Abzu Reviews
Scouring Abzu's marine paradise opens an argument for emotive communication and softened storytelling. Too often, however, Abzu is less a defense of its beliefs and more a negotiation out of a cornered medium.
ABZÛ is a visually stunning arthouse game with a fantastic score and some awe-inspiring, powerful moments, but it's one that can't match the achievements of its nearest relative, Journey. The gameplay's never as compelling as the visuals, and while its undersea kingdom is a fascinating place to visit, the story doesn't quite have the same heart. Stick it on a big screen, put on some headphones and you'll be blown away, but will you keep coming back? I'm not so sure.
The world is what makes Abzu special not anything about how it plays or the game's ambitions. That was the case in 2016 and it's certainly the case now. Yet even if Abzu doesn't offer a brand-new experience it still accomplishes its goals very well.
ABZU is at home on Nintendo's Switch. The simplistic, but vibrant visuals shine on the Switch's screen, and the system doesn't falter in its presentation or performance. There's perhaps a little more aliasing than you'd find on its bigger console and computer counterparts, but the three-hour long adventure has been faithfully ported.
I did enjoy being in the water, but I can't help but feel the beautiful visuals and music were jamming pictures of places and emotions in my face instead of earnestly telling a compelling story. There's an unshakeable air of falsity about Abzû. As a treat to the senses, however, it's hard to beat.
Despite a short length and underwhelming gameplay, Abzu makes for a compelling adventure thanks to its striking visuals and a great soundtrack.
Abzu is a beautiful experience, and the visuals are some of the best I have seen all year. The soundtrack for the game is something that needs to be heard and seen in context to truly be appreciated, but it is good enough to give it a listen separately. The game is relaxing and peaceful to play. If there are others in the room, they will be entranced. Unfortunately, the game is extremely short and does not offer much variety. If this type of game appeals to you, buy it immediately. If not, you may want to wait for a sale. Either way, I look forward to visiting the world again soon.
Abzu is also on Switch a little gem, not too original, but solid with a great OST. There are some technical problems with this portable version and the game is not very lasting.
Review in Italian | Read full review
As spectacular as Abzu's ocean is, from the hundreds of species of marine life to the impressive seascapes, it ultimately feels a bit shallow.
Abzu is one of those pleasantly surprising titles that feels likes it's on the cusp of being a great game with just a bit more fleshing out. Its deep, undersea world is absolutely gorgeous and its metaphysical take on "show-don't-tell" storytelling evokes thoughts of the excellent game INSIDE. Folks who prefer traditional gaming mechanics and storytelling might consider the overall gameplay to be barebones and lacking purpose. If you're a fan of non-traditional gaming that has a bit of an indie feel to it, however, you'll want to dive into Abzu.
ABZÛ is a lesser game than Journey, but since I consider Journey to be one of the more sublime pieces of interactive entertainment I've enjoyed, that's hardly a damning indictment. While it struggles to be truly resonant, Giant Squid's aquatic adventure is nonetheless enjoyable, alluring, and ultimately pleasant.
Abzu is gorgeous and calming but a little shallow
ABZU is a beautiful game. The graphics are amazing and the music is fantastic. This game deserves to be played by everyone.
Dass Abzû – Achtung Wortwitz – an mangelndem Tiefgang leidet, möchte ich so nicht unterschreiben. Wer sich für Spiele á la Journey oder The Unfinished Swan nicht erwärmen kann oder will, sollte auch um dieses Kleinod einen großen Bogen machen. Alle anderen geben dem rund vierstündigen Tauchgang allerdings eine Chance. Um welche Art von Welt es sich am Ende handelt, bleibt ohne Frage sehr diffus. Doch gerade dies macht für mich den Reiz aus. Wenn an einem der Meditations-Punkte ein Buckelwal majestätisch an mir vorbeizieht und sich über mir der rotierende Wirbel eines riesigen Fischschwarms dreht, dann glaube ich zumindest an die erzählerische Kraft des Videospiels, in der die Schwerelosigkeit des Tauchens zu einer Kunstform erhoben wird. Für mich ist Abzû eine Art Endless Ocean mit philosophischem Überbau. Zudem blitzt in manchen Momenten der Genius von James Camerons Abyss auf, wobei ich mir gewünscht hätte, dass die Macher den Story-Fundus dieses Science-Fiction-Klassikers großzügiger für die Reise der namenlosen Taucherin geplündert hätten. Doch auch so bleibt Abzû unter dem Strich eine atmosphärische und auch lohnende Reise. Eines ist mir auch klar geworden: Für den Markt der VR-Brillen sind Inhalte wie diese geradezu gemacht. Wer jemals die Technik-Demo "theBlu" für die HTC Vive ausprobiert hat, weiß wovon ich spreche. Abzû in einer VR-Version wäre geradezu perfektes Kopf- und Entspannungskino.
Review in German | Read full review
If Abzu existed alone, it’d be in its own class. However it has a titan of non-verbal storytelling to contend with. And while in many ways it is excellent, it just can’t quite live up to what came before. However even falling short of perfection leads to greatness, and Abzu is in so many ways great. A game that is absolutely worth every penny, a unique experience, and a truly breathtaking title. If you were curious about this oddly named experience, dive down into its depths and you should find a real treasure.
ABZÛ its a chilling and remarkable experience from beginning to end.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Still Abzu-lutely magnificent, but now on the go with Nintendo Switch
Even as the credits rolled for Abzu I still couldn’t hope to tell you what it all means. It’s an experience that’s full of wonder, some breathtaking moments, and managed to make me feel a bit more connected with nature. What you may come away with may differ but I’d be a bit shocked if anyone could play it without it hitting them somewhere emotionally. The beauty of it all, the wonderfully fitting musical score, and small moments of the unexpected make Abzu a pretty special experience even if I may question whether it’s necessarily a game. In the end I don’t know that I much care, it’s something that will still stick with me for some time.
Abzu is a game that is better experienced than explained. Featuring gorgeous visuals and a story that leaves the door open enough for your own personal interpretations. The only real drawback to the game is that it may be a bit too short for those overly concerned about cost per hour.
For anyone who has ever had an interest in marine life then ABZÛ is a required play. It's a stunning interactive aquarium with plenty of flair. The absence of restrictions allows for players to immerse themselves entirely in all of the undersea happenings. Every scene is an event to be cherished, and even the most minimal of interactions are memorable. There are a few moments that are so powerful that text or even a video could never hope to do them justice. If the concept sounds appealing, then don't hesitate to pick this game up immediately.