They Grew Lungs and Drowned is a free-to-play role-playing game from indie developer Supposedly Spooky. This experimental retro horror lets you explore an alternate universe. You’re left to search the remains of a massive vessel. Looking around, you get to talk with the survivors and understand the story that ties everyone together.

With wide and incoherent designs for its characters, a unique approach to horror, and profound conversations on life and existence, They Grew Lungs and Drowned is a short yet fun game. If you like this kind of game, try Gardens of a New World or LETHAL OMEN.

A weird experience

For starters, They Grew Lungs and Drowned immediately strikes you off as different, thanks to its retro graphics. It feels like the visuals from fifth-generation consoles released over two decades ago. Solid colors, low-poly shapes, and angular shadows are all present to create an unsettling feeling at first, and confusing dark humor feels after. The same applies to the characters in the game, bringing this weird tale to life.

Like most indie games, it has simple and intuitive controls. Use WASD to move and the mouse to look around. You can interact with the characters and complete your task immediately, or just roam around and find easter eggs. The game is divided into five episodes, each tackling a specific part of the overall story. Also, its storytelling approach is nonlinear, with different episodes focusing on a different survivor.

However, despite this fun experience, the game is incredibly short. A full playthrough can be done in less than 15 minutes. Even more, it only has a single ending for you to experience, limiting the game’s replayability. Lastly, this game might not work well for people with photosensitivity problems because of its bright colors and flashing lights. Other than these minor issues, the game is a great one-shot.

Your next experimental game

If you’re a fan of wacky experimental games, then They Grew Lungs and Drowned is a great place to start. It uses dated graphics to add suspense and thrill to the overall experience. Its outlandish character designs, plus its chapter-by-chapter storytelling approach, make an effective game that is both distinct and disjointed while at the same time contributing toward an overall goal.