Endless Ocean: Blue World

Although Endless Ocean: Blue World undeniably deviates from the typical definition of a “game”, that doesn’t mean that gamers cannot enjoy it. The massive assortment of collectible treasures and shockingly expansive game environments will appeal to any chronic completionist, and the storyline is actually quite captivating.

For anyone with an affinity for sea life and an appreciation of gaming at a slower pace, Endless Ocean: Blue World is a must purchase - especially since it's hitting stores for a low initial MSRP of $29.99. Regardless, Endless Ocean: Blue World is a great game rife with content, and it's a steal at any price.

One of Wii’s deepest, most surprisingly enjoyable games.

Overall, Endless Ocean 2: Blue World is a huge step in the right direction for the series, and developer Arika has pulled out all the stops to make this a heck of a sequel

Arika has taken the core of the first Endless Ocean and developed the idea for Adventures of the Deep so considerably that it has easily become one of the exemplar products on Wii, full stop.

A relaxing, beautiful and well done underwater adventure.

A relaxing underwater adventure that teaches you about fish and shows you how to battle sharks for their buried treasure. [Feb 2010, p.62]

This is a game of beautiful sights and sounds, of collecting and learning, and the sheer joy of exploring. If you’re looking for hardcore mechanics or twitch action, you’re in the wrong place, but anyone looking for a relaxing change of pace will be right at home.

This underwater adventure is beautiful, enchanting, and a big improvement over the original.

If you never got into the first game, then you'll probably skip this Ocean in favor of faster-moving waters. However, if you don't mind playing something with a laid-back pace, a gorgeous presentation, a strong co-op multiplayer component and lots of discovery, strap on the diving gear and enjoy this brand new world.

As a self-proclaimed non-game, Endless Ocean: Blue World is a charming diversion and comes recommended to anyone looking for something unlike anything else out there.

Slightly dumbed down in the name of accessibility, but packed with aquatic goodness. [Apr 2010, p.67]

It’s not a real challenge for a modern gamer, but Endless Ocean 2 offers a unique experience which you don’t get to see often in the action packed gaming world.

It is a matter of diving and begin to discover.

Endless Ocean 2: Adventures in the deep is better than its predecessor in many ways. It has a lot of contents in various aspects, from the creatures to the side mission, but its biggest quality is the nature of the entertainment it delivers. It’s more an experience than just a game: some may like it, others no, but for those who are really looking for something different it’s a must have.

A relaxed and entertaining scuba diving adventure. The puzzles should be more difficult, since there are no real threats. [Mar 2010]

Essentially, you’re getting a lot more game for your money with Endless Ocean 2; it’s less free-form and meandering than the original, with greater purpose and direction. Whether that’s what you want from a diving game is up to you, although truth be told there’s few other alternatives.

With a greater emphasis on structured gameplay elements, and the continued freedom to go off and explore to your heart's content, Arika has ensured that Endless Ocean 2 is a much more rounded experience without ever compromising its unique qualities.

Its good-natured feel and simple controls make it ideal for families, and though some of the wonder of discovering a new species will be lost on those who played the original, there’s plenty of new content to keep everyone occupied.

Endless Ocean 2 is a step forward for the series: this time there is a nice plot and a real ending to achieve, but the game doesn't lose its fundamental relaxing and fascinating nature. While it may be still too slow for some, Endless Ocean 2 will surely appeal to much more gamers this time around.

A significant step up from its predecessor. [Mar 2010, p.89]

Endless Ocean 2 is the perfect game to kick back and relax with on the Wii.

Offers a treasure trove of stress-reducing content. [Issue#204, p.91]

If you want to go under water and have some fun watching the animal life that you can find in there, Endless Ocean 2: Adventures of the Deep offers plenty of what you’re looking for. A relaxing, beautiful and very well done adventure that’s able to improve almost every aspect of the original, though it’s not enough to became the greatest undersea adventure of all times.

Adding a storyline was an attempt to meet the requirements of the action-oriented gamers. The essence is still reconnaissance of the ocean though. Varied locations, new objects, improved graphics and the possibility to go on land, give Endless Ocean 2 plenty of innovation compared to its predecessor. If you are not looking for a challenge, but if you merely want to study sea life, then this is the perfect to dream away on after a long and stressful day.

Succeeds in offering something genuinely different, but it's still snooze-inducing.

It's definitely worth a look, if only to have something on the shelf that's gently mesmerising and a very nice break from the norm.

Endless Ocean 2: Adventures of the Deep offers a unique and rather original game experience. Pity, though, it is way too similar to its predecessor.

Diving, exploring, salvaging, and learning about ocean wildlife is actually quite satisfying. Of course, the lack of action makes this a niche title rather than one with particularly wide appeal.

If you're in the market for an easy going adventure game free from all the stress of modern day games Endless Ocean 2 is the game for you. Although a nice change of pace this also represents one of the major flaws in this title. You're never really challenged at all and the game's plot is weak at best. If you're looking for a relaxing experience this is the game for you, everyone else would do best to pass this one by.

I appreciate what the game does and how well the game does it, but the overarching concept just never resonated with me with the same impact it had on other reviewers.

Playing Endless Ocean 2 is like taking a nice warm bath. It isn’t really an effective manner to freshen up, but it relaxes intensively. Not everybody will be able to appreciate this game soaked in Japanese gameplay elements, but Endless Ocean 2 offers a beautiful world to explore. Anyone who ever wanted to discover the secrets of the ocean from his couch can buy this game without any hesitation.

While it's apparent that Arika doesn't know how to deliver a good story, you could argue that the story does help to relieve the past chore of progressing the gameplay. And while the added action is pathetic, the hypnotic exploring is as addictive as ever. Truly gorgeous, while under water, and ridiculously meaty content wise. A case of split personalities, indeed, but nevertheless a solid experience which will please fans of the series.

A unique little game in its own right, a relaxing piece of software that's perfect to play when you don't feel like playing. A more sensible story and a little more polish would have made Endless Ocean 2 spectacular.

Sequel brings new and interesting features plus a weak attempt of a story. Diving and exploring the ocean depths are worth trying anyway. [Issue#189]

It's a genuinely peaceful and relaxing experience, with a wonderfully becalmed atmosphere, subdued beauty, and an earnest, innocent attitude - all of them rare properties in games.

If you like the idea of generally not doing much, exploring and looking at lots of sea creatures, dive in. If the idea of shooting a gun at a fish to heal it and not blow its face off sounds bizarre, avoid.

The scuba diving sim isn't a crowded genre but this makes a good effort to dominate it all the same.

I'd say it was a pleasant experience, but forgettable.

Blue World does have a certain je ne sais quoi that’s entrancing at the right moments.