ABZÛ

Developer: Giant Squid | Publisher: 505 Games | Release Date: 2016 | Genre: Action / Adventure / Indie | Website: Official Website | Purchase: Steam

Numerous nature documentaries have taught us that the ocean can be a beautiful place filled with life and wonder. It has also taught us that the sea is home to sharks and other things with many teeth and giant appetites, so we prefer observing it in nature documentaries instead of firsthand. Unfortunately, nature documentaries are not very interactive, so we are thankful that games like Abzu exist. It is a wonderfully immersive underwater adventure by Giant Squid Studios, which comprises staff members who previously worked on Journey. Of course, this means that Abzu shares some similarities with the Thatgamecompany classic, but it is also very much its own game.

Abzu opens with the player character, an unnamed diver, who wakes up floating in the ocean. Players can immediately dive down into the water and begin exploring their vibrant surroundings. Apart from things with teeth, our other primary concern with diving is the inability to breathe down in the depths without an oxygen tank, but this is something that you don’t need to worry about in Abzu. The reason why the diver can swim around unrestricted by the need for oxygen is revealed later in the game, along with their lack of fear when faced with ocean predators. In fact, Abzu prefers the mysterious storytelling route when it comes to unveiling its plot, which means players will have to figure out most of it themselves. Since there isn’t a single line of dialog in the entire game, it also means that the whole thing is very much open to interpretation.

One thing about which there is no doubt is the fact that Abzu is a beautiful game. Instead of a hyperrealistic look, the game features a stylized look at the world beneath the waves. It should come as no surprise that the game also bears more than a passing resemblance to Journey. Each scene in the game is just bursting with color and life, so there were plenty of times when we just stopped and stared at everything around us. The game even features specific “meditation” spots, where you can relinquish control of your character and let the camera follow around the other oceanic lifeforms as they go about their business. Abzu not only includes tons of different species, but the way in which they move about is also wonderful to behold. Even the schools of fish you encounter procedurally respond to you, as well as each other and whatever predators may be lurking in their vicinity.

You’ll also find that as the fish you encounter become larger and more exotic, you can grab hold of them and hang on for a joyride. Breaching the ocean on the back of a giant blue whale is definitely one of our favorite moments in any game, but Abzu is filled with moments like this. Whether petting a Great White Shark or coming face to face with a giant squid, the game is incredible to behold. It is also filled with minor touches, such as your flippers kicking up clouds of sand as you swim close to the ocean floor or the way the kelp sways in the currents. From a visual standpoint alone, Abzu is not a game you will want to rush through.

While Abzu is wonderful to look at, its gameplay might not appeal to everyone, especially those who can’t stay awake without plenty of action. Since your diver has nothing to fear from any of the fish, there is no combat in the game, and the closest thing to action is avoiding a few proximity mines on later levels. For the rest, you’ll swim along peacefully, hitch rides with friendly fish, or get swept up in ocean currents that transport you from one area to the next. There’s no risk of getting gobbled up by a giant fish, as in Tasty Blue. Where you must go next is always obvious, but you can explore a little off the beaten track to find secret shells, release fish from hidden pools, and uncover all the meditation statues. Performing these actions is highly recommended, as the game itself is very short and can easily be completed in two hours. Abzu does feature a few puzzles here and there, but nothing that could be called taxing. Along with turning mechanisms for opening certain gates, you’ll also need to find small underwater rovers to assist you with barriers.

The store page for Abzu strongly recommends a controller to play Abzu, and while it isn’t strictly necessary, we agree that analog controls feel more natural when swimming around. Holding down the right trigger causes your diver to swim in the direction they are pointed, and you can give them a quick boost with the tap of a button. There is also a button for grabbing onto passing marine life and one for performing a neat roll. The lack of health bars, oxygen timers, scores, or objectives means that the user interface for Abzu is entirely clutter-free. While this might make it feel shallow and boring to thrill seekers, we thoroughly enjoyed every second we spent with the game, and completing it was definitely bittersweet.

Abzu’s stunning visuals and relaxing gameplay are enhanced by its atmospheric soundtrack, courtesy of Austin Wintory, who also worked on Journey. The music is dynamic to make everything more immersive and react to what is happening on-screen. The soundtrack also makes good use of instruments not commonly heard in games to complement Abzu’s visual style and theme. The sound effects are equally good and really help to draw players deeper into the underwater experience.

Overall, we enjoyed playing Abzu, even though we wished the experience was a little longer. We do not doubt that some players will see the game as a glorified interactive aquarium due to the lack of action, and the storytelling method will also not appeal to everyone. Abzu is definitely a more laid-back experience, but descending into the heart of the ocean offers a great break from the frantic pace of life and other games. If you enjoyed titles such as Journey and Flower, Abzu should be very high on your wish list. It is a truly unique game and definitely something that proves that games can also be art.