Posted in: Games, Video Games | Tagged: 505 Games, ABZU, entertainment, games, giant squid, giant squid studios, Review, video games

ABZÛ Review – Do You Sea What I Sea?

Back in 2015, I gave Abzu Game of the Show at E3. That feels like eons ago, but at the time, what grabbed me was how the game opened up and allowed me to get lost in it during the excess, the noise and the marketing palooza that is the expo. That's rare. On top of that, the idea of a spiritual Journey successor set in the ocean, a subject that fascinates me, was quite a promise.

Thankfully, I feel my reputation will remain intact, as the game really does meet that promise. Taking you on a beautiful journey through a magical ocean, there are a great many things to like about Giant Squid's impressive debut.

Before I get stuck into what ABZÛ is, indulge me as I recount an old game. Back in 2000, Ecco The Dolphin: Defender of the Future hit the Dreamcast. While the game descends into some messy sci-fi nonsense, the first mission in the game was a feel good space in which you could just swim around and do a little bit of light puzzle solving in a peaceful ocean. That mission is etched in my mind as being special. It suggested a huge ocean I just wanted to exist in and was truly one of the first times I played a game that I could find relaxing by doing little more than base interactions. If only there was a nice game that allowed me to live underwater, and swim with the sealife, I'd be a happy boy. Well now, 16 years later, ABZÛ has delivered on that ask. 

Before you dive in here though, there is a certain mindset you should probably be in to get the most out of ABZÛ. If you need a goal orientated game, or feel like you need to be hitting progression for forward momentum, ABZÛ is sure to grate. If you like to explore, and can have gratification by just living and exploring inside of a beautiful ecosystem, then you will get the most out of what the title has to offer.

The core of Giant Squid's outing is one of curiosity. You play as a faceless diver, exploring a dense and rich ocean. There is a story for you to push through, but it is not the core of the title. At said core, you are expected to look around and just play with the detailed marine ecosystems you uncover. While the game could be rushed through in under an hour, it encourages you to take this journey a little more leisurely, pushing it more to a three hour dip. I truly believe that is where the game sings too. Some of the 'rooms' you find yourself in have thousands of fish, and I could spend 25 minutes or so just existing with all the wildlife. From the tiniest anchovies to Blue Whales, the level of detail here can be really staggering. Seeing fish feed on other fish, reacting to your presence and gawking at it all working en masse is quite beautiful. This is all supported by controls that are actually quite excellent, making you feel like you are diving underwater, while still being responsive and intuitive.

Now, to say this game is 'a bit like Journey' would be an undersell. Headed by the art director on thatgamecompany's seminal title, ABZÛ wears its influences proudly on its shoulder. It evokes similar gameplay mechanics, with a button for making little calls, (and a much appreciate button just for doing a flip into a ball) and environmental storytelling by way of a fallen civilization, down to a character with a blacked out face with eyes, this really feels like a sister title to that game. That means it should go without saying, if you are a fan of that title, ABZÛ should push those same buttons.

There are some key differences between the two games though that are worth pointing out. Journey certainly has forward momentum to it, with a little more focus on the goals at hand, while ABZÛ is a little more detail orientated. It invites you to interact and play with its environments more, trying to get you to exist in the majesty of the ocean ecosystem rather than just exploring the 'notion' of a location. This does mean that while there is less directed 'fun' to be had here, the opportunity to examine this world is immensely gratifying, at least for the slower player. While the title never quite has the impact of Journey, simply due to it existing in a post-Journey world, it certainly hangs in the conversation in terms of quality.

With all that said, I enjoyed my time with ABZÛ immensely. While its slow speed, short running time and onus on the player to explore will rub certain players the wrong way, for others, it will be a beautiful, relaxing dip into a beautifully designed environment. Crafting a meditative experience fueled by curiosity, environmental story telling and a reverence for the setting, ABZÛ shines as a spiritual Journey successor.  Having said that, it also carves out its own DNA, with its own strengths that really make the title feel whimsical. With beautiful art direction, clever AI, responsive controls and the ever talented Austin Wintory scoring the soundtrack, the game comes together as a beautiful cohesive whole. While not for everyone, I believe those who it's for will have a great time with this one, and it will likely stay in my yearly rotation as a must re-visit.

Buy it if: The idea of exploring a magical and beautifully designed ocean at a slow and relaxing pace sounds like something you could get lost in.

Avoid it if: You feel like you need constant forward progression or traditional game rewards to make your time worth while. Also, if you don't like short games.

Score: 9.0/10

Trailer:

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