Beyond Blue Reviews
Based on diving and following different marine species and with a strong educational and contemplative component, Beyond Blue also provides a plot that lets players discover more about its lead character. Beyond Blue's simple gameplay and concept also ends up becoming its main shortcoming, as there could have been a lot more to this, especially regarding the exploration of the submarine world, and the game's graphics that fall behind the threshold of what is required for such an experience.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Beyond Blue is an adventure that will not be remembered for its gameplay, but it's something different from what we usually see in gaming and brings a strong message with it.
Review in Italian | Read full review
If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about marine life or wanted to explore the ocean depths without fear of having to fend for yourself, this is the game for you. Not to mention Beyond Blue would be a fantastic way to get children more immersed and aware of underwater creatures. However, suppose you’re looking for a game with a bit more to offer in terms of gameplay and content. In that case, you may be better off sticking to games like Subnautica that provide the same exploration with added goals and an even higher arching narrative.
If you're the type who likes to relax with the calming sites and sounds of an ocean life documentary, Beyond Blue will allow you to get more interactive with it. The educational and narrative moments don't fully gel with the undersea exploration, and the visuals get murky on the Switch, but that won't matter when you're exploring these deep, safe waters.
An educational way to explore the deep blue sea at your own pace.
Overall, Beyond Blue is an interesting game with some solid story strands to propel its underwater gameplay. Its emotional impact doesn’t reach the heights of the likes of Firewatch, and its limited gameplay may put some players off if they want something more substantial or challenging, but nonetheless this is a well crafted and calm title that proves its worth. When it comes to education-based games, this is a good example of how engaging it can be.
I still stick by my feeling that this isn’t a game but an educational tool but it’s a bold attempt and overall it does work well, anyone with an interest in the Ocean will find plenty to learn and discover and for that alone this is worth being applauded. If you want a chillout experience with some great mood melodies and you have a thirst for education, Beyond Blue is worth a look. For anyone else, it is probably not going to float your boat.
Beyond Blue is a pleasant swim through the ocean if you’re looking for a stress-free gaming experience. The plot feels a bit silly and the game was at its best when it focused more on education and learning about the ocean. Most of which is outside actually playing the game but there are still wonders to be found in its exploration. Beyond Blue is a game that reminded me just how beautiful the ocean truly can be. I’ll probably never get to actually do a dive in real life. But this game gave me a nice opportunity and I’m grateful for that. Let us just hope the sea life can stay that way even in the not too distant future.
Beyond Blue is only a short experience – you’ll be done with it in about four hours or so. But every moment spent with the game is a treat. It might not be quite true to real life thanks to the game’s fictional and near-futuristic technology, but it does offer a very real glimpse into the lives of underwater creatures. Not only is this a valuable educational tool, it’s enjoyable and relaxing too.
Beyond Blue has noble intentions, with an urgent and vital message about our impact on the Earth. However, it doesn't do itself justice. Although there is some decent content in here – videos, music, sound design, gameplay, narrative – those parts do little to support or enhance one another. Gameplay is soothing but one-note, the video documentaries don't frame the missions and neither are well connected to the narrative. While there are moments of majesty in exploring the ocean, the limited draw distance and pop-in frequently interrupt the awe. Edutainment's a hard one to pull off, and Beyond Blue feels less like an awesome rock concert about dolphins and more like your science teacher trying to do a rap.
Perhaps it’s the pandemic or the challenges of parenthood talking, but as much as I enjoy blowing things up or slashing them to pieces there’s real power in games that help you calm things down and find some inner peace...
The E-Line Media developers and publishers have clearly worked tirelessly to bring a heightened awareness that has a heavy focus on conservation and environmental issues that are pressing today. They have enveloped all these issues into a relaxing environment to enable people to be involved directly with these themes in the interactive and safe environment of Beyond Blue. There are no threats, which overall makes this work of art a safe space to explore in comfort at their own pace. If there is an expectation of this to be a true dive with threats and a different experience each time, it is likely disappointment will be experienced and a feeling of boredom may creep in fairly quickly, but if the aim is to relax and learn about the ocean, this truly is a wonderful title.
Despite offering a very fun and fascinating 3-hour experience, Beyond Blue offers little more than a repetitive experience without great imagination. After all, it is a calm and fascinating experience that brings us to know better the ocean and its Ecosystems. If the player seeks for a comforting experience by the ocean this is the right choice, but if the player is looking for a well-crafted game, with a complex plot this may not be the best option.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
The problem is there is no urgency to play, no intense draw. Beyond Blue is just not riveting. It does not pas the “is it fun” Test.
Beyond Blue serves as an educational piece as well as a great opportunity to relax and enjoy the depths of the ocean through technology that is fresh and exciting. I would like to see plenty of more content in the game though if possible.
Beyond Blue is a relaxing experience that will appease players who cannot get enough nature documentaries on Netflix. I loved taking my time and scanning creatures and just exploring the ocean. There is a lot of interesting info wrapped around a solid gaming experience. Beyond Blue is the kind of game that players will just know they will enjoy by looking at it.
Forget Walking Simulators, Beyond Blue proves that Swimming Simulators is where it's at. This is a beautiful, relaxing and enchanting video game experience that acts as a soothing balm against the stresses of modern life. Sebastian was right, it really is better down where its wetter.
Beyond Blue is neither fish nor whale and remains in every respect a trial dive, which as a game as well as an interactive documentary only scratches the surface of the possible. It's not about exploring and getting to know this fascinating habitat by yourself, but, as in underwater tourism, about grazing spot by spot and scanning as many animals as possible on the way. I appreciate the work that goes into Beyond Blue. But the bottom line is that it's just a trial dive with an omnipresent guide.
Review in German | Read full review
In summary, Beyond Blue captures the sense of adventure via exploring the depths of the ocean better than any marine themed game that I’ve played. The sense of scale, detail and realism is such an incredible feat. Other than the exploration, I also enjoyed the aspects of the game spent with Mirai within her submarine, but I wished that this part of the game had been expanded further to help pad the game out a little more. E-Line Media has accomplished their goal of creating a beautifully engaging game, whilst also acting as an educational tool with the compelling Ocean Insight documentaries. If you have any interest in nature, in particular marine wildlife, then there is no better game than Beyond Blue.
Beyond Blue is a fantastic aquatic experience that will submerge you into the many wonders our deep blue oceans have to hide.