Jan 20, 2015
The Later Early Edition: Sunless Sea, 6 Months On
SUNLESS SEA - contact@rockpapershotgun.com (Alec Meer)

Starting an irregular series in which I revisit Early Access games a few months on from when I first tried them. Have they come along much? Does a finished game seem a realistic prospect? >

Bit of a silly one to start this series with, given Sunless Sea hits 1.0 – and thus release status on February 6th, with a major update due around that time, but I’ve been yearning to revisit Sunless Sea’s mesmerisingly-written and impeccably menacing Fallen London for some time, so let’s do this anyway.

… [visit site to read more]

Jan 15, 2015
THREE WEEKS TO GO!
SUNLESS SEA - hanchan
It's three weeks until launch. We're busy packing Sunless Sea full of content and polishing it to a high shine for you.

New this week: Romance your crew!

It is now possible to romance the Longshanks Gunner and the Sly Navigator, with other romance options to come. However, romancing your officers may cause embarrassment if you already have a Sweetheart.

(It is entirely coincidental, but we'd also like to point out that you can sound your horn in Sunless Sea by pressing H. Have fun with that!)

We'll have some exciting news about launch day for you next week.

Happy zailing!
Jan 15, 2015
THREE WEEKS TO GO!
SUNLESS SEA - hanchan
It's three weeks until launch. We're busy packing Sunless Sea full of content and polishing it to a high shine for you.

New this week: Romance your crew!

It is now possible to romance the Longshanks Gunner and the Sly Navigator, with other romance options to come. However, romancing your officers may cause embarrassment if you already have a Sweetheart.

(It is entirely coincidental, but we'd also like to point out that you can sound your horn in Sunless Sea by pressing H. Have fun with that!)

We'll have some exciting news about launch day for you next week.

Happy zailing!
Jan 12, 2015
Shipshape: Sunless Sea Release Date Set For February 6th
SUNLESS SEA - contact@rockpapershotgun.com (Graham Smith)

In this topsy-turvy world, who knows what constitutes a release date anymore? Me probably, and I think that finishing with your early access period and launching as a finished game ought to be called something else. February 6th isn’t Sunless Sea’s release date, then. February 6th is its Sweet 1.0, or its Rites of Ascension, or its Day That Everyone Starts Complaining That It’s Not Perfect Day.

… [visit site to read more]

Jan 11, 2015
Sunless Sea departing Early Access on 6th February
SUNLESS SEA

Make sure you have plenty of suntan lotion, then chuck it away, for Sunless Sea is soon to leave Early Access. The narrative-driven roguelikey game from the developers of Fallen London is to be declared as 'finished' on the 6th of February, seven months after its Early Access period started.

The launch will coincide with one final update, named Pearl, that will "complete the major storylines. Gameplay will be finessed, and we ve added a couple of little flourishes that we think you ll like". You'll also be able to buy the game from GOG.com at that point, if you prefer your aquatic adventures DRM-free.

Given the state of games today, you'll be pleased to hear that "if you purchase Sunless Sea while it is still in Early Access, you re guaranteed to receive all game expansions and story DLC for FREE". Which is as rare as it is generous and lovely.

Andy reviewed the Early Access version of Sunless Sea back in July last year, but it's come on a fair way since then, revamping combat and various other bits over the course of 2014.

Jan 9, 2015
SUNLESS SEA LEAVES EARLY ACCESS ON 6 FEBRUARY, 2015!
SUNLESS SEA - hanchan
The official release date for Sunless Sea is 6 February, 2015.

Over 200,000 words of story. Hundreds of illustrations. Seven months in Early Access. We’re almost there!

Our final release, PEARL, will complete the major storylines. Gameplay will be finessed, and we’ve added a couple of little flourishes that we think you’ll like.

We’re hugely excited to share the finished game with you. Meanwhile, if you purchase Sunless Sea while it is still in Early Access, you're guaranteed to receive all game expansions and story DLC for FREE.

Thanks for your support!
Jan 9, 2015
SUNLESS SEA LEAVES EARLY ACCESS ON 6 FEBRUARY, 2015!
SUNLESS SEA - hanchan
The official release date for Sunless Sea is 6 February, 2015.

Over 200,000 words of story. Hundreds of illustrations. Seven months in Early Access. We’re almost there!

Our final release, PEARL, will complete the major storylines. Gameplay will be finessed, and we’ve added a couple of little flourishes that we think you’ll like.

We’re hugely excited to share the finished game with you. Meanwhile, if you purchase Sunless Sea while it is still in Early Access, you're guaranteed to receive all game expansions and story DLC for FREE.

Thanks for your support!
Jan 7, 2015
Sunless Sea Update Adds Main Storyline, Of Sorts
SUNLESS SEA - contact@rockpapershotgun.com (Graham Smith)

I’ve been ignoring all the talk of how good Sunless Sea is in favour of waiting until it’s finished, but it’s now so close that it’s becoming harder to resist. It’ll leave early access in February and a new update brings it “tantalizingly close to the finished article,” according to the devs.

Stop tantalising me, devs. It’s mean.

… [visit site to read more]

Jan 7, 2015
DIAMOND IS HERE!
SUNLESS SEA - hanchan
SUNLESS SEA leaves early access in early February. Here’s DIAMOND, a delicious update which brings us tantalizingly close to the finished article.

GAMEPLAY

● Weather!
There is now a chance of adverse weather in the Unterzee. This will affect combat, slowing you down or reducing visibility.


● Better combat animations!
Some beasties will flinch when hit, or grasp at you with their terrible claws. They’ll also die quite prettily. More coming soon.


● New weapon characteristic: stagger!
Some weapons will now stagger your enemies, knocking their crew to the deck and therefore setting back their preparations. They can also do the same to you!


● Surprise attacks!
Some beasties can now start submerged and sneak up on you.

Read the full patch notes on our blog.


STORIES

Your Father’s Bones - the closest thing to a main storyline - is now available, complete with variant endings.

You can now explore off the edges of the map, though no good will come of it.

She will lean forward and whisper to you: "This is the nature of Irem. It is the beach where history comes to rest."

There is now a conclusion to the Salt-Lions story; in fact, six different conclusions, including an Easter-Egg Legacy effect.

The Presbyterate Adventuress now has a storyline.

The Icarus in Black weapon will allow you to fire monster-hunters at monsters.

The Tomb-Colonist plotlines will now allow you to carry a party of bandaged hooligans round the ports of the Unterzee.

ART

You can now zail by Frostfound, Irem, Aestival and Sea of Statues admiringly (there are also some stories at each of them, though not final ones).

Crying Heights is there to marvel over too, but be warned that there is no port there.

The beautification of the game continues at a hot pace, with many new and revamped port and item illustrations to discover on your travels.

Enjoy. As ever, we are excited to hear what you think!


Jan 7, 2015
DIAMOND IS HERE!
SUNLESS SEA - hanchan
SUNLESS SEA leaves early access in early February. Here’s DIAMOND, a delicious update which brings us tantalizingly close to the finished article.

GAMEPLAY

● Weather!
There is now a chance of adverse weather in the Unterzee. This will affect combat, slowing you down or reducing visibility.


● Better combat animations!
Some beasties will flinch when hit, or grasp at you with their terrible claws. They’ll also die quite prettily. More coming soon.


● New weapon characteristic: stagger!
Some weapons will now stagger your enemies, knocking their crew to the deck and therefore setting back their preparations. They can also do the same to you!


● Surprise attacks!
Some beasties can now start submerged and sneak up on you.

Read the full patch notes on our blog.


STORIES

Your Father’s Bones - the closest thing to a main storyline - is now available, complete with variant endings.

You can now explore off the edges of the map, though no good will come of it.

She will lean forward and whisper to you: "This is the nature of Irem. It is the beach where history comes to rest."

There is now a conclusion to the Salt-Lions story; in fact, six different conclusions, including an Easter-Egg Legacy effect.

The Presbyterate Adventuress now has a storyline.

The Icarus in Black weapon will allow you to fire monster-hunters at monsters.

The Tomb-Colonist plotlines will now allow you to carry a party of bandaged hooligans round the ports of the Unterzee.

ART

You can now zail by Frostfound, Irem, Aestival and Sea of Statues admiringly (there are also some stories at each of them, though not final ones).

Crying Heights is there to marvel over too, but be warned that there is no port there.

The beautification of the game continues at a hot pace, with many new and revamped port and item illustrations to discover on your travels.

Enjoy. As ever, we are excited to hear what you think!


...