In the continuity of Endless Ocean and Subnautica, Beyond Blue is an underwater exploration game in which you control a human diver. That diver is Mirai and, along with a team of fellow marine scientists, it's her job to investigate various underwater landscapes in hopes of better understanding the diversity of marine life that lives there.
Working with the BBC's Blue Planet II team, E-Line Media has crafted what is a unique virtual glimpse into the ecological wonders of the ocean. Gameplay revolves around diving in various regions of the ocean, starting with outcropping coral reefs filled with vibrant life and culminating in the inky depths of the Dead Zone, where torches on the futuristic diving suit of Mirai are your only source of light.
Each marine biome is home to an ecosystem of aquatic life unique to that region, and because Beyond Blue skirts the line between an educational experience and an adventure of exploration, it's possible to learn more about everything you encounter. Get close to sea life and you'll be encouraged to press L1 so you can focus a crosshair on any given creature to scan it. The sea life scan brings up information about each species, including their scientific name, the number of individuals you've encountered in the game so far, and vitally important to the game's story , the relative health of each creature you encounter.
Once the game's conservationist narrative begins to unfold, the analysis tool will be upgraded. Now you'll be able to use UV lights to reveal a new side to each creature, and orbit an underwater drone around larger animals such as killer whales to identify sensor tags and record snippets of their songs. The scan also relays the information to a scientific journal that Mirai can study from the safety of her submarine.
The more creatures of the same species you analyze, the more information will become available, and the Science Journal will offer more educational information, including 3D models for you to examine. With such a diversity of aquatic life, the scanning mechanic encourages you to spend time swimming around each biome, spotting all the different types of sea life that live there.
Whatever the setting, Beyond Blue always maintains the same atmosphere. The game perfectly conveys the tranquil mood of the ocean, and a beautiful score warms up even the coldest and darkest depths. When the music isn't playing, a talented cast of voice actors narrates the adventure, which involves Mirai streaming live over the internet from her wetsuit and investigating the noise pollution that's bothering her beloved whales.
Of course, Mirai has her own backstory intertwined with the plot that reveals why she's so dedicated to protecting the whales she studies. At the end of each dive, Mirai can access the helm of her submarine, open messages, and talk to her team and her younger student sister, Ren. Compared to the main plot, Mirai's family history is a bit underdeveloped, but it's still a welcome addition to the proceedings.
During conversations, dialogue choices let you shape the exchanges and even choose the dive spots, which adds replay value. Additionally, once the end credits hit around 4-6 hours, you'll be able to access the free dive mode, which opens up all eight biomes with no story and dialogue happening while diving. This mode is perfect for finalists who want to tackle the Beyond Blue trophy list, or for those who fall in love with peaceful drifting in the sea and just want that relaxing experience to continue.
For such a rich world centered around scientific realism, it would have been nice to see a little more variety in the 3D models of individual sea life (especially whales), which largely remain the same, with a few exceptions. . In particular, it would have been much better if you could visually differentiate sick whales and sharks via their behaviors and appearances, instead of having to use the scanner all the time, especially in an otherwise biologically accurate game.
Speaking of realism, documentary-style clips recorded by the BBC's Blue Planet II team are incorporated into the game to further inform and educate curious players. These clips are unlocked through gameplay, and the short video snippets are incredible insight into the real-world settings that inspired Beyond Blue's biomes.
Conclusion
Beyond Blue excels in presenting beautiful marine environments filled to the brim with fascinating marine life and interesting places to explore. Whether you're swimming with humpback whales or exploring underwater caverns, this is an experience that really makes waves.
- A beautifully tranquil atmosphere
- The narrative is surprisingly engaging
- Highlights real conservation issues
- Excellent music and voice acting
- Mirai's story is insufficient
- Lack of animal model variety
Super 8/10
Scoring policy
Review of copy provided by E-Line Media
