- Publisher: E-Line Media
- Release Date: Nov 11, 2021
- Also On: iPhone/iPad, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- Critic score
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Dec 29, 2021In Beyond Blue the narrative seamlessly supports gameplay that is pure pleasure. The absence of challenges is replaced by the always interesting act of exploring and discovering. A necessary game whose only negative point is how short the experience is... because we would like it to last forever.
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Nov 25, 2021Beyond Blue is an interesting game with some solid story strands to propel its underwater gameplay. Its emotional impact doesn’t reach the heights of the likes of Firewatch, and its limited gameplay may put some players off if they want something more substantial or challenging, but nonetheless this is a well crafted and calm title that proves its worth. When it comes to education-based games, this is a good example of how engaging it can be.
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Dec 6, 2021If you’re the type who likes to relax with the calming sites and sounds of an ocean life documentary, Beyond Blue will allow you to get more interactive with it. The educational and narrative moments don’t fully gel with the undersea exploration, and the visuals get murky on the Switch, but that won’t matter when you’re exploring these deep, safe waters.
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Jan 13, 2022Beyond Blue is an adventure that will not be remembered for its gameplay, but it's something different from what we usually see in gaming and brings a strong message with it.
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Jan 26, 2022This is no frantic action game, rather its experience is about diving and tracking different maritime species, with a background plot that helps the players know more about the main character. The gameplay is relaxing and contemplative, and it has a relevant educational pillar, though there could have been a lot more done here to further advance the exploration aspect of the game, not to mention that the graphics feel rather sub-par, which is disappointing in a game that depends so much on its visual dimension.
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Nov 15, 2021Beyond Blue has noble intentions, with an urgent and vital message about our impact on the Earth. However, it doesn’t do itself justice. Although there is some decent content in here – videos, music, sound design, gameplay, narrative – those parts do little to support or enhance one another. Gameplay is soothing but one-note, the video documentaries don’t frame the missions and neither are well connected to the narrative. While there are moments of majesty in exploring the ocean, the limited draw distance and pop-in frequently interrupt the awe. Edutainment’s a hard one to pull off, and Beyond Blue feels less like an awesome rock concert about dolphins and more like your science teacher trying to do a rap.
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Nov 26, 2021If in its Switch port, Beyond Blue retains its educational quality through skilfully conducted dialogues, it regretfully loses what made its second strength: its contemplative appeal. Exploration, however comfortable at the console pad, suffers from decorations marred by an excessively pronounced flicker and an overall lack of finesse. It will therefore be necessary to know how to be satisfied with the learning that experience has to offer.