Instead, there’s a true depth and ambiance to the yawning chasms of our ocean. Unlike many games with underwater sequences, Beyond Blue doesn’t paint its massive walls of water with a dull navy and call it a day. To contrast the carefully sculpted reefs and caves, the blue abyss lies ever-present on your horizon. Your ears perk up at the gentle moan of whales, or the high-pitched trill of dolphins, waiting for you beyond a cove. Sound plays an important role, as both your in-game guide, since you use sonar to navigate the deep, and as a player. While the sheer variety and density of aquatic species packed into each area beggars belief, your immersion remains steadfast thanks to the fluid animations and exceptional sound design. You don’t feel there, per se, but you’re probably as close as you’ll ever be… unless you’re a regular deep-sea diver. It’s the motion of both Mirai (our main character) and the animals around her which breathes life into the world – in a way that movies and National Geographic can’t hope to replicate.

I feel that Beyond Blue’s greatest achievement is that the screenshots and trailers don’t exactly do these environs justice. They capture the lithe movement of playful dolphins, the vivid flash of schooling fish, and the lilting rays of sunlight on water. The game truly shines in its realization of picturesque ocean vistas. One might be tempted to think this is applause for the game’s graphics, but those are simply good. We’ll start with Beyond Blue’s tangible, undeniable strength – it’s scenery. Man, she must have stamina for days – I can hardly finish a pool lap without panting. Welcome To The Deep: Beyond Blue’s Bountiful Vistas With that out of the way, let’s talk about the beautiful, breathtaking, but often boring Beyond Blue.

Read some reviews, watch a trailer or two, and then decide if this is the kind of experience you’re willing to pay for. I avoided any info about the game before I played, and while this may be a good idea for something like The Last of Us 2, I’d actually recommend against it here.

If you want to know more about the ocean’s denizens and were perhaps a fan of Animal Planet back in the day, you might get more out of this than I did. It’s more of a personal narrative tied to an interactive aquatic “tour,” if you could call it that. It’s not an adventure game, survival simulator, or even much of an exploration. I won’t jump into spoilers just yet, but this game is very much so about our oceans, their inhabitants, and humanity’s relation to these creatures. Beyond Blue’s impact will vary wildly between players, depending on their expectations, interests, and simple preference. However, my experience thus far has been more a poor man’s aquarium trip, rather than a true dive into the depths.īefore any readers get too discouraged – hear me out. In many ways, it succeeds – stoking that childlike sense of amazement from time to time. What mysteries lurk therein, and what sights are there yet unseen? Beyond Blue aims to (actually) immerse you in this alien world, and reveal the beauty and bounty which lies just beneath the waves. The oft-repeated quote “we know more about the surface of the Moon than the bottom of the ocean” fills me with equal parts wonder and dread. The big blue sea simultaneously fascinates and frightens me. The ocean holds a special place in my heart, though perhaps in the deeper, darker regions of it.

Subnautica review gamers with jobs