An Enchanting Underwater World

Endless Ocean Luminous turns you into a diver exploring the uncharted oceanic region called Veiled Sea. It starts off quite simple: you dive, accompanied by your faithful AI companion who guides you through the game. The game puts you in the action quickly, and everything is straightforward and intuitive. Yet, don't think there's nothing interesting to do. 

On the contrary, the game is intelligently designed to make documenting marine life and related mechanisms an easy task. In your initial dives, you uncover a great mystery and immediately have the opportunity to join an organization that aims to save this unique marine ecosystem.



A Submerged Story

The game features a story mode where there is more dialogue than gameplay initially, acting as an extended tutorial. The first chapter introduces you to the game world and gradually introduces gameplay mechanics while revealing key story details. There's a global coral, slowly dying, but you can help revive it by mapping it further, scanning new fish species, and so on. Additionally, there's a reference to an ancient civilization that helps you save the world.

You come across an ancient tablet with 99 spaces corresponding to 99 mysteries. You must gradually unravel these mysteries to reach the ending and save the ocean. It's not an epic story, but it works and gives motivation to keep playing. Importantly, it also offers something extra. The game's ecological approach showcases the incredible diversity and richness of marine life, emphasizing the importance of preserving it.

However, the story aspect is minimal. There are some scenes with your diving partner and AI about life returning to the world, but most of the time is spent exploring, scanning, and researching. This exploration doesn't happen in story mode, where direct gameplay is limited. Some chapters consist only of two parts, and you may not play in either of them; they may be just scenes. With only about 13 chapters and given their brevity, you won't spend much time on the story itself. But you also can't rush through it.

Strangely, the game locks story progress behind milestones in solo or multiplayer diving. For example, you must scan a certain number of fish. This artificially extends the gameplay time, becoming a bit repetitive. You keep diving, scanning fish and other sea creatures, and looking for treasures. You need to uncover all 99 spaces with ancient coins to reach the final chapter of the story. So, be prepared to spend about 20-25 hours diving and exploring.

The story is present but not the focus of the game. It provides context but takes up very little time. Most of the time is spent generating new environments and diving until you explore them fully, scan all creatures, and find all treasures. There's a lot to discover, with 578 different species, including some unique and extinct ones. You can track your records in various categories. Additionally, each map contains 7 unique fish, and scanning all 7 reveals a special creature, further opening the story.



Graphics and Sound

Endless Ocean Luminous may be one of the most beautiful games on the Switch, with stunning underwater environments that immerse you. The graphics aren't overly complex, but the fish models are detailed, and the environment is beautiful, considering you're underwater. 

The sound is lovely as well, complemented by ambient music that matches the game's relaxing atmosphere. With headphones, it's great; you're peacefully swimming when suddenly you hear the song of a whale above you. You turn, marveling at the majesty of the creature and its sound.

We thank Nintendo for providing us with a game key that made this content possible.