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I don't know about you, but after a few thousand zombies, and aliens, and robots, and crazy
purple tentacles...I get kind of tired of killing things in video games. Sometimes,
I just want to kick back, you know? And...explore the dark depths of a strange and terrible
ocean, where touching the bottom can make you explode in a sudden, life-ending flash.
You know, just to relax.
It's Abyss for the Nintendo Wii U.
So this game was actually released a couple years ago, originally. It was available as
a download on the Nintendo DSi...and of course, the 3DS by extension. And it was really the
perfect kind of game to have on the go. The simple design, the short missions...it was
an awesome game to pull out when you had a few minutes to spare.
And now, it's found its way to the Wii U...with updated graphics, and new missions, and a
new multiplayer mode. And not only that, you get all that new stuff at the same low price
as before.
It's only two dollars on the eShop.
So even though it's a better fit on the go, it's actually a better game on Wii U.
And speaking of the game, Abyss is like a physics-based platformer...underwater. So
if you combined Lunar Lander with the swimming level, from the original Ninja Turtles. That's
Abyss. Controlling a little submarine...eyeball...thing, you have to slowly make your way through an
increasingly complex series of underwater mazes. It's deep, it's dark...and at times,
it's impossible to see more than a few inches in front of your face.
Eyeball.
Whatever.
So your objective is simple. There are a bunch of glowing stones hidden in each maze. You
have to find them all before then finding the exit, which gets you the hell out of there.
And if this all sounds easy, don't be mistaken. Abyss is an insanely challenging game to play.
Or perhaps more specifically, to control. And that's the catch—this is a game about
physics. Specifically, underwater physics. More specifically...very, very delicate, underwater
physics.
So in the spirit of Lunar Lander...even the simplest moves, and shortest movements, take
serious finesse to pull off.
In fact, when it comes to the controls...you could have two people playing this, and each
one could have a completely opposite opinion on how it plays...and I'm not sure you could
say either one of them is wrong. I mean, I was playing the multiplayer with TJ, and the
controls had him so angry, he didn't even want to play. I said they're delicate, he
said disaster.
Potato, potato.
Probably more of a regional thing. So anyway, don't expect to just pick this one up and
fly through it. It takes time to get used to those controls, and get a handle on those
physics.
And speaking of the multiplayer...not a great addition, to be honest. I mean, by the game's
design, it's just more of a slow, deliberate, single-player experience. So when you have
two players trying to duke it out...it just doesn't feel right. Don't get me wrong, it's
nice to have multiplayer...it's just that it's not really a selling point.
But what might be...are the new graphics. Abyss looks way better on Wii U. Now, it's
still not a very detailed game, so...it still has a bit of a handheld look to it. But it's
way more polished than before. The colors are deeper, and more vibrant...and the contrast
is a lot sharper, too. So the silhouettes are darker, which makes the levels seem even
more black, and ominous.
But again, the colors are the real highlight.
They have this fluorescent glow, which really stands out against the darkness.
You know, one of the complaints people had with the original game...was its content.
Even though it's only two dollars, it still felt a little thin. Not the case this time.
I mean, it's still not the deepest game, and the voice clips are still awful, and the music
gets a little repetitive...but its still a cool game, and the added modes and improvements
really go a long way.
And it's still only two dollars! So there's no reason not to check it out. It's beautiful,
it's challenging, it's infuriating...you know, just a nice chill game. It's Abyss, for the
Wii U.
No pressure.
Except for the water pressure. There is...devastating water pressure.