Gentle giants
I have always loved nature documentaries. My favorite ones have always involved the ocean, since so much of it is still undiscovered. It is also extremely peaceful. So when I found out they were making a game that delivered that type of experience, I was all-in on checking it out. Beyond Blue is like playing an episode of Planet Earth. Players are tasked with exploring and collecting data on various sea creatures, all while being treated to calming visuals and atmospheric music. It is the perfect game to just sit back and relax with, and it even delivers a healthy dose of information in the process.
Beyond Blue lets players take on the role of deep-sea explorer Mirai as she and her crew follow a family of sperm whales to study their lives, whether it be mating or hunting. Along the way there are other creatures and secrets to discover, and in between each mission players can return to the sub to study info and unlock new models to view. The story revolves around exploration and study, but also digs into Mirai’s family and co-workers connection.
MSRP: $19.99
Platforms: XB1 (reviewed), PS4, Switch, PC
Price I’d Pay: $19.99
The game play loop is pretty straightforward. There are a series of eight dives which take place across several areas. During these I would swim to a buoy, scan the area, and then complete the mission. All of the species in the area can be scanned as sort of a collectibles mission. Once enough are scanned it unlocks information about them back on the sub. This is more of a game about exploration and information than skill or progress, and can be played at any pace.
There are no threats to Mirai. She can swim right next to sharks and massive creatures that could easily take her down and there is zero threat. Trust me, I tried. I could explore at my leisure and take in every sight without any fear of consequence. It is a relaxing game about studying ocean life, and it does a great job of that.
In between missions Mirai returns to the sub where she can listen to music, watch documentaries that unlock, or call her staff/friends. These conversations are very well done, but really don’t add a whole lot to the vibe of the game. The music is extensive even if it mostly goes unused since players have to make an effort to listen to it. The documentaries and info are the highlight of this piece. I loved discovering more things and they are genuinely well done. I recommend waiting until you accumulate a solid amount of the videos though, as they are only about a minute in length so it is nice to have a variety of them.
The graphics look great outside of some weird glitching I noticed on the sub. Character models are decent and the ocean feels massive even if it is limited. The voice acting is better than it has any right to be and the music collection is solid, even if it is underused.
Beyond Blue is a relaxing experience that will appease players who cannot get enough nature documentaries on Netflix. I loved taking my time and scanning creatures and just exploring the ocean. There is a lot of interesting info wrapped around a solid gaming experience. Beyond Blue is the kind of game that players will just know they will enjoy by looking at it.
Review copy of game provided by publisher.
