Below The Ocean
- December 11, 2021
- Ismael Rodriguez
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"Below the Ocean" is a retro-casual adventure game that takes place underwater. Explore vibrant aquatic landscapes, discover hidden secrets, and solve puzzles to uncover the mysteries of a sunken civilization. With its relaxing atmosphere and simple mechanics, it's a great escape to a soothing underwater world.
Reviews
- Unique and engaging mechanics that are introduced quickly and used effectively throughout the game.
- Charming visuals and a relaxing soundtrack that enhance the underwater exploration experience.
- Short but satisfying gameplay that leaves players wanting more without overstaying its welcome.
- The game is quite short, taking only about 1-2 hours to complete, which may leave some players wanting more content.
- Some collectibles can be frustrating to find, as their locations are not always clear.
- The final chapter feels less polished and engaging compared to the earlier levels, which may detract from the overall experience.
- gameplay39 mentions
- 59 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by fresh and intuitive mechanics that are introduced quickly and effectively, providing a memorable experience without overstaying their welcome. Players appreciate the clever level design and the balance between simplicity and depth, allowing for both casual enjoyment and potential challenges. The unique movement and puzzle mechanics, combined with appealing visuals and music, create a fun and engaging platforming experience.
“Floaty movement turns to precise tether-swinging, with a considerable amount of additional mechanics that make for a very memorable experience.”
“Game systems and mechanics are easy to understand but provide plenty of depth and problem solving.”
“My first playthrough of this was an incredibly dense hour of gameplay full of interesting mechanics, tight controls, clever puzzles, and a huge grin on my face the whole time.”
“The layering of mechanics overall worked really well, even if I did think the final few things from the last chapter were a bit weaker than the previous ones.”
“These mechanics are pretty intuitive and besides a few hiccups work really well.”
“Don't get me wrong, the game is kind of relaxed and chill (if you don't want to 100% it at least), but the mechanics and ideas that are here have the potential to make something challenging (not frustrating, actual challenge).”
- music17 mentions
- 71 % positive mentions
- 12 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The music in the game is consistently praised for its ability to create a chill and focused atmosphere, perfectly complementing the minimalist visuals and gameplay mechanics. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, describing it as relaxing, fitting, and even "slapping," enhancing the overall experience of the puzzle platformer. The combination of engaging sound design and thematic music contributes significantly to the game's unique charm and enjoyment.
“Excellent bite-sized puzzle game - lots of fun mechanics and a great soundtrack to match.”
“The soundtrack was also a vibe and had me feeling chill and focused the whole time.”
“A pleasant but short puzzle platformer with creative mechanics, a pretty 1-bit style and a nice ocean theme with a fitting, relaxing soundtrack to boot.”
“Below the ocean is a nice, well-presented short game with a good theme, soothing underwater exploration music and clever use of color.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are praised for their unique and appealing design, complemented by a clean aesthetic and harmonious music that enhances the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the visuals as a standout feature, contributing to the game's engaging atmosphere and well-crafted mechanics.
“I don't have a lot of play time currently, however the visuals, mechanics, music, and level design are all very unique and amazing.”
“Nice game mechanics, pleasant length, great price, appealing visuals, and harmonious acoustics; all in all, simply great!”
“This is a tightly designed puzzle platformer with nice visuals and mood-fitting music.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its immersive vibe, particularly enhanced by the oxygen timer, which intensifies the sense of depth and urgency in the underwater setting.
“The vibe of the game is what I like most; the atmosphere, with the oxygen timer going down, adds to the feeling of depth below the ocean.”
“The immersive atmosphere truly makes you feel like you're exploring the depths of the ocean.”
“The haunting sounds and visuals create an incredible sense of isolation and wonder.”
- story1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The story is engaging and creatively presented, capturing the player's attention with its unique narrative style and character development. It effectively intertwines humor and emotion, making for a memorable experience. Overall, players appreciate the depth and originality of the storyline.
