Close to the Sun (video game)

Lore & Background

The game takes place in an alternate 1897 during a technological arms race between Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison. Most of the action occurs on the Helios, a gigantic ocean liner named after the Greek god of the sun, intended by Tesla as a haven for scientists. The ship contains laboratories, gardens, an internal rail system, and a large Tesla Tower, owned by Tesla's fictional company Wardenclyffe. Documents scattered throughout reveal growing tensions between Tesla and Edison, Tesla's paranoia, and various scientific breakthroughs, contrasting a grandiose style with flies, rats, and destruction.

Protagonist Rose Archer boards the Helios after receiving a mysterious letter from her sister Ada, a lead researcher on board. The ship is under quarantine, and Ada denies sending the letter, suggesting a future version of herself did. The plot involves a time-related experiment, a one-electron universe, and electricity pulled from time itself. Rose encounters glowing visions of the past, a man named Aubrey trapped in the engine room, a killer named Ludwig, and a monster called a Time Anomaly. The story culminates in a confrontation at the Tesla Tower, with Rose escaping as the ship sinks, ending on a cliffhanger with Tesla promising to save Ada.

Reader's Guide

Close to the Sun is significant as a narrative-driven horror game that draws heavily on alternate history and the rivalry between Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison. Its setting on the Helios, a massive sea cruiser, provides a unique backdrop for a story about time manipulation and scientific hubris. The game's reception was mixed, with critics praising its story, graphics, and atmosphere but criticizing its gameplay, particularly slow movement, clunky chase sequences, and overreliance on jump scares. The game's similarities to BioShock were frequently noted, though it did not achieve the same level of acclaim. Its legacy lies in its ambitious narrative and visual design, despite technical issues and gameplay shortcomings that prevented it from being a standout title in the horror adventure genre.

Did You Know?

• The game was developed by Italian studio Storm in a Teacup and published by British company Wired Productions.
• The Helios is named after the Greek god of the sun and is the largest ship in the world.
• The game is set in a one-electron universe where electricity is pulled from time itself.
• The game's protagonist, Rose Archer, is a journalist seeking to save her sister Ada.