Endless Ocean Luminous Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 มิ.ย. 2024
- It is simply mind-blowing to think how much of our very own ocean we have explored and understood. The general consensus is that the human race has explored roughly 5% of the ocean and I think that is absolutely wild. Endless Ocean Luminous offers us gamers a chance to do our part in mapping this virtual ocean, promising an endless blue adventure from the comfort of your Nintendo Switch. Does it go the distance, or does it run out of oxygen too soon? Grab your scuba suit, connect to Nintendo Switch Online, and remember to fall backward out of the boat as we review Endless Ocean Luminous for Nintendo Switch.
- เกม
![[FULL EP.69] #เอิร์นจิรวรรณ เปิดบ้านหมื่นล้านทุกมุม ครั้งแรก! l เคหสถานบานปลาย l One Playground](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/_J4_nw8c64o/mqdefault.jpg)
I feel sad that this will likely be the last gasp of air for the Endless Ocean games. Blue world got me into diving and inspired me to get certified, and while I wasn't really at the age to understand the story and characters that much, I knew that I was curious enough to finish the whole game and play it for long after I had completed the main story. Diving was the main gameplay, but it wasn't the only gameplay. Dolphin training, land areas to view wildlife, interacting with the fish and doing quests for others. That's beyond the very basic but still appreciable characters and animals you met along the way and the buffs they gave you with certain tasks.
This feels like the team wanted to go farther but was hamstrung at every step, thereby hamstringing the player. Progression in the last game was game-y but natural. Go to a dive location, explore, do some story, then move to the next. Pretty much the same all the way through but with side missions for extra credits and a big secondary objective at the end to complete postgame. The fish you met and documented were part of the exploration process- especially since you could find out more about them through different interactions such as the water pen or food. You were naturally encouraged to interact with the world because of the secrets it held for you. Luminous from what I've seen just seems to be a numbers game. "Did you find enough things in your randomly generated pool yet? No? Go back. Go away. Not enough for us yet. Also, just look at the fish. No touch-y." All this while your only voiced companion is essentially just a disembodied voice that talks about "hq" and such as if we're never really supposed to think about what's going on on the surface.
This just makes me wanna dolphin the last game.
This is some great insight! Thank you! Yeah, it felt so odd blitzing through the story only to get o a point where I had to scan 1000 more fish. There's about 600 species in the game so it wasn't about discover, just numbers. I think if it was an offline experience it would be an awful experience but thankfully multiplayer speeds it up.
You hit the nail on the head my friend. I was so disappointed by this release. Such a shame :/
@@seanbrennan5192 It's a shame you didn't like it. It seems they alienated the core fanbase trying to accommodate the new
Seems more like the type of game to play for less than hour only a few times a week. Instead of playing all day for days in a row.
Yeah I think it would have been great to stretch my time out with it. I can see myself going back to do more dives but certainly not the game to binge play (Unless you have a review deadline!)
I thought that, but it's addictive
I've had a few more dives since posting this. Still enjoying it!
The thing is this game really doesn’t feel like an endless ocean game. I grew up with EO2 and played countless hours finding all the fish, treasures, and gaining enough pelagos to reopen the cavern of the gods. Just the whole vibe of having a team of divers go on an adventure across multiple different seas, meeting up at the island or aquarium, unlocking all the different diving gear. It’s just not here at all. The controls feel different too. Never would I find myself wishing a game had floatier controls, but here I am. And yea, I get that this is more laid back and doesn’t intend for the creatures to be dangerous (even though they added Thanatos and multiple large, dangerous marine reptiles), or have scary situations, but that’s also something EO2 excelled at. When I play subnautica, I’m afraid that a leviathan will kill me. When I play EO2, I’m afraid I’ll find something in the depths that I shouldn’t. This game had so much potential to expand on a bigger story, have more unique designated areas to explore (rather than one big randomized area), have a campy yet endearing cast of characters, and have more secrets to find. Seriously, I was shocked when I started to find many of the named mythical creatures from EO2 within the first hour, having done absolutely nothing. I remember having to do puzzles and waiting for full moons and following birds across the world to find certain creatures. I don’t know. This game is certainly its own experience, but it seems far from an endless ocean game…
That seems to be the general consensus with people who've played the previous games. It seems like they cut a lot out and made this a "lite" experience.
Top notch review. I'm a long time fan of the EO series, and I'm also enjoying this game. It's not anywhere near as robust as the second game in the series, but it still has the same core experience of relaxing while exploring various underwater environments and looking at / learning about cool marine wildlife.
Luminous feels more like a spiritual successor to the first game than the second, but as someone who loved both earlier games, I'm okay with that. Personally, I'm glad the aggressive creatures from the second game were removed, although I did enjoy some of the other removed features. Dolphin training was fun, and I'd love to see an aquarium added, as well as a few out-of-water interactions. But Luminous is very much its own game, trying to do its own thing, especially with the multiplayer. It is incredibly relaxing, and I'm definitely down for that.
Again, great review. You've earned yourself a sub!
Thank you for the feedback and the really great insight from a fan of the series. I don't think I would like aggressive creatures so I'm glad they are gone but it also looks like they cut some great features that could have elevated the title.
I hadn't played the other Endless Ocean games, but I liked this one quite a lot, because I love exploration, and I'm also okay with no threats because, if I wanted dangerous underwater action, I'd just play Subnautica. Thank you for your fair review.
Thank you for your kind words. I played it again last night for the Event dives now that they are live and I still enjoyed it. I love playing subnautica as well but Luminous is a nice and relaxing experience
I bought it myself to support Arika. Dunno if I'll be playing it in a week but games like this need to exist.
I'll give you a sub for your clever use of 5% of the ocean explored and 5% of viewers subscribe. Getting that authentic downunder vibe with the bird chirps too.
Abaolutely terrible take. Games like this "need to exist"? The game is absolute fkn trash that you would have to pay me to play. World would be a better place without this game
@@MidniteMeatBus Post "good" games. I'll be the judge if you have good taste or not and whether you can pass judgement onto me.
@@MidniteMeatBusthen go play call of duty
I 100% agree with you. Games like this do need to exist form both an Ocean conservation perspective as well as a unique game perspective. Did they get it absolutely perfect? No, but I learned things while playing it and walked away with a deeper respect for the ocean.
Also sorry about the birds! I live next to a nature reserve in Central Queensland and my parrots love talking to the lorikeets. I have a filter to try to drown them out while recording but it doesn't always work. I love my birds!
@MidniteMeatBus We all have different tastes, if you haven't played it though it's hard to have an opinion on it.
I actually shocked at how graphically underwhelming the game is. It looks…fine? But if you watch any gameplay of the previous games being emulated in hd, it doesn’t look any better than them, and often, I think that they look better.
I think they should’ve just remastered the second game, to be honest.
I've been hearing that the 2nd game looked and played really well. TBH I found Luminous to be really immersive and I thought it looked graphically impressive, especially the models. Environments ranges from great to okay...
@@whatsitlikeau It’s not that it looks bad. It’s just coming from playing Tears of the Kingdom, the game I’ve played the most this past year, it’s jarring when you’ve been playing one of the Switch’s visually better games.
I’m just surprised there’s not a big step up from the previous game. And that wasn’t even in HD!
Ok I'm going to make a confession... I got ToTK at launch and dropped it after a few hours. I was going through some crazy depression at the time so I think I have to try it again.
@@whatsitlikeau Ah, I see. Hope you’re feeling better now. 🫶
Thank you, much better now! It gave me the kick in the bum to start this channel which makes me happy
As a fan of the first 2 games, I was so excited for this game. But I’ve found myself disappointed, all the things that made the game have been taken away, the story has been locked behind walls of scanning only to find that the chapter of the story you have unlocked was just a cutscene. I miss the missions, the fact you could play through the entire story and then go back and complete the map, the treasure hunting, the fish log. Speaking of the fish log in the old games it at least gave you and idea of what kind of fish you was looking for, it feels like just guess work. They’ve added multiplayer but at the expense of the story and mystery of the game. I will play it but as a fan I’m finding it a struggle
I'm sorry to hear that. It seems like for people who have played the predecessors, this game is a "lite" version of those that came before it. I really disliked how they locked things behind the scan numbers... was a bit ridiculous. I hope the game improves for you.
Yeah I had to stop playing it, it just became a pointless chore for me. It was a real slap in the face for OG endless ocean fans :/
Great review it’s so nice to find a positive review of endless ocean luminous as all I’ve seen on TH-cam so far has been negative reviews criticise in the game. Your review is a breath of fresh air. I got the game upon its release and I’m going to play it and your review gives me a lot of confidence. It looks gorgeous. I can’t wait to dive in.
I enjoyed it despite it being a little shallow. It seems reviewers either love it or hate it. Please let me know what you think of it when you get a chance to play!
@@whatsitlikeau thanks I’m looking forward to playing Endless Ocean Luminous today.
I'm glad I passed on this one, I bought ABZU awhile back for really cheap, and while it's short and fantasy based it still does a good job of conveying the wonders of the ocean and such.
I hear great things about ABZU! I better put it on my wishlist!
@@whatsitlikeau It's a quick game because it has a story, I beat it in like 3 hours I think, but it was still worth it I feel like. Great soundtrack too.
@@user-ow1jb7wg8u not every game needs to be challenging and I feel that this is my kind of game not having to worry about oxygen levels or managing your fuel and what not I feel this ocean luminous is only game of this type that I really need right now
I enjoyed that there was no resource management and I could just relax. I'm not a huge fan of open water in RL after a shark encounter and if I had to fight them off in game I probably wouldn't have played it.
Definitely will need some content updates but I’m enjoying it for what it is
The first event dive is on now, but I'm hoping we see some DLC to flesh out the wrold a bit more.
@@whatsitlikeau same here. That story mode was very disappointing imo
Im loving it such a peaceful zen like game
It's a very relaxing experience!
finally an hones open minded review! love this franchise!!!!
Thank you! From what gamers have been telling me, there's a lack of features from the previous games but I found it to be a relaxing and enjoyable adventure.
@whatsitlikeau there are a few things missing from previous entries but also a good number of additions over them. Loving it so far.
I'm really glad to hear it!
I truly wonder is Arika had a small timeframe and tight budget. It makes me think thats why they had to cut a story due to development time and a procedurally generated landscape would faster to develop that unique dive locations. And to compensate they added in multiplayer. I really like the game still but heres hoping they can go back to the blue world style for the next game (if there is a next). The environments could be absolutely beauitful!
I think I would have preffered a more structured approach to the game. The procedural world is okay, but from what I'm hearing Endless Ocean 1 & 2 had a more enjoyable exploration experience.
The originals had such attention to detail. Each fish felt like it had so much care and information about them. Exploring was so interesting and fun. The legendary creatures were actually very rare and needed puzzle solving to find and learn about them. It really feels like a cheap mobile game compared to the originals. Deep sea fish are now found in coral reefs, fresh water fish are found near salt water. It’s like they put no effort into the game and made chat gpt rng everything about it. Even the story is all AI and lifeless with copy paste empty biomes. What a let down, I was so excited too…
Those are all valid points, and it sucks to hear that it's a huge step back from the previous titles. Here's hoping the sales do ok and we get a chance at seeing the franchise return to these roots. I still enjoy the game but as I have never played the originals, I guess I don't feel like anything is missing, but I have experienced that with some franchises before so I completely get it.
@@whatsitlikeau If you get a hold of the Wii and especially the 2nd endless ocean, you’ll find yourself lost for hours exploring. The old games are so much fun and you learn a lot too. Hopefully they get remastered some day! Cheers my man, great review. Glad you at least enjoy this one a bit
I got a Wii Somewhere in storage so I might chase it down and take a look!
Quality content, way to few subs. So I’m commenting for the algoritm 😉 keep up the good work. One slight point of ‘critique’ maybe put the bird in diffrent room when recording audio.
Thank you for the sub and the feedback! I love my birds but not so much when they try to help with the voice overs hahaha
Shame they took away the danger aspect
Thanatos used to absolutely terrify me (actually he still does!) but it's a shame they've changed that format. I'm on the fence as to whether to buy it as I would need to invest in the console as well.
The first ever dive freedive I did, I spawned literally right next to Thanatos, he was the 3rd creature I ever scanned. Super underwhelming.
I'm not too fond of sharks so I'm glad. I never played the previous games, so did you have to run and hide or was there combat?
@@whatsitlikeau you had a stun gun, made it better, thought they'd double down and make it deeper, not simplified 😞
I have noticed that a few sequels have done that, especially the Mario sport titles on the Switch. Maybe they were going for accessibility but unfortunately, they risk alienating the fanbase.
You’re killing it with the puns today 😂
As a lame dad, it takes a lot of willpower to hold off on the puns!
@@whatsitlikeau I work with a lot of guys in your position…it’s like the ecstasy of gold…the temptation to resist a pun is too great. Software Consultant was running us through a new ERP the other day and said “Now let’s do rebates…isn’t that where the worm slides off the hook and you’ve gotta put a fresh one on there?” Maybe not so much a pun, but a real groaner. 😆
Btw thank you for all of your excellent content. I found your channel when looking for reviews of Expeditions on the Switch and I’ve been going back through your catalog. Excellent work! Your review today has tipped the scales in favor of buying EOL!
Hahahaha. I make so many bad puns my wife moved her desk away from mine into the other room!
Damn mate the quality of your content is superb. I had to check multiple times how many subs and views your videos have. Finally, after 10 reviews an actual review, only trash reviews about this game. Ive been thinkinf for days if i should purchase this or not or just watch a 4k ocean documentary instead. But id really like to experience the wonders and vastness of the ocean myself. Tbh im still not sure, but i dont wanna wait for a sale either, i love the ocean and procedural generated games/levels. Never played the other EO games and everywhere i look everyone keeps saying the older games were better, theyre disappointed this that. Also Your quality reminds me switch up. Except the background music. You should do something about your marketing, quality and content is there but where the views at? Im sorry for talking all over the place about all sorts of topics but two things i noticed: the cuts are sometimes surprising, i mean the cuts in clips and therefore the cut in music, one second u hear background music and suddenly its cuts off sometimes. Also your Thumbnails need some fresh air, its the first thing the viewer sees. The topics of your clips sound interesting but the Thumbnails are honestly turning me off. Ill def check some of your other clips tho, ill watch AC in a pandemic clip in a sec, but damn 50 views hurts. If its half as enjoyable and high quality as this i might even share some likes here and there 😂 but yeah, def deserved a sub, i like your voice and calmness, also very nice mic. Maybe try asmr (just kidding, or am i)
Did you already try subnautica? It's also a underwater game where you explore the vast sea but I think it's even better than this game
Thank you so much for the kind words and I really appreciate the insight. I've been doing some research on Thumbnails and I think mine are a bit too busy. My views wildly vary and I find if I get a video out early due to the Aussie Time Zone, they do alright, but there are some awesome channels (like Switch Up) that get out great videos which mine are hard to gain traction against. MY original content doesn't seem to hit the mark at the moment (Like AC in the pandemic and losing my save file) but I still enjoy making it TBH. I started full-time less than a year ago using funds from my main business to help the channel chug along but unfortunately, cash flow is a bit tight right now so ad spend is out. I'm not complaining though, I really enjoy writing and making things for this channel and thanks to your feedback, hopefully, I can make it even better! Also, shameless plug, but check out my Skyrim video about recovering from a brain injury, that's how this whole channel got started!
Love Subnautica!
I was gonna buy it but for $50,im good. Ill wait for a sale.
That's a fair assessment. I feel like if it had a slightly lower price point it would fly off the shelves. Here's hoping they do a free play weekend in the future.
@Gpob89 I'm still waiting for Links Awakening to drop hahaha
@@whatsitlikeau good luck with that
Whilst I am playing and enjoying this game, I can’t help but think I’d rather have had a remaster of the last game.
It had so much more to it. Makes me wonder if Nintendo are holding back a better version for Switch 2 tbh.
I've had a lot of people tell me that. Sounds like there was a lot of additional features in EO2 than what they have in Luminous.
Is that a hamster in the background😂
Hahahah it's my two parrots talking to the lorikeets outside. Most of the time they are quiet unless they know I've got a deadline!
@@whatsitlikeau Lol I love it🦜🦜
Only played for a very short while, but one thing that is annoying me is the constant XY% of creatures scanned in the area etc popping up on right hand side, even going over the descriptions of sealife
Also i have no idea how the matchmaking works, i always seem to start the map off and others joing mine, and unsure if true but ive heard its only 10 player unless with friends.
I agree with the constant scan things. I started scanning creatures and pressing B before the circle complete, collecting light without going into the details. If I saw a ? I would let the scan finish.
Also I didn't know that! I felt like the sessions weren't overly crowded. I'll be sure to amend the review on my website. Thank you for letting me know.
I was truly hoping this would be more like Blue World. This game feels rushed… 😭😭😭 I got bored, within an hour. But I have friends who enjoy it, so at least it appeals to some. 🌊🐠🐟
I think I’ve played a little too much Subnautica. 😂😂
Subnautica is a fantastic game! I've heard the same, for some players, it wears thin very quickly, for others, they seem to enjoy the atmosphere of it. Shame you didn't enjoy it that much, but hope you're enjoying Subnautica!
@@whatsitlikeau Yessss and the next Subnautica is said to supposedly be multiplayer as well. The cool thing with Sub is it’s got a story but you aren’t pushed to care much about it.
Endless Ocean was story driven. So that’s why this game feels so weird to me. They focused a tad too much on the multiplayer. 😋
This is a 15 eur game, not 50
Maybe somewhere in between in my opinion.
Beyond blue abzu subnautica stranded deep they're all far more immersive than this. Hell even deep diving adventures is...
I haven't played Abzu but I don't think Subnautica is a fair comparison since it's a much more action orientated game. I absolutely love Subnautica, as for Endless ocean its more a relaxing chill title for me. I haven't tried Deep Diving Adventures, I'll have to take a look!
Looks like they screwed it up…
It's not for everyone. It seems like they may have alienated fans of the originals by cutting features. I quite enjoyed it but I get the frustration of it feeling like a backwards step for fans.