Sometimes we come across things that are full of flaws, but nevertheless still attract attention. One of these things for me was the game Sunless Sea. It combines a dark exploration atmosphere, interesting stories, and broken game mechanics in a bizarre way. I consider it my duty to tell the story of this amazing game in a way that would fully convey its spirit and mood.
Beginner’s Guide.
Greetings, dear reader. The Admiralty hired me, a famous naturalist ******* (According to the decree of Her Immutable Majesty, the name of this man is consigned to oblivion: "He knows what he did"), to create this guide to reduce mortality among novice captains. But my main goal is to prove that, thanks to a sober scientific approach, even a place like the Undersea can be explored and made safe for exploration and travel. The book is divided into several thematic chapters, which were written during different periods of my journey.
Chapter 1. Basics.
"Fallen London". All journeys begin here, but few end here.".
A proverb common among local sailors.
The main thing to know about Fallen London on your first visit is that it’s confusing. Dark alleys, gloomy alleys, cracked pavements, illuminated only by lampposts and rays of light from insufficiently curtained windows – the city is heavily experiencing the consequences of its fall into the ground, caused by.. (Note. editor: There is no need to repeat this – everyone already knows what the Empress did). Because of this, it is very easy to get lost in it. I spent hours wandering around the city, trying to figure out what was what, but you, dear reader, are no longer in danger, because I will tell you everything you need to know about the city at first. Firstly, prices in London are among the best in the entire Underground, and the assortment offered by local stores cannot be surpassed by anyone. You should take advantage of this and purchase as many supplies as possible for your trip. On average, prices for supplies in other ports are twice as high as in London. Secondly, of all the places that a novice captain can visit, it’s worth looking only at the Admiralty to receive special assignments. They are always in need of reports on what is happening in various parts of the Undersea. Cooperation with the Admiralty is very useful and beneficial for all captains, including both inexperienced and seasoned ones. And believe me, I’m not just saying that because they pay me (He’s lying).
Now you are ready for your first journey, dear reader. Perhaps now, piloting a small boat, you dream of a better ship, but everything has its time, buddy. Someday you will save enough money to buy a corvette, if your soul (If you still have it) craves battles with pirates and sea creatures, or a merchant ship if you prefer quieter travel. But now you have to take your first steps into this darkness, alluring with secrets and treasures, illuminated only by a spotlight and the dim light of false stars.
Chapter 2. Secrets of Navigation in the Undersea.
The greatest difficulty in navigating these waters lies in the constant variability of the Undersea. Islands move along the seabed, rendering maps useless. When starting your journey, you will have to rely only on your experience and luck. In addition, through my research, I have learned that the darkness in the Undersea is not the absence of light, but the presence of something unknown to modern science, so I strongly recommend leaving the searchlight on to save fuel, since the consequences for the sanity of the crew members outweigh any possible benefits.
I bought this card from a crazy old man. It is not known whether it is outdated or was incorrect from the very beginning.
During your journey, you will meet various creatures that pose a threat: and people among them are one of the lesser evils. To my great regret, the compilation of a detailed bestiary, including creatures living in the depths of the Underground, is not possible at this stage of human development due to the impossibility of their clear classification. Some sea creatures are pieces of meat sewn together that quickly decompose if the monster dies. Despite this, I can identify one of the most dangerous species in these waters: living islands. If you see a rapidly moving island nearby, then you know that this is a serious enemy, a direct collision with which can be fatal for the ship. A particular threat is posed by Nomadic Mountains, which can attack a ship at long range, causing devastating damage. I recommend that if you spot them, swim in the opposite direction. But pirates are sometimes no less dangerous. Remember: only other ships from Fallen London are friendly to people like us. When facing intelligent opponents (although the extent to which creatures such as rats and subhumans can be called intelligent is up to you to decide), maneuverability is important. The guns have a kill zone, so it is important not only to aim yourself, but also not to let the enemy aim your guns. Surprisingly, many captains don’t know that ships have reverse gear, but now you won’t have to worry about that, thanks to this damn manual. If you want to avoid a fight (you pathetic coward), you can try sneaking past the enemy with the spotlight turned off. Captains should use tame bats to locate nearby inhabited islands. Keep in mind that sometimes mice lead the ship to places that are not of any interest (stupid, vile creatures), apparently guided by motives that only they understand.
Chapter 3. Features of establishing contact with local residents.
Oh London, how I miss your rotten https://ahtigamescasino.co.uk/ streets. I don’t know what’s worse: communicating with local crazy people or constant voyages from one part of the Underground to another. On the one hand, they are equally dangerous to life, and on the other, I still remember with a shudder the horror that I experienced upon learning the secrets of the creatures living (if this can, of course, be called life) here. The main thing you need to know about local customs is that no one cares whether you are alive and well. I was sent to slaughter! For whom? People like you? Fools who decided that a great adventure awaited them here? Ha…
But, you know, I’m not mad at you (He’s lying again). In the end, if not me, then who will help you get out of this situation alive?? (Anyone can do better than him). So, where did we stop… And, exactly, on local customs.
The first thing you should do when arriving at a new port is to take a good look around. Preferably from the window in your cabin. After this, having assessed the possible risks, and considering them a little less unacceptable than usual, you can leave the ship. This is important: do not let sailors go for a walk without a good reason! They all yours will be blurted out may get hurt. Although sometimes it’s for the best, really? (He likes to "take out" those he doesn’t like).
After this, the process of communicating with locals begins. Remember – crazy people love to be assented to (He hits the sailors who ask him questions. Any questions). The main thing for you: to get maximum benefits with minimal losses, get into their heads (He never stops trying to do this literally, despite constant failures), find out all their secrets. One of the most important values here is information, which is why it is often protected more seriously than treasures. I recently visited Nunzia, the island of lost postmen, (The Admiralty does not have any evidence that the author of this manual ever actually visited the Nuncio) where the locals turned on me because I was too interested in their work. I had to run away from these crazy people. Remember, danger lurks around every corner!
And not only on the surface! I recently learned of an Old Lady who lives in Little London on the Carnelian Coast. She is trying to resume the submarine program, which was curtailed due to agreements with these brainless Khans (The Admiralty did not find any evidence of the existence of a certain “Old Lady” who, through her actions, violated the terms of the treaty with the New Khanate). Thanks to her help, I was able to begin exploring the bottom of the Undersea (He tried to kill her several times for this, but each time these attempts ended in sobs in a ditch).
Surprisingly, there are settlements there too! And even bigger crazies live there than on the surface… To be honest, I’m starting to worry about my mental health. Seems like madness is contagious.
I would swear we surfaced inside the island! How is this even possible?!
(Note. translator: The fourth and fifth chapters of this manual were left by an unknown person at night on the threshold of the publishing house, enclosed in an envelope made of human skin. They were written in a mixture of several languages, including: Arabic, Devilish, Chinese, Latin and a couple invented by the author himself. I decline any possible responsibility for the accuracy of the translation.).
So, what am I doing here?? Why am I writing this? Oh, that’s right… Guide. Ha ha ha. Where are we staying??
Chapter 4. Tips for novice captains.
“If you peer into the abyss for a long time, you will see how it licks its lips at the sight of you.”.
Knowing that you are not so smart, educated, wise, amazing, wonderful, charming, beautiful, the best… (Ed. translator, there was a bloody stain in this place, reminiscent of the smile of a noseless creature with two mouths and four eyes). Yes, I am like that. So here are the tips:
1) Stock up on supplies. The sailors were too wiry to eat.
2) Don’t trust monkeys! They steal souls.
3) The most terrible enemy in these waters is a flock of parrots… How dare you laugh at this?! I would see how you would laugh when you heard the grinding of the metal casing that these creatures are chiseling with their beaks.
4) I saw what is behind the Dawn Machine. It’s like the sun, only out of hatred.
5) There aren’t many shortcuts in Undersea. I only know about three:
I) In the Tsareed Fortress in exchange for all my priceless stories! You might end up in London… or Irem. It depends on your luck.
II) If you sail to the East, you can swim to… something. When you return, you always end up in Irem.
III) If you sail to the North, you end up… nowhere. And then you sail to the Greedy Horizon.
6) Sometimes monsters crash into islands and can’t get out. Ha, idiots.
7) Don’t party in London. One captain I know, who wanted to be addressed as a madam (this is fashionable among the hedonistic societies of London), met a girl at the next feast in the middle of the plague. Soon he urgently returned to London and gave birth to a twelve-year-old son, who reached adulthood in a few months. I’ll repeat once again – don’t go on a spree in London.
?) OF all the places where I would NOT have been, only the CITY found by the BALL MINERS, Beyond the New Lulling RIVER of Tranquility and Declining Faces, Killed the Law.
Chapter 5. Insight.
Now I understand everything. This place just needs more victims. And we are not talking about greedy gods thirsting for blood. And not ancient creatures feasting on the remains of the past. Constant variability of the Underground, different options for the outcomes of certain events. Everything here is done in such a way that captains and their subordinates die in these waters. Even if someone manages to get a powerful ship and accumulate enough money so as not to be afraid of starvation during the constant dead calm for these places, this does not mean anything. All these secrets and ambitions are just bait for those who do not understand the true purpose of this place. For a new story to begin, the old one must end.
P.S. The Admiralty is ready to provide a reward to any person who has information about the current whereabouts of the author of this manual. We strongly advise against trying to catch it yourself. If you meet him, avoid eye contact at all costs. P.P.S. Admiralty and Publishing House (You cannot force us to leave our name on the pages of this damned manual!) are not responsible for any incidents related to, but not limited to, the purchase / sale / unexpected discovery among your belongings / use as a murder weapon / glanced at / destruction of this manual.
This game immerses you in its atmosphere, captivates with interesting stories and characters, as well as the opportunity to influence what is happening. But the moment will inevitably come when you will have to close your eyes to its roughness. And this moment will come more than once or twice. To sum it up: Sunless Sea is a poorly made good game. Despite all the mistakes and shortcomings made by the developers, it is able to generously reward players who are ready to endure difficulties. But is it worth it? Let everyone decide for themselves. Personally, I did not regret the time spent at Sunless Sea. In addition, if you are a fan of the Space Rangers series, then this game could be an excellent choice for you, given its similarities to parts of this series.
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