Selfloss | PS5 Review

Selfloss is an afterlife adventure steeped in deep mythology regarding the realms of life and death. As an old man weary and worn you find yourself in the afterlife attempting to complete tasks for the sovereign deity Marena in order to make amends so that you can live again. It is through a gifted light emitting staff that you interact with the creatures, persons of interest, and the world around you. Ultimately solving puzzles, clearing the infectious miasma, and making your way to your end goal. Along the way you also learn of the enigmatic world of Yord, and those who have also faced both life and death in their time there.

The staff with which the old man renders puzzles and tasks complete in "Selfloss" is a multi-faceted tool with many options for engaging with the surrounding environments. The light can cleanse miasma, calcify miasma, be used to cleanse the old man of miasma affliction, trigger runes, collect items, and solve puzzles. Often times it's interaction with the environment, flora, and fauna differ adding creative ways to navigate the vast expanse of the watery afterlife. You will often times tread on foot utilizing this staff, but also use it on a boat as you drift along the mazelike terrain. 

Lore in "Selfloss" is given in palatable text via NPC conversations as well as through the completion quest of one other afterlife resident's books via collected scrolls. That and interwoven flashbacks of memories nearly forgotten. It is a story told mostly through these methods of contextual conversation, and readable lore that flesh out the otherwise mostly visual, and moody story. The soundtrack alone carries and immerses the player in the emotional side of the telling while the somber spectacle that is the game relays through added symbolism the struggle that the man faces as he makes amends in an attempt to be worthy of life.

The Presentation ...

Visually Selfloss is an isometric 3D adventure with segmented biomes of interest that harbor progressive points of interest ranging from NPC meetings to challenging boss fights that will use all the of the staff's abilities to defeat. The terrain is littered with hints of where to go, and what to do in a puzzle solving sense as to not leave you wandering for hours as you try to complete the current tasks. The world itself mirrors the hinted at mythos telling of an otherworldly plane of giants. mermaids, and other mythical beings caught up in the same cycle of life and death. It seems to be a fisherman's afterlife as well as most of the thematic features including the old man, and sea creatures reflect this notion. 

In the way of soundtracks Selfloss contains an ambient, and haunting orchestral composition that plays heavily on ancient culture mysticism. There's flutes, string instruments, heart pounding drums, and reverberating sounds echoing throughout the afterlife's domain. It is a soundtrack fitting of the story being told, and only partly accented by garbled voices, siren screams, guttural grumbling, faint whispers, and alluring song.

The Verdict ...

Selfloss is a journey of a game built upon meaningful puzzles, and a lore that helps us better understand the struggle of nature and humanity. Moreover it is a journey between life and death, showcasing the cycles and importance of each. The gameplay itself is highly engaging, and immersive, and one playing can truly get lost in the moment never wanting to let it end. It's the type of experience that maintains a vested interest. Once you begin playing you'll want to see it through.

As a reviewer, and gamer I was pleasantly surprised with Selfloss. The trailers didn't do it justice. It is so much more profound. It is one of those haunting gaming experiences that will linger in your thoughts long after you have finished. It is that good. I hope that if you haven't already given it a try or a buy that you do so. It is a gem of a game!