The Sundew

Mostly mediocre, but fine enough to get on sale for point & cick enthusiasts. Story feels like it's been told a few times too many already and it has a few problems with the game only progressing after performing specific actions with no indication for what those are or why you're stuck. It's also short, which is fair for the price, but still, it's over before you could really get into it, while also letting you spend the larger middle portion of the game on plotwise unimportant stuff. Puzzles are either banal or completely obtuse with nothing in between, but still decent enough. I could see this developer progressing to make far better games, but it's not a bad start.

It's almost decent, but there's too many boring bits and fiddly stuff. It's not terrible, but only play if you've played all the best point & click adventures and still want more.

The Sundew, developed and published by 2054, is a cyberpunk point-and-click adventure that blends retro design sensibilities with a moody science fiction narrative. Set in a dystopian near-future Japan, the game draws heavily from classic adventure game traditions while embedding its story in a richly atmospheric world of neon-lit streets, corporate intrigue, and uneasy coexistence between humans and machines. Its design philosophy feels intentionally nostalgic, yet its themes remain distinctly modern. The story centers on Anna Isobe, a cyborg police officer living in the year 2054. Once valued as part of an enhanced law enforcement program, cyborgs like Anna have since been rendered obsolete by fully autonomous machines. This backdrop of technological displacement shapes the emotional undercurrent of the narrative. Anna is not simply solving a mystery; she is navigating a world that no longer values what she represents. When an ordinary day spirals into a larger conspiracy involving powerful entities and hidden agendas, she is forced into a personal and political struggle that questions identity, humanity, and progress. Atmosphere is where The Sundew excels most prominently. The pixel art environments are dense with detail, capturing rain-soaked alleyways, flickering holographic signage, and industrial interiors with a careful attention to lighting and mood. The cyberpunk aesthetic is present but restrained, avoiding visual excess in favor of layered environmental storytelling. Each location feels deliberate and cohesive, reinforcing the melancholic tone of a society strained by technological overreach. The soundtrack and ambient effects are subtle, supporting the mood without overwhelming dialogue or puzzle-solving sequences. Gameplay follows traditional point-and-click adventure conventions. Players explore static screens, interact with characters, and collect inventory items to solve puzzles that unlock new areas or reveal story developments. Many challenges require careful observation and logical item combination. The game avoids heavy hand-holding, which enhances immersion but occasionally leads to moments of uncertainty. Some puzzles rely on meticulous exploration rather than explicit narrative cues, which may appeal to purists of the genre but can slow pacing for players accustomed to more streamlined design. Narrative progression unfolds steadily rather than explosively. Dialogue sequences flesh out the world’s social tensions and introduce side characters whose perspectives enrich the broader conflict. While the core conspiracy is compelling, the relatively concise runtime—typically a few hours—means that some story threads conclude quickly. The compact structure ensures the experience does not overextend itself, but it also leaves certain emotional arcs less explored than their thematic weight might suggest. What makes The Sundew memorable is its commitment to tone. It does not rely on spectacle or constant action. Instead, it builds a contemplative journey through a city where humanity and machinery intersect in uncomfortable ways. Anna’s character anchors the experience, providing a grounded emotional lens through which the player views systemic decay and corporate ambition. Her struggle is personal yet reflective of larger societal anxieties, aligning the game with classic cyberpunk storytelling traditions. However, the game’s adherence to retro mechanics may divide audiences. The absence of voice acting places the burden of engagement on written dialogue and visual expression. Puzzle solutions can occasionally feel opaque, and the limited scope may leave players wanting deeper character interaction or additional narrative branching. These elements underscore the game’s identity as a focused indie adventure rather than an expansive blockbuster. Ultimately, The Sundew stands as a thoughtfully crafted homage to classic point-and-click adventures infused with cyberpunk atmosphere. Its evocative pixel art, grounded protagonist, and thematic exploration of technological obsolescence create a distinctive experience. While it may not reinvent the genre, it offers a compact and atmospheric journey that rewards players who appreciate narrative-driven exploration and the moody introspection characteristic of cyberpunk fiction. Rating: 7/10

其實我後悔買了⋯ 因為這類遊戲都很難，不靠攻略可以卡關一個月。 但靠攻略，成就感等都會打折⋯是種內建詛咒。 整體來說都是那種賽博龐克的世界觀+劇情； 沒有十分出色，略遜 VirtuaVerse， 但在這類型中也算是前段班了（75+）。 半價入手對的起價錢，但你八成懶的玩完 入手前請三思。

中评，剧情太少了感觉没啥意思，主要就是解谜，看看美术，不过很便宜

Pros: Cyberpunk setting. Cons: some moon logic puzzles, the alphabet puzzle is glitchy, the story is a little confusing. The game still needs some polish, but overall it's a good experience.

I enjoyed this adventure a lot. The atmosphere of this cyberpunk-world is well supported by the pixel-art graphics and the sound design. The story is interesting, and offers meaningful decisions. All in all a good gaming experience. I've played this game in German language. The translation was not always on point, unfortunately. Nontheless, a very recommendable point & click adventure!

할인하면 살만한 괜찮은 사이퍼펑크 디스토피아 포인트 앤드 클릭 게임. 태그에 반이상향(디스토피아)가 있어서 90% 할인할떄 사봤는데 나쁘진 않았음. 어떤 물건과 상호작용해야 되는지 힌트도 무제한으로 쓸 수 있고 잘 써진 가이드도 있어서 플레이 난이도는 낮음. 근데 스토리는 조금 난해해서 이해하기 힘들 수도 있음. 회수되지 않은 복선도 몇개 있고 플레이 타임도 짧은 편임(3~4시간). 사이버펑크 디스토피아를 그려낸 픽셀 그래픽과 괜찮은 OST라는 장점이 있긴 하지만, 스토리가 훌륭하다고 보긴 힘들기에 포인트 앤드 클릭 장르를 좋아하지 않는 사람에겐 어필하기 힘든 게임임. 포인트 앤드 클릭 장르를 좋아하는게 아니라면 비추, 상점 페이지에 나오는 픽셀 그래픽이 싫으면 절대 비추. 난 그래픽이 마음에 들어서 그럭저럭 괜찮게 했음. 90% 할인할때 사는게 아니면 추천하지 않음. 1550원에 사서 추천하는거지 정가 15500원 주고 샀으면 절대 추천 못함.