Abzû has beautiful underwater exploration, but it’s too much like Journey

Abzû generates a lot of the same sense of wonder as its predecessor Journey, but it trades the desert sands for underwater exploration. This PlayStation 4 and Windows game is a beautiful stylized simulation of life under the ocean, with non-realistic, breathtaking art. I enjoyed the experience, but it seemed a bit too much like Journey in the way it unfolded.

The game is a fine first experience from Giant Squid Studios, founded by Journey artist Matt Nava. The music comes from Austin Wintory, the composer of the music for Journey and a number of other hit games. Giant Squid Studios formed after Nava left Thatgamecompany, whose title Journey debuted in 2012. Giant Squid’s first game is clearly intended for fans who wanted something more. That’s a good thing in a lot of ways as Journey was one of the best PlayStation games of all time. But I also wish that Abzû went further. If it had the right story, it could have been a contender for game of the year.