Children of the Sun - Review : TechGoggles

Children of the Sun carves a unique niche in the gaming landscape, blending elements of sniping, puzzle-solving, and a hefty dose of violence into a disturbingly compelling experience. Here’s a breakdown of its strengths and weaknesses:

A World of Moral Gray Areas

Vengeful Fury: You play as The Girl, a lone survivor seeking revenge against a murderous cult. The narrative is minimalist, leaving you to piece together the story through environmental details and cryptic messages.
Ultraviolence and Unease: The game doesn’t shy away from brutality. Gruesome kill animations and a bleak atmosphere create a sense of unease and raise questions about revenge and violence.
Not for the Faint of Heart: The disturbing visuals and violent themes might not be suitable for all players.

The Art of the Bullet

Unique Sniping Mechanic: Unlike traditional shooters, you don’t directly control your character’s movement. Instead, you manipulate the bullet’s trajectory after firing, using the environment and enemy placement to orchestrate deadly ricochets and chain reactions.
Puzzle-Perfect Precision: Each level is a meticulously crafted puzzle. You need to plan your shot carefully, factoring in bullet physics, environmental objects, and enemy behaviors to eliminate all targets in a single, brutal ballet.
Highly Satisfying Payoff: Successfully completing a level with a perfectly executed bullet path is immensely satisfying. The slow-motion replays showcasing the carnage only amplify this gratification.

A Short But Impactful Experience

Concise Campaign: The main story can be completed in around 5 hours. While some might crave a longer experience, the concise narrative avoids unnecessary filler and maintains a strong atmosphere throughout.
High Replayability Potential: Despite the short campaign, the game offers high replayability. Leaderboards encourage mastery and competition, and hidden challenges within levels add another layer to explore.
Technical Quirks: A few minor technical issues like occasional frame rate drops or bugs might be encountered.

A Must-Play for Puzzle Snipers

Children of the Sun is a unique and disturbing game that will stay with you long after the credits roll. The innovative bullet manipulation mechanic, brutal efficiency, and morally ambiguous narrative create a captivating, albeit unsettling experience. However, the violence and dark themes might be off-putting for some players, and the short campaign could leave those craving a longer adventure wanting more.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the pros and cons:

Pros:

Innovative and unique bullet manipulation mechanic
Highly satisfying puzzle-solving gameplay with a focus on precision
Gripping atmosphere with a dark and violent story
High replayability with leaderboards and hidden challenges
Short but impactful experience

Cons:

Ultraviolence and disturbing themes might not be for everyone
Short campaign length
Minor technical issues reported

Final Verdict:

Children of the Sun is a must-play for those seeking a unique and challenging puzzle experience. If you enjoy innovative mechanics, can stomach the violence, and appreciate a dark and morally ambiguous narrative, then this sniper-focused adventure is highly recommended. However, if you prefer lighthearted games or crave a longer campaign, you might want to look elsewhere.