"Crying Suns" Review: A Strategic Roguelite That Channels FTL with a Splash of Sci-Fi Intrigue

Hey there, waffle enthusiasts! Josh Bailey here from 2tonwaffle.com with another deep dive into my ever-expanding Steam library. Today we're looking at "Crying Suns," a tactical roguelite that caught my eye during one of our Tuesday Two-Hour streams. This gem has been sitting in my library from one of those humble bundles I grabbed pre-pandemic (you know how it goes, you buy like 12 games for $15 and then forget about half of them).

For those unfamiliar with our review process here at 2tonwaffle, I play each game for exactly two hours – no more, no less – and then break down the experience across four key categories: gameplay mechanics, audio/soundtrack, art style, and general feel. Each category gets scored on our recently expanded 10-waffle scale, with the final score being the average. So buckle up and let's jump into this pixel-art space adventure!

The Premise

"Crying Suns" puts you in the role of Admiral Ellys Idaho, a clone of a famous Imperial officer who's been awakened from stasis by Kaliban, the facility's AI. You soon discover that the all-powerful Empire that's ruled humanity for 700 years has mysteriously gone silent. No more transmissions, no more orders, just... silence. Your mission? Pilot an Omega-class battleship through the stars to figure out what the heck happened.

Oh, and did I mention that humanity is entirely dependent on mechanical servants called "Omnis" for our survival? Yeah, there's that whole existential angle too. No pressure or anything.

Gameplay Mechanics (7/10 Waffles)

At its core, "Crying Suns" blends exploration, resource management, and tactical combat in a way that feels immediately reminiscent of FTL (Faster Than Light), but with its own unique spin. You navigate your battleship between star systems on a sector map, managing resources like Neo-N fuel and scrap while responding to various encounters along the way.

The combat system is where things get interesting. Unlike FTL's ship-interior view, "Crying Suns" gives you a top-down tactical battlefield where you deploy squadrons (fighters, frigates, etc.) and use weapon systems to take down enemy vessels. The rock-paper-scissors relationship between different squadron types adds a nice layer of strategy, and the ability to assign officers to different systems (who bring unique buffs) gives you some meaningful choices to make.

What I particularly appreciate is the tactical pause feature. When things get hectic – and trust me, they will – you can pause the action to consider your next move. This prevents the combat from becoming an overwhelming click-fest and keeps the focus on strategy rather than reflexes.

However, the game does have a tendency to throw you into situations without much handholding. During my first combat encounter, I sat there staring at my weapon system wondering why it wasn't firing until I realized there was a cooldown timer I needed to wait through. A bit more guidance for new players would've been welcome, but the learning curve isn't too steep once you get past those initial hurdles.

Audio & Soundtrack (8/10 Waffles)

The audio design in "Crying Suns" absolutely nails the atmosphere. The synth-heavy soundtrack has this nostalgic 80s sci-fi vibe that immediately made me think of classics like Blade Runner. It's moody, it's atmospheric, and it perfectly complements the game's narrative of a declining galactic empire.

Sound effects are punchy and satisfying – the weapons have weight to them, and the various bleeps and bloops of your ship's systems feel appropriately futuristic without being obnoxious.

The one downside is the lack of voice acting, which means you'll be doing a lot of reading. Not a dealbreaker by any means – games like Citizen Sleeper 2 rely heavily on text as well – but for players who prefer their narrative delivered aurally, this might be a slight disappointment.

Art Style (9/10 Waffles)

Folks, this is where "Crying Suns" really shines. The pixel art is absolutely gorgeous, striking a perfect balance between retro aesthetics and modern detail. Character portraits are expressive despite their limited animation, and the ship designs are distinct and memorable.

The star map and various UI elements are clean and readable while still maintaining the game's visual identity. I especially appreciate how the developers used color to convey information – dangerous encounters are highlighted in red, while friendly ones take on a cooler blue hue.

The environmental storytelling deserves a special mention too. The opening cinematic with humans in pods gave me immediate Matrix vibes, and the abandoned Neo-N cubes floating in space convey a sense of decay and abandonment that reinforces the game's narrative themes.

General Feel (8/10 Waffles)

"Crying Suns" succeeds in creating an immersive sci-fi experience that balances gameplay and narrative in a satisfying way. The roguelite elements mean you'll die (a lot), but each run gives you new insights and unlocks that carry forward, making progression feel meaningful even when you fail.

The writing deserves praise for creating an intriguing universe with some genuinely thought-provoking themes about humanity's relationship with technology. It asks the classic sci-fi question: what happens when we become so dependent on our machines that we can't survive without them? The game doesn't beat you over the head with its philosophy, but it's there if you want to engage with it.

My one criticism is that the pacing can sometimes feel a bit uneven. Some star systems offer intense, white-knuckle encounters, while others are more routine resource-gathering stops. This variability is part of the roguelite formula, but occasionally I found myself wishing for a bit more consistent tension.

The Verdict (8/10 Waffles)

Adding up our scores across the four categories, "Crying Suns" earns a solid 8 out of 10 waffles. It's a polished, engaging roguelite that offers both mechanical depth and narrative intrigue. If you're a fan of games like FTL or have a soft spot for sci-fi stories about fallen empires and the relationship between humans and AI, this is absolutely worth your time.

The game shines brightest when all its systems come together – when you're carefully managing your resources, making tough decisions about which encounters to pursue, and engaging in tactical combat that requires genuine strategic thinking. At those moments, "Crying Suns" delivers an experience that feels both challenging and rewarding.

While it might not revolutionize the roguelite genre, it executes its vision with confidence and style. For a game that's been sitting dormant in my Steam library for years, it was a delightful surprise to discover such a well-crafted experience waiting for me.

So there you have it, waffle enthusiasts! Another Tuesday, another game thoroughly tested for your benefit. If you've played "Crying Suns" yourself, drop a comment below with your own thoughts. Did you manage to discover what happened to the Empire? Did you find yourself getting attached to your officers only to watch them perish horribly? Let me know!

Until next time, this is Josh Bailey from 2tonwaffle.com, reminding you that sometimes the best games are the ones you've already owned for years without realizing it. Stay crispy, friends!