ABZU

 Xbox One
ABZU Image
Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 67 Ratings

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  • Summary: Discover a lush hidden world as you descend into the heart of the ocean, where ancient secrets lie forgotten and encounters with majestic creatures await.

    ABZU is an epic descent into the depths of the sea, where players will explore beautifully rendered ocean environments with fluid    Discover a lush hidden world as you descend into the heart of the ocean, where ancient secrets lie forgotten and encounters with majestic creatures await.

    ABZU is an epic descent into the depths of the sea, where players will explore beautifully rendered ocean environments with fluid swimming controls. The experience draws inspiration from the deep innate narrative that we all carry within our subconscious: the story of ABZU is a universal myth that resonates across cultures. The name references a concept from the oldest mythologies; it is the combination of the two ancient words AB, meaning ocean, and ZU, meaning to know. ABZU is the ocean of wisdom.    … Expand

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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. MondoXbox
    Dec 12, 2016
    95
    A visually stunning game, with a fantastic soundtrack and capable of delivering an unique experience with many emotionally intense moments.
  2. ICXM
    Dec 14, 2016
    90
    Abzû is absolutely amazing and every Xbox One owner should play this game. It’s one of the finest adventure games that also tells a meaningful story. The title is awe-inspiring and unlike anything else on the console.
  3. Windows Central
    Jan 17, 2017
    90
    ABZÛ is a short but utterly engaging experience. Not only does it let players discover an undersea world, it does so with impeccable artistry. There's just so much undersea animal and plant life, all of it colorful and exciting. Remember how beautiful the pot dealer in American Beauty thought plastic bags were? That's the level of beauty that ABZÛ actually achieves.
  4. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    Feb 4, 2017
    80
    It hits choppy waters at times but this is ultimately an extraordinary undersea tale. [Feb 2017, p.84]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. SomosXbox
    Dec 31, 2016
    75
    If you are drawn to the ocean and what it is (hidden?) beneath it, or to the most contemplative journeys, Abzû will grab you without escape during the two or three hours it takes to complete. Even it is not replayable, due to its magical beauty, you will take a second ride soon or later. It is a remarkable experience, even if it is only for the incredible good looks its journey offers. If you are seeking some action, do not plunge into these waters.
  6. High-Def Digest
    Dec 12, 2016
    70
    In this violent, bloody holiday release schedule it is nice to have games like ABZÛ. It is an artistic, aesthetic game, suited for watching and observing, not playing in a strict sense of the word. Its undersea beauty is unmatched, but leaves me wanting more.

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 15
  3. Negative: 1 out of 15
  1. TheGameIsALie
    Nov 17, 2018
    9
    ABZÛ é uma experiência rica em audiovisual. Seu universo é feito para ser apreciado, e todas as horas de gameplay servem para preencher algumABZÛ é uma experiência rica em audiovisual. Seu universo é feito para ser apreciado, e todas as horas de gameplay servem para preencher algum vazio interno do próprio jogador. A cada momento, o jogo reforça que sua arte é o ponto mais forte, e ela cria emoções muito fortes. Em contrapartida, sua narrativa deixa alguns espaços em branco, e a variedade em suas mecânicas é praticamente nula.… Expand
  2. SenorKoquonfaes
    Nov 24, 2019
    9
    I'm hesitant about calling ABZU a "game", however it's an absolutely beautiful experience that's worth playing through.

    The game's overall    I'm hesitant about calling ABZU a "game", however it's an absolutely beautiful experience that's worth playing through.

    The game's overall creative direction is really well done; I love the colourful, vibrant, stylized art direction of the environments. One thing the game really nails is the sense of scale within the world around you. It does a fantastic job of making you realize just how small you are and how large this ocean ecosystem is. Nothing like swimming next to an Orca to make you realize just how small and insignificant you are.

    The game's musical score is also well done. It syncs up well with the game's art direction. Serene music to go with the colourful, lively environments and utter silence and greyscale when in environments that you have to restore to their former glory.    … Expand
  4. tomoefuchs
    Apr 2, 2020
    9
    Wonderful game. Or more like a piece of art!
    I really enjoyed the soundtrack and the short "story". I finished it in one session. Didn't buy    Wonderful game. Or more like a piece of art!
    I really enjoyed the soundtrack and the short "story". I finished it in one session. Didn't buy it, got it via the Gamepass.    … Expand
  5. WhiteReport
    Nov 18, 2018
    8
    The visual aspect is simply stunning: a magnificent representation of the sea life mixed with fascinating elements of antique cultures. TheThe visual aspect is simply stunning: a magnificent representation of the sea life mixed with fascinating elements of antique cultures. The game is very simple and it consists, for the most part, of exploring the ocean, task that never becomes boring in ABZÛ.

    The soundtrack is beautiful and conveys the peace and serenity of the sea life. The narrative offered is unique, but fails at keeping the events together in a few occasions. I recommend ABZÛ for player looking to relax for a few hours or people who would like to try something different.    … Expand
  6. kvnd
    Dec 14, 2019
    7
    Abzû is more of an experience or a piece of art than a video game, but it's definitely worth playing through, with a length of only two toAbzû is more of an experience or a piece of art than a video game, but it's definitely worth playing through, with a length of only two to three hours. Gameplay is simple as hell but the fluidity and motion feels great and the score by Austin Wintory is a perfect accompaniment. The art style and use of color are amazing and it's just a beautiful relaxing game that remains interesting throughout. Unfortunately it's very loose in terms of narrative and even when you piece together the story via cave paintings it's not great. The only other con is the long load times (50 seconds on average) between levels. Worth a shot for sure though.… Expand
  7. SuperkenGaming
    Jan 31, 2017
    7
    Abzu
    A peaceful scuba simulator
    Abzu comes from the mind behind the art direction in flower and journey and it shows… This game very much    Abzu
    A peaceful scuba simulator
    Abzu comes from the mind behind the art direction in flower and journey and it shows…
    This game very much follows the same structure of those games for better or worse.
    Here you play as a mechanical diver…
    Because of this you have no gauges to keep an eye on or air to worry about...
    The burden or survival is completely lifted off of your back
    you just swim and explore...
    Its starts as such a nice calming adventure breathing life into the ocean bed
    swimming with the predators and prey with no care at all…
    Noticing little subtleties and reactions of the oceans inhabitants that really bring the ocean world to life…
    You can even grab onto the larger creatures and go for a ride...
    You feel as one while you swim forward exploring new environments…
    But much like flower there’s a turn for the worse as you slowly inch towards the finish line of this 2 hour game…
    Abzu goes from being a peaceful experience to being a bit of a typical stressful adventure game…
    You can’t die here.. But what starts as a peaceful swim and escape from reality turns into a throw switches, pull chains and avoid unpleasant mines while you do so…
    Time to relax is over…
    Now you have problems to solve...
    This is the majority of the final stretch of the game and it kind of ruins the initial feel this game has…
    Enjoyment is just a memory as you’re swimming through forgotten ruins that should’ve stayed forgotten
    or at the very least should’ve been briefly visited rather than turning into something to deal with because video games…
    It’s unfortunate…
    But this is still a pretty cool experience that offers a great feeling of exploration…
    Even during the final moments that I didn’t like..
    I give Abzu
    a 7.5/10    … Expand
  8. Broyax
    Sep 6, 2018
    0
    Un indé qui propose une promenade sous-marine qui peut paraître reposante mais qui s'avère en fait totalement abrutissante : le machin s'avèreUn indé qui propose une promenade sous-marine qui peut paraître reposante mais qui s'avère en fait totalement abrutissante : le machin s'avère en effet vite répétitif et ne peut même pas compter sur sa musique douceâtre, laquelle est un crécelle permanent vite énervant qu'on ne peut même pas désactiver. En vérité, une telle "musique" (?) même un ascenseur n'en voudrait pas.

    La promenade écolo ne peut pas non plus compter sur ses graphismes pour faire passer la pillule : ceux-ci sont en 32 couleurs et ressemblent à un jeu Megadrive en HD. Ils auraient pu au moins se sortir un peu plus les doigts parce que là, c'est vraiment très laid.

    On s'ennuie donc incroyablement rapidement dans ce truc sans but, ni jouabilité, ni intérêt : on dirait une vague démo boulottée par des incapables qui ont le toupet de commercialiser leur étron sans se poser de questions. Une honte.    … Expand

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