Relaxing underwater games

[louisg]

I was just playing Endless Ocean 2 at a friend's place yesterday, and it was giving me DC Ecco the Dolphin flashbacks. The mellow exploration gameplay and underwater setting were very relaxing, and it reminded me that not every game has to be hectic to be worthwhile. And with Steel Diver out, this seemed like an appropriate time to start a thread about this.

So, are there other underwater-themed games I need to check out?

[psy]

If there aren't, there should be, come to think of it. An underwater sandbox exploration game would be fucking awesome.

[Ex-Cyber]

You should definitely check out this perfectly conventional platformer.

[Daigohji]

There's Aquanaut's Holiday on PS3.

[Krimzon Kitzune]

Uo Poko.

[CMoon]

Everblue 2>>>everything else.

I'm still disappointed that Arika dropped the ball with the Endless Ocean series. If you haven't played Everblue 2 for the PS2 (what Endless Ocean evolved from), its a great collect-em-up. It's like Endless ocean, but unlike that series, it is an actual game with challenges where the exploration actually matters. There's also a RPG element to it that's pretty enjoyable. Like Endless Ocean, this title is still very relaxing, and Everblue 3 on the Wii or some other new console would have been fantastic.

If you can put up with the PS2 graphics, I'd definitely give this older title a shot. There's a lot to do and you can easily sink a ton of time into it.

[Obiwanshinobi]

Ikachan. Presumably Irem's Underwater Unit (forgot the PAL name) too, but I've yet to play that. Shikigami no Shiro 2, in a way. Also, just about every bullet hell shmup I played.

[BIL]

You should definitely check out this perfectly conventional platformer.

Cool little game, that.

[TrevHead (TVR)]

Ive mentioned this the other day but its worth bringing up again. Aquaria might be worth checking out, its a mix of echo, metriodvania and vanniaware / odinsphere. Great artwork and soundtrack. You have various forms which are intresting to play, the 2nd form shoots fireballs and plays abit like a shooter. Both M+K and 360 pad

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G40cXjcz ... re=related

If you like picking games up on the cheap this has come up in the Humble Indie Bundle a couple of times.

Theres also that Capsized game on steam but ive no idea if its good or bad

http://store.steampowered.com/app/95300/?snr=1_4_4__13

EDIT doh A quick look at the video show its not underwater. The guy is wearing a spacesuit not a diving suit which I originally thought

[KennyMan666]

Definitely Aquaria. It rules supreme. The mouse controls are incredibly iffy, definitely play with a pad with dual analog sticks.

[Daigohji]

My best friend's sister voices the main character in Aquaria [/namedrop]

[Mortificator]

Scuba Dive is the closest game I know to Endless Ocean. If you haven't messed with Spectrum emulation, there are quite a few choices. I use Spin, myself.

E.V.O. Search for Eden begins when all life was aquatic.

Various Tomb Raider games have underwater ruins exploration, including Tomb Raider Anniversary, which is probably the best of the lot. Some Zelda games have submerged dungeons as well.

[ZOM]

You should definitely check out this perfectly conventional platformer.

Good stuff.

[Alec]

I'm gonna toss in Greendog The Beached Surfer Dude on Sega Genesis.

[Almighty]

Bioshock

[TrevHead (TVR)]

My best friend's sister voices the main character in Aquaria [/namedrop]

And SkyKid said she sucks

[professor ganson]

Everblue 2>>>everything else.

I'm still disappointed that Arika dropped the ball with the Endless Ocean series. If you haven't played Everblue 2 for the PS2 (what Endless Ocean evolved from), its a great collect-em-up. It's like Endless ocean, but unlike that series, it is an actual game with challenges where the exploration actually matters. There's also a RPG element to it that's pretty enjoyable. Like Endless Ocean, this title is still very relaxing, and Everblue 3 on the Wii or some other new console would have been fantastic.

If you can put up with the PS2 graphics, I'd definitely give this older title a shot. There's a lot to do and you can easily sink a ton of time into it.

Yeah, that about sums it up.

[louisg]

I'll have to check out Everblue 2 then. Thanks for the recommendation!

If we're including anything splashy in this thread, I have to say Wetrix is pretty delightful The view can be a bit vague at times, but you get used to it. It's a lot of fun once get to the point that rainbows and other events are going off every couple seconds. But, relaxing the game is not.

[Specineff]

Can Treasures of the Deep be counted here?

[CMoon]

I'd punch a kitten if it would get Arika to do Everblue 3.

[Drum]

The Legend of Starfi?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONV9-uR4R7o

I will second Ikachan, that was a fun game.

Some individual stages in games that I thought did underwater great:

7th battle in Shadow of the Colossus:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e54c3rdBbfk

Jolly Roger Bay in Mario 64:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqT_hbowjQ0

Not a game or game level, but Claude Debussy did some great underwater music - The Engulfed Cathedral:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sFTiYsVJGg

[Skyline]

I find Aqua Rush to be pretty relaxing, even though it gets pretty quick in the latter stages. Maybe it's the soundtrack.

I'd love to play the actual PCB someday.

[BulletMagnet]

I'd punch a kitten if it would get Arika to do Everblue 3.

Or, alternatively, "Every time you delay developing Everblue 3, CMoon punches a kitten. Please, think of the kittens."

[CMoon]

I'd punch a kitten if it would get Arika to do Everblue 3.

Or, alternatively, "Every time you delay developing Everblue 3, CMoon punches a kitten. Please, think of the kittens."

Someone must forward this to Arika right now!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZHEBBWi ... re=related

Actually I think they need to get together with From software and develop the scuba diving version of King's Field.

[mesh control]

Actually I think they need to get together with From software and develop the scuba diving version of King's Field.

That would be too dark and grim.

[BIL]

King's Field underwater sounds awesome, and potentially quite terrifying.

[Skykid]

Sin & Punishment 2

[moozooh]

Mushihimesama Futari Black Label God mode! So much slowdown you feel like playing it underwater!

On a more serious note, seconding Aquaria (loved it) and suggesting Osmos (not quite underwater but very close).

[EinhanderZwei]

Scuba Dive is the closest game I know to Endless Ocean. If you haven't messed with Spectrum emulation, there are quite a few choices. I use Spin, myself.

E.V.O. Search for Eden begins when all life was aquatic.

Awesome! Was going to list these too

Also, Insaniquarium - one of the best so-called 'casual games' I've ever played