Nintendo and developer Arika recently showcased the upcoming co-op ocean exploration game Endless Ocean Luminous. Switch players can dive in starting May 2 and preorder now from the Switch eShop.
As the recent gameplay trailer explains, Endless Ocean Luminous takes players to a mysterious region called the Veiled Sea. The ocean changes every time players visit, and the game features a range of biomes, from coral reefs and kelp fields to underwater cliffs, frigid arctic waters, and the blackness of the deep sea.
Nintendo showcases the relaxing ocean exploration game Endless Ocean Luminous
Players will encounter over 500 marine species as they explore Endless Ocean Luminous. Examples from the trailer include stingrays, turtles, and multiple species of shark, whale, and dolphin. Players will also encounter colorful tropical fish, strange-looking sunfish, scurrying crustaceans, and bizarre deep-sea creatures. Players will even discover a few prehistoric creatures, including the shelled, squid-like orthocerida, and dinosaur-like pliosaur. The trailer even teases a mythical creature unlocked by completing a series of missions.
The diving aspect might remind players of the Subnautica series, though that comparison would be misleading. Endless Ocean Luminous seeks to be a relaxing and even educational experience. The titular luminosity comes from a strange glowing algae coating most of the creatures in the Veiled Sea. Clearing it reveals the animal’s true colors and some information about them. It’s also an interesting way to explain why to incorporate a UI element into the game’s world.
Endless Ocean Luminous also features a story mode, solo dives, and multiplayer shared dives. The latter allows groups of up to 30 players to explore the ocean as Dive Buddies. As discussed in a Nintendo press release, players will also get to participate in event dives. These special events allow players to see some unusual undersea sites.
