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Sunlight, a walking simulator from Krillbite Studio, offers a brief escape into a serene forest setting. Its simple gameplay and meditative atmosphere promise a moment of peace and reflection, echoing the sentiment expressed in one of its lines: “The feeling of seeing yourself and realizing you are not alone…” This resonates particularly with those grappling with mental health challenges, especially depression. Similar themes have been explored in games like Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, Night in the Woods, and Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture. This review explores what Sunlight brings to the table and whether it truly shines as a beacon of hope, as its name suggests.

A Brief Story, Much Contemplation

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As someone living with chronic depression, I found Sunlight surprisingly evocative. It stirred within me reflections I had long suppressed. The game begins with a sapling that grows into a towering tree, placing you in the heart of a vast, quiet forest. A gentle voice encourages you to relax and take your time, setting the stage for a slow-paced, contemplative experience. The gameplay itself is remarkably simple, prioritizing patience. You stroll through the forest, collecting glowing flowers while listening to fragmented conversations. This unhurried pace and focus on observation create a sense of tranquility that those seeking respite might find particularly appealing. The game’s artistic visuals, complemented by subtle lighting effects, enhance the overall sense of calm. The sounds of nature, interspersed with a soft, occasionally swelling soundtrack, further contribute to the immersive atmosphere. Notably, Sunlight employs 3D audio, making the voices clearer as you approach their corresponding trees. This adds a unique dimension to the auditory experience.

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The core gameplay loop involves listening to voices, collecting luminous flowers, and piecing together a narrative through these brief dialogues. This minimalist approach allows the player to fully immerse themselves in the peaceful environment and reflect on the themes presented.

Falling Short of its Potential

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While Sunlight’s narrative touches upon relatable emotional experiences, its execution suffers from several limitations. Unlike Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture, which uses varied environments to enhance the storytelling, Sunlight confines the player to a single, somewhat monotonous forest. The lack of visual diversity, such as stylized flower arrangements or the presence of wildlife, diminishes the overall impact. While the developers, Krillbite Studio, might have intended for this unchanging landscape to represent a tranquil state of mind, it ultimately detracts from the experience. Games like Kind Words, despite their limited setting, manage to create a more engaging and relaxing atmosphere. The lack of environmental variation in Sunlight makes the game feel somewhat bland and lacking in memorable moments.

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The limited soundscape also presents an issue. The game seems to rely on a single track, segmented and rearranged throughout the playthrough, culminating in complete silence by the end. While this might not bother some players, others might find it repetitive and underwhelming. Furthermore, the narrative itself, while emotionally resonant in parts, fails to leave a lasting impression. The dialogue occasionally meanders, hindering the emotional impact and creating a sense of disjointedness. The short playtime of approximately 20 minutes also contributes to the feeling that the game’s potential is not fully realized. While Sunlight offers a brief moment of relaxation, its exploration of depression lacks the depth and novelty to stand out among other games tackling similar themes.

Conclusion

Sunlight offers a brief respite in a tranquil setting, but falls short in several key areas. Its limited environment, repetitive soundtrack, and somewhat underdeveloped narrative prevent it from fully realizing its potential. While it can provide a short moment of peace, it doesn’t offer the depth or lasting impact of other games exploring similar themes.

Game Information

• Developer: Krillbite Studio
• Publisher: Krillbite Studio
• Genre: Adventure
• Release Date: January 14, 2021
• Platform: PC

Minimum Requirements

• OS: Windows 10
• CPU: Intel i5
• RAM: 8 GB RAM
• VGA: Geforce 1050m
• HDD: 1 GB

Tested System

• OS: Windows 10 64Bit
• CPU: Intel Core i5 8300H
• RAM: 16GB
• VGA: Nvidia GTX 1500 Ti 4gb Vram
• SSD: 256GB
• HDD: 1TB