EA’s New Indie Game ‘Sea of Solitude’ Draws Attention for Haunting Theme of Loneliness

One of the primary driving forces behind the growing popularity of video games is how they preoccupy people. Games even help those grappling with anxiety and sadness to cope with their emotional turmoil. With an indie title that Electronic Arts revealed at E3 2018, the theme heavily emphasizes emotion. Specifically, the game “Sea of Solitude” deals with the serious consequences of crippling loneliness.

With AAA games increasingly focusing on flashy explosions, epic narratives, and sprawling environments, indie games are where players can find more artfully depicted titles. Case in point is this new title from Jo-Mei Games, a development studio based in Berlin, Germany. While it may not feature fancy graphics or a huge budget, the trailer for “Sea of Solitude” shows that it has actual heart and soul.

“When humans get too lonely, they turn into monsters. That’s what happened to Kay. But she’s not alone – this ocean is full of creatures just like her. Finding them may be the key to changing her back,” the video description reads.

This is basically the premise of the game, which is both simplistic and heart-wrenching. It features the protagonist Kay and her struggle to find companions in a desolate, water-logged city. The goal is to stave off the loneliness filling her heart, which is slowly turning her into a monster.

As PC Gamer notes, the game is surrounded by a shroud of mystery at this point. Gamers who want to know more might need to wait until early 2019 for more details. For now, it’s encouraging to know that major publishers are taking an interest in projects like this.

While it may be smaller in scope and won’t likely make as much money as blockbuster games, “Sea of Solitude” offer gamers something more. It reveals a side of the industry that is in touch with deep emotions and how they can be depicted in an artful way.