Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Metareview: Endless Ocean]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/23/metareview-endless-ocean/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/23/metareview-endless-ocean/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/01/23/metareview-endless-ocean/#commentsFiled under:


Our blogger in the UK, Chris, provided us with a review of the title last month (thanks to the game releasing in his territory before ours, for a change) and spoke his mind concerning the undersea exploration within. After providing his honest opinion on the title, many here who were otherwise dead-set on picking this one up (this blogger included) then began to contemplate the other releases this week. Soon, its place among the "must-haves" for the week was in question, and we started thinking about picking up one or the other.

What about you all, though? Have you picked up Endless Ocean and found the critics to be off their rockers? Is this game awesome and nobody but IGN knows it?

Let's get to the reviews:
  • IGN (80/100) says: "There are enough missions, from becoming a tour guide for other divers to photographing rare fish, to keep you busy for hours, but you might just prefer the pointless exploration to accomplishing set goals. Add in a two-player online mode and there's a lot to like about this scuba-diving simulation, even if some of its basic controls are wonky and its action-oriented scenarios limited. Did I mention it's only $29.99?"
  • Game Informer (60/100) thinks: "Have you ever wanted to be as cool as Aquaman, except without any super powers? You could swim around, make friends with fish, and...well, that's about it. That is exactly what Endless Ocean delivers, giving players a chance to pet all sorts of underwater wildlife and watch them float by. The few other distractions, like taking pictures and filling an aquarium, provide only the barest incentive to keep going."
  • Eurogamer (60/100) labels the game: "Endless Ocean is simple to the point of being quite dull, and certainly no masterpiece. But sometimes all a game needs to do is offer you something different, and it's an honest relief to play something that doesn't shout in your ear, set any time limits, or feature a single explosion; a game whose raison d'être is just beauty and peace. Playing this game is almost like taking a holiday from gaming. If you can live with that paradox - and if you can find it reasonably cheap - it's worth dipping a toe in these calm, blue waters."
  • GamePro (25/100) magazine critiques: "Endless Ocean's underwater atmosphere is soothing and relaxing but it lacks a crucial element: fun." [Feb 2008, p.84]

JoystiqMetareview: Endless Ocean originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Jan 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>capcomdivingendless-oceanendlessoceanforever-blueforeverbluescubascuba-divingunderseaWed, 23 Jan 2008 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Fanboy Review: Endless Ocean]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/24/wii-fanboy-review-endless-ocean/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/24/wii-fanboy-review-endless-ocean/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/24/wii-fanboy-review-endless-ocean/#commentsFiled under:



Here's a very brief list of adjectives I would almost never use to describe video games:
  1. Genteel
  2. Laid-back
  3. Soothing
Historically, a handful of titles have bucked this trend -- Electroplankton, PlayStation 3 curio flOw, Pilotwings and its sublime 64-bit follow-up (one of this writer's all-time favorites) -- but on the whole, the term "video game" conjures up images that are far from tranquil: gobby, cornrowed marines shooting the bejesus out of this week's alien threat, epic battles with scaly fantasy creatures, futuristic pod racing, urban gang warfare. You get the idea.

Endless Ocean does things differently. Arika's scuba-diving sim is almost certainly the most relaxing, pedestrian game of 2007. And while that's certainly a welcome change from other video games, occasionally it can become a little too laid-back for its own good. Or, to be blunt, boring.

Continue reading Wii Fanboy Review: Endless Ocean

JoystiqWii Fanboy Review: Endless Ocean originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 24 Dec 2007 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureaquaticarikadivingendless-oceanendlessoceanexplorationforever-blueforeverbluejoystiqfeaturesscubascuba-divingunderseaMon, 24 Dec 2007 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[New Endless Ocean shots make a splash as Euro release nears]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/06/new-endless-ocean-shots-make-a-splash-as-euro-release-nears/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/06/new-endless-ocean-shots-make-a-splash-as-euro-release-nears/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/06/new-endless-ocean-shots-make-a-splash-as-euro-release-nears/#commentsFiled under:



If you live in Europe and don't yet know your Humphead wrasse from your Powder blue tang, then fear not, because Endless Ocean (it is known by another name) has the answers, and will be hitting stores in Euroland later this week. To celebrate that fact, developer Arika has treated us to a further 19 screens of its watery exploration game, all of which you can find below.

Needless to say, we're looking forward to this one -- it's pretty unique for starters, and Famitsu doesn't dish out 35/40s for any old tat.*

* Most of the time.

JoystiqNew Endless Ocean shots make a splash as Euro release nears originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 06 Nov 2007 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ArikaDivingEndless-OceanEndlessOceanForever-BlueForeverBlueScuba-divingTue, 06 Nov 2007 21:00:00 EST