Abzu Review

Swimming through Abzu’s gorgeous underwater environments is one of the most peaceful and meditative experiences I’ve had this year. In many ways, Abzu is the perfect summer game: a short but sweet experience that, while light on gameplay, uses beautiful visuals and amazing music to immerse you in its wonderful underwater world.

Abzu is the first game from developer Giant Squid, a company founded by ex-thatgamecompany art director Matt Nava. The similarities between Abzu and thatgamecompany’s most recent game, Journey, are almost too obvious to avoid. Both games share a composer (Austin Wintory), an artist, and similar design choices. Abzu, like Journey, relies on environmental storytelling to tell its abstract story and prefers a meditative, slow-paced experience. However, where the two games differ is far more important.

Where Journey was a solitary experience punctuated by brief moments of connection with other players, Abzu is a game filled with life. In Abzu, the player takes on the role of a nameless diver whose job it is to restore life to various areas of the ocean. In fact, “life” is probably the most important idea in Abzu. Diving underneath the surface for the first time, you’ll see schools of small fish swimming through kelp forests, as larger fish swoop in to feed on them. It’s an impressive and realistic depiction of underwater ecology, and Abzu is at its best when you can just sit back and observe the circle of life.

Of course, watching sea life is only as enjoyable as it is because of the simply breathtaking environments. While other games this year have had greater visual fidelity and technically better graphics, Abzu’s art direction allows for its kelp forests, coral reefs, and underwater ruins to induce wonder. Abzu is quite literally one of the most beautiful games I have played this year. There are genuine moments of beauty when the visuals, music, and sea life come together perfectly. One particular standout is a moment when you find yourself dwarfed by a school of blue whales, swimming next to their graceful, massive bodies as you dive further into the depths of the ocean.

While Abzu’s visual presentation and music help to pull you into this world, it’s the gameplay and controls that constantly pull you out. If it’s not already apparent, Abzu is not a very challenging game. In fact, it goes out of its way to provide a meditative, peaceful experience (going so far as to provide statues that literally allow you to meditate and observe the sea life on display). Gameplay, if you can even call it that, is composed mainly of entering environments, exploring them, and completing very basic puzzles in order to move on to the next area. I always wanted to explore a new area because of how beautiful and unique each area was, but I couldn’t help feeling like I was just playing a swimming simulator.

There are other sections where you are carried along by jet streams and have to quickly navigate through schools of fish. These sections are definitely a highlight, as they offer a welcome change of pace. However, there is no real way to “fail” these sections, and they are pedestrian at best. There are, of course, collectibles in the form of seashells, and there are small clusters of coral that, once unlocked (e.g., swim over to them and press a button), bring more fish to a particular area. The collectibles are extremely easy to find, and the coral clusters really only provide more eye candy.

Abzu is never really interested in providing any form of challenge. Instead, Giant Squid is more than happy to just let you explore their underwater world for 2-3 hours. Just like with Journey and many other “art” games, this means Abzu is not for everybody. However, the game’s controls are so stiff and, at times, oddly obtuse that even exploring can be a bit of a pain. The diver controls like a vehicle in a driving game, meaning you hold down one trigger to move and use the left stick to control your direction. Unfortunately, the turning is so slow and stiff that this often meant I would hit a wall or accidentally do a somersault instead of turning around. Other than moving forward, the only other real input required from the player is pressing X to boost, but even this simple skill is made oddly obtuse. You learn this skill early on, yet it was only halfway through Abzu that I figured out that by timing my button presses, I could chain three boosts together to move even faster. Why should I have to work to figure that out when everything else is so easy?

Likewise, the story, even after two playthroughs, remains a mystery to me. Journey also had an abstract and mysterious story, but it was clear enough to allow for interpretation. There’s no inherent problem with a game being coy with its story, but generally, Abzu’s story of mythical great white sharks and invading robotic/alien forces (I think?) is never clear enough to engage or intrigue.

Despite the frustrating controls and minimal gameplay, Abzu remains a gorgeous and sometimes wondrous swimming simulator. The story may never emotionally resonate in the way it intends, but the world feels so alive that you will look forward to exploring it regardless. It may not be for everyone, but just let its beautiful music and striking visuals sweep over you. If you do, you’ll find a game that is willing to experiment and take risks in order to achieve moments of wonder that few games ever achieve.

Abzu’s Soundtrack: A Masterpiece in Music

One of the most remarkable elements of Abzu is its soundtrack. Composed by Austin Wintory, known for his work on Journey, the music in Abzu elevates the game into a true sensory experience. Wintory’s compositions are often ethereal and haunting, perfectly matching the underwater world of Abzu. The use of strings, soft percussion, and subtle electronic elements blend to create a soothing atmosphere that wraps around the player like a warm embrace.

The soundtrack doesn’t simply accompany the game; it interacts with it. As you dive deeper into the ocean or encounter large schools of fish, the music swells, adding an emotional depth to the otherwise peaceful exploration. In one of the most emotionally resonant moments of the game, when you encounter the blue whales, the music swells into a rich, resonant melody that perfectly captures the awe and grandeur of the moment. The combination of visuals and music here is nothing short of breathtaking, creating an unforgettable experience that stays with you long after you’ve put the controller down.

The Art of Environmental Storytelling in Abzu

While Abzu may not have the most intricate gameplay or plot, its use of environmental storytelling is where it truly shines. The game doesn’t rely on dialogue or text to convey its narrative; instead, it lets the player explore and interpret the world around them. The diver’s journey is one of restoration, and as you move through each area, you’ll notice subtle changes—abandoned cities, ancient ruins, and sea life that slowly begins to return to areas once devoid of it. These elements help tell the story of a world in need of healing and a diver who is the key to its salvation.

Environmental storytelling is particularly effective in Abzu because it taps into the player’s natural curiosity. There are no hand-holding tutorials or quest markers telling you what to do. Instead, you are encouraged to explore and piece together the story at your own pace. Every new area reveals more about the world, and while the story may not be explicitly clear, the world itself tells a compelling tale. This approach to storytelling is one that rewards players who are patient and willing to invest time in exploration, giving a sense of ownership over the experience.

Final Thoughts: Abzu’s Quiet Beauty

At the end of the day, Abzu is a game that offers a unique experience for those willing to embrace its slow pace and understated storytelling. It is a meditation on nature, life, and the interconnectedness of all things. While its gameplay and story may not appeal to everyone, there’s something undeniably special about the world Giant Squid has created. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful escape or simply a chance to enjoy a visually stunning, meditative experience, Abzu is a game that delivers on both fronts.

Ultimately, Abzu is a game that feels like a journey in and of itself. It’s a game that invites players to leave behind the rush and noise of everyday life and immerse themselves in something simple, beautiful, and peaceful. It’s a reminder of the power of nature, art, and music, and how a game can capture those elements to create something truly memorable. Even with its flaws, Abzu remains a standout in the genre of meditative games, and for those who can appreciate its quiet beauty, it’s a journey worth taking.

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