PC Review Code Provided by Fireshine Games
There is something special about these games that come out with so much lore in the details, but no actual words being spoken. Being thrown into a strange scenario without an idea what your goal is but letting your curiosity drive you is a unique experience I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of. Silt is a new game with this kind of experience and it was developed by Spiral Circus Games with their publisher Fireshine Games. Now, it does all take place in an underwater theme, so there was a special kind of fear I had to conquer just to play this one, but I am definitely glad that I did!
Story
As I mentioned, this is one of those games that doesn’t really tell you the story up front. That means what I am putting here for the story is simply my interpretation of the events and I am doing so in a way that I hope not to provide any spoiler to the game.
Being one of the few divers that are still free to move around, you set out on a mission to restart what is known as ‘The Machine’ but do this you need a lot of power. By restarting the machine, you would be able to free the divers that are trapped. Taking this mission one step at a time, you head out to face off against creatures that harness the power you need for the machine so that you can take the power and apply it to the machine.
Gameplay
With the whole game taking place underwater, you will be able to move in any direction of this 2D sidescroller. It taking place on a linear plane cut down exploration time, but it didn’t shorten any of the fear that comes with this setting. That said, you will proceed by making your way through each scene and finding out how to solve various puzzles along the way.
To solve puzzles, a mechanic you will use a lot is possession. You can possess all sorts of creatures in this game and each creature offers their own ability to help you proceed. It starts off with a piranha fish that lets you bite through a cord that blocks your progression and goes on to include a crab that is indestructible, a stingray that can teleport a short distance forward, a swordfish that swims really fast, and a few others that I’ll leave for you to find on your own.
Each level will have its own final boss type of segment, but none of them are handled the same way. It could be just the hardest puzzle in that chapter or an actual boss fight, so just be ready for anything when you reach the ending of each chapter. Once they are defeated, you will use your possession skill again, but this time it appears that you are taking the life force instead… for whatever reason that could be.
Other than the possession power, you will simply be swimming around and solving puzzles throughout the game. Make sure you are good with the controls because there will be some tight squeeze moments. Also, don’t rush any of the levels because you never know what is around and sometimes things are not friendly.
Audio and Visual
Overall, this game is pretty silent other than a few musical moments for emphasis and sound effects to fill the environment. There is some soft music in the background at times, but even that is made in a way that it is more of an environment and moment filler than anything else. This pairs well with the black and white graphical tone in which the entire game takes place in. Somehow, this mixture of mostly silence and grayscale visual are likely the most fitting design choice for a game like this one.
Replayability
Unfortunately, this game doesn’t offer much of a reason to play through it more than once. You could aim to get all the achievements or try to complete it faster than before, but other than personal goals there is no reason to play it more than once.
What It Could Have Done Better
This is a complaint I have with all of the games that are built with this niche style and that is they are always too short! The experience these games bring is so unique and entertaining, but they only ever take 3-4 hours. I would have liked a few more chapters to play through.
Verdict
Silt is a game I won’t soon forget. It is entertaining, the puzzles were fun to solve, and the experience was definitely enhanced by some of the challenges being quite difficult! My only complaint could also be considered a compliment in a way, which is one of the best things to present when reviewing a game. This title is simply eerie and unforgettable, so I hope they decide to make more like it in the future. Easily a game I strongly recommend to puzzle fans, especially if you enjoyed games like Limbo and Inside.
Silt is now available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam, GOG, and Epic Games.
