Gamespot Endless Ocean Review

[QUOTE="manicfoot"]

It doesn't look like my sort of game, but I applaud the developers for creating a truly unique experience. When FPS is king I find little gems like endless ocean utterly refreshing.

AdrianWerner

I don't think it quaifies as "truly unique game" as there have been many games like this before.

Perhaps unique is not the word. "Fresh" is probably a better descriptor. There have been games like this before, but few enough that the experience this provides is still fresh and mostly unfamiliar.

[QUOTE="Ontain"]

in fact the more i see these non traditional games get criticized by gamers the more i feel that very few gamers look at games as "art".

Paleo_Orca

*claps*

You're exactly right. A lot of gamers are either interested in a FPS or quick action game these days. None of them really look for any games with artistic merit like say... Ico, Shadow of the Colossus, and Okami or games that are meant to be fun without really being a game like Brain Age, Animal Crossing and Endless Ocean.

I've personally played every single one of those games and they're all very unique.

The thing is, with games like Endless Ocean, you have to think of -who- exactly the game is made for.

When I first saw a clip of this game, I thought immediately that the game was meant for me because I have a HUGE interest in marine biology. That doesn't mean I'm a 'casual' gamer though because I play many many different franchises. But I like to find little games like this that only a few gamers appreciate.

I do admit though, there are a ton of things that could've been done differently, but compared to Arika's last two games like this (everblue and everblue 2). It is a HUGE improvement. So yeah, I do agree and disagree with some points of the review, but I would give it an 8. Because for what it is, it does exactly what you would expect from it, giving you a virtual diving experience. I've never actually been scuba-diving before and I know a lot of people would say 'Well why don't you just go scuba-diving in real life?' That goes back to the Wii Sports argument of 'Why don't you go play sports in real life?' Well, for one thing, scuba-diving can be really expensive depending on what equipment you need and where you dive at. And you only get to see the things around that area, and sometimes you may not see very much! In Endless Ocean, you get to see a lot of things and LEARN about them. I don't understand why so many gamers are afraid to LEARN. I mean... come on guys, expand your interests.

Anyways, I'm off to go train my Orca in Endless Ocean.

Bingo, nicely worded. It's just a different type of game and it's not meant for everyone.

I think its cool and I might get it. I like the fact that it doesn't pretend to be something its not and its only $29.99.

There are some days you want to chill and play something with really young kids around. It sounds like the exploration isn't as creative as it could have been, but hopefully there will be sequel. I appreciate the innovation.

I want to know if you can get 'the bends' in it.

Scuba Diving (for real) is damn fun though.

The Wii is heaven for the cult/art house gamer.

Endless Ocean

Trauma Center: New Blood

No More Heroes

NiGHTS

Zack and Wiki

The sleeper hits just keep coming. Truly this gen's "dreamcast" in those respects.

This is a great game. It's truly wonderful to see a blue whale or any other big fish. This is the type of game you shouldn't say anything about before playing it. The game is also kind of short. It took me around 6 or 7 hours to beat all the 'missions' and to see the credits.

Anyways, it's a great game, and I would give it a 8/10.

The Wii is heaven for the cult/art house gamer.

Endless Ocean

Trauma Center: New Blood

No More Heroes

NiGHTS

Zack and Wiki

The sleeper hits just keep coming. Truly this gen's "dreamcast" in those respects.

Bread_or_Decide

That's a great way to put it. And with the Wii having almost no chance of dying out, those types of games will just keep on coming.

[QUOTE="Bread_or_Decide"]

The Wii is heaven for the cult/art house gamer.

Endless Ocean

Trauma Center: New Blood

No More Heroes

NiGHTS

Zack and Wiki

The sleeper hits just keep coming. Truly this gen's "dreamcast" in those respects.

mjarantilla

That's a great way to put it. And with the Wii having almost no chance of dying out, those types of games will just keep on coming.

The Wii is slowly becoming my favorite console this gen. Yeah even I'm shocked to hear myself say that.

[QUOTE="mjarantilla"][QUOTE="Bread_or_Decide"]

The Wii is heaven for the cult/art house gamer.

Endless Ocean

Trauma Center: New Blood

No More Heroes

NiGHTS

Zack and Wiki

The sleeper hits just keep coming. Truly this gen's "dreamcast" in those respects.

Bread_or_Decide

That's a great way to put it. And with the Wii having almost no chance of dying out, those types of games will just keep on coming.

The Wii is slowly becoming my favorite console this gen. Yeah even I'm shocked to hear myself say that.

:|

Stop you confuzzling me. I mind won't take sometime immediate contrary....

>_O;;

Wow, look at all the people complaining about the reviewer. Some of you didn't care when he reviewed R&C, so why now? Oh nevermind.SOedipus

when has Endless Ocean's story even been mentioned in previews :?

The problem with a title like Endless Ocean is that it can never capture the unpredictability, majesty, and sense of grandeur of true ocean exploration. As someone who has spent close to 1/4 of his adult life in the waters of the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico, I actually agree with the lack of "sense of danger". Its simply not the same experience. I was following a stingray a hundred feet off shore once, looked slightly ahead of where the ray was swimming, and saw a deep wedge of moving darkness - one hundred feet wide, two hundred feet long. I floated in the water literally inches from a flock of rays hundreds thick in the water, moving with incredible speed.

I've been out in the water and seen the fins of tiger sharks, dolphins, nurse sharks - and the telltale "bobber" top of jellyfish. I've petted sea urchins, dug out shellfish, caught fiddler crabs, netted schools of small fish... you just can't replicated that in a game. Riptides, undertows, whirlpools, inlets, fifteen foot waves, and the endless shifting of the tides, how can you come close?

-

So, Endless Ocean got a 7.0 - that's a *good* score, it even says, right on it "Good". Stop badmouthing Aaron for pointing out that this game has weaknesses. From the sound of things, people want every game to be scored 9.0+. You really don't let GS win - if a game you don't like scores highly, the review score was "bought", if a game you like scores low, then the reviewer was "the wrong person to review the game". Endless Ocean is a budget title, and it did well enough to net a "good score" - a rental for most, something perhaps a few people will enjoy because it's different. There's nothing in a review score that changes that.

THAT GAME GOT 7.0 ?

When Blue Dragon got .... 6 ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

I feel sorry for gamespot lately, it used to be a trustworthy site inthe older days

THAT GAME GOT 7.0 ?

When Blue Dragon got .... 6 ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

I feel sorry for gamespot lately, it used to be a trustworthy site inthe older days

saolin323

Have you actually played Endless Ocean? Exactly.

THAT GAME GOT 7.0 ?

When Blue Dragon got .... 6 ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

I feel sorry for gamespot lately, it used to be a trustworthy site inthe older days

saolin323

1up gave it a higher score of 8.0

So it not just GS

THAT GAME GOT 7.0 ?

When Blue Dragon got .... 6 ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

I feel sorry for gamespot lately, it used to be a trustworthy site inthe older days

saolin323

The Wii is heaven for the cult/art house gamer.

Endless Ocean

Trauma Center: New Blood

No More Heroes

NiGHTS

Zack and Wiki

The sleeper hits just keep coming. Truly this gen's "dreamcast" in those respects.

Bread_or_Decide

Cult yes - there are plenty of games with a cult fanbase (heaven though?), but art house? Debateable. Methink the PC indie scene is where art house gaming is

[yada yada] confuzzling [yada yada]mjarantilla

The problem with a title like Endless Ocean is that it can never capture the unpredictability, majesty, and sense of grandeur of true ocean exploration. As someone who has spent close to 1/4 of his adult life in the waters of the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico, I actually agree with the lack of "sense of danger". Its simply not the same experience. I was following a stingray a hundred feet off shore once, looked slightly ahead of where the ray was swimming, and saw a deep wedge of moving darkness - one hundred feet wide, two hundred feet long. I floated in the water literally inches from a flock of rays hundreds thick in the water, moving with incredible speed.

I've been out in the water and seen the fins of tiger sharks, dolphins, nurse sharks - and the telltale "bobber" top of jellyfish. I've petted sea urchins, dug out shellfish, caught fiddler crabs, netted schools of small fish... you just can't replicated that in a game. Riptides, undertows, whirlpools, inlets, fifteen foot waves, and the endless shifting of the tides, how can you come close?

-

So, Endless Ocean got a 7.0 - that's a *good* score, it even says, right on it "Good". Stop badmouthing Aaron for pointing out that this game has weaknesses. From the sound of things, people want every game to be scored 9.0+. You really don't let GS win - if a game you don't like scores highly, the review score was "bought", if a game you like scores low, then the reviewer was "the wrong person to review the game". Endless Ocean is a budget title, and it did well enough to net a "good score" - a rental for most, something perhaps a few people will enjoy because it's different. There's nothing in a review score that changes that.

subrosian

[QUOTE="subrosian"]

The problem with a title like Endless Ocean is that it can never capture the unpredictability, majesty, and sense of grandeur of true ocean exploration. As someone who has spent close to 1/4 of his adult life in the waters of the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico, I actually agree with the lack of "sense of danger". Its simply not the same experience. I was following a stingray a hundred feet off shore once, looked slightly ahead of where the ray was swimming, and saw a deep wedge of moving darkness - one hundred feet wide, two hundred feet long. I floated in the water literally inches from a flock of rays hundreds thick in the water, moving with incredible speed.

I've been out in the water and seen the fins of tiger sharks, dolphins, nurse sharks - and the telltale "bobber" top of jellyfish. I've petted sea urchins, dug out shellfish, caught fiddler crabs, netted schools of small fish... you just can't replicated that in a game. Riptides, undertows, whirlpools, inlets, fifteen foot waves, and the endless shifting of the tides, how can you come close?

-

So, Endless Ocean got a 7.0 - that's a *good* score, it even says, right on it "Good". Stop badmouthing Aaron for pointing out that this game has weaknesses. From the sound of things, people want every game to be scored 9.0+. You really don't let GS win - if a game you don't like scores highly, the review score was "bought", if a game you like scores low, then the reviewer was "the wrong person to review the game". Endless Ocean is a budget title, and it did well enough to net a "good score" - a rental for most, something perhaps a few people will enjoy because it's different. There's nothing in a review score that changes that.

KungfuKitten

Well that's why it's rated as a Good game. I'm personally going to have to give it a try - but then to expect high budget, AAA material here on a game meant to be something small-team and creative is a bit too much. There's an unreasonable expectation on these types of titles to be something more than they are - I don't mean that I think they should be scored "forgivingly", but expecting the indie-studio, art-house flick to wow all the critics with its technical execution is like going to a high school play and expecting broadway.

The ticket for this ride is $30, how much would it cost most people to take a day to the beach?

The problem with the genre of simulation though, is that there's really always room for improvement in "immersive elements" - control, sound, visuals. Right now the HD National Geographic and Animal Planet specials are coming the closest - the concetrate a lot of "visual goodness" along with expertly executed background noises and music, and just choreograph the "best of". So, going in with that background could mess you up - it's certainly not like that if you're out there all day - but then the day they make a game where you put on sunscreen, drink beer, and chat with local artists for a couple hours, and then go pet a dolphin ... well maybe next time? It would certainly add the story elements Aaron was talking about.

-

If you pick it up lemme know what you think of it :D

This is one of those Wii titles where it seems like the Wiimote could be put to serious use, yet at the same time, I wonder if the "casual audience" could get in the way of making the "simulation" aspect as realistic or complex as it really should be - I said before this game wouldn't get AAA (and was right) but I must say I'm rather curious about it anyway.