Caught the Surf in Sword of the Sea? Mate, Your Next Dive is ABZÛ – And Here's Why You Absolutely Need It.
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
If you've been captivated by *Sword of the Sea*'s unique charm and Matt Nava's artistic vision, Jeff reckons you absolutely *must* dive into *ABZÛ*, its spiritual (and even literally connected) predecessor. This underrated gem offers unparalleled underwater exploration, a profound wordless narrative, and swimming mechanics so good they'll ruin other games for you, all wrapped in a stunningly beautiful package.
Right, so you've been carving up digital waves in *Sword of the Sea*, feeling like a cosmic surfer dude, yeah? Gliding across shimmering surfaces, uncovering ancient secrets, probably muttering 'whoa' under your breath every five minutes. It’s got that distinctive Matt Nava magic, doesn't it? The kind that makes you wonder if you've accidentally stumbled into a game or a particularly vivid dream after too much cheese before bed. And look, I get it – the sheer bliss of movement, the enigmatic story, the visuals that just melt into your eyeballs. It's proper good stuff.
But what if I told you there was another, perhaps even deeper (pun absolutely intended), chapter to that story? A game that, while pre-dating *Sword of the Sea*, feels like its spiritual sibling, its watery predecessor, its long-lost twin separated at birth by a rogue current? Well, clear your schedule, grab your virtual goggles, because we need to talk about *ABZÛ*.
Now, before I get too carried away, a massive shout-out to Claire Lewis over at Polygon, who recently penned a cracking piece reminding us all about *ABZÛ*'s brilliance and its deep connection to *Sword of the Sea*. Claire’s article was the spark for this deep dive (I'm on a roll with these puns, aren't I?). She's absolutely spot-on: if you've loved *Sword of the Sea*, you owe it to yourself to experience *ABZÛ*.
Released way back in 2016, *ABZÛ* was Giant Squid's first foray into the gaming ocean, fresh off the heels of Matt Nava's critically acclaimed work on *Journey*. And when I say 'first foray', I mean it arrived like a beautifully wrapped, slightly mysterious gift that, for some reason, didn't quite get the fanfare it deserved. It's one of those 'hidden gems' that you almost want to keep to yourself, but then your inner gaming evangelist kicks in, screaming, 'EVERYONE NEEDS TO PLAY THIS!'
See, *ABZÛ* shares a ridiculous amount of DNA with *Sword of the Sea*. We're talking exploration that feels genuinely rewarding, puzzles that don't make you want to throw your controller across the room, and movement mechanics that are just… *chef's kiss*. And, of course, absolutely breathtaking aquatic life. What's even wilder, and a proper 'aha!' moment for the clever observers out there, is that they're set in the *same universe*. Not just vaguely similar vibes, but actual shared visual assets. It's like finding a secret NPC in an old game that suddenly makes sense when you play its sequel. Seriously, it deepens the lore of both experiences in a delightful, subtle way.
But here's the kicker, the one glorious, transformative difference: *ABZÛ* lets you actually *dive underwater*. While *Sword of the Sea* has you gliding *above* the waves (mostly), *ABZÛ* plunges you deep into the vibrant, mysterious, and occasionally unsettling abyss. You get up close and personal with the ocean's inhabitants, swimming alongside majestic whales, darting through schools of fish that part like a digital curtain, and generally existing as part of this incredible ecosystem.
And let's talk about the simplicity, shall we? Because in an era where every game needs a battle pass, 400 hours of grind, and lore so dense it could be a textbook, *ABZÛ* says 'nah, mate'. No dialogue, no chunky text logs, no codex entries to fill, absolutely zero combat, and — get this — you can't even die. Sounds like a recipe for boredom, right? Wrong. It’s a recipe for pure, unadulterated, meditative joy. Its story unfolds through wordless cutscenes and incredible wall murals that speak volumes without uttering a single peep. It trusts you, the player, to interpret, to feel, to observe. It's a game that respects your intelligence, which, let's be fair, is a rare beast these days.
From the moment you, as a nameless diver, slip into its waters, you're immediately struck by its beauty. The art style is minimalist, yet the visuals are dazzling. It's like a wizard's spell went slightly off-kilter and accidentally conjured the most serene, vibrant underwater world imaginable. You start in safe, shallow areas teeming with life, much like *Subnautica*'s initial calm. But as you progress, solving environmental puzzles and freeing trapped creatures, a subtle unease creeps in. You'll descend into deeper, darker, more desolate waters. Something's not right. The ocean is sick, and it's your job to figure out why, and, if you're lucky, to heal it.
The developers at Giant Squid weren't just slapping pretty fish on a screen. Oh no. They spent *years* studying the actual movements of waves, currents, and fish schools. And it shows. The swimming mechanics are, quite frankly, unparalleled. You don't feel like you're floating in zero-gravity; you feel the push and pull of the water, the resistance, the buoyancy. It's so good, it might just ruin other games' swimming for you – fair warning! Smaller fish scatter realistically as you approach, while larger, more docile creatures might just let you hitch a ride, much like the airborne fish in *Sword of the Sea*. It's a gorgeous, tactile experience.
Ultimately, like its surfing cousin, *ABZÛ* is a profound meditation on the beauty of nature and the delicate balance we're constantly on the verge of upsetting. But here's the magic: it never shoves a preachy, ham-fisted message down your gullet. Instead, it presents you with an unbelievably beautiful, poignant world, trusting you to connect the dots and feel the weight of its narrative. It's relaxing, thought-provoking, and genuinely breathtaking.
So, if *Sword of the Sea* had you dreaming of sun-drenched waves, then *ABZÛ* will have you yearning for the silent, shimmering depths. It's a short, sweet adventure – you can knock it over in three or four hours – but its story, its visuals, and those delightful swimming mechanics will stick with you, like a particularly persistent sea shanty, long after the credits roll. Don't just surf the sea, mate. Dive into its soul. You won't regret it.
Tags: Indie Games, Adventure, Exploration, Aquatic, Hidden Gems
Original article: Polygon