Vessels
Local Space Survey Corps · 2020 · Narrative, Exploration, Mystery, Atmospheric, Adventure
PC
Very Positive96% · 113
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About Vessels
Winner of IGF 2021 AWARD
REVIEWS
"This is a fascinating game, with more than one ending, but no matter how you play forcing you into some ugly situations. It’s so interesting to play this familiar setting from the side of the “infected” one on board, and to be confronted by the realities of your actions... It’s such a smart idea." -Buried Treasure
"The plot, however, is timeless, and the narrative twist – putting the player in the role of the alien intelligence rather than the unaware crew – refreshes a familiar narrative trope to recreate the feelings you got the first time your favorite science fiction show turned into horror... Compelling and thoughtful." -IndieGameReviewer
ABOUT THE GAME
Quarantined inside an airlock. No memories. No way out. The remaining crew thinks there’s something wrong with you, but the Voice says it’ll help you escape. Navigate volatile conversations & unravel mysteries in this narrative adventure about trust, self-destruction, & shifting identities.
Vessels is a 2-3 hour, character-driven story, in which no one is exactly who they appear to be… even you. With the help of the enigmatic Voice, possess and control the other crew members to explore the ship. Experience atmospheric, environmental storytelling as you piece together clues on a ship reeling from a grisly death and spreading paranoia.
Who you are matters as much as what you choose to say in Vessels. Engage in nuanced conversations where you must charm, manipulate, and seek truth amid colliding personalities, secret agendas, and hidden pain. The diverse characters you meet can either become your allies or means to an end.
Will you free yourself from the airlock? Will you discover the truth of your team’s mission? What exactly is the Voice that speaks to you? It will take more than one life to uncover the full story of Vessels.
REVIEWS
"This is a fascinating game, with more than one ending, but no matter how you play forcing you into some ugly situations. It’s so interesting to play this familiar setting from the side of the “infected” one on board, and to be confronted by the realities of your actions... It’s such a smart idea." -Buried Treasure
"The plot, however, is timeless, and the narrative twist – putting the player in the role of the alien intelligence rather than the unaware crew – refreshes a familiar narrative trope to recreate the feelings you got the first time your favorite science fiction show turned into horror... Compelling and thoughtful." -IndieGameReviewer
ABOUT THE GAME
Quarantined inside an airlock. No memories. No way out. The remaining crew thinks there’s something wrong with you, but the Voice says it’ll help you escape. Navigate volatile conversations & unravel mysteries in this narrative adventure about trust, self-destruction, & shifting identities.
Vessels is a 2-3 hour, character-driven story, in which no one is exactly who they appear to be… even you. With the help of the enigmatic Voice, possess and control the other crew members to explore the ship. Experience atmospheric, environmental storytelling as you piece together clues on a ship reeling from a grisly death and spreading paranoia.
Who you are matters as much as what you choose to say in Vessels. Engage in nuanced conversations where you must charm, manipulate, and seek truth amid colliding personalities, secret agendas, and hidden pain. The diverse characters you meet can either become your allies or means to an end.
Will you free yourself from the airlock? Will you discover the truth of your team’s mission? What exactly is the Voice that speaks to you? It will take more than one life to uncover the full story of Vessels.
FEATURES
- ATMOSPHERIC MYSTERY - A 2-3 hour adventure where no one is who they initially seem and your choices lead to different endings.
- DEATH LOOPS - Repeat lives until you say exactly what you want to say or learn what you need to learn.
- POSSESSION - Become the other crew members of the Kairos-03 to explore the ship, learn about the crew, and use what you know to free yourself.
- CHARACTER-DRIVEN STORY - An authored story about a crew finding themselves amid self-destruction and sacrifice.
What Steam players say
Recent verbatim reviews from Steam — separate from playze.io community reviews below.
✦ AI summary
Players praise Vessels as a cleverly crafted short sci-fi narrative with an engaging premise that successfully builds tension and mystery around themes of identity and uncertainty, comparing it favorably to games like The Thing and Mouthwashing. The story effectively unfolds through fragmented interactions and player choice, with compelling character interactions and thoughtful life lessons that resonate beyond the brief playtime. Players consistently feel the game is underpriced and recommend it as a hidden gem that rewards going in with minimal expectations.
Really cool short science fiction story that gives heavy The Thing vibes. Enjoyed my time with it!
Vessels, created and published by Local Space Survey Corps, is a tightly focused science fiction narrative that builds its identity around uncertainty, perspective, and the quiet tension of being something you don’t fully understand. The game opens with a disorienting premise, placing you inside a sealed airlock with no memory and no clear sense of self, immediately establishing a tone that is more psychological than action-driven. Rather than guiding the player through a conventional survival story, it leans into ambiguity and forces you to piece together both your role and the broader situation through fragmented interactions and repeated attempts. The most compelling aspect of Vessels lies in how it handles identity. You are not simply a character navigating a crisis, but an entity that can inhabit and control others, effectively turning each crew member into both a resource and a lens through which the story unfolds. This mechanic is not just a gameplay feature but the foundation of the narrative itself. By shifting between different individuals, you gain access to their thoughts, relationships, and personal stakes, gradually constructing a fuller picture of the situation aboa…
Very interesting game concept, I really like it. You wake up in an airlock, not knowing who you are, or who the people on the other side are, that are trying to decide if you are really their crew mate, or something else entirely. And the more you play and interact, the more your find out. There is a good sci-fi story beneath to discover.
A short but well made story! The concept is interesting, and it was fun exploring, learning about the characters, and getting answers for the questions the story brought up. Had some nice life lessons too. Worth more then the asking price for sure! Easily recommended!
Great game, a hidden gem
What an awesome ride! Mouthwashing meets Outer Wilds. I get that it came out five years ago but it's a bit crazy this is only a dollar. I read about this on buried-treasure while looking for something spooky and plunged in without reading too much. So glad I did.
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