Mastering Vengeance: The Artful Precision of "Children of the Sun"

It merely takes a solitary shot to ignite the downfall of an empire. That's the core philosophy behind "Children of the Sun," a riveting supernatural puzzle-shooter crafted by solo developer René Rother and published by Devolver Digital. Known for their vast repertoire of artistically unique, often avant-garde games, Devolver Digital continues this tradition with a game that merges style, narrative punch, and innovative mechanics seamlessly. If you imagine blending the stealth precision of Sniper Elite with the time-warp mechanics of Superhot, you'll begin to get a sense of what this game offers, although that description doesn’t quite capture its full essence.

The Protagonist: The Girl

You step into the shoes of the protagonist, known only as The Girl, a solitary force of reckoning with a burning vendetta against the eponymous cult that has wreaked havoc on her life. From the barrel of her sniper rifle, she lays waste to cultists; each shot drawing her closer to her ultimate target—the elusive Leader of the cult. As you progress through each level, hand-drawn flashbacks divulge glimpses of the cult's numerous atrocities and The Girl’s deep-seated reasons for vengeance. These fragments of memory are brief and chaotic, enhancing the disjointed and disturbing narrative.

Atmosphere and Artistry

The game eschews traditional dialogue during its cutscenes, relying instead on a minimalist narrative approach. The disjointed memories bombard the player, making it hard to piece together everything—that may well be intentional. This narrative style is backed by a soundscape of ambient white noise, amplifying the game's grim and surreal tone. Vivid purples and deep yellows saturate the visuals, immersing players in a gritty, filthy world where cultists infest seedy motels, dark forests, and crumbling apartment buildings.

Gameplay Mechanics: The Art of the Shoot

The heart of Children of the Sun lies in its inventive gameplay. At the start of each level, you're positioned on a predetermined path, sometimes offering full 360-degree maneuverability. This is where strategy comes into play—you must survey the environment, mark your enemies, and discover the optimal firing position. Once you fire, the camera tracks the bullet in a stunning visual flight until it meets its target. This is the twist: one shot per level is all you get.

Harnessing Supernatural Powers

The Girl isn’t just any sniper—she possesses latent supernatural abilities activated with each shot. As the bullet tears through its target, time slows to a crawl, allowing you to control the trajectory and extend its path through multiple enemies. Initially, the bullet follows a straight line, requiring meticulous planning for your first shot to navigate through all enemies in a single run. Over time, the game introduces complexities, such as moving enemies or obstacles that obstruct your view, compelling you to experiment with various strategies.

Abilities and Enemy Types

As the game progresses, more enemy types and supernatural abilities come into play. Shielded and armored cultists present significant challenges. The first new ability you unlock allows you to curve bullets, like in the film "Wanted," making it possible to hit enemies hidden behind barriers. Another ability reveals enemy weak points, enabling you to redirect the bullet mid-flight, bypassing shields and obstacles to strike vulnerable spots. This dynamic makes each level a puzzle unto itself, intricate and rewarding.

Facing Armored Cultists

Armored cultists escalate the challenge further. Their thick armor requires a 'power shot,' achieved by holding down the trigger, allowing the bullet to gain the necessary speed to penetrate their defenses. Calculating this involves spatial awareness and timing, as you’ll need ample distance between targets to achieve the necessary velocity. Seeing the bullet rip through armor at supersonic speeds is immensely satisfying.

Level Design and Environmental Interaction

Each level is a distinct puzzle, and solving it provides immense gratification. Trial and error play a considerable role—your initial attempts might see you tentatively exploring to locate all enemies before devising your strategy. The environment plays a vital role, too; fuel caps, gas canisters, and other destructible elements can be manipulated to your advantage. For instance, blowing up a car might eliminate enemies or offer a better vantage point. Though the opportunities for environmental shoots are somewhat limited, they add an extra layer of challenge and satisfaction.

Replayability and Scoring

Although "Children of the Sun" is relatively brief, clocking in at around three hours, its replayability is substantial. A scoring system encourages you to replay levels for better ratings, challenging you to achieve headshots, improve timing, and increase efficiency. Leaderboards add a competitive element, enticing players to perform better than their peers. Completing levels also unlocks impressive visual snapshots of your bullet’s trajectory, which you can share on social media for added enjoyment.

Final Thoughts

"Children of the Sun" offers an unconventional sniping experience that is as thrilling as it is satisfying. The game showers players with gruesome yet artistically rendered visuals and demands careful strategy rather than sheer reflexes. Despite its short length, the game’s allure lies in its inventive and intricate puzzles, making it difficult not to become engrossed. Even though it plays a singular note, it does so with macabre brilliance, making it easy to recommend to those who appreciate a unique and thought-provoking shooter.