Platforms
- PCAug 17, 2017NAplayscoreNA0 Critics9.41.11K Players
- Nintendo SwitchMar 1, 20187.9playscore8.111 Critics7.731 Players
- iOSOct 22, 2017NAplayscore8.44 CriticsNA0 Players
20 critic reviews · 3 community reviews across all platforms
Critic Reviews
- After working your way to the satisfying end of the story, there is developer commentary (and art gallery) for an extra. This is similar to Thomas was Alone (same developer) but sans any spoken text. Having been spoiled on the former, the appeal of this read-only extra is less, but I still appreciate it for the insight it offers. A short game makes for a shorter review. I like reading, so I’m going to score this a bit generous. I do feel that Subsurface Circular is good, even if it ends with unfulfilled momentum.
Trevor Gould · Mar 14, 2018 Reviewed on SwitchRead full review - Subsurface Circular is a lovely, short exploration game on the kind of people you might sit next to on a metro. It's thoughtful, engaging and thought-provoking.
Rosh Kelly · Mar 06, 2018 Reviewed on SwitchRead full review - Slickly presented, striking in design, and thought-provoking in the conversations that it unravels, Subsurface Circular marks another welcome addition to the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch. Its narrative focus makes it a little different to everything else that has hit the digital storefront and that’s by no means a bad thing, as the game’s shorter format makes it the perfect distraction between games that demand more of your time.
Alex Seedhouse · Mar 01, 2018 Reviewed on SwitchRead full review - Saying anything else will just ruin the magic that this short, intriguing title holds. With its low price point and great pacing, I’d encourage everyone to check this out. If you’re a fan of sci-fi, this is almost a no-brainer, but even people who are typically not interested in visual novels would do well to try Subsurface Circular for themselves. The organic integration of puzzle elements makes for one of the best detective games around.
Peter Glagowski · Mar 01, 2018 Reviewed onRead full review - Mike Bithell isn’t wrong in calling Subsurface Circular a video game short, but that doesn’t mean you won’t get any enjoyment out of it. It’s a deeply engrossing text-based adventure with a rich narrative, amazing dialogue, and a story that continually gets better and better. It’s beautifully crafted and should be praised for its taut storytelling, which only proves that video games — just like films, tv shows, and books — are capable of telling incredible and impactful stories.
Anthony Bacchus · Mar 01, 2018 Reviewed on SwitchRead full review - I don’t believe I am thinking too deeply about all this: getting the player to think about the consequences of increased automation and the power structures that lead to inequality and scapegoating is the whole point of the game. I think it’s commendable and I have no doubt the developer had the best of intentions, I just hope that next time they handle such serious questions with more care.
Guillaume Veillette · Mar 01, 2018 Reviewed on SwitchRead full review - Subsurface Circular is one of the most unique games available for the Switch right now, and this iteration feels right at home on the console. If you're looking for something that's a little off the beaten path to add to your burgeoning Switch collection, you can't go wrong with this one, even if it is on the shorter side.
Brittany Vincent · Mar 01, 2018 Reviewed on SwitchRead full review - I would fully recommend Subsurface Circular to anyone that enjoys purely narrative games. It’s a short game, but one that gives you a fully realized world in its short playtime. The storytelling method is a bit unconventional and is done well when other games could have easily made it too long. It’s a perfect title for a rainy afternoon play, or for a breather in between longer adventures.
Elizabeth Henges · Mar 01, 2018 Reviewed on SwitchRead full review - At the end of the day, Subsurface Circular is an exploration of our humanity… as presented by robots. It presents you with the opportunity to wrestle with what you value along with the questions of autonomy versus automation. While it is a short game, at $6 USD, it is worth the coin to exercise our gray matter. If you like a good detective mystery or like text based adventures, this is a game to check out.
Damien Gula · Dec 05, 2017 Reviewed on PCRead full review - Playing Subsurface Circular with headphones (over-ear if possible) offers the best possible experience. The subtleties of the soundtrack work to simultaneously get you in the right headspace and help you focus on the serious matter at hand, blocking out the distractions of the outside world.
Nik Ives-Allison · Nov 07, 2017 Reviewed on iOSRead full review
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Community Reviews
- Rated on PC
- Rated on Switch
- Rated on Switch
About the game
Trailers & Screenshots:
When the truth is buried, go underground. Step into this new take on text-based adventure from the award-winning team behind Thomas Was Alone and Volume. A short story that hands you the fate of the world above, as a detective looking for answers on the Subsurface Circular.
Developer: Bithell Games