Sethian

$4.99

Release Date:: Nov 9, 2016
Developer:: Duang! Games, LLC
Publisher:: Duang! Games, LLC
Platforms:: Windows Mac

About This Game

Sethian is a sci-fi puzzle game in which you master a fictitious language. An archaeologist in the distant future, you venture to the far-flung planet of Sethian, investigating the mysterious disappearance of the people there centuries ago. An abandoned computer may have the answers you seek, but it only operates in the lost native language. Master their language, unravel their mysteries, and challenge their philosophy.

An Original Language
Unlike in other games, Sethianese is a more earnest attempt at creating a fictitious language, using its own unique grammar and vocabulary rather than simply substituting words and letters one-for-one with English. The game's language borrows elements from Chinese, American Sign Language, and other real world languages, in addition to some features which have no real world counterpart.

Over 100 Handwritten Pages
Assisting you in your investigation are your handwritten journal and dictionary, easing you into the game's bizarre language, providing you with a reliable reference, and introducing you to the literature and lore of the world.

Multiple Endings
Those who comprehend the game's language will find peace, but only those who master its world will truly see the end of Sethian.

Screenshots

User Reviews

Overwhelmingly Negative

2 user reviews

Positive

User #450835 english

6 min at review

Not Recommended

I got too excited by its similarity to Heaven's Vault and Chants of Sennaar and didn't read the reviews closely enough. It just wants you to repeat specific combinations of symbols to unlock notebook entries that explain everything for you. It doesn't give you the actual flexibility to decipher things on your own.

User #073884 english

4 hrs at review

Not Recommended

It is hard to recommend the game, which is very unfortunate in my opinion. It is an interesting game with nice language design. Sethianese is an SVO language, which makes it easy for nearly everyone to understand (according to wikipedia, 42% of the world language is in SVO, making it the second most common word order only less than SOV's 45%). Thus, I believe Sethian is not a particularly *difficult* or *super hardcore linguistic* game, but was made to be so on purpose through... not very brilliant ways. I will discuss the plot, mechanics, and endings of the game, READ AT YOUR OWN RISK. I didn't put spoiler text cuz that will just make this review a giant black block. - Though the protagonist states that they didn't forget to bring the books written by the only two Sethianese scholars, you as player doesn't really have access to these two books, nor can you access the protagonist's notes as you wish (which is reasonable I guess since they're also learning while chatting). On...