Much time is spent looking for life on other planets and I always feel that if there is such an abundance of life as there is under the Ocean then why not in space? E-Line media have focused on the underwater world that lies beneath us in their latest title for Nintendo Switch so let’s find out more in our Beyond Blue review.
Beyond Blue Review (Nintendo Switch) – Plenty to Learn
Title: Beyond Blue
Developer: E-Line Media
Publisher: E-Line Media
Players: 1
Genre: Action, Adventure, Other, Simulation
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, Apple Arcade
Release Date: 11th November 2021
Something Fishy
The first thing that I want to say about Beyond Blue is that it’s not really a game as such but more an experience of the deep blue sea and what lives there. What we have is a documentary style production where you take control of your third person perspective diver and it’s all about a journey of discovery. I am not criticising here but I feel it’s right to set out what this is all about from the get go.
Educational
The ‘game’ is made up of 16 educational films that centre on research into sea life and I have to say that the mini films of around two minutes each are really well presented and informative. The length is just right so as to not to become too bored and the level of academia is just about right.
Your task is around exploration and you shouldn’t expect anything along the lines of ‘Maneater’ here – this is purely about discovery and communication with your team who will let you know what to focus on.
In Control
The controls are nice and simple with your right stick being used for your camera and the left for movement and then your right and left triggers move you further up or down. You use the L shoulder button to target onto a creature and then the R shoulder button to scan it. What works really well is that there is little limitation on where you can go so you feel a sense of freedom in what you are doing.
As you discover more, you learn more and then you can unlock further videos so there is a sense of achievement as you progress and I did find myself thinking, ‘wow, I didn’t know that at all.’
Conversations
One area of the ‘game’ I felt didn’t work was the communication with your sub and chats with your sister which felt a little twee for me and not really of any value to the proceedings. They just feel like they have been put in to try and add some character but I just didn’t find it worked and was an unnecessary distraction from the task in hand.
Switch Showing it’s Age
There are clear signs that Nintendo’s wonder kid, the Switch is starting to show its age when it comes to performance and graphically that is the case with Beyond Blue. The developers have done a good job with making you feel like you are in an immersive experience under the sea but your character looks a bit jagged and at times some of the findings lack details. The amount of pop in is also annoying and can take away the feeling of awe that can be found elsewhere within your adventures.
Beyond Blue Review – Educational, Peaceful and Bold
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 and 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 chill out 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.
Verdict
7/10
*Review Code provided by E-Line media*
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