Endless Ocean Wii
  • Publisher: Nintendo
  • Release Date: Jan 21, 2008
Endless Ocean Image
Metascore
72 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 42 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.3 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 55 Ratings

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0 out of 10
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  • Summary: The beauty of Endless Ocean is that players can do as much or as little as they like. The relaxed and calm atmosphere of the game gives divers the freedom to explore special locations such as shipwrecks and underwater ruins, discover and interact with sea-life, complete fish logs or simply relax in the soothing environment. The game opens with players onboard a diving boat, with a crew member who provides advice and tips on finding the best locations for fish and helps players advance the storyline. Players must assume the role of the diver, opting to go into the water to explore sea-life at their own pace utilising tools such as a camera or fish bait. In the cabin on the boat, divers can access the fish log to check out the fish that have been spotted, as well as carry out missions like photographing marine life. These missions unlock content, such as new items to use underwater, or different diving gear that can be used to customize the diver. Navigating their way through the depths using the Wii remote, players guide their character using the pointer's cursor, visible as a bright blue dot. When players wish to interact with fish or plants they can highlight them with the pointer and press the A Button. By doing so, players discover new species and build up their fish log. What's more you can also befriend companions like a dolphin which will become your partner and with whom you can train and swim with. [Nintendo]… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 42
  3. Negative: 2 out of 42
  1. Nintendo Gamer
    88
    Okay, so it doesn't win the award for most action-packed adventure on Wii, but it is a beautiful, innovative and very different kettle of fish. A breathtaking experience. [Christmas 2007, p.46]
  2. Play Magazine
    85
    Endless Ocean is a perfect non-game, whatever that means. [Jan 2008, p.60]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. GameTrailers
    74
    Endless Ocean is a specific type of game for a specific kind of player. Leisurely swimming and looking for wildlife may be a bit slow paced for some, but if you find yourself glued to Animal Planet on Friday nights, it gives you a chance to live out your dreams of undersea discovery.
  4. NZGamer
    49
    Purchase for your grandmother rather than yourself.

See all 42 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 35 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 37
  3. Negative: 2 out of 37
  1. BobbyMeeks
    10
    I must be old... I love this title. With all the rage and hectic schedules in my life - from ex-wives and stupid people I work with to managing the ball games and homework of five children - it is such a welcome release to just scuba dive in my living room. I have had several of my children pile on top of me as we explore the depths. The music is pretty but kookie - but the slow-paced exploration is fantastic. I love this game!… Expand
  2. JonathanCarrier
    8
    The most relaxing game ever. When frustrated put this game in and share the warmth of it's zen-like quality and it's Enya-esque music...or if that's not to your liking put in your own music via your memory card and listen to some heavy death metal. There's no time limit, no challenges, heck just free scuba diving without having to actually go do it. I highly recommend this.… Expand
  3. julianozuca
    7
    Endless Ocean has something for both casual gamers who want to have a relaxing time and dedicated completionists.

    The Good: Believable crea    ture models and environments; you're free enough to play it at your own pace; great original music score.

    The Bad: Terrible human models; barely a real "game"; cheesy new age songs.

    Endless Ocean is an underwater diving simulator and as such it does a good job in accomplishing its first "directive": to deliver some relaxing undersea exploration experience without lots of "whys" and "hows" for the casual player. Those who like marine biology or just want to have a nice ease playtime will be easily lured into it by the nice representation of fishes, big mammals (including whales and seals), birds, crustacean and pretty much every other possible sea-related life form.
    Of course, the Wii is far from being a graphics powerhouse by any means but well-choosen textures provide a nice final result in this front--except for human models, which are just empty plastic shells. -.-
    More than that, the game even shines in the memorable occasions it offers you the opportunity to face--and interact with--huge beings like the Atlantic Northern Right Whale or the Giant Squid. (Achieving this degree of epicness by creating some truly breathtaking moments without cheap graphic tricks is something Arika should be proud of.)

    The objectives in the game aren't really compulsory, so you'll get several "quests" to perform every now and then--people asking for guided divings, fish photos for magazines--but they can just be ignored and you'll be fine anyway. You can't die either, so it's totally on the easy side to fit the casual "Blue Ocean" (no pun intended) market Nintendo aimed so well in this generation of consoles.

    On the other hand hardcore gamers tend not to dig Endless Ocean for the very same reasons, but if you're the completionist type there are plenty to unlock and uncover (and there's a good chance you'll feel compelled to do so): a fauna encyclopedia to fill in (and creatures change depending on where/when you dive), a map to unfold, historic relics to scavenge, secret places to find, a major local legend to clear up (and ultimately "beat" the game) and more.

    It's easy to mistake Endless Ocean for another careless shovelware Wii release, but one couldn't be more wrong in this case since Arika took the hard route by really trying to offer something for everyone--and succeeding.    … Expand
  4. NathanL
    2
    Wow. I was blown away by how bad this was. I tried to like it. I love the WiiWare game My Aquarium, which also isn't a game, but Endless Ocean is not pretty or fun in any way. Just because it doesn't have a set plot doesn't mean it shouldn't have some form of entertainment. One of the worst games I have ever played!… Expand

See all 37 User Reviews

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