Abzu Reviews
The game fails to satisfy the natural urge to explore a three-dimensional realm of seemingly endless possibilities.
Abzu is well beautiful and well put-together, but cannot escape its self-inflicted sense of déjà vu. Matt Nava and Giant Squid Studios have played it safe. Too safe. There is an obvious artistry to Abzu however, that we can only hope is put to better use in whatever comes next.
ABZÛ fits into the type of games that want to offer an unorthodox experience. It's possible to do wonders within that realm but unfortunately, ABZÛ falls behind expectations. Not that its audiovisual environment does not try, if the game's visual world looks stunning, ABZÛ's soundtrack is simply out of this world, but the almost entire lack of a compelling and motivating gameplay experience seriously impairs ABZÛ's ability to deliver something memorable.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Despite the frustrating controls and minimal gameplay, Abzu remains a gorgeous and sometimes wondrous swimming simulator. The story may never emotionally resonate in the way it intends, but the world feels so alive that you will look forward to exploring it regardless. It may not be for everyone, but just let its beautiful music and striking visuals sweep over you. If you do, you'll find a game that is willing to experiment and take risks in order to achieve moments of wonder that few games ever achieve.
ABZÛ is by no means bad. It's an admirable new studio first effort, one worth a dive for its technical, visual, and audio sensory pleasure that together succeed in offering a relaxing, zen-like experience.
A short journey in the depths of the ocean. A slow paced and relaxing journey, with a bit of action, accompanied by a calm soundtrack. The artistic scenery and soundtrack are best things in the game, the rest is either average or below average.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
This visually stunning game is a great concept that never really gets to the point the developers may have intended. With an overly abstract story, uncomfortable controls, and not much to do but look at things, there isn't much left for players beyond the casual type.
Abzû owes too much of a debt to what has come before it, and annoyances with camera and graphical issues remove much of the satisfaction from what was meant to be, on paper at least, a relaxing voyage into a mysterious sunken world.
Abzu offers a lush, gorgeous world to explore.
Giant Squid Studios clearly wants Abzu to be as evocative of an experience as Journey, and while I enjoyed how calming it was, I ultimately found myself unsatisfied after my three-hour playthrough. The game's world and setting is incredibly beautiful and atmospheric, but there just isn't enough meat to the game to really sate your hunger.
Does beauty alone justify a game? Can the novelty of swimming through majestic oceans teeming with life overcome an otherwise fairly by-the-numbers experience that never quite achieves the creative heights it so earnestly aspires to? I suppose that's down to the player, but as much as I wanted to love Abzû, the end result fell just short of brilliance. It's worth playing for the incredible presentation, but don't expect something profoundly new here.
A disappointingly direct copy of Journey that offers an incredible audio and visual treat, but lacks the deeper meaning of the original.
Abzû is a nice looking game that will also be remembered as a missed opportunity to surpass or at least achieve a comparative level of greatness that is its inspiration, Journey.
Abzû has a deep story that couldn't quite catch me.
Review in German | Read full review
For those looking for the next Journey, ABZÛ may disappoint. It’s a very enjoyable game but is leagues below its predecessor. Pun intended. For all the niggling gripes listed above, there also appears to be something missing. It’s a game with a very strong message, beautiful vistas and a lot of heart, but the main character felt a bit lifeless. There were times when it got truly tense, but after realising the mechanic in those sections, any connection I had with the character disappeared.
A wordless, calm game that manages to transmit so much narratively using only wonderfuly serene music and pretty visuals. The somewhat undirected gameplay loop suffers a little from underused mechanics and can become a little repetitive, however, due to its 2-hour-long duration the music, visuals and fun tranquil exploring is substantial enough to provide a short but very enjoyable experience.
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.
The beautiful experience just falls short of greatness
Stunning art and music design, but shallow when it comes to depth of meaning and gameplay.
I don't even know if I'd necessarily recommend ABZÛ even if I did enjoy it.