Recommended Free Tools
Close to the Sun is a single-player, first-person adventure set aboard a vast research vessel in an alternate 1897. It mixes environmental exploration and puzzles with horror atmosphere, while its story follows journalist Rose Archer as she searches for her sister Ada. Steam’s store listing offers useful information about the premise, PC requirements and player-review snapshot, but that snapshot is not the same as a broad critical consensus.
What is Close to the Sun about?
Developed by Storm in a Teacup and published by Wired Productions, Close to the Sun places Rose Archer aboard the Helios, a research vessel inspired by Nikola Tesla’s vision. The game’s alternate-history story begins in 1897, as Rose searches for Ada. Steam describes the Helios as “An unbound utopia for scientific research”; that is store-page marketing language, not a claim about real history. Steam’s listing gives the premise and product details.
What do you do in the game?
The store listing describes exploration, puzzles, secret areas and hidden collectibles in a single-player adventure. Steam’s user-defined tags include “horror,” “steampunk,” “walking simulator” and “first-person.” These tags help convey how players categorize the game, but they are not formal developer specifications.
Steam also quotes a review attributed to Kotaku calling it “an Indie Bioshock Without the Combat.” Treat that as a comparison about its atmosphere and lack of combat emphasis, not as an official genre label or a guarantee that the games play alike.
#1 Best Overall
- Close to the Sun is a first-person story- driven horror game
- Set in an alternative 19th century, dramatically changed by a second age of scientific enlightenment fueled by Tesla
- Play as Rose, a young journalist who STEPS aboard the Helios after receiving a mysterious message from her sister
- Explore a world rich in Easter Eggs and environmental story telling, including a Museum featuring some of tesla's real inventions
What do Steam user reviews say?
In the Steam snapshot accessed October 8, 2026, the game had 875 all-time user reviews, 74% positive, for a “Mostly Positive” rating. Steam showed 13 recent reviews, 92% positive, rated “Very Positive.” These are changing storefront figures from different review windows, not a measure of professional critics’ consensus. The recent percentage is based on a much smaller set of reviews than the all-time total.
Will your PC run Close to the Sun?
Steam lists the following PC requirements. They are the store’s stated specifications, not independent performance testing.
Rank #2
- Close to the Sun is a first-person story- driven horror game
- Set in an alternative 19th century, dramatically changed by a second age of scientific enlightenment fueled by Tesla
- Play as Rose, a young journalist who STEPS aboard the Helios after receiving a mysterious message from her sister
- Explore a world rich in Easter Eggs and environmental story telling, including a Museum featuring some of tesla's real inventions
| Specification | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 10 | Not stated on the Steam listing |
| Processor | Intel Core i5 or AMD FX, 2.4 GHz | Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 |
| Memory | 8 GB RAM | Not stated on the Steam listing |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GTX 760 or AMD Radeon R7 260x, 3 GB VRAM | NVIDIA GTX 1060 or AMD RX 470 |
| DirectX | Version 11 | Not stated on the Steam listing |
| Storage | 50 GB available space | Not stated on the Steam listing |
Check the current Steam listing before installing, since system requirements and product details can be updated.
Is there a content warning?
The developer-authored Steam notice says the game may contain “Frequent violence and gore, general mature content.” That warning may help readers decide whether its horror content is suitable for them.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Rank #3
- Close to the sun (Nintendo Switch)
- First-person horror adventure where surviving is everything
- Problem-solving in order to progress the story: just what happened on board Tesla's *?
- Danger aplenty as Rose pieces together just what happened, having no real means to defend herself
- Close to the Sun is a first-person story- driven horror game
When did it release, and what extras are listed?
Steam gives May 5, 2020 as the release date. Its listing includes the original soundtrack and artbook as digital add-ons. The listing does not establish a physical edition, physical soundtrack or artbook, or availability on platforms beyond Steam; those details should not be inferred from the digital extras.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- CONVERSATIONS INSPIRED BY THE CONSTELLATIONS: Think you know your friends? Let’s see what the stars have to say in the Sun Moon Rising party card game for adults and teens ages 17+
- GET TO KNOW YOUR FRIENDS BETTER: Read a statement for your sign. Does it reflect who you are? Everyone votes true or false. See if the votes align, as you share stories, develop meaningful connections, and have lots of laughs
- 12 DECKS PERONALIZED TO EACH ZODIAC SIGN: In this horoscope game, awkward small talk is not in the cards. Instead enjoy juicy conversations with 50 introspective, funny, and spicy statements for each sign
- 300 BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED CARDS: The double-sided cards feature vintage-inspired art—all in a gorgeous package that will look aesthetic on your coffee table
- FUN GAME FOR NIGHTS OUT & IN: This portable game is a fun game for girls night out, bachelorette parties, sorority parties, road trips, cozy nights in with friends, and double date nights. For 3-6 players
Rank #4
- As Earth begins to die, it is time for humanity to look Beyond the Sun.
- Players take turns to take an action available on the technology board, then produce resources
- Actions allow players to improve their economy, move spaceships, colonize systems, and research new technologies
- For 2-4 Players. 90-120 minute playing time. Ages 14+
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
