Abzu Reviews
Like the hauntingly beautiful ocean that ABZU has players explore, the real thrill and joy of playing ABZU comes down to going deep beneath the surface to experience its sights and sounds it offers, and the personal and emotional connections that are bound to be found. ABZU may be short on deep, complex gameplay or a lengthy narrative, but is more than capable of providing one of the most stirring, surreal gameplay experiences that (I hope) players will experience this year. As long as you're willing, ABZU is absolutely an experience worth being swept up in and letting you take it wherever it goes.
It's your last impression of the game and it sticks with you, reflecting back on what you've seen. It's the case, though, that the vast majority of Abzû is so beautiful, so well put together, that the fact the ending is a little disappointing doesn't diminish my view of it as whole. When I think back on the game it's not the final image I remember but the turquoise shallows, the pattern of the sun falling on the sand, the great vaulted ceilings of blue water.
I would love to talk through the game in more specific detail but that would ruin an incredible story with real depth. Abzu is a brilliant experience and available;e on the Nintendo eShop. Take the plunge and check it out on Nintendo Switch now.
Abzû is the type of wondrous palate cleanser that reminds us of the beauty of video games.
A pinnacle of aesthetic design and the best use of the Unreal Engine to date, ABZÛ is an unmissable underwater romp.
Despite its relatively short length (again, about three hours from beginning to end), Abzu does provide the option to go back in again and see what you missed, or simply goof off with the sea life. It's definitely a game that's well worth returning to, especially just to partake in the visuals and calm your nerves a little bit.
The biggest flaws I would give it are the tilt controls for swimming as well as looking around, but for the most part it's easy to sort out (unless you get stressed out and spaz the controls, but that might just be a thing I do). It's an instinctual, go at your own pace story, with lots of time available to stop and smell some ocean roses, if you so wish. I'll definitely be going back to find all those mediation spots I missed, and probably relive some of those beautiful story moments.
Abzu is a must-play game. With its ambient music and the gorgious world, exploring the ocean will be one of the most memorable experiences of 2016.
Review in Persian | Read full review
With its minimalistic approach, Abzû appeals to the senses, lets your imagination wander. It may not be completely innovative, but it surely earns its own place alongside Journey, Flower, and other titles of the same genre.
Beautiful and full of surprises. The colourful and jaw-dropping vistas and experiences in ABZU will stick with you for a long time. Just like Journey did.
ABZU is an amazing, self-contained experience with really minimal performance issues on Nintendo Switch. There’s not really anything to dislike about this game, which is a worse way of saying that ABZU is a phenomenal experience that I would recommend to anyone. It doesn’t matter what platform you play it on, just play it.
ABZÛ is a rich audiovisual experience. Its universe was made to be appreciated, and every single gameplay hour serves to fill an internal void in the player themself. At every moment, the game reinforces that its art direction is its strongest aspect, provoking strong emotions. On the other hand, its narrative leaves some blank spaces, and the variety in its mechanics is virtually null.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
With exemplary visuals and audio, Abzû takes the player on a memorable journey to the depths of the ocean. It’s not a hard, complicated, or long game, but it’s aesthetically impressive, delightful to control, and emotionally rewarding.
ABZÛ is a serene experience that has no equal on the Nintendo Switch. It’s one of the most captivating and moving experiences one can have with a video game. It is art and something that will be memorable for years to come. If you are willing to surrender yourself to a video game and embrace all it has to offer, then ABZÛ is the game for you.
One of the most amazing moments is coming around a bend or emerging through a tunnel into a large open area with buildings and more sea life as far as the eye can see. The music swells to an apex, climbing from a happy urgency to a grand revelation.
On the surface, ABZÛ is a simple game, but there's an incredible amount of polish, detail, and artistic integrity at hand. The game is beautiful without sacrificing any of its main components, which makes the whole experience better as a whole. There are a couple technical stumbles, but the overall product is nevertheless exceeding.
I think ABZU is definitely worth the $20 price tag for the experience alone and I strongly recommend you give it a shot
The porting of a title as peculiar as Abzû has gone incredibly well, considering the difficulty of having to find the perfect balance between a lower resolution and the details of a graphic style so poetically minimalist. Giant Squid's little masterpiece is a must have for those who are inclined to yield to the irresistible call of the sea, even on Nintendo Switch.
Review in Italian | Read full review
There are few games quite as curious and beautiful as Abzû, and fewer of its kind on the PC. It’s a short, dense journey filled with intense wonder and inherent beauty, and every inch is worth seeing.