Find the games you're looking for
Abzû
Critics Consensus (Play It)
Abzû’s colorful setting, beautiful soundtrack, and basic controls make it a great experience that is highly compelling.
Game Info
ABZÛ is an exploration game where you are a lone diver in a lush ocean world. The diver descends deeper and deeper into the depths, where she will encounter majestic creatures, discover ancient secrets, and search for her true purpose. ABZÛ roughly translates to “The Ocean of Wisdom” from ancient Sumerian.
0%
Recommended
0%
Average Score
Total Reviews: 95
Silver TIER
33% of scored reviews fell within the range of 80 to 86 / 100
RELEASE DATES:
GENRES:
- Adventure
DEVELOPER(S):
- Giant Squid
PUBLISHER(S):
- 505 Games
SERIES/FRANCHISE:
- n/a
GAME MODES:
- Single player
GAME ENGINE:
- Unreal Engine 4
Where to Play
WHERE TO PLAY
** VSG may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.
RATING & REVIEWS
Ratings & Reviews
95
Critic Reviews
80
Average Critic Score
Where to Play
CRITIC REVIEWS
All reviews are from professional critics. Learn more about the critics VSG aggregates.
High Score
100%
Median Score
80%
Low Score
40%
What did you think of Abzû?
Player Reviews0 Votes
0
Martin Gaston (Eurogamer)
August 2, 2016
Recommended
Unique and visually striking, Abzu doesn’t quite make the most of its underwater setting but remains a highly compelling adventure.
James Davenport (PC Gamer)
August 2, 2016
88/100
There are few games quite as curious and beautiful as Abzû, and fewer of its kind on the PC. It’s a short, dense journey filled with intense wonder and inherent beauty, and every inch is worth seeing.
David Roberts (GamesRadar+)
August 2, 2016
4/5 stars
Absolutely gorgeous and a joy to behold, but sticks too close to Journey’s formula for its own good.
VSG News
Embracer Group CEO Takes Responsibility for Restructuring, Announces Major Company Split
Assassin’s Creed Jade Release Likely Delayed to 2025 as Tencent Shifts Focus
PlayStation 5 Pro: Leaked Specs Reveal a Major Upgrade, Release Hinted for Holiday 2024
Xbox Games Hit New Platforms: Pentiment, Hi-Fi Rush, Sea of Thieves, and Grounded Coming to Other Platforms
Xbox Reaches Beyond Consoles: 4 Games to Rival Platforms, and What It Means
Score Ranges
Read the Reviews (95 total)
| Outlet | Author | Score | Date | Quote | Read |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACG | Jeremy Penter | Recommended | 08-02-2016 | Video Review | Read review |
| Arcade Sushi | Luke Brown | 7.5 / 10 | 08-02-2016 | As spectacular as Abzu’s ocean is, from the hundreds of species of marine life to the impressive seascapes, it ultimately feels a bit shallow. | Read review |
| Areajugones | Víctor Rodríguez | 8.7 / 10 | 08-02-2016 | ABZÛ is a wonderful experience that follows the path of games such as Flower or Journey, where we play to feel. This is an almost perfect masterpiece which should be played by everyone. | Read review |
| Ars Technica | Simon Parkin | Recommended | 08-16-2016 | Abzû is a beautiful audio-visual treat that’s light on challenge but big on wonder. | Read review |
| AusGamers | Kosta Andreadis | 8 / 10 | 08-19-2016 | With a brilliant musical score, some truly breathtaking deep sea vistas, and a profound ecological message ABZU; is a journey you won’t soon forget. | Read review |
| CGMagazine | Chris Carter | 7 / 10 | 08-02-2016 | I don’t even know if I’d necessarily recommend ABZÛ even if I did enjoy it. | Read review |
| COGconnected | Ryan Tessier | 90 / 100 | 08-03-2016 | Rather than ask players to challenge themselves, ABZÛ gives you the freedom to explore the mysteries of the deep at your own pace, providing an ebb and flow that offers a masterful experience. | Read review |
| Critical Hit | Darryn Bonthuys | 8 / 10 | 03-16-2017 | Abzu is quite simply a breath-taking piece of interactive art, that feels vivid and more alive than you’d imagine a video game was capable of being. | Read review |
| Cubed3 | Gabriel Jones | 8 / 10 | 12-17-2016 | For anyone who has ever had an interest in marine life then ABZÛ is a required play. It’s a stunning interactive aquarium with plenty of flair. The absence of restrictions allows for players to immerse themselves entirely in all of the undersea happenings. Every scene is an event to be cherished, and even the most minimal of interactions are memorable. There are a few moments that are so powerful that text or even a video could never hope to do them justice. If the concept sounds appealing, then don’t hesitate to pick this game up immediately. | Read review |
| Daily Dot | Colette Bennett | 3 / 5 stars | 08-04-2016 | Abzu offers a lush, gorgeous world to explore. | Read review |
| Daily Star | Nicole Hall | 4 / 5 stars | 11-29-2018 | Still Abzu-lutely magnificent, but now on the go with Nintendo Switch | Read review |
| DarkZero | Dominic Sheard | 8 / 10 | 08-12-2016 | Abzû might not offer an easy to digest story, but those missteps are made up with a dazzling experience, some marvellous set-pieces, beautiful visuals packed with vivid colours, and a lovely soundtrack. | Read review |
| Destructoid | Zack Furniss | 7 / 10 | 08-02-2016 | I did enjoy being in the water, but I can’t help but feel the beautiful visuals and music were jamming pictures of places and emotions in my face instead of earnestly telling a compelling story. There’s an unshakeable air of falsity about Abzû. As a treat to the senses, however, it’s hard to beat. | Read review |
| Digital Chumps | Eric Layman | 7 / 10 | 08-06-2016 | Scouring Abzu’s marine paradise opens an argument for emotive communication and softened storytelling. Too often, however, Abzu is less a defense of its beliefs and more a negotiation out of a cornered medium. | Read review |
| Digital Spy | Stuart Andrews | 4 / 5 stars | 07-31-2016 | In many ways Abzu looks and feels like a successor to Journey, but while there’s mystery and beauty in its underwater world, it’s rarely quite as engaging. The simple, predictable gameplay is one barrier, the abstract nature of the story another, creating an experience that’s big on audio-visual power and artistry but short on the stuff that made Journey truly magical. | Read review |
| Digitally Downloaded | Matt C | 5 / 5 stars | 08-02-2016 | That brings me to what is, more than anything else, ABZÛ’s crowning achievement. It really captures the majesty of ocean—the beauty of it, but also the power of it. In that sense, maybe “diving simulator” is accurate, because as stylized and fantastical as it is, it expertly captures what it is that makes diving such a rewarding activity: exploring the wonders of the sea. | Read review |
| DualShockers | Ryan Meitzler | 9 / 10 | 08-02-2016 | Like the hauntingly beautiful ocean that ABZU has players explore, the real thrill and joy of playing ABZU comes down to going deep beneath the surface to experience its sights and sounds it offers, and the personal and emotional connections that are bound to be found. ABZU may be short on deep, complex gameplay or a lengthy narrative, but is more than capable of providing one of the most stirring, surreal gameplay experiences that (I hope) players will experience this year. As long as you’re willing, ABZU is absolutely an experience worth being swept up in and letting you take it wherever it goes. | Read review |
| Easy Allies | Daniel Bloodworth | 4 / 5 stars | 08-02-2016 | Video Review | Read review |
| EGM | Emma Schaefer | 9 / 10 | 08-02-2016 | A riot of color, emotion, and sea life wrapped up in a stellar soundtrack and stunning visuals; Abzû walks a fine line between being a game and being a near-spiritual experience. | Read review |
| Eurogamer | Martin Gaston | Recommended | 08-02-2016 | Unique and visually striking, Abzu doesn’t quite make the most of its underwater setting but remains a highly compelling adventure. | Read review |
| Everyeye.it | Francesco Fossetti | 8 / 10 | 08-02-2016 | Abzu is an interactive exposure of wonderful underwater nature, concentrated but memorable. However, the game is still missing an important message, a sort of subtext that can impress the player. It remains an important debut for a young team that will be able to achieve great things, with a little more experience. | Read review |
| Fextralife | SimonSignal | 8 / 10 | 06-24-2017 | Abzu does change the formula in important ways, but these fun and exciting additions are not enough to move it out of Journey’s shadow. Considering just how much of the emotional journey is taken from the first game, Abzu is not groundbreaking, but it is a masterpiece that deserves to be remembered. | Read review |
| FNintendo | João Duarte | 5 / 10 | 01-17-2019 | ABZÛ fits into the type of games that want to offer an unorthodox experience. It’s possible to do wonders within that realm but unfortunately, ABZÛ falls behind expectations. Not that its audiovisual environment does not try, if the game’s visual world looks stunning, ABZÛ’s soundtrack is simply out of this world, but the almost entire lack of a compelling and motivating gameplay experience seriously impairs ABZÛ’s ability to deliver something memorable. | Read review |
| Game Informer | Matthew Kato | 8 / 10 | 08-02-2016 | Abzû isn’t for everyone, but it has its rewards if you stop to enjoy them | Read review |
| Game Revolution | afillari | 4.5 / 5 stars | 08-02-2016 | The developers at Giant Squid have made an impressive debut with ABZÛ. While very brief, almost overly so, the journey was still one to remember, especially when it features one of the most visually striking and cathartic endings in recent memory. ABZÛ is a spellbinding and visually stunning experience. I can’t recommend this title enough, and it’s definitely one you’ll want to check out. | Read review |
| Gameblog | Julien Hubert | 8 / 10 | 12-25-2018 | Now ported on the Switch, Abz’ is still a superb contemplative and meditative game that any fan of Journey should play. | Read review |
| GameCrate | David Sanchez | 8 / 10 | 08-15-2016 | Abzu is one of those games that comes along and manages to capture you into its world, allowing you to shut out all of the stress and worries of your own life. It successfully allows you to live in its dream-like environment for a few hours and delivers tranquility you may not have even known you needed. | Read review |
| Gamefa | Danial Dehghani | 9 / 10 | 09-14-2016 | Abzu is a must-play game. With its ambient music and the gorgious world, exploring the ocean will be one of the most memorable experiences of 2016. | Read review |
| GameGrin | Borja ‘VodKaVK’ Henry Vilar Martos | 9 / 10 | 09-15-2016 | Beautiful and full of surprises. The colourful and jaw-dropping vistas and experiences in ABZU will stick with you for a long time. Just like Journey did. | Read review |
| Gameplanet | Baz Macdonald | 10 / 10 | 08-03-2016 | If you aren’t entranced by mechanically shallow games like Journey, don’t bother. But if you find exploration titles even marginally interesting, Abzu is an absolute must-play – it’s the most majestic one yet. | Read review |
| Gamerheadquarters | Jason Stettner | 9.5 / 10 | 08-02-2016 | Abzu is just a perfect game that’s only held back by being a few hours long, but that shouldn’t at all stop you from enjoying such a lovely world. | Read review |
| GameSkinny | AwesumPawsum | 8 / 10 | 08-17-2016 | ABZÛ is one of the most relaxing games I’ve ever played. But is it the right game for you? | Read review |
| GameSpot | Scott Butterworth | 9 / 10 | 08-02-2016 | Abzu is deeply, transcendentally beautiful–not just visually splendid, but emotionally evocative. Without question, it is this year’s Journey. | Read review |
| GamesRadar+ | David Roberts | 4 / 5 stars | 08-02-2016 | Absolutely gorgeous and a joy to behold, but sticks too close to Journey’s formula for its own good. | Read review |
| GameWatcher | John-Paul Jones | 8.5 / 10 | 08-02-2016 | The “it’s not a game” crowd will invariably struggle to see the appeal with Abzû’s monumentally relaxed pacing, but they will arguably be the ones missing out here. An absolutely resplendent experience that is thoroughly and generously stuffed with memorable moments, Abzû’s beguiling audiovisual presentation lends it an atmosphere and sense of place that very few, if any, games can match. This is the very apex of videogame escapism. | Read review |
| GameZone | Daniel R. Miller | 8 / 10 | 08-02-2016 | I recommend Abzu to people who have enjoyed the kind of work thatgamecompany has put out because it looks like Giant Squid is here to do the same thing. Some might argue that $20 for 2 hours seems like a hefty price tag, but it’s all about how much you can appreciate the little things that go into game design. Abzu is a very good game, but it lacks that same amount of punch that Journey so effortlessly delivered back in 2012. | Read review |
| GamingBolt | Aaron Main | 6 / 10 | 08-02-2016 | This visually stunning game is a great concept that never really gets to the point the developers may have intended. With an overly abstract story, uncomfortable controls, and not much to do but look at things, there isn’t much left for players beyond the casual type. | Read review |
| GamingTrend | Abram Buehner | 90 / 100 | 11-29-2018 | ABZÛ is nothing short of a work of art. Diving through its gorgeous cel-shaded ocean with the title’s sweeping orchestra in the background enraptured me from the first moment of the game. This is an experience that shouldn’t be missed. | Read review |
| GearNuke | Khurram Imtiaz | 8 / 10 | 08-20-2016 | ABZÛ is more of an experience than it is a video game, but it is something that should not be missed. If you have enjoyed games like Journey and Flower, you will also enjoy your time with ABZÛ. | Read review |
| Geeks Under Grace | Maurice Pogue | 6.2 / 10 | 08-16-2016 | Abzû is a nice looking game that will also be remembered as a missed opportunity to surpass or at least achieve a comparative level of greatness that is its inspiration, Journey. | Read review |
| Generación Xbox | Elodie Mellado | 8 / 10 | 12-11-2016 | Abzu is one of those games that attracts you from the beginning, and it has an excellent atmosphere added by a soundtrack very well implemented. In general, it has a good performance, however, its simplicity is reflected in the short duration it has. | Read review |
| God is a Geek | Chris White | 8.5 / 10 | 08-02-2016 | Abzû is one of the greatest looking games in existence, with a simple message at its heart. You’ll revel in the wonders of its beautifully designed ocean. | Read review |
| Hardcore Gamer | Matt Whittaker | 4.5 / 5 stars | 08-02-2016 | Abzû is the type of wondrous palate cleanser that reminds us of the beauty of video games. | Read review |
| IBTimes UK | Ben Skipper | 2 / 5 stars | 08-02-2016 | Abzu is well beautiful and well put-together, but cannot escape its self-inflicted sense of déjà vu. Matt Nava and Giant Squid Studios have played it safe. Too safe. There is an obvious artistry to Abzu however, that we can only hope is put to better use in whatever comes next. | Read review |
| IGN | Jose Otero | 8.4 / 10 | 08-01-2016 | Abzu takes the graceful feel of movement and subtle push toward discovery that I’ve enjoyed in similar exploration games like Journey and Flower and builds a refreshing-yet-simple underwater adventure around it. The colorful settings, beautiful soundtrack, and basic controls made it a great experience that constantly piqued my interest, even if it never challenged me to master it other than deciphering its cryptic environmental clues. Instead, Abzu relishes in giving you freedom to simply enjoy exploring the fascinating deep blue sea. | Read review |
| IGN Italy | Marco Mottura | 8.8 / 10 | 08-02-2016 | A mesmerizing audiovisual triumph that will feel heavenly to your eyes and to your ears, unfortunately without warming your heart as much as you would expect. It probably won’t leave you teary-eyed like Journey did, but it will still be a trip absolutely worth embarking for. | Read review |
| Jump Dash Roll | Unknown | 6 / 10 | 05-14-2018 | Abzû owes too much of a debt to what has come before it, and annoyances with camera and graphical issues remove much of the satisfaction from what was meant to be, on paper at least, a relaxing voyage into a mysterious sunken world. | Read review |
| Kill Screen | Matt Margini | 85 / 100 | 08-02-2016 | Like Journey, Abzû is in some sense a game about archetypes and archetypicality, letting you dwell within and among them as though to remind you of their firm embeddedness at the foundation of other things. And yet, in a significant structural twist, it’s about recovering archetypes that no longer seem to have potency, rather than playing through an archetypal sequence—the Journey—that’s still going strong. | Read review |
| Kotaku | Riley MacLeod | Recommended | 08-02-2016 | Abzu is a lovely, pleasant game, one well worth experiencing for yourself. It unfolds in unexpected directions, a relaxing exploration in a beautiful and mysterious world. | Read review |
| Marooners’ Rock | Robert Workman | 9 / 10 | 08-07-2016 | Despite its relatively short length (again, about three hours from beginning to end), Abzu does provide the option to go back in again and see what you missed, or simply goof off with the sea life. It’s definitely a game that’s well worth returning to, especially just to partake in the visuals and calm your nerves a little bit. | Read review |
| Metro GameCentral | Unknown | 6 / 10 | 08-04-2016 | A disappointingly direct copy of Journey that offers an incredible audio and visual treat, but lacks the deeper meaning of the original. | Read review |
| New Game Network | Alex Varankou | 72 / 100 | 08-04-2016 | Despite a short length and underwhelming gameplay, Abzu makes for a compelling adventure thanks to its striking visuals and a great soundtrack. | Read review |
| Next Gen Base | Ben Ward | 10 / 10 | 08-02-2016 | ABZU, to put it bluntly, is a bit special. A stunning example of game design, allowing you to dictate your own pace through an ocean that gets more complex in both design and feel as you descend, with some moments that, in my opinion, surpass some of Journey’s standout points. A beautifully simple game in terms of mechanics, ABZU’s strength lies in its world and the emotional resonance it has with its player. If you suffer from anxiety or depression, this game should be made available on the NHS. It is, quite simply, wonderful. | Read review |
| Nintendo Life | Mitch Vogel | 9 / 10 | 11-29-2018 | Abzû is certainly a standout release on the eShop, offering up an experience that breaks from the norm of goal-based gaming in favour of something that’s more focused on simply existing in a world and enjoying all its little intricacies. Those of you who appreciate casual adventures like taking a walk in a forest will be sure to enjoy what Abzû has to offer, as the dreamlike visuals, entrancing orchestral score and deliberately sedate pace do a fantastic job of drawing the player into this alien world. We’d give Abzû a high recommendation to anybody looking for something a little more gentle for their Switch; it’s not a game about winning, but about the journey (no pun intended) you take getting there. | Read review |
| NintendoWorldReport | Anna Saurman Brown | 9 / 10 | 12-05-2018 | The biggest flaws I would give it are the tilt controls for swimming as well as looking around, but for the most part it’s easy to sort out (unless you get stressed out and spaz the controls, but that might just be a thing I do). It’s an instinctual, go at your own pace story, with lots of time available to stop and smell some ocean roses, if you so wish. I’ll definitely be going back to find all those mediation spots I missed, and probably relive some of those beautiful story moments. | Read review |
| NZGamer | Luke Batt | 7 / 10 | 08-04-2016 | Stunning art and music design, but shallow when it comes to depth of meaning and gameplay. | Read review |
| OnlySP | Joanna Nelius | 4.5 / 5 stars | 08-02-2016 | One of the most amazing moments is coming around a bend or emerging through a tunnel into a large open area with buildings and more sea life as far as the eye can see. The music swells to an apex, climbing from a happy urgency to a grand revelation. | Read review |
| Paste Magazine | Jack de Quidt | 9 / 10 | 08-17-2016 | It’s your last impression of the game and it sticks with you, reflecting back on what you’ve seen. It’s the case, though, that the vast majority of Abzû is so beautiful, so well put together, that the fact the ending is a little disappointing doesn’t diminish my view of it as whole. When I think back on the game it’s not the final image I remember but the turquoise shallows, the pattern of the sun falling on the sand, the great vaulted ceilings of blue water. | Read review |
| PC Gamer | James Davenport | 88 / 100 | 08-02-2016 | There are few games quite as curious and beautiful as Abzû, and fewer of its kind on the PC. It’s a short, dense journey filled with intense wonder and inherent beauty, and every inch is worth seeing. | Read review |
| PlayStation LifeStyle | Paulmichael Contreras | 8 / 10 | 08-03-2016 | What more needs to be said? ABZÛ is a beautiful experience. It’s still technically a game, but one that can be appreciated by anyone who loves bright colors, art, fish, meditation, and more. If it weren’t for the PlayStation 4’s fans kicking up due to all the high-poly rendering, it could even make for a nice virtual aquarium. For $19.99, there are definitely other games with more regular gaming content. However, ABZÛ is one experience that many people should not pass up on. | Read review |
| PlayStation Universe | Ernest Lin | 8.5 / 10 | 08-02-2016 | ABZÛ is perfect for fans of Journey and other thatgamecompany titles, thanks to the sweet simplicity of its gameplay and visuals as well as marvelous musical score. | Read review |
| Polygon | Justin McElroy | 7.5 / 10 | 08-02-2016 | Abzu is gorgeous and calming but a little shallow | Read review |
| Press Start | James Berich | 10 / 10 | 08-01-2016 | ABZÛ is exactly what it appears to be – it’s a linear game that encourages players to dive into its deep waters and interact with nature. | Read review |
| pressakey.com | Jari Wieschmann | Recommended | 08-23-2016 | Dass Abzû – Achtung Wortwitz – an mangelndem Tiefgang leidet, möchte ich so nicht unterschreiben. Wer sich für Spiele á la Journey oder The Unfinished Swan nicht erwärmen kann oder will, sollte auch um dieses Kleinod einen großen Bogen machen. Alle anderen geben dem rund vierstündigen Tauchgang allerdings eine Chance. Um welche Art von Welt es sich am Ende handelt, bleibt ohne Frage sehr diffus. Doch gerade dies macht für mich den Reiz aus. Wenn an einem der Meditations-Punkte ein Buckelwal majestätisch an mir vorbeizieht und sich über mir der rotierende Wirbel eines riesigen Fischschwarms dreht, dann glaube ich zumindest an die erzählerische Kraft des Videospiels, in der die Schwerelosigkeit des Tauchens zu einer Kunstform erhoben wird. Für mich ist Abzû eine Art Endless Ocean mit philosophischem Überbau. Zudem blitzt in manchen Momenten der Genius von James Camerons Abyss auf, wobei ich mir gewünscht hätte, dass die Macher den Story-Fundus dieses Science-Fiction-Klassikers großzügiger für die Reise der namenlosen Taucherin geplündert hätten. Doch auch so bleibt Abzû unter dem Strich eine atmosphärische und auch lohnende Reise. Eines ist mir auch klar geworden: Für den Markt der VR-Brillen sind Inhalte wie diese geradezu gemacht. Wer jemals die Technik-Demo “theBlu” für die HTC Vive ausprobiert hat, weiß wovon ich spreche. Abzû in einer VR-Version wäre geradezu perfektes Kopf- und Entspannungskino. | Read review |
| Pure Playstation | Jason Frye | 7.5 / 10 | 08-11-2016 | Abzu is a beautiful experience, and the visuals are some of the best I have seen all year. The soundtrack for the game is something that needs to be heard and seen in context to truly be appreciated, but it is good enough to give it a listen separately. The game is relaxing and peaceful to play. If there are others in the room, they will be entranced. Unfortunately, the game is extremely short and does not offer much variety. If this type of game appeals to you, buy it immediately. If not, you may want to wait for a sale. Either way, I look forward to visiting the world again soon. | Read review |
| Push Square | Kell Andersen | 9 / 10 | 08-02-2016 | ABZÛ is a triumph of exploration and atmosphere. Its gorgeous underwater playgrounds are a joy to explore thanks to its perfectly tuned controls, awe-inspiring visuals, and beautiful sound design. A somewhat predictable story does little to hamper what is otherwise an utterly unique and rapturous experience. | Read review |
| Reloading BR | Felipe Mesquita | 8.4 / 10 | 08-02-2016 | During the 3 hours of my playthrough, ABZÛ impressed me for pretty much all of the time. The game is as intuitive and fun to control as it is alive and beautiful to explore, qualities that end up making up for the small gaps in storytelling and lack of more in-depth puzzles. It’s an experience that deserves to be played with full focus, all at once, with the headset on the head and with very little to no information about its set pieces. Unfortunately, it will be inevitable to suffer from comparison to thatgamecompany games, but Matt Nava shows that he learned very well from the time he spent with them. | Read review |
| Reno Gazette-Journal | Jason Hidalgo | 7.5 / 10 | 09-01-2016 | Abzu is one of those pleasantly surprising titles that feels likes it’s on the cusp of being a great game with just a bit more fleshing out. Its deep, undersea world is absolutely gorgeous and its metaphysical take on “show-don’t-tell” storytelling evokes thoughts of the excellent game INSIDE. Folks who prefer traditional gaming mechanics and storytelling might consider the overall gameplay to be barebones and lacking purpose. If you’re a fan of non-traditional gaming that has a bit of an indie feel to it, however, you’ll want to dive into Abzu. | Read review |
| Rock, Paper, Shotgun | Philippa Warr | Recommended | 08-02-2016 | Abzû is a beautiful game. It’s a game stuffed with fish and colour and movement and music. I love those things. Sometimes you feel like you’re actually inside an episode of Blue Planet (I recorded the video above during one such moment). But I don’t love wrestling for control of an experience which feels expansive one moment and restrictive or unpredictable the next. | Read review |
| Rocket Chainsaw | Jarrod Mawson | 3 / 5 stars | 08-06-2016 | ABZÛ is by no means bad. It’s an admirable new studio first effort, one worth a dive for its technical, visual, and audio sensory pleasure that together succeed in offering a relaxing, zen-like experience. | Read review |
| Saudi Gamer | صالح بازرعة | 6 / 10 | 08-05-2016 | A short journey in the depths of the ocean. A slow paced and relaxing journey, with a bit of action, accompanied by a calm soundtrack. The artistic scenery and soundtrack are best things in the game, the rest is either average or below average. | Read review |
| Screen Rant | Derek Stauffer | 3.5 / 5 stars | 12-01-2018 | The world is what makes Abzu special not anything about how it plays or the game’s ambitions. That was the case in 2016 and it’s certainly the case now. Yet even if Abzu doesn’t offer a brand-new experience it still accomplishes its goals very well. | Read review |
| Slant Magazine | Jed Pressgrove | 2 / 5 stars | 08-02-2016 | The game fails to satisfy the natural urge to explore a three-dimensional realm of seemingly endless possibilities. | Read review |
| SomHráč.sk | Martin Kubeš | 85 / 100 | 08-11-2016 | If you’re looking for a magical adventure, you might just stop looking. ABZÛ has some great moments and atmosphere, even if that carries price of its short length. If you’ve liked Journey, you will like ABZÛ as well. | Read review |
| SpazioGames | Paolo Sirio | 7.5 / 10 | 11-29-2018 | Abzu is also on Switch a little gem, not too original, but solid with a great OST. There are some technical problems with this portable version and the game is not very lasting. | Read review |
| Stevivor | Matt Gosper | 8 / 10 | 08-02-2016 | Between the rich visuals, orchestral soundtrack and chill playing experience, you’ll find something to like. | Read review |
| SwitchWatch | Juan Romero | 9 / 10 | 11-30-2018 | Video Review | Read review |
| TechRaptor | Jordan Oloman | 9 / 10 | 08-08-2016 | A pinnacle of aesthetic design and the best use of the Unreal Engine to date, ABZÛ is an unmissable underwater romp. | Read review |
| The Game Fanatics | Eva Escribano | 9 / 10 | 08-15-2016 | With its minimalistic approach, Abzû appeals to the senses, lets your imagination wander. It may not be completely innovative, but it surely earns its own place alongside Journey, Flower, and other titles of the same genre. | Read review |
| The Games Machine | Erica Mura | 8.9 / 10 | 11-29-2018 | The porting of a title as peculiar as Abzû has gone incredibly well, considering the difficulty of having to find the perfect balance between a lower resolution and the details of a graphic style so poetically minimalist. Giant Squid’s little masterpiece is a must have for those who are inclined to yield to the irresistible call of the sea, even on Nintendo Switch. | Read review |
| The Jimquisition | Jim Sterling | 7.5 / 10 | 08-18-2016 | ABZÛ is a lesser game than Journey, but since I consider Journey to be one of the more sublime pieces of interactive entertainment I’ve enjoyed, that’s hardly a damning indictment. While it struggles to be truly resonant, Giant Squid’s aquatic adventure is nonetheless enjoyable, alluring, and ultimately pleasant. | Read review |
| TheSixthAxis | Jim Hargreaves | 8 / 10 | 08-09-2016 | If Giant Squid had removed every trace of its name from Abzû, you could easily have mistaken it for a thatgamecompany production. For a developer to nail that same sense of artistry and wonder with its debut is nothing short of amazing. | Read review |
| TheXboxHub | Richard Dobson | 3.5 / 5 stars | 12-19-2016 | For those looking for the next Journey, ABZÛ may disappoint. It’s a very enjoyable game but is leagues below its predecessor. Pun intended. For all the niggling gripes listed above, there also appears to be something missing. It’s a game with a very strong message, beautiful vistas and a lot of heart, but the main character felt a bit lifeless. There were times when it got truly tense, but after realising the mechanic in those sections, any connection I had with the character disappeared. | Read review |
| Thumbsticks | Daniel New | 4.5 / 5 stars | 12-05-2018 | With exemplary visuals and audio, Abzû takes the player on a memorable journey to the depths of the ocean. It’s not a hard, complicated, or long game, but it’s aesthetically impressive, delightful to control, and emotionally rewarding. | Read review |
| Twinfinite | Hayes Madsen | 3 / 5 stars | 08-04-2016 | Giant Squid Studios clearly wants Abzu to be as evocative of an experience as Journey, and while I enjoyed how calming it was, I ultimately found myself unsatisfied after my three-hour playthrough. The game’s world and setting is incredibly beautiful and atmospheric, but there just isn’t enough meat to the game to really sate your hunger. | Read review |
| USgamer | Jeremy Parish | 3 / 5 stars | 08-02-2016 | Does beauty alone justify a game? Can the novelty of swimming through majestic oceans teeming with life overcome an otherwise fairly by-the-numbers experience that never quite achieves the creative heights it so earnestly aspires to? I suppose that’s down to the player, but as much as I wanted to love Abzû, the end result fell just short of brilliance. It’s worth playing for the incredible presentation, but don’t expect something profoundly new here. | Read review |
| VGChartz | Daniel Carreras | Recommended | 08-10-2016 | Abzû is not as original as it could be, borrowing as heavily from its spiritual predecessors as it does, but I can whole-heartedly say that Abzû is one of the best games I’ve played in 2016. | Read review |
| VideoGamer | Tom Orry | 8 / 10 | 08-02-2016 | Abzu is a testament to where we are with video game development and shows how diverse the medium can and should be, even if it’s not quite as emotionally resonant as it perhaps could have been. | Read review |
| Washington Post | Christopher Byrd | Recommended | 08-02-2016 | A nice swim through a virtual world | Read review |
| Wccftech | Kai Powell | 9.4 / 10 | 08-02-2016 | For those looking for a narrative journey that’s unlike anything else on the Playstation 4, Abzû offers plenty to experience. | Read review |
| We Got This Covered | Tyler Treese | 5 / 5 stars | 08-02-2016 | ABZÛ simply has to be seen to be believed, as it’s a real achievement for the video game medium. | Read review |
| Windows Central | Paul Acevedo | 4.5 / 5 stars | 01-17-2017 | Grab this one for its artistic beauty and a unique, captivating diving experience. | Read review |
| Worth Playing | Andreas Salmen | 8.8 / 10 | 05-29-2019 | When considering the sum of its parts, Abzu is a masterfully crafted experience from start to finish. It’s a beautiful re-creation of the underwater ecosystem, from big predators to schools of colorful fish. Add to that the mystery of exploring an unknown civilization and a musical score that is beyond captivating, and you are in for a treat for all of your senses. It’s not for everyone, but if you let it, Abzu may captivate you. | Read review |
| Zoomg | Meysam Khalilzadeh | 8 / 10 | 12-12-2016 | ABZU is a mixture of art, myth and indie game and has the ability to take the gamer on a journey under the water. You find different kind of species and it is a relaxing experience. If you want to have a relaxing journey under water for a few hours, ABZU is for you. | Read review |
| ZTGD | Ken McKown | 9 / 10 | 08-02-2016 | Abzu is something that was never even on my radar. Then I booted it up, and never let go. Every area was an experience, and it made an impact on me. I don’t spend my time trying to figure out what it means, I just enjoyed the ride, and it is easy to recommend. Especially to those that enjoy the idea of swimming in the depths of the ocean, and exploring the alien life found below the waves. | Read review |
Developed by Giant Squid. All titles, content, brand names, trademarks, logos, artwork, and associated imagery are trademarks and/or copyright material of their respective owners. © All rights reserved.
