Abzu is an adventure game set in the ocean. It is developed by some of the same people who had helped create Journey, and thus there are similar thematic elements. This is a relaxing game and the aim is to explore. There are no stressful sections, there are no hostile enemies, and you cannot die. This lends to a carefree and chilled game. The music adds to this serene effect and the game has a unique aesthetic that makes it look really nice and impressive. One glance will let you know that it's a beautiful game but also that it uses simplicity to its advantage.
The gameplay is simple since you control a diver who can swim, interact with objects and latch onto underwater sea creatures to hitch a ride. The diver swims fairly slow but you can time boosts to swim faster at the press of a button. That being said, the swimming controls take a bit to get used to. The diver swims in the direction they are facing but contrary to your expectations, the analogue stick cannot be held. This is because the stick directs the diver up or down so if you hold it, the diver will just swim in circles. Annoyingly, for a game that encourages you to look around, you will occasionally end up fighting against the camera. The camera really likes to automatically readjust itself even when you're trying to pull it away to check out the surroundings.
The story is fairly thin in the beginning since you just suddenly gain control of the diver with no explanation whatsoever. There is no dialogue with the story complete being told via the diver's actions. A lot of the backstory is easy to miss since it is revealed via the environment, particularly paintings in the ruins that you swim through. It does take an unexpected turn in the middle of the game and the atmosphere changes too. The second half can feel completely different from the serene deep blue sea exploration of the opening to a more sinister tone hinting at a hidden threat.
After the open deep blue sea, you'll start to encounter mysterious underwater structures. It adds to the mystique of the game and forms the basis of the game's puzzles. These are simple affairs where you are required to find objects to interact with to open a gate leading to the next section. As long as you swim around, the triggers are really easy to find, you're never stuck at a place for long.
The game aims to evoke an emotional response from the player but it isn't as strong as Journey. Perhaps this is because the journey of Abzu lacks a deeper meaning underneath it all. That being said, the developers nailed the atmosphere and it is an enjoyable time. Whether this is a plus or minus, Abzu is extremely short being 1.5 to 2 hours long for your first playthrough. The replay factor is improved through the inclusion of various collectibles in the game. Once you complete the game, you can chapter select your way through to find them. There are even sections where the diver can sit down and meditate, checking out the sea life.
Overall, while Abzu may not have the same deep emotional impact that it tries to evoke from games like Journey, it still instills a sense of wonder and amazement to the player as they explore the vast blue ocean. The story can be too vague at times but Abzu is worth a playthrough for the relaxing atmosphere.
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