ABZÛ, an adventure game, was developed by Giant Squid Studios and released for PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One, and the Nintendo Switch. The game was first released digitally in August of 2016 and then later released as a retail edition for consoles in January of 2017.

Gameplay

ABZÛ puts the player in the shoes (or flippers) of a diver exploring a vast ocean. The game begins with the player waking up on the ocean’s surface and embarking on a journey to explore the underwater world. Along the way, the diver encounters various forms of marine life and uncovers ancient technology and ruins. Some parts of the game also allow the player to explore land-based environments above the water. As the game progresses, the diver discovers new areas and tries to uncover the secrets behind the environmental damage. The game follows a linear path through interconnected areas filled with marine life. To navigate through the environments, the player uses full analogue control and solves switch or item-based puzzles. The diver can also meditate, which allows the character to sit on shark-shaped pedestals in each area and observe the surrounding sea life. Additionally, the diver can accelerate and interact with marine life using sonar chimes.

Story

ABZÛ tells its story without any dialogue but through the gameplay and cutscenes. It is set in a vast ocean where the player takes on the role of a female diver who wakes up floating in the sea. While exploring the ocean, the diver discovers ruins and ancient murals depicting an ancient civilization that had a close relationship with the ocean. She is guided by a great white shark to wells that can bring life back to the local seas when activated using an energy from within her. This energy is being extracted by pyramid-like devices that have disrupted the ocean’s balance and caused the downfall of the civilization.

How long is ABZÛ

When it comes to the primary goals, ABZÛ has a duration of approximately 2 hours. However, if you’re a dedicated gamer who aims to explore every aspect of the game, it may take you around 4 hours to achieve 100% completion.

Reception

ABZÛ was generally well recieved from critics. Upon its release on Steam, the game managed to secure the 9th spot on the platform’s sales charts. Furthermore, in August, ABZÛ ranked 18th among the top-selling games on the PS4 charts of PlayStation Store, and was the third best-selling newly released title in that month.