Murky Divers

Murky Divers by Embers is one of the most compelling cooperative horror games. Its original and oppressive setting and gameplay mechanics promise a deep and suspenseful experience. The emphasis on communication, resource management, and gradual progression adds long-term depth to the game, while procedural generation and submarines of varying sizes ensure high replayability. This game is primarily for fans of cooperative survival games who are looking for something more than just shooting zombies. If you’re drawn to the idea of diving into dark, unexplored depths where every sound could spell doom and every corpse you find raises questions you’d rather not know the answers to, then get ready. Just watch out for what lurks beneath the surface—and, above all, what might be hiding right behind you.

Murky Divers manages to stand apart in an oversaturated genre while still offering everything we love.

The mobs are plain funny, and good for a laughing scream that has players swimming away. Players may even find themselves receiving a message from a Skeleton asking if they dropped a collarbone, not sure what that's about. This game will have players laughing, even if it will also sometimes have players annoyed and plain enraged by creatures and their poor stamina. Murky Divers is the type of game players should expect some rage-quits from, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't come back. The game has hours of fun to offer with friends, even if what's going on isn't quite clear, and even if the games can make a player want to throw their entire desktop out of the window in a fit of rage. It's a chaotic, funny, slightly-terrifying time, and a great addition to the survival horror co-op genre. With 1.0 now available, there's plenty more dismembered feet, nightmarish creatures and rage-quits to come.

Murky Divers is supposedly playable in solo mode. It might just be because I suck at the game, but I heavily advise against this. The submarine has a lot to manage, and although it’s not demanding, trying to run away from the oncoming threats like the Leviathan and Kraken makes it challenging. I wasn’t able to check sonar, quickly swim to the engine to move the sub, then once again swim quickly to the wheel. It might just be a skill issue, but when it’s done solo, it just wasn’t fun. However, when I was joined by the TC crew, we easily organized and operated the submarine. With the submarine conquered we came across another issue. When arriving at the expedition, we could barely survive due to how aggressive the monster was. Often these beasts were blocking the entranceway of the building we had yet to enter. Which became a chore. Add to that our wanted levels were nearly full after two missions, meaning the ocean police were gunning for us, it all became a bit tedious. I had fun with Murky Divers, I did, but as mentioned above, it removes the fun when you’re just getting trapped or killed instantly by a giant ghost fish time time and time again. Maybe others might fair better than me, or maybe I’m better suited for Lethal Company. With all that, I award Murky Divers the Thumb Culture Silver Award.