• News
• Games
• Features
• Reviews
• Previews
• Releases
• Archived News

• Comics
• Videos
• Podcasts
• Wallpapers

• Blog
• Forums
• Chatroom
• Staff

Endless Ocean

Constantly compared to Hollywood, the videogame industry is practically built of on bombast, with big-budget, big-thrill blockbusters being churned out at a rate comparable to its celluloid cousin. Take a look at the hot new titles for the current generation, and you will see a whole lot of action – from the hyper-realistic gun-wielding of ‘Call of Duty 4’ on the 360 and PS3, to the boundless energy of Nintendo’s own chubby mascot in ‘Super Mario Galaxy’; game shop shelves are literally straining under the weight of titles fighting for your attention.

Where does Arika’s ‘Endless Ocean’ fit into to all this, arriving in the shops with zero advertising, almost no anticipation from the vast majority of gamers, and tackling a subject matter that is possibly about as niche they come? If ever there was a title destined to be overlooked amidst the Christmas rush, then this is it. If indeed this is its fate, then it’s a damn shame, because it has a lot to offer.

The easiest way to describe ‘Endless Ocean’ is as ‘Blue Planet – The Game’. Assuming the role of nameless diver, you leap from the side of your luxury yaught and plunge head-first into a pristine underwater paradise, free to explore to your hearts content. Where you go, and what you do is entirely up to you, and from this simple premise Arika have managed to deliver a truly exceptional and unique experience.

At first glance, ‘Endless Ocean’ appears to be fairly empty and shallow. Its location, Manaurai Sea, though beautifully realized is devoid of any kind of threat or obvious challenges. There are no enemies to harass you, no goals to restrain you and no ‘Game Over’ screens punish you. However, much as a soggy, prune skinned BBC cameraman will tell you, the ocean has a wealth of secrets that only inquisitive patience will unveil.

Despite any initial misgivings, there is plenty in ‘Endless Ocean’ to keep you occupied. From researching and photographing sea life, to locating and exploring hidden caves to discovering lost undersea treasures, it feels like an amalgamation of ‘Pokemon Snap!’, ‘Animal Crossing’ and ‘Pilot Wings’. Underwater photography is particularly gratifying, using a camera with realistic aperture settings, capturing the perfect photo is immensely rewarding.

As you progress, the possibilities increase as new equipment is acquired and wider range of customisation options made available. Tools such as the flashlight enable night dives, and other areas of the map remain tantalising out of reach until the correct equipment is obtained. Progress is made by completing simple tasks - take paying customers on undersea tours, catalogue fish, train your pet dolphin etc., and all remain consistently engaging. Much in the same way that ‘Animal Crossing’ managed to capture the imagination of millions of gamers the world over, ‘Endless Ocean’ sinks its hooks into you by the freedom it offers– freedom to explore, to relax and to soak up the gorgeous visuals…