Shinsekai: Into the Depths

 Switch
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. Everyeye.it
    Apr 14, 2020
    74
    A title that could have said something more, but which remains a good proposal for all fans of the genre.
  2. Switch Player
    Jun 11, 2020
    70
    A different take on the Metroidvania formula, Shinsekai: Into the Depths creates a suitably aquatic feel, both in its atmosphere and gameplay. At times visuals can look a little washed up, but if you fancy going below sea level, then it’s worth taking the plunge.
  3. Nintendo Enthusiast
    Apr 13, 2020
    70
    Shinsekai: Into the Depths is a game worth playing. Its large world is addictive to explore, its oxygen mechanics are innovative and create dramatic gameplay moments, and its audio is a real delight. However, the flow of gameplay is regularly disrupted by weird annoyances like excessive fall damage, a helper robot who doesn’t help, and menus that are a little too cumbersome to navigate comfortably.

Awards & Rankings

96
#96 Best Switch Game of 2020

User Reviews

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User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 31 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 31
  3. Negative: 4 out of 31
  1. MuffpuffZeBuff
    May 10, 2020
    10
    This is one of those ‘hidden gem’ games that people miss out on because nobody talks about them. It is a beautiful game with a beautiful soundThis is one of those ‘hidden gem’ games that people miss out on because nobody talks about them. It is a beautiful game with a beautiful sound design and visuals. While there are some limitations due to the systems available, they really try to push what the can do with a platformer.

    It is basically the beautiful underwater level of game expanded into a full length game and darker (but in a realistic way not in a cheap gore slasher way). It is a simple game so it is hard to go into depth about it, but consider giving it a shot.    … Full Review »
  2. Televangelist
    Mar 31, 2020
    10
    I've played exactly one underwater Metroidvania before, and that was Aquaria, which was fun but it was basically 'Ecco the Dolphin, but makeI've played exactly one underwater Metroidvania before, and that was Aquaria, which was fun but it was basically 'Ecco the Dolphin, but make it metroidvania'.

    Shinsekai is... not that. You are not native to the underwater world. It is a hostile environment with unknown rules to you, and one misstep can have catastrophic consequences. I'd actually compare it to the movie Gravity, in the sense of your being pitifully human in an environment seemingly designed to eat humans alive.

    I normally hate physics in platformers, but it works wonders here -- it's not a cheap puzzle element, instead you have to take into account things like landing softly when you leap to avoid damaging your oxygen tanks or breaking your suit open. You emerge into the game not knowing how to do any of this, and routinely meet pitiless death as a result in your first few baby steps, but after the first hour you really start to get the hang of it. Even as you get a better sense of things, though, you always respect that the game has you dancing on top of a knife edge.

    The atmosphere and pacing is incredible; this doesn't feel like a phone game, it feels like a proper Switch title. Hats off to the team that put this together.    … Full Review »
  3. H1senberg
    Mar 30, 2020
    9
    An absolutely fantastic game from Capcom of all places. Not known for indies, this game ends up epitomizing what it means to be a “hiddenAn absolutely fantastic game from Capcom of all places. Not known for indies, this game ends up epitomizing what it means to be a “hidden gem”. As of March 30th, 2020, this fits into my top 3 games of the year to this point.
    There’s a story here if you’re looking for it...kind of along the lines of how you unearthed the story of Hyper Light Drifter as you played...with no actual dialogue. No handholding here, it tosses you in straight away as soon as you start a new game.
    Gameplay is fun, with unique and very well thought out mechanics. The visuals are quite good for a lower budget, and the audio is utterly mind blowing with its crazy good sound effects and hauntingly beautiful soundtrack. Headphones highly recommended. Apparently the sound effects were actually recorded under water to catch the realism to the sounds.
    So glad I took a chance on this after watching the Nintendo Direct.
    I could go on about how it doesn’t just check the boxes that great games need to, but it goes beyond checking boxes, it nails them, creating a game that’s hard to put down and leaves me contemplating it when playing anything else.
    What I can’t seem to do is put my finger on just what it is that Shinsekai does so incredibly well. It’s a kind of intangible charm that I find myself unable to describe...the sort of thing that the best games have that make them unforgettable long after watching the end credits.
    Buy the game, in my opinion you won’t regret it. It raises the bar for indies on the Nintendo Switch.    … Full Review »
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