There is so much to learn about the ocean yet, only a fraction of it has only been explored. At a certain point, the sea is a deep, dark, and deadly place to be. What Lives Below is a desktop game that challenges these fears with its infinite, procedurally generated ocean. The game assigns you as the lone fisherman who, unbeknownst to him, is about to face off with the gods of the sea. Be prepared for a fast-paced boss-rush game where anything can happen. 

Can you survive lost at sea?

What Lives Below is a nautical-themed survival game by an independent developer, Steb. It’s currently in development but what currently offers is horrifying enough. Other than the backstory, the entire game depends on your decisions or action. This emphasizes the horror of not knowing what is out there. If there was something dangerous in the sea, you wonder how bad it can be. Well, it can get pretty bad. 

First, you are all alone in the middle of the ocean. There are tools all over the ship that can help you fend off large animals, but it can only go so far. Second, the gods of the sea have awakened and you are heading straight towards them. There are a total of 4 Leviathans. Otherwise known as bosses, these spawn procedurally. Just like the real ocean, creatures can appear in different locations.

The game follows standard desktop controls. Letters W, A, S, and D are assigned for movement while E is assigned for interaction. To start using tools like a harpoon, use your left and right-click. You can also switch tools using numbers 1, 2, and 3. With minimal controls, you can get out of trouble quickly. The game will, hopefully, have more tools and more customization options as it progresses in development. 

A unique take on fear and horror

What Lives Below is proof that the unknown can be much scarier than what is seen. The procedurally generated gameplay keeps you on your toes, and the basic controls make it easy to bounce back from a quiet night at sea to a fight for your life with a boat-sized sea dweller. As the game is still in its development stage, there’s potential for the weapons to expand and the bosses to increase.