |archive-date=May 19, 2025}}</ref> Penwell enjoyed exploring the world, and appreciated the game's visuals and soundtrack,<ref name="mar21thegamer" /> and Buehner liked the visuals and sound design, believing they helped strengthen the narrative.<ref name="mar21comicbookresources" /> Gordon thought the visuals were just as impressive as they were in the original game, though the smaller size of the Switch resulted in drops in the quality.<ref name="mar21screenrant">{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/sea-solitude-directors-cut-game-review/ |title=''Sea of Solitude: Director's Cut'' Review - A Beautiful Game Made Definitive |work=[[Screen Rant]] |first=Rob |last=Gordon |date=March 8, 2021 |access-date=July 10, 2025 |publisher=[[Valnet]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302042858/https://screenrant.com/sea-solitude-directors-cut-game-review/ |archive-date=March 2, 2022}}</ref> Gipp found the game visually and technically impressive on the Switch, though criticized how occasional glitches caused unfair deaths. However, Gipp added that he generally found gameplay enjoyable due to the responsive controls and satisfying exploration, despite the game's linear structure.<ref name="mar21nintendolife" /> Buehner also found the game functional and well-controlled, though criticized the lack of gameplay progression throughout the story and found the different gameplay styles used to be incohesive.<ref name="mar21comicbookresources" /> Penwell noted annoyance towards the version's technical issues such as input delay and character glitches, and wrote that they occasionally broke the game's immersion.<ref name="mar21thegamer">{{cite web|url=https://www.thegamer.com/sea-of-solitude-the-directors-cut-review/ |title=''Sea Of Solitude: The Director's Cut'' Review: A Beautiful Tale Of Recovery |work=[[TheGamer]] |first=Christopher |last=Penwell |date=March 6, 2021 |access-date=July 10, 2025 |publisher=[[Valnet]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126193007/https://www.thegamer.com/sea-of-solitude-the-directors-cut-review/ |archive-date=January 26, 2023}}</ref>

===Accolades=== ''Sea of Solitude'' was nominated for Games for Impact at [[The Game Awards 2019]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Winslow |first=Jeremy |date=December 13, 2019 |title=The Game Awards 2019: All Nominees [Update] |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-game-awards-2019-all-nominees-update/1100-6471564/ |website=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250610165347/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-game-awards-2019-all-nominees-update/1100-6471564/ |archive-date=June 10, 2025 |access-date=July 5, 2025 }}</ref> In 2019, it was also nominated for Game, Special Class at the [[Video game award#NAVGTR Awards|National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers]] Awards,<ref>{{cite web |author=Staff writer |date=2019 |title=2019 Nominees |url=https://navgtr.org/2019-nominees/ |website=[[Video game award#NAVGTR Awards|National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250409111223/https://navgtr.org/2019-nominees/ |archive-date=April 9, 2025 |access-date=July 5, 2025 }}</ref> and won the award for the Best 3D Visuals at the ''[[Unity (game engine)|Unity]]'' Awards.<ref>{{cite web |author=Staff writer |date=2019 |title=Unity Awards 2019 |url=https://unity.com/awards/2019 |website=[[Unity (game engine)|Unity]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240715060250/https://unity.com/awards/2019 |archive-date=July 15, 2024 |access-date=July 5, 2025 }}</ref> In 2020, the game was nominated for the Matthew Crump Cultural Innovation Award at the [[SXSW Gaming Awards]],<ref>{{cite web |last=Watkins |first=Gary |date=March 24, 2020 |title=Announcing the 2020 SXSW Gaming Awards Winners |url=https://www.sxsw.com/news/2020/announcing-the-2020-sxsw-gaming-awards-winners/ |website=[[South by Southwest]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627002407/https://www.sxsw.com/news/2020/announcing-the-2020-sxsw-gaming-awards-winners/ |archive-date=June 27, 2022 |access-date=July 10, 2025 }}</ref> as well as the [[Games for Change|Games For Change]] Award for the Most Significant Impact.<ref name="may21forbes" /><ref>{{cite web |last=Watts |first=Rachel |date=July 16, 2020 |title=''Sea of Solitude'' wins the Games For Change Award for Most Significant Impact |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/sea-of-solitude-wins-the-games-for-change-award-for-most-significant-impact/ |website=[[PC Gamer]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210727111343/https://www.pcgamer.com/sea-of-solitude-wins-the-games-for-change-award-for-most-significant-impact/ |archive-date=July 27, 2021 |access-date=July 10, 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Staff writer |date=2021 |title=Recent Winners |url=https://g4cawards.secure-platform.com/a/page/past_winners |website=[[Games for Change|Games for Change Awards]] |publisher=[[Games for Change]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123002757/https://g4cawards.secure-platform.com/a/page/past_winners |archive-date=January 23, 2022 |access-date=July 10, 2025 }}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * [https://web.archive.org/web/20150325204912/http://seaofsolitude.com/ Official website] * [https://www.ea.com/en-gb/games/sea-of-solitude ''Sea of Solitude''] at the [[Electronic Arts]] official website * [https://blog.quanticdream.com/seaofsolitude/ ''Sea of Solitude: The Director's Cut''] at the [[Quantic Dream]] official website

[[Category:2019 video games]] [[Category:Adventure games]] [[Category:Electronic Arts games]] [[Category:Indie games]] [[Category:Single-player video games]] [[Category:Video games about mental health]] [[Category:Video games developed in Germany]] [[Category:Video games featuring female protagonists]] [[Category:Windows games]] [[Category:PlayStation 4 games]] [[Category:Xbox One games]] [[Category:Nintendo Switch games]] [[Category:Quantic Dream]]