Okay, so imagine strapping on a scuba mask, plunging into a bathtub filled with gumbo (yes, gumbo!), and trying to decipher a map of Uppsala, Sweden. Sounds wild, right? That's kind of the vibe I'm getting from Solbrand, a new game described as a "slow burn pseudo-historical puzzle-adventure." It's definitely piqued my interest!

What's super cool is the premise. You're a "Spook" (love that!) commanding a marine research vessel in the far future. The mission? Navigate a sunken city brimming with "scientific breakthroughs and mad eccentrics, restless sea monsters and evil doctors, mythical poetry and long-forgotten gods." I mean, come on, that's a recipe for some seriously intriguing gameplay.

The story goes that you're trying to debunk a rumor about a never-ending bike race (yes, you read that right). Apparently, some "influential offshoots of the first champion" want you to get to the bottom of it. It's this blend of quirky and cosmic horror elements that I find really appealing. Like, how do bike races and sea monsters even fit together? I need to know!

From what I gather, Solbrand is similar to other underwater exploration games, but with its own unique twist. You'll be drifting across the submerged remains of a city, complete with landmarks like the Imperfektum (a real student housing complex!) and the Blackened Cathedral. You use scan waves to reveal the environment, and when you find something interesting, you engage "probe view" for a closer look.

Digging Deeper into the Gameplay

When you investigate a location, you might find documents, artifacts, or even human remains. If you stumble upon the latter, you can "tune into" them to chat with restless spirits. The goal is to uncover their stories, form bonds, and maybe even catch them in a lie or two. Sounds like some seriously engaging narrative elements!

Moreover, you'll have a surface-level support crew, including a Tinker, Worder, and Shimmer. The game's writing is really unique, creating an immersive experience. I'm really curious to see how all these elements come together.

The game is being developed by Dead People Dreaming, based in Uppsala, and led by Mattias Astenvald, former art director for Indiana Jones And The Great Circle. Knowing that someone with his experience is behind this gives me a lot of hope. Plus, the game is inspired by Astenvald's passion for local history, which is always a good sign.

While there's no release date yet, I'm definitely keeping Solbrand on my radar. It has the potential to be something really special. The unique setting, quirky story, and intriguing gameplay mechanics have me hooked. I can't wait to see what Dead People Dreaming comes up with!