With the arrival of Endless Ocean Luminous in the Nintendo Switch lineup just around the corner, Gamereactor takes a look back at the video games that have had the biggest impact on us, mostly aquatic in theme. We're sure you share many of these choices with us: vast oceans, stressful diving adventures, hilarious platformers, and the oppressive terror of underwater cities. If not, please tell us your favorite underwater game.
There are many titles that focus on water, but here we will introduce titles that will interest you in the deep sea, in no particular order. Hold your nose and jump in!
endless ocean luminous
Although the presentation and variety don't really suit this title today, Endless Ocean Luminous offers a relaxing experience of enjoying ocean nature. We can explore and discover her fauna of over 500 species. Unlike other video games like Subnautica, you don't have to worry about enemies lurking or running out of oxygen.
This is an advertisement:
The original Arika was released by Nintendo in 2007 for the Wii console, and a sequel was later released. That's the latest version for Switch. One of his new features is the ability for up to 30 players to collaborate in a group immersion. If you want to know more about this release, David explains it in detail in his Endless Ocean Luminous review.
sea of thieves
Treasure, fishing, co-op missions, cannon combat, bottles of rum…the possibilities are endless in this open world. Sea of Thieves lets you immerse yourself in the adventure of becoming a real pirate. You can sail alone, take in the sights, and explore new horizons…or you can play with companions, and the Rare experience takes on a whole new meaning. There are Grand Tales, which are expanded quests based on the history surrounding the world of The Devil's Shroud. And be careful of your enemies too. From ghosts to krakens to storms raging on the high seas, pirate legends are no longer just legends, they're reality. Similarly, the PvP combat option allows you to enjoy naval battles using shooting and melee weapons. However, be careful not to sink your ship or your fellow ships.
This is an advertisement:
We fall into the life of a pirate, sailing without (or even with) a defined course to explore the islands and secrets that surround the sea, or choose missions to earn big rewards. It's a very complete gaming experience that puts you at the helm in search of the ultimate treasure. It's an adventure without limits.
subnautica
In this survival video game, we find ourselves on an alien planet consisting of an enchanting ocean. After crash-landing in this strange world, we must resist all the dangers that lurk. The only obvious way out is to reach the bottom of the ocean. Lava fields, bioluminescent underwater rivers, sun-drenched coral reefs, and even ocean trenches. Subnautica has both sides of the coin. It's a mesmerizing landscape with glowing sea creatures, vast vegetation, and vibrant colors, but at night, the darkness and its creatures leave the environment in muted tones, scaring players.
In the deep sea you will find everything you need to craft tools and tools. It is also possible to build bases on the ocean floor and build personal crafts. Without a doubt, it's a classic water-themed video game.
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
I can't leave out The Legend of Zelda, especially The Wind Waker. This title is considered one of his best titles in Nintendo's adventure series, but that wasn't always the case. It includes a vast environment of the time that has not existed in previous fiction. The series chose the Sea of Freedom (although you can only surf the surface) and gave Link the power to control the winds and plan his ocean voyages. All kinds of experiences take place there, full of puzzles and magic, of course.
There are many islands to visit and dangers in the sea, and the protagonist navigates the ocean in one of the deepest and most original stories in the series. One of the most distinctive tools in video games is the ability to change the direction of the wind. This is achieved by harnessing the power of music, thanks to the famous “Wind Waker” baton.
Another feature of this game is Link's large bug eyes. The art direction decided to change the expressiveness of the characters. This helps give players hints about the path they should take, and coincidentally, it fits in with the bold cel-shaded cartoon finish.
We last enjoyed this adventure in Wind Waker HD on Wii U and were looking forward to the inevitable Nintendo Switch port, but so far it hasn't arrived…
Assassin's Creed Black Flag
Treasure, plunder, and adventure… Assassin's Creed Black Flag is inspired by the 18th century, the Golden Age of Piracy. The fourth installment of the series visits the islands of the Bahamas, South Florida, and Cuba. More specifically, we focus on the cities of Havana, Nassau, and Kingston. Not only that, the story takes the protagonist to more than 50 towns of the time.
Approximately 50% of the game takes place at sea. Actions you can perform include harpoon hunting and deep sea exploration. It is worth mentioning the naval battle. There are several secondary missions where these secret showdowns can take place. You can shoot your opponent's captain or attack their ship, among other options.
dolphin echo
Ecco the Dolphin was released in the 90s for Mega Drive (Genesis) and pioneered a theme and genre based entirely on the aquatic world. Perhaps the great underwater levels in Super Mario Bros. and Donkey Kong Country didn't qualify for this list per se, but this was a platformer set entirely underwater.
The film follows Echo, a dolphin who is left alone after his pod is taken away by a mysterious tornado. We then learn that the dolphins have been captured by an alien race called the Vortex. No, it doesn't end with an episode of The Simpsons.
Control your aquatic animals through various stages from a 2D side-scrolling perspective. In this story, we are asked to travel to the past and visit places like Atlantis. And just as Mario has to face Bowser in the final stage, Eco has to reach the Vortex Nest and defeat Bowser.
The story behind the creation of this SEGA-published title is a little… vague. The game's creator, Ed Annunziata, was inspired by a marine biologist named John C. Lilly. Lily was participating in a project to teach dolphins human language. In addition, scientists were also experimenting with drugs such as ketamine. This led him to believe that he had come into contact with a higher being, an extraterrestrial being. He called them the Earth Concordance Office (ECCO) – pure coincidence?
wave lace 64
We had to include this classic Nintendo 64 jet ski racer. This is a simple, arcade-like, simple yet thorough game where the fun never stops. This work is divided into four game systems, each of which is different. Additionally, a total of 9 environments are included. Victory awaits you at the finish line, but you'll have to traverse a course filled with various obstacles, including slopes, deep water, and swirls. The 3D water physics and feel set it apart from previous water games. This adds realism to the gameplay experience and is also part of the mechanics of controlling the bike.
Soma
This psychological horror story will keep you on edge the whole time… We step into the shoes of Simon Jarrett, a man who suffers brain damage in a car accident. Considering his situation, Jarrett agrees to undergo an experiment called a brain injury scan. The protagonist regains consciousness and wakes up at the Upsilon site of PATHOS-II. This location is an abandoned underwater research center.
This survival horror is a science fiction masterpiece. Robots, aliens, and humanoid creatures would be Simon Jarrett's worst nightmare. The story progresses in the deep sea, creating a dark and lonely atmosphere. The design of the scenario is also one of the key points of his SOMA, allowing you to freely explore and inspect all the locations of this dimly lit place.
bioshock
This legendary immersive sim and horror shooter is designed with a first-person perspective. We enter a utopia set in 1960 and immerse ourselves in a deep-sea art deco world. Especially in his city of Rapture, one of the most famous cities in the history of video games.
You can biologically modify your body to gain various abilities and gain an advantage over your enemies. Additionally, the environment becomes your best ally, as you can use every element around you as a weapon. The game is the first in a trilogy of saga (the first and Infinite were critically acclaimed), and while its fourth part is probably still in development, its creator, Ken Levine, is a new He is planning a project called “Judas''. “The most replayable game of all time”.
dave the diver
Dave the Diver was one of the most successful indies to set sail last year. The premise of the game is that you play as Dave, a diver hired by a sushi restaurant. Our task is to dive into the sea and catch the fish we need to make restaurant recipes. But that's not all. As soon as night falls, the restaurant opens its doors to customers and it's time to run the bar. As the game progresses, your weapons and equipment will be upgraded. Endurance time underwater increases each time. Additionally, there will be more opportunities to explore the underwater world.
But this wasn't the only aquatic indie of last year. I also have to mention his Dredge who competed with Dave for this spot. This other one of his titles combines fishing and horror, with a man having to sell the fish he catches to pay his own ransom.
man eater
Maneater is just GTA but with sharks? Yes, that comparison is possible. This game is about a giant mutant shark that spreads chaos wherever it swims. And its mission is a bit bloody… eating all the humans it finds along the way as a kind of eco-friendly revenge (just kidding).
But they can do more than just swim, they can also make acrobatic jumps and glide out of the water for a few seconds. As the game time progresses, the protagonist will be able to transform into a megalodon. In the story, you can see clear influences that influenced the creation of the title, such as the films Jaws, Moby Dick, and killer whales Killer Whale. This story tells of the catastrophe caused by these large sea creatures. Sharknado for laughs? Yes, that too.
What do you think is a great aquatic video game that is not included in this list? Leave a comment below.
